Reviews (5)

awesome
I have been reading this book for the last 30 minutes and it's one wow after another. I just turned to my dog and said "This book is amazing!" hehe. Even for the well-seasoned
I **LOVE** this book!I've been using Photoshop since version 4 and i'm self-taught.I am not an expert yet but then i don't consider myself a novice either. Photoshop reference extraordinaire
I love this book! I wish all software books were written this well. If you took 20 Photoshop books at random and put them through some magic process that took all the good stuff out and condensed them into 1 easy to read, well-organized, no fluff, no 1500 pages and 4 pounds of paper book, this would be what comes out.Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Graphics - Design    2. Computer Graphics - Photoshop    3. Computers - Desktop Publishing    4. Data Transmission Systems - General    5. Digital Image Processing    6. Photo Techniques    7. Photographic Techniques Using Specific Equipment    8. Photography    9. Techniques - Equipment    10. Computers / Computer Graphics / Design    11. Photoshop    12. Publishing on the Internet    13. Computers    14. Graphic Design   

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Graphics - General    3. Computer Graphics - Photoshop    4. Computers    5. Computers - General Information    6. Computers / Computer Graphics / General    7. Photoshop   

Reviews (16)

The cutesiness is dull, dull, dull
I learned a lot from this book, but it was annoying to have to plow through a lot of meaningless chit chat to do so.The book could be 25% shorter without all the senseless yammer--which was not that funny.When I'm trying to understand a particular tool or function, I don't appreciate the extra time it takes to read about how pixel resolution is like grandma's oatmeal cookies, or whatever.

Great Help
I always had difficulty with the original manual. On a given subject it referred you to another place in the manual. The Dummies book does a better job of covering a subject in it's entirety. The index is also much better.

Much Better Than The Manual
I learned a lot from this book and it really turned Photoshop from something intimidating into a very powerful tool that I now enjoy using. My photos are much better now and my wife is amazed at how well I can salvage seemingly "ruined" pictures. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adobe Photoshop elements    2. Computer Bks - Other Applications    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Computer Graphics - Photoshop    5. Computer graphics    6. Computers - Other Applications    7. Digital photography    8. Digital techniques    9. Microcomputer Graphics    10. Photo Techniques    11. Photographic Techniques Using Specific Equipment    12. Photography    13. Techniques - Equipment    14. Computers / Computer Graphics / Design    15. Photoshop   

Reviews (1)

A great investment
I am an graduate architecture student.This "Photoshop for Architects" works well with students like myself.I appreciate the in-depth analysis on how AutoCAD and Photoshop work well together.Plus, the author explains reasons why he approaches particular situations with these programs.A great investment. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Graphics - General    3. Computers    4. Computers - Desktop Publishing    5. Desktop Publishing    6. Desktop Publishing - QuarkXpress    7. Electronic Publishing    8. Operating Systems - General    9. QuarkXPress (Computer file)    10. Computers / Desktop Publishing / General   

Reviews (1)

Perfect for beginner or experienced user
This is a great book whether you're a beginning user or you've been around the block a few times with the program. It is very clearly organized around the various program functions which, makes it great for reading straight through or picking out the functions as you need them. I borrowed the book for options on cropping and removing backgrounds and wound-up purchasing my own copy for its versatility and ease of use. It comes with an accompanying CD that has demo versions of some useful programs, as well as sample artwork and a full copy of the book you can search through on your computer. This book is superior to the "Teach Yourself Visually" series also from Maran, which tends to really hold your hand through the most basic functions. It is also much clearer than the text-oriented books which have more words than examples. A nice balance overall that all but the most advanced users will appreciate. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adobe Photoshop    2. Computer Graphics - General    3. Computer Graphics - Photoshop    4. Computer graphics    5. Computers - Desktop Publishing    6. Microcomputer Graphics    7. Photo Techniques    8. Photographic Techniques Using Specific Equipment    9. Photography    10. Techniques - Equipment    11. Computers / Computer Graphics / Design    12. Photoshop   

Editorial Review

If you’re easily put off by purple pages festooned with hearts or photos of babies dressed like fairies, you might just miss out on this trove of practical advice on running a successful digital imaging business. All dolled up like a preteen’s diary, Read more

