Desktop Books

I found this book to contain some little known interesting facts, and new ways to utilize the new photoshop tools. It was easy to find exactly the subject I was looking for, along with finding little known shortcuts.

I confess. My library (ok the bathroom) is stacked with Archie comics for the occasional pastime while taking care of things. My latest edition is this book for the sole reason that there is just too much to absorb at one sitting. Nor will I use this book as a desktop reference tool while working on a deadline. I need to absorb all this great information over time, like the multipication table.

The book have something that usually is loathly missing in most. It give you paths to the command that is speaks of in the relevant question/answer sections regarding particular needs (Q. How do I resized a batch of various sized images. A. Use Fit Image (File > Automate > Fit Image - course there is more to this than that, but you get the drift).

Great guns. A keeper for me and other professionals who count on Photoshop to make the mortgage. BTW the Archies stay as well.

Unlike Blatner&Frasers Real World book on Photoshop CS this one is set up for the intermediate or even the beginning photoshopper.Where the Real World Books gets in depth information on each item this well explained book gives you the opportunity to learn easy-to-follow answers on a lot of beginners questions:
-page 1-28:all about photoshop essentials(upgrading smoothly,control&menus,windows&palettes,monitors,tools,editing objects and handling documents.
-page 29-48: getting the picture:creating and opening files,exploring camera raw,scanning
-page 49-84:image editing basics(resolution,cropping,selection strategies,amazing transformations,duplicating)
-page 87-123:correcting images(evaluating an image,making global corrections,making local corrections,maintaining image quality,productivity perks,sharpening,actions&batches)
-page 125-139:working with layers(managing layers,aligning layers,layer masks,combining images)
-page 141-154: working with type(creating &editing type,get set with type)
-page 155-179:enhancing creativity(brushes,filter fun,perspective&distortion,darkroom adventures,paths&the pen)
-page 181-194: keeping color consistent(setting up color,previewing color output,color space conversions)
-page 195-212:organizing&finding images(building your bridge,annotating&organizing,fast file finding,production practices)
-page 215-244:printing,saving&exporting(printing,images for other programs,store multiple variations in one file,images for the internet,it's showtime)
-index page 245-253
David Blatner& Conrad Chavez did a tremendous job grouping hundreds of tips in 244 pages.Each chapter starts with a red question mark next to an individual question like ...?Is it true you can actually use the Crop Tool to correct perspective in an image or...?Tell me about the new Smart Sharpen command.How is it different than Unsharp Mask?Do I use it with Unsharp Mask or instead of it? or...?Infrared images look realy cool.How can I simulate that effect in Photoshop?
The book is in a handy format and each item is a small tutorial with the necessary examples illustrated on the page.
Don't read it from cover to flap(your choice!) because it's no covering "every feature" in PS but use it as a reminder for practical problems you encounter daily.
I put it on my night table and when I dream about PS(i'm insane!)and don't find THAT solution according my dreams it still lays on my side and I can dream further without worrying that my dreampicture would'nt achieve.
By the way this book is applicable for problems with CS and CS2;the content is worth the price.Well done gurus!

I've been collecting shells for many years but i never thought of the complexity and perfection of their patterns! This book describes in a simple way the mechanisms that produce the surface decorations of shells. It takes reader in a fascinating trip in a world of algorithmic shapes and colors!

I came across this book at the Rhode Island School of Design library. As an artist I found it surprising that what I had considered to be just a beautiful pattern was actually an imprint of the pressure and movement of the waves upon the seashell. This insight was very thought provoking for me. Perhaps to biologists this is a normal and natural thing - but for an artist this kind of scientific approach with beautifully illustrated pages is a deeply moving experience. This book will definitely make you think twice about the objects that you take for granted - whether it's visually or scientifically. I strongly recommend this book for those who like intellectual challenges and who like to look at the world with fresh new eyes.

This book describes, using a computer, The geometry involved in the building of seashells and in particular the surface features. It shows the how and why of surface decorations found on several species of Mollusks. This is probably the only book to treat this subject and do so extensively expertly and comprahensively.

Andrew Glassner's Other Notebook: Further Recreations in Computer Graphics by computer graphics researcher and expert Andrew Glassner is an inspiring, thought-provoking, full-color, visual, mathematical, and tutorial tour of some of the artistic achievements that modern computers are capable of. Individual chapters address programming functions and commands to craft remarkable images of soap bubbles, Celtic knotwork, recreate special lighting and camera techniques, transform sounds into shapes, and much more. Andrew Glassner's Other Notebook is a very highly recommended supplementary resource for budding computer artists, hobbyists, students, and professional designers seeking to create unique and memorable computer graphics.

