Photoshop Tricks

5 Comments for this entry

• Charles I. Maas
  July 4th, 2010 on 4:07 pm

  Review by Charles I. Maas for Adobe Photoshop CS3: Top 100 Simplified Tips & Tricks (Top 100 Simplified Tips & Tricks)
  Rating:
  Adobe Photoshop has had a long and well-deserved reign at the top of the heap of digital image editors. The broad-ranging capability of this behemoth to parse and modify pixels in just about any way imaginable, and the dedication of its parent company Adobe to continue to improve it and make its tools available to as many high-level users as possible has helped it carve a rather niche in the industry. But one of the drawbacks is a steep learning curve.

  If want to teach yourself more about a number of Photoshop CS3′s capabilities and you prefer complex issues carved up into small, illustrated packets – that is, you’re a visual learner – this book would be an excellent choice. One of the “Simplified Tips & Tricks” series, it is part of Wiley’s 5-Star Visual Learning System, all of which have these features: 1. Minimal text and maximum illustrations; 2. Task-oriented, step-by-step approach; 3. Navigational aides connect instructions to illustrations; 4. Self-contained, two-page lessons; 5. Uniform layout makes it easy to read less, learn more.

  It’s important to note the presumption by the author that you already know Photoshop CS3 basics; the intent is not for this book to be your first tutorial, but to help you learn more shortcuts, tips, and tricks quickly and efficiently after you’ve mastered the fundamentals of installation, opening files, and other basic operations of the program.

  Does the book succeed? Very well, in my view. Though my personal learning style tends to be more old-school, textbook oriented, I was very positively impressed with how well the book meets the goals of the 5-Star Visual Learning System. The limited commentary is direct, informative, and spare without falling into the trap of trying to be distractingly trendy, quippy, and cute. Illustrations are well done, covering much of each two-page spread, and companion instructions are clear and concise. And the Tips boxes contain really useful additional information that in effect broadens the scope of the book well beyond the original 100 topics.

  Conclusion — highly recommended. While I’m generally put off by book publisher’s promises to make learning difficult topics easy, this is one example that actually succeeds.
  
• Loretta Jones
  July 4th, 2010 on 4:58 pm

  Review by Loretta Jones for Adobe Photoshop CS3: Top 100 Simplified Tips & Tricks (Top 100 Simplified Tips & Tricks)
  Rating:
  I really like the organization of this book because I can jump right to learning about the exact thing I want to do. I don’t have to read a 100 pages to get there. This makes it really easy.
• Ron Aguirre
  July 4th, 2010 on 5:00 pm

  Review by Ron Aguirre for Adobe Photoshop CS3: Top 100 Simplified Tips & Tricks (Top 100 Simplified Tips & Tricks)
  Rating:
  I have followed Lynette Kent’s writings and have never been disapointed with the simple tips & tricks she provides. Need something done, look it up in her book and in several short steps the task is complete. Without having to read a chapter or more of information to accomplish a project. This book is a must in every graphic artists and Photographers library.
• Rose M. Chopitea
  July 4th, 2010 on 5:11 pm

  Review by Rose M. Chopitea for Adobe Photoshop CS3: Top 100 Simplified Tips & Tricks (Top 100 Simplified Tips & Tricks)
  Rating:
  I bought this book three weeks ago and have used it a lot. Its good though it has its flaws. Perfect companion to have with Photoshop CS3 essential skills, which is more professional and very good, but I like the fun things on Simplified, which the other book does no have. All in all I recomend it, you learn a lot of neat things.
• A. Owens
  July 4th, 2010 on 5:42 pm

  Review by A. Owens for Adobe Photoshop CS3: Top 100 Simplified Tips & Tricks (Top 100 Simplified Tips & Tricks)
  Rating:
  This book clearly and consisely explains techniques that go beyond the basics in an easy-to-follow self-contained, two-page format. Great for the visual learner!