Reviews (10)

Useless book unless you are (or want to be) a commercial photographer
If you are a portrait photographer (with no intention of moving into commercial photography) this book is a waste of money.
A fairly lightweight glamor-retouching expose'
If you are looking for a definitive instruction book on portrait retouching, this is not the book.Readers will find the process of glamour retouching interesting: chopping inches off hips, transplating locks of hair, whitening teeth, etc. But there is not much hard information provided, only broad approaches. However, the book does provide a window into how the actual world of commercial glamour photography operates - including how art directors interface with photographers and retouchers. Troche-Stapp shows how she found a unique niche in a very competitive business. Worthwhile information for someone considering this venue as a career.

A bit misleading but that aside, its good!
The title is a bit misleading. When I got my hands on this book I thought I'd learn some cool techniques on retouching as well as how to add glitter and stuff in photoshop. Nope Sorry didn't learn how to add glitter in photoshop.
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Subjects:  1. Business methods    2. Commercial photography    3. Computer Bks - Desktop Publishing    4. Computer Books: Operating Systems    5. Computer Graphics - General    6. Computer Graphics - Photoshop    7. Computers    8. Computers - Desktop Publishing    9. Digital techniques    10. Handbooks, manuals, etc    11. Photography    12. Computers / Computer Graphics / General    13. Image processing: graphics (static images)    14. Photoshop   

Reviews (2)

Huh?
According to the authors the RAW file format is mainly for use in transferring graphics between Apple and PC computers and loses a great deal of detail. In other words they wrote a book about Photoshop CS but they know little if anything about the subject.

Great revision to this classic book
Whether you be new Photoshop user or experienced, you'll find great information in this good book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adobe Photoshop    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Graphics - Design    4. Computer Graphics - Game Programming    5. Computer Graphics - Photoshop    6. Computer graphics    7. Computers    8. Computers - Desktop Publishing    9. Desktop Publishing - General    10. Computers / Computer Graphics / Design    11. Photoshop   

Reviews (9)

Sucker born every day & 2 to take him
The title is completely misleading.
Contains very useful tips and tricks for PDF users
This is a very comprehensive solutions catalog on all kinds of PDF related issues.Each trick is described with step-by-step instructions and contains pointers to relevant resources.The chapter listing categorizes the hacks - Consuming PDF, Managing a Collection, Authoring and Self-Publishing, Creating PDF and Other Editions, Manipulating PDF files, Dynamic PDF, Scripting and Programming Acrobat.
I could have used this book on several occassions
With PDF files everywhere from web sites to help files, sooner or later you will run into a situation where you need to do something to a PDF file.For me the first time I realized I needed to do something I could not was when I needed to take one and convert it to a Word format so I could quickly outline the high points to study for a certification exam.After several hours I finally got it into a text file thanks to a web site that did the conversion.But even then I lost the tables, illustrations, etc.How to do that is one of the hacks included in this book.I wish it were printed a few years ago because it would have made my life easier.
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Subjects:  1. Adobe Acrobat    2. Computer Books: Languages    3. Computers    4. Computers - Other Applications    5. Electronic Publishing    6. Miscellaneous Software    7. Portable document software    8. Programming Languages - General    9. Adobe, Acrobat, PDF, PostScript, document management, desk top publishing, electronic document    10. Computers / Electronic Publishing    11. Computers / General    12. Computers / Other Applications    13. Computers/General    14. Databases & data structures    15. File conversion (Computer science)    16. PDF (Computer file format)   

Reviews (4)

Great Training Book!!
This is the first time that I've tried learning through the Hands on Training (H.O.T) books and after reading & practicing with the CD that comes along with the book, I think this is a great training book! The book was very well written and the having the CD with the practice files to train with really helps you learn.I am in no way new to Photoshop, but I'd never used ImageReady before.With this book, I literally was able to understand and learn ImageReady CS in one day, and I also learned a lot of useful tips in Photoshop CS that I had never used before.Plus, with the way the book is written, anytime you have a question or problem, you can skip to a certain page or chapter that should help you. I am very satisfied with this purchase and plan on using H.O.T exclusively to train on any other softwere that I need to learn.

