Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) 5.5 Fundamentals with ImageReady 2 [Textbook Binding]

Gary David Bouton (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0735709289 | ISBN-13: 978-0735709287 | Publication Date: December 10, 1999

Designed for all levels of expertise, but definitely NOT a beginner's book, Adobe Photoshop 5.5 Fundamentals with ImageReady 2 is the most comprehensive, easy-to-use guide on the market today. Not only does it teach you how to use Photoshop 5.5 tools, but also how to make its key concepts part of your conceptual and creativity processes. Author Gary Bouton has designed a systematic approach to working with the software that reinforces and enhances your skills. He shows you what the creative process demands of you, and how you can meet those demands: from creating a cool Web site to integrating text from other programs; from the ins and outs of good typographic layouts to math formulas for successful output; and much, much more. Discover why his approach to teaching has helped thousands of Photoshop users get up to speed quickly and start earning money with their new skills.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Rather than a barebones, step-by-step how-to, Adobe Photoshop 5.5 Fundamentals with ImageReady 2 is more of a tutorial, with the author acting as instructor. Gary David Bouton approaches teaching Photoshop 5.5 as though it's an easygoing seminar, with lots of humor, personal touches, and discoveries thrown in. The text is lengthy but enjoyable, and there are many illustrations, often with funny captions (e.g., "JPEG wins!" or "Pathetic!"). Readers can use the artwork on the companion CD-ROM while following along; the sample images sport flashy and detailed 3-D effects (plenty of neon, highlights, and airbrush).

The fundamentals start with basics like adjusting your monitor, memory allotment, Photoshop's preferences, and other factors affecting efficiency. There are two chapters devoted to making "selections." Selecting out part of a complicated photo can be very challenging, and there are many ways to go about it. The lessons in these chapters are particularly well done. The book is also effective in showing how to use masks and layers and discussing output issues like interpolation, resolution, and halftone.

Because this book covers version 5.5, there are four chapters devoted to ImageReady, surveying topics such as choosing formats; optimizing GIFs; and creating GIF animations, image maps, and rollovers. And the final chapter, "If You Read Only One Chapter," uses many of the topics in the book on one project, acting as a quick review.

The companion CD-ROM includes trial versions of plug-ins Bouton particularly likes, a demo version of Photoshop 5.5, and fonts and clip art he and his wife created. (It's CharityWare; to register you donate to some charities they've chosen.)

Novices will benefit from this book by starting out with a solid foundation, and more experienced users can learn those important "fundamentals" they never had time for. --Angelynn Grant

Topics covered: Photoshop 5.5 instruction, including adjusting the workspace (monitor, Photoshop preferences, and palettes), selection methods, working with masks, layers, channels, type, images, and effects; and ImageReady 2 instruction, including choosing image formats, optimizing GIFs, creating GIF animations, image maps, and rollovers. CD-ROM includes trial versions of Photoshop 5.5 as well as several plug-ins from Andromeda, Xaos Tools and Alien Skin, CharityWare fonts and clip art, and all artwork used in the lessons.

From the Back Cover

Designed for all levels of expertise, but definitely NOT a beginner's book, Adobe Photoshop 5.5 Fundamentals with ImageReady 2 is the most comprehensive, easy-to-use guide on the market today. Not only does it teach you how to use Photoshop 5.5 tools, but also how to make its key concepts part of your conceptual and creativity processes. Author Gary Bouton has designed a systematic approach to working with the software that reinforces and enhances your skills. He shows you what the creative process demands of you, and how you can meet those demands: from creating a cool Web site to integrating text from other programs; from the ins and outs of good typographic layouts to math formulas for successful output; and much, much more. Discover why his approach to teaching has helped thousands of Photoshop users get up to speed quickly and start earning money with their new skills.

Product Details

• Textbook Binding: 550 pages
• Publisher: New Riders Publishing (December 10, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735709289
• ISBN-13: 978-0735709287
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,010,488 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Since 1991, Gary David Bouton has authored 25 books covering different topics, but they all revolve around a central theme: how does today's individual express themself artistically? The author has been illustrating professionally for over 30 years, and Mr. Bouton makes a point to share with readers not simply what a graphics application's tools do, but how they can be used to produce whatever is on the reader's mind.

Gary has written the Inside Adobe Photoshop series, several CorelDraw manuals including The Official Guide, books on video editing, 3D modeling, and creating Web content. Most recently, Gary has finished co-authoring Photoshop CS4 QuickSteps, and the Xara Xtreme Official Guide, due out this fall from McGraw-Hill.

In the spare time he doesn't have, Gary enjoys composing music and is an active practitioner of what he teaches through his books. Currently, the author works with video producers creating CGI and other post effects for music videos.

The author and his wife Barbara host TheBoutons.com, home of The Pixel Dust Forum, which supports diverse and lively discussions on everything (but mainly computer graphics). The Boutons also support their books at their website.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book-Easy to Follow, May 8, 2000

By 

jgkimo - See all my reviews

This review is from: Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) 5.5 Fundamentals with ImageReady 2 (Textbook Binding)

This book is written very well. I am a beginner when its comes to Photoshop and this book really helped me become more productive when using this software. I felt that the examples were clear, concise & packed with excellent tips, such as the keyboard shortcuts, memory efficiency tips and the chapters devoted just to ImageReady. After reading this book you will definitely walk away feeling more confident and thereby becoming a more productive user with the software. This alone is well worth the cost of the book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's indeed a very very good "fundamental" book!, April 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) 5.5 Fundamentals with ImageReady 2 (Textbook Binding)

I am a beginner in using Photoshop and I find the material and exercise in this book are excellent. Althought I only finish 9 chapters, I have learnt a lot and the examples are easy to follow too.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book.....one of the BEST...on Photoshop 5.5, December 18, 2000

By 

Debu (India) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) 5.5 Fundamentals with ImageReady 2 (Textbook Binding)

I am a web designer and a teacher by profession. Here in India...the reprints are pretty late...This book has been by far the best i have on photoshop...I had started on Fireworks because i felt the learning curve on photoshop was too steep...but after going thru this book and it's examples i feel this is by far the BEST BOOK ON Photoshop 5.5 and ImageReady....Kudos to Mr Gary Bouton....Expecting to see the next book on Photoshop 6.0 very soon...