Inside Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) 6 [Paperback]

Gary D. Bouton (Author), Barbara Bouton (Author), Ron Pfister (Author), Beth Mohler (Author), Mara Zebest Nathanson (Author), Gary Kubicek (Author)

Book Description

Series: Inside | Publication Date: December 19, 2000

Gary Bouton's learning methodology is set up to give you hands-on experience with Photoshop's features, using either the imagery created in the book, or the your own. Gary grounds you in the most practical and useful aspects of Photoshop-the real-world uses of this powerful program-before delving into the more complex, arcane, or esoteric uses of the program. Each chapter includes a balance of textual discussion, hands-on exercises, and review material, all written in Gary's highly praised style: compelling to more advanced users while never patronizing to the less experienced. The CD-ROM includes all exercise files used in the book so that you can follow the author exactly, duplicating everything discussed and shown in the book. The CD will also include numerous texture maps and custom photo art for use at your discretion; as well as filters and utilities; along with a digital computer graphics glossary compiled by the author and laid out in Adobe Acrobat PDF format.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Just when you think Photoshop can do everything you need and more, along comes a new version packed with more features and new, cool tricks. Inside Adobe Photoshop 6 takes apart this massive image editor and breaks it down into bite-size pieces, making the program considerably more approachable for the new user and giving the experienced Photoshop artist a chance to see, in a nutshell, what's new.

Intended for all audiences, the book starts by introducing the application from the ground up, paying special attention to its many new features. Liberal use of screen shots makes the book easy to follow, and many of the pictures are annotated, drawing attention to the feature or trick being discussed. As with most books of this size, though, the color images are limited to a gallery section in the middle. Even chapter 14, "Color Correcting and Exposure," is printed in black and white.

There are many useful examples throughout the book. "Creating Special Effects with Type" (chapter 13), "Repairing Heirloom Photos" (chapter 15), retouching with the clone stamp tool (chapter 17), and using shapes (chapter 12) are a few gems. Even if you've been using Photoshop for years, there will be a number of times when you read a trick and raise an eyebrow, thinking "Wow, I didn't know that!"

There are four main sections, beginning with an introduction to the basics, understanding color management, and acquiring and outputting images. Part II, "Digging Deeper," explores the real power under the hood--creating and using selections, creating layers to build images, and creating and using shapes. "Exploring the Cool Stuff," part III, offers some real-world examples on how to use color correction, how to use many of the available tools, and how to work with type.

Photoshop isn't the only application you get when you buy Photoshop, though. Adobe has been bundling ImageReady with it for some time now, and Photoshop 6 and ImageReady 3 make a powerful set of tools for Web artists. Because of this already large and growing market, part IV of this book, nearly a quarter of the whole, is all about ImageReady and how it interacts with Photoshop. Preparing images, creating image maps, and building rollovers are well covered. Even if you've never coded HTML in your life, ImageReady, Photoshop, and Inside Adobe Photoshop 6 make it easier than you can imagine.

The conversational style in the book also takes the edge off, making the whole matter of learning to use Photoshop much more approachable. For new and mid-level users of Photoshop, or even experienced users new to version 6, Inside Adobe Photoshop 6 makes a handy reference guide. --Mike Caputo

Review

"Scott cuts to the quick and loads his book with the kind of time-saving and high-quality material that's made this book an instant classic."Web Developer.Internet.com, Aug 2001"A giant among the titles under review, not just for the sheer number of pages but for style as well. Design and presentation are excellent, which is appropriate, with excellent and imaginative use made of cropped screenshots.Our favourite in-depth title."Computer Shopper, Sept 2001

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Product Details

• Paperback: 1056 pages
• Publisher: New Riders Press (December 19, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735710384
• ISBN-13: 978-0735710382
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,543,687 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

68 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best pick for Photoshop 6 books, December 28, 2000

By 

AbbyDeBoston (CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Inside Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) 6 (Paperback)

In preparing to transition at team of graphic artists and web designers from Photoshop 5.5 to Photoshop 6, I have reviewed several books on the revised application. Inside Adobe Photoshop 6 is the best I have found that will serve as both a comprehensive tutorial and a reference manual.

This book is loaded with samples and how-tos that will help anyone planning to learn Photoshop 6.

The wonderful folks at Adobe have brought us another powerful program, and Gary Bouton and his team have brought us another valuable tool for tackling yet another version of Photoshop.

This book is a must buy for both novice and pro.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT Reference, February 9, 2001

By 

Barbara Rhoades "Jackie of all Trades" (O'Fallon, MO USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Inside Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) 6 (Paperback)

I always knew Photoshop was a Power Program and Inside Adobe Photoshop 6 with CD proves this to be true. With over a thousand pages, the authors didn't miss a thing this program can do.

For those of us that are just learning Photoshop, the first chapter provides a good foundation for what can be found in Photoshop. Chapter Three which is approximately 60 pages long goes through Color Management. There are two chapters on images and one on Tools and automation. And all of this can be found in Part I.

Part II contains information on layers and special effects using type. Part III takes the reader through Color Correction, working with pictures and repairing them, using the tools and making surrealistic images.

Part IV brings the reader to the Web itself. Finally, in Part V, there is information on the CD that comes with the book, resources and what wasn't covered in the book. Even though the book is very long, there are graphical examples throughout plus Tips, Notes, and Warnings.

This book is not made for overnight reading but is definitely one that anyone using Photoshop should have on hand. It may not be one that you read from cover to cover, but it will be certain to have the material to answer your questions.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gary Bouton - Your Still The Man, March 2, 2001

By 

Paul Simone (Fayetteville, GA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Inside Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) 6 (Paperback)

I can't wait any longer to write my review of Gary's new book. No, I have not finished the book yet, but I have been through many pages and words describing Adobe's phenominal new product; Photoshop 6!

As Gary pointed out, Photoshop 6 is a whole new ballgame. It's almost twice as large as Photoshop 5.5, but somehow 'friendlier'. Or at the very least, easier to use.

I noticed that one reviewer complained about errors in the book. I want you to know that every time I saw what I thought was an error, it was my interpretation of what was being said. I bring a lot of paradigms to my reading and studying. A man doesn't give up a whole summer of his life to produce a piece of garbage.

I'm trained in Photoshop because of Gary Bouton and his wife. In the early days I would read every word and do every lesson until I understood it. It has paid off. I don't have time for that anymore and I miss doing it. It was a right of passage for me.

Now, with the new Photoshop, Gary has had to have help. This will give you an idea of the magnitude of this endeavor. It takes what I call a "3 inch" book to learn these new, heavy-hitter programs. I did the same thing with Adobe Illustrator.

If you want to learn Adobe Photoshop, you are going to have to bite-the-bullet, as they say, and knuckle down and study it. I can think of no better book to do it with. I can think of no better author to do it with. Spend your money and your time wisely and purchase this book. In the future you will thank me for this review, and you will thank Gary Bouton and his helpers for all his/their hard work. Thank you Gary, you're still THE MAN.