Very Helpful!
I found this book extremely easy to use and very helpful.The lessons were quick and easy to understand.I wish they would have gone into more complicated applications.For getting a handle on how to use Photoshop and ImageReady it was wonderful.

Plus 220 pages of additional content, minus color
The book description refers to the book as "this full-color volume" in error. The update from Photoshop/Imageready 7 to CS has added 220 pages of content, but to hold the same price point, it was necessary to produce the book in black and white. I really miss the color. I occasionally purchase a Photoshop book that is not in color, but with one exception (Deke McClelland's Look and Learn Photoshop 6), they always end up being returned.Read more

Subjects:  1. Adobe ImageReady    2. Adobe Photoshop    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computer Graphics - General    5. Computer graphics    6. Computers    7. Computers - Desktop Publishing    8. Design    9. Desktop Publishing - General    10. Microcomputer Graphics    11. Techniques - Equipment    12. Web sites    13. Computers / Computer Graphics / General    14. Internet    15. Photoshop   

Reviews (2)

After Effects book worked for me...
This book was a great help,Im currently attending the Art Institute of California-San Diego. and this book was recommended for my Motion Graphics class.It has a lot of good tutorials and pointers to do on your own.This book was a great asset to honing my motion graphics skills.

The best start to learn After Effect
Are you new with After Effects? Adobe After Effects 7 Visual Quickpro Guide for Antony Bolante really gives you fast steps toward learning more about this product. This book gives you a strong base to start a leading career using After Effects.
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Subjects:  1. Adobe After Effects    2. Adobe After Effects (Computer software)    3. Cinematography    4. Computer Animation    5. Computer Books: General    6. Computer Graphics - General    7. Computers    8. Computers - Desktop Publishing    9. Data processing    10. Microcomputer Operating Environments    11. Operating Systems - Macintosh    12. Operating Systems - Windows    13. Special effects    14. Computer Software Packages    15. Computers / Interactive Media   

Reviews (5)

Great book for waste youre time
if you want to waste youre time bay this book.

A step above "For Dummies", but not much...
I found this book to a lot of hype and not much delivery.In Chapter 6,the authors spend two whole pages on how to add graphics to Microsoft Word. This is one of the main reasons one would choose Visio.They list theoptions one may select, but never actually tell you how to accomplish theact!! The index in the back is also difficult to use, hard to find thetopics one is looking for - or this may actually be a reflection of thebook being incomplete.I have learned more about Visio on my own than byreading, using, or attempting to look up a reference in Hedtke &Knottingham's "Official" guide.

Fine for beginners
This book is OK for beginners who have little to no experience with othergraphics programes (i.e. Publisher, Illustrator), but it simply glosses themore advanced features.For example, the books states, almost like an ad,that you can link to Access and Project, but gives useless explanations asto how these tasks are done and no examples or explanation on why you woulddo it.These advanced features are the very reason you would use Visio inthe first place. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business Software - General    2. Computer Books: Desktop Publish    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Computer graphics    5. Computers    6. Computers - Desktop Publishing    7. Desktop Publishing - General    8. Microcomputer Graphics    9. Reference - General    10. Visio   

Reviews (4)

I should have read the review's of the book first !!
The Book is just a info commercial at best, almost no tech help.

Don't Purchase
I flipped through the book and saw some nice imagry and thought it might have some good tutorials on the CD-ROM.Was I wrong, this book teaches nothing...it informs the reader of how cool it is to combine Photoshop and Maya and stops right there.I don't know how this book was published with maya on the title.

Sorry but I cannot recommend it
I am used to buy a lot of good books from Amazon, but this time I had bought this book without waiting for other opinion about, so I think I have to inform that this book is really useless if you are looking for ideas or tutorial regarding integration between the two programs. Really a basic level targeted book, with nothing useful for intermediate/advanced users.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Graphics - Photoshop    3. Computer animation    4. Computers    5. Computers - Other Applications    6. General    7. Three-dimensional display systems    8. Computer graphics software    9. Computers / Computer Graphics / Design    10. Image processing: computer animation   

Reviews (7)

CorelDraw 12 Unleashed
I have been very happy with this product. So far, it has led me through every thing that I wanted to do. Worth the cost.