The combination of beautiful graphics and a curious mind make this book a fantastic educational experience. I just happened to see it in a bookstore, picked it up, and couldn't stop reading it until the end. The quality of the book, even though it is a paperback, is fantastic, and each chapter opens up a new and fun idea. I notice that Amazon is nearly out of stock. I suspect that means it's really selling well. It should.

This collection of articles by Andrew Glassner is great for sparking the imagination of computer graphics programmers by getting them to look at problems in unconventional ways. Glassner tackles a number of interesting subjects in this second effort of his "Notebook" series.
My personal favorite was the section on soap bubbles, because it gave me some interesting ideas for creating some animations. Glassner discusses the chemistry of soap films, some of their basic geometry, and how to write a soap-film shader. He also talks about wave interference, and how that gives rise to the beautiful colors that make up soap bubbles.
Another useful article for animators was the one on the ceraunoscope that could produce lightning with particular physical and audio characteristics. One of the most ingenious articles was the Shape Synthesizer, which is a system for artistic 3D modeling. Rather than computerize an existing 3D medium, Glassner developed a technique for creating shapes. He turned to the highly successful field of sound synthesis, and derived three principles that were important to sound synthesizers and also map well into 3D geometry. He used this mapping to develop a set of modules and a single data type carried by the "wires" between modules resulting in interesting 3D forms.
There are also chapters relating - of all things - window wipers and computer graphics, and there is an entire article devoted to quantum computing. If you have any interest in this field you might want to start with this book, since Glassner does a better job of explaining the basics of quantum computing in his one article than do most books on the subject.
Although there is no code included with this book, there are enough details given both via text and equations that you should be able to write your own. Therefore, I would highly recommend this book both to the computer graphic programmer as well as anyone else with a curious and probing mind.

I like reading AutoCAD books. I think Shumaker and Madsen are the best authors'. This book guides you through advance designing such as Technical drawings and other information for fast tips.

The one book you'll need to use AutoCAD-14 efficiantly.It makes the task, of learning one of the most difficult programs, manageable. It's the text most used at collage. Get it!!

Great for advanced students. Easy to understand with thousands of pictures to help guide you through your studies.

No exageration--this book changed my life!!-from a simple Autocad draftsman, dependent on others, I learned how to write my own programs and adapt Autocad to the specific needs of my office. I had no programming experience, but I quickly became the office expert--and my paycheck shows the results!!

I learned Autolisp in school about 6 years ago and like most students promptly forgot it as soon as the test was over. This book has proved invaluable in reacquiring the programming skills I learned (and forgot) so long ago. It is probably the best book for beginners in Autocad as well as Autolisp programming since most of it is explained in a simple and easy to understand fashion.

I have been using AutoCAD/AutoLISP since 1984 and this book helped me get started. After reading and using the examples I easily increased my productivity using AutoCAD 20-30%. I currently suport and teach AutoCAD classes and AutoLISP in Plain English is the text book I use for my introduction class to AutoLISP.

George Head makes the most technical concepts easy to understand and [even more important] to implement. The examples used are easy to follow and can be readily modified for use in any industry.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning AutoLISP

After having a version of Photoshop Elements included with one of my digital SLRs, I thought it might be a good idea to learn how to use the program. I was surprised with all that can be done with this inexpensive program. The author carefully explains the tools and how to maximize their use. After reading this book, I am confident that I can make many of my corrections and manipulations in Elements and not have to rely on the pro versions of Photoshop. Photoshop Elements and this book is more than enough for most photographers.

I bought Elements 2.0, had Adobe's manual, and checked out 3 books from the library to learn how to use it--Teach Yourself Visually (Woolridge), Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 (Andrews) and this one. This is by far the easiest one to use to get started. At first I thought one of the other two books would be best, but this book, which initially I put aside as having too little information, is what I ended up starting APE2.0 with. It gives you just enough information on the different functions to get you started with the program in a logical order, with short explanations, brief but thorough instructions and visual samples so you can see the results and compare. I found the other 2 books from the library simply didn't go into the basics as well and the visual is simply confusing when you don't know what you're doing or what you're doing it with. The manual with the program--forget about it! Maybe once I'm comfortable with this book and have expanded a bit more with the others, maybe when I'm absolutely desperate for information I can't find anywhere else--maybe then I'll look at Adobe's manual.

If you're an absolute newby to Adobe Photoshop Elements, this is a great starter book. And I say this with some knowledge of Microsoft Photodraw 2000 and various other photofinishing software--I didn't start out a total novice. After just a couple days I am creating photo projects with Adobe that I never thought I could do with an inexpensive (compared to full grown Photoshop!) program.

This is the first guide to Adobe Photoshop Elements that this beginner has been able to really sink his teeth into. I hope they bring out a version for Version 6 soon.

