Duncan and Law have written an extensive user’s guide for a computerized machining system that they created. They provide enough background about computer-aided manufacture and design in general to enable readers to use the system. The bulk of the book is devoted to extensive detail on the use of their IBM PC–based software package POLYHEDRAL NC. Readers who could use this book are limited to users of this specific system--engineers, designers, dental technicians, and medical technicians.

The system has a powerful and complete set of modeling primitives and operations. Each chapter of the book presents a different aspect of CAD/CAM and then describes the specific associated features of POLYHEDRAL NC. The topics covered include designing objects with three-dimensional bicubic patches, collecting data from real-world objects, producing perspective views of an object on the computer screen, prismatic surfaces, closed polyhedra, the basic machining algorithms, and several example applications. Appendices detail how to obtain and install the software, provide several examples of its use, and summarize all of the system’s commands.

While the scope of the book is rather limited, it fulfills its intended purpose well. Readers not experienced in CAD/CAM should be able to understand and use the software effectively by referring to this document. Theoretical and general topics are treated briefly yet clearly, with just enough information to provide insight into the specifics of this system. The commands and features of the software are described well. Amazingly, all of this explanation is packed into a thin, well-designed book with no major typographical errors. The nature of the book precludes its use as anything other than a user manual, however.

As far as I can determine, no other extant books cover POLYHEDRAL NC. Thus the bibliography is short, devoted primarily to the authors’ research publications about specific applications of the system. While it would be nice if a few more general CAD books were listed, their absence is not a major shortcoming.

Overall, the authors have succeeded in their task. They have provided a concise, readable, accessible user manual. Readers should be able to get through this book quickly and then get on with the job of using the system.