A nice way to learn
I've started working with CorelDraw 12 and this guide and am making a lot of progress.I find this type of method is a great way to learn, not as tedious as just a manual alone, and watching the instructional videos clues you in a lot faster to how to use features.I'm very satisfied with this aid.

The Perfect Boot Camp Partner
I recently attended one of Foster's Corel Draw Boot Camps and feel that "CorelDRAW 12 Unleashed" is the perfect partner to that great learning experience. The book on CD-ROM puts everything, as far as useful information about DRAW and PHOTO-PAINT, right at your finger tips in a way that is easy to comprehend. This book has become my Corel "bible" and I urge anyone who uses the CorelDRAW Graphics Suite to invest in it, as well as one of Foster's Boot Camps. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Concise, clear, and effective
EXCELLENT reference book. Material is presentedly lucidly, without the superfluous details. The extra visual guides facilitate the learning process extremely well. If you are looking for a book that covers the fundamentals (including flowing text and styling sheets), I HIGHLY recommend this visual quick guide book.
From a novice Quarker
Those of us who communicate in spoken English sometimes despair of technical manuals written by those who don't. This is true even for those of us who are quite literate in computer-speak. This Vistual Quickstart Guide to QuarkXPress 6 is a wonderful exception. Quark is a highly intuitive program that makes sense once one grasps the basics, and I found this an excellent reference guide to learning this powerful program. However, I found it worked best if I was at my computer exploring the areas being discussed in the text. What was most helpful to me were the screen illustrations.

Have you ever read the dictionary cover to cover?
Reading this book in order to learn QuarkXpress is akin to reading the dictionary cover to cover in order to learn the English language. Can it be done? Maybe. But it is not recommended.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computers    3. Computers - Desktop Publishing    4. Desktop Publishing    5. Desktop Publishing - General    6. Electronic Publishing    7. QuarkXPress (Computer file)    8. Computers / Desktop Publishing / General    9. Quark XPress   

Reviews (7)

Disappointing
Disjointed and seemingly written for the Windoze only crowd, give this book a pass and spend your money more wisely elsewhere.

For my Digital Photography Class
I read almost everything published, books to magazines. As a book for entry level digital photographers wishing to progress, this is the best book. I learned a few things too. Well done.

Ignores Mac
While I like the book, the fact that it is ignorant of Mac (9 or OSX) commands is disappointing.Basically, Photoshop books today respectfully address and discuss both PC and Mac issues.This is standard. All the great Peachpit Press books, for example.If I had known that the author was a PC guy and not going to address any of this, I would not have purchased it. The cover makes no mention of this.Additionally, there are other errors in the book as well (as in directing you to a disk file which is misnumbered). Read more

Subjects:  1. Adobe Photoshop    2. Computer Graphics - Design    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Computer Graphics - Photoshop    5. Computer graphics    6. Computers - Desktop Publishing    7. Desktop Publishing - General    8. Digital photography    9. Digital techniques    10. Microcomputer Graphics    11. Photo Techniques    12. Photographic Techniques Using Specific Equipment    13. Photography    14. Techniques - Equipment    15. Computers / Computer Graphics / Design    16. Photoshop   

Reviews (4)

No-Nonsense Guide Delivers
Editing with Avid Xpress Pro and Avid Xpress DV is a terrific book for beginners and for intermediate editors as well.It doesn't waste time trying to interject "personality" into the text, it dives straight into teaching the Avid interface, buttons and basic editing techniques.It's organized well and can be used for quick reference, but it also contains exercises and short quizzes at the end of each chapter.The exercises contain real world footage that ranges from a PSA on the rainforest to an emergency roomdrama.The book gives you two ways to go through the exercises as well:1.with detailed step-by-step instructions perfect for beginners or2.with an outline of basic instructions that allows an intermediate editor to hone his/her skills when those step-by-steps plod you into a state of hypnosis.
Average at Best
This book is put out by peachpit and frankly I'm surprised at the mediocre quality of it.I also purchased the Visual Quickbooks Xpress Pro book (also put out by Peachpit) and found it to be superior in every way but one.The single area in which the official Avid book stands out is the inclusion of a dvd of source material to be used in exercises.I consider this to be an absolute necessity when learning any complicated piece of software.However, the Avid book disappoints in its implementation.The Apple pro training series Final Cut Pro book incorporates the exercises directly into the chapters, meaning that you follow along as you learn.The Avid book on the other hand is laid out so that you read a chapter on how to do something, quiz yourself on your knowledge retention and then are provided an excersise section in which to practice what you have learned.Personally, I find it extremely difficult to read about a software interface without using it simultaneously.For this reason I greatly prefer Apple's layout.If this book didn't come with the DVD, I would have given it 2 stars.