§
Despite Microsoft's claims that their vaunted "focus groups" and client experience consultants have allowed them to offer us painless computing, you and the rest of the world know it isn't true. Waiting for Windows XP or Vista to boot up and shut down certainly are irritations in themselves worth a hack or two.

As you can imagine, this is a large book. That is not just the number of pages (650) but also the format -- of the fold-flat variety. This big book of hacks is easy to work with physically.

The editorial review on this page describes the contents well except that I would alter "contains more than 100 hacks" to "contains almost 200 hacks." Quite a difference.

The writing is clear and informed. I'm sure you have read many of Gralla's magazine contributions over the years. Be sure that the book is not all text. There are plenty of illustrations and even photos (for the hardware hacks) to guide you. The hacks themselves are directed at all versions of Windows, with the focus on XP and Vista.

Consider this book a compendium of all those tips you always rip out of your computer magazine subscriptions to save -- then lose track of. Here they are, all in one place, not easily lost given the size of this book!
§

This book has given me immense new ways to work with the Windows XP. It is infomative and simple to understand. I highly recommend it to all Microsoft Windowa XP users. You will be glad you got a copy.

PC users who would understand the underlying power behind the Windows system will appreciate the weighty, information-packed Preston Gralla Big Book of Windows Hacks, a coverage packed with time-saving tips and hints. From how to save regularly-used searches to disabling Windows Mail's splash screen, stopping Firefox memory leaks, and backing up Vista hacks, THE BIG BOOK OF WINDOWS HACKS is a 'must' for any collection catering to patrons behind the novice stages.

As an experienced graphics user with a number of graphics books, this one was a breath of fresh air. All of the aspects of Carrara are covered with information and instructions that should be easy for a beginner to follow while also having what an experienced user needs as well. The examples are top notch and not only show off what the software can do, but does it using examples that are not normally seen. A lot of quality tips and tricks in the book as well. A CD with a lot of quality content is included and it is too bad that some of those execptional images did not make it into the book as well. Certainly worth spending time on. It also includes the full demo copy of Carrara 3, the latest version. A great way to explore the software before you put down the full price for it. With the execptional output from this software and the high quality of this book, you will want to keep both close by.

This book is a must buy, specially for novice Carrara users. In fact, you need to buy this book and shelve the user manual, because the user manual is no where near being a tutorial. The book is a handy on guide to the most important 3D concepts and Carrara features, with practical exercises throughout every concept treated. Being paperback and printed in black and white with no color insets I do think it is an expensive book. But you get your buck back from all that you'll learn.

This is one of the best software handbook I have ever bought.
(I started buying computer books in 1979, incidently. I'm new to 3d modelling though, started 3 months ago.)
The author has the ability to take you through a sequence of learning stages, using very clear language, but achieving sophisticated and complex outcomes, in a painless manner.
Covers all the key aspects of Carrara 3, and gives insider tips that aren't in the manual, on key board short cuts, for example that really speed up your workflow. Might not suit everyone, but it suited my learning style perfectly. Doesn't replace, but complements the manual. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

(duplicate)

Just took my exam this afternoon and passed the 1st time! An excellent study guide that comes very close to covering everything on the exam. In addition to having an actual copy of Dreamweaver for hands-on learning/practice, get an additional reference book for complete coverage. I used and recommend "Dreamweaver 4: The Missing Manual" by David Sawyer McFarland - the best book on Dreamweaver I've seen thus far. A great investment and one that I would HIGHLY urge you to purchase. Using both books together was perfect and two that shall remain as first-points of reference.

Being an experienced Dreamweaver user, I found this book extremely easy to read. I was able to read it straight through, away from the computer. I also found a few tips in the book that I hadn't found when using the software, so it is an excellent book, even if you do not want to get certified. Although, this isn't a learn to use Dreamweaver book, so it is inappropriate for new users.

And Yes, I passed, so it met it's objective!

Of all the Visual QuickStart books that I've read, this book is by far the best. It explains how to use all of CorelDRAW 7's features in easy to follow steps that even a novice like myself can understand. Also, although it's not its purpose, it does a very good job in teaching the user about the software, beyond just merely how to use it. It gives the user an overview about what makes the software tick, without the overkill that one can find in other books about CorelDRAW 7. It has been a lifesaver for me, for it enabled me to teach myself the software, which is what "QuickStart" is all about.

I like the Visual Quick Start range of books a lot as they help me to get started with the minimum pain. I wanted a quick-in to Corel Draw (7) and this handy book summarises all the main functions of Corel Draw. It's entirely in black and white but is written in manageable sections that helped me to get started pretty quickly before I felt the need to look out for a more comprehensive manual. Well written, good value.

This book has the step-by-step guidance that I need when I work through a program as complex as CorelDraw 7! In addition, it is really visually awesome. The graphic design in this book puts it way above most computer software books. Using it, you'll find yourself opening whole new creative worlds