Well written....very practical.
Few books are written by *educational* departments.Most software books are written by people who managed to land a book deal.
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Subjects:  1. Avid Xpress    2. Computer Animation    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computer Graphics - General    5. Computers    6. Computers - Other Applications    7. Data processing    8. Digital video    9. Editing    10. General    11. Handbooks, manuals, etc    12. Interactive & Multimedia    13. Motion pictures    14. Television & Video    15. Video tapes    16. Videotape Recording    17. Audio processing    18. Computers / Interactive Media    19. Image processing: video    20. Multimedia    21. Video photography   

Reviews (16)

Mastering Your Life
If you are wanting to make the most out of your life, willing to challenge yourself and change your thinking about life, then, this book is a must read. Ramtha doesn't hold back. He gives his all and lets you know that you can learn to do the same. This book is mind opening, reassuring and a breath of fresh, clean air. Ramthe sets an example for humanity and provides the path. He makes it clear that it is our choice where we put our attention. If humanity focuses and evolves toward Ramtha's example, we have nothing to worry about.

Instructions are sometimes incomplete or vague
I have to go against the grain here. Other reviewers seem to like this book, but I don't think it's that great. I am an intermediate level Photoshop user and I feel that for what is essentially a "cook book" that some of the steps are missing or vague. Instructions like "adjust to get the desired effect" mean nothing. If I see an example of the effect I like in the book I want to know EXACTLY how to do it and not be left to guess. It is not what I consider a step-by-step book and some of the instructions tell you to do something and assume you know what to do. If you are a beginner, stay away from this book. If you are an intermediate user you may have some luck, but I'd look at other Photoshop type effets books.

Another Beginner's Point of View
I too am new to Photoshop and am finding this book a struggle.Read more

Subjects:  1. Adobe Photoshop    2. Computer Graphics - General    3. Computer Graphics - Photoshop    4. Computer graphics    5. Computers - Desktop Publishing    6. Digital techniques    7. Microcomputer Graphics    8. Photo Techniques    9. Photographic Techniques Using Specific Equipment    10. Photography    11. Techniques - Equipment    12. Type and type-founding    13. Computers / Computer Graphics / General    14. Photoshop    15. Typography   

Reviews (5)

Good FH book to get you started
I am new with FreeHand. I bought MX2004 Flash Pro and I wanted to start using all of MX2004 apps including FreeHand.This book taught me how to get me started with FH. It comes with the practice files to work my way through the lessens and I had no problem following the book. I also purchased Fireworks version of this book from the same publisher.

Freehand MX training from the source
A well written introductory level coursebook that will also be a good reference because of the explanations at each step. It tells why you ake an action and also gives alternative ways to accomplish the same task. 4 stars instead of five because a couple of key steps were omitted in two of the exercises. I had to backtrack repeatedly until I figured out the missing steps. Recommended.

Very Good
The author clearly states in the introduction the book is intended for new Freehand users. One of the previous reviews, stating it is unfit for power users, is probably correct; but that is not the intent of the book. Based on that, this book accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do: acquaint new users to Freehand. I thought it did a very good job. Additionally, the Freehand manual actually is shipped with the CD. It is located on the installation CD in .pdf format. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Graphics - Design    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Computer graphics    5. Computers    6. Computers - Desktop Publishing    7. Desktop Publishing - General    8. FreeHand (Computer file)    9. Microcomputer Graphics    10. Computer graphics software    11. Computers / Computer Graphics / Design    12. World Wide Web (WWW)   

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Graphics - General    3. Computers - Desktop Publishing    4. Desktop Publishing - General    5. Interactive & Multimedia    6. Computers / Interactive Media    7. Photoshop