Photoshop 6 Effects Magic [Paperback]

Sherry London (Author), Rhoda Grossman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 073571035X | ISBN-13: 978-0735710351 | Publication Date: February 25, 2001

Contributors provide instruction on how to create a variety of exciting new effects using the techniques available in Photoshop 6. Each project will be from 3 to 10 pages in length and be designed in a 2-column format with step-by-step instructions on the left and corresponding graphics (or code) on the right. In addition, sidebars will be used to provide additional tips and tricks. Any effect, technique, or tip can easily be customized to fit a reader¿s own design needs.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In Photoshop 6 Effects Magic, a array of professionals illustrate the use of many of Photoshop 6's new features as well as basic techniques in a collection of over 20 tutorials. This book is not for freshmen Photoshop artists. It requires that you have a working knowledge of basic Photoshop tools, getting around the interface, and creating and editing Photoshop images.

Spanning four sections, the book covers painting techniques, photographic techniques, image manipulation, and compositing techniques. Each section contains at least five tutorials, and all are in full color and richly illustrated. While the book is not platform-specific, many of the techniques described in the "Painting Techniques" section, for example, are dependent on a graphics tablet. If you use Photoshop for freehand illustration, you're probably already using one. If not, you can still use many of the techniques described with a mouse, albeit with less control.

Creating painterly illustrations from photographs in a sketch or watercolor style is well covered, as are manipulating and retouching photographs to change atmosphere, create multilayered compositions, or add depth or style. Compositing techniques using Photoshop's live effects give a designer great latitude, and the tutorials using text and live effects are especially worthwhile.

The Magic series of books from New Riders Publishing is an outstanding collection, with no expense spared in layout or production. Photoshop 6 Effects Magic holds its own in this distinguished series, and is a valuable handbook to have at your fingertips. --Mike Caputo

Review

"If you're a novice or intermediate user, you'll find it an excellent primer for this most esoteric of applications."PC Answers, July 2001"The techniques are explained in a fairly simple style and certainly should pose no great problem for the target audience."Freelance Informer, July 2001

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Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: New Riders Press (February 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 073571035X
• ISBN-13: 978-0735710351
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 10.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,572,529 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must-buy if you are serious about your improving skills, March 15, 2001

By 

S. Nare "snare" (Lebanon, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Photoshop 6 Effects Magic (Paperback)

Let me start by saying I loved this book. If I had to say something negative, the cover is odd, but beyond that, the book is perfection and well worth buying! This book is set up as a series of projects or lessons. Each one provides pictures of what the final version is and how it will look as you progress. An expert in the field authors each project or lesson. All of the directions are clear and easy to follow. If you are at a intermediate to advanced level, you will love this book. I have listed below the 35 major categories for the lessons with the number of lessons in each category appearing in parentheses:

Airbrushing (1), Art History Brush (1), Blending Modes (4), Borders (2), Channels (5), Clipping Groups (1), Colorizing (3), Compositing (3), Custom Brushes (1), Custom Colors (1), Filters (4), Gradients (4), History Brush (2), Layer Effects (2), Layer Masks (9), Layer Modes (1), Levels (2), Lighting Effects (5), Liquify Tool (1), Masking (2), Painting (3), Paths (1), Patterns (4), Perspective & Depth (2), Posterizing (2), Quick Mask Mode (1), Restoration (1), Retouching (3), Selections (2), Sepia Tones (1), Shape Tool (1), Texturing (5), Tiling (2), Type (3) and Warp Text (1).

29 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Overdone, June 20, 2001

By 

Dee K. Sadler "macwebdiva" (Kansas City, MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Photoshop 6 Effects Magic (Paperback)

I teach both a begining and advanced Photoshop class for an Apple Specialist. I try to provide a book to go with the two day advanced class. Finding a book that is right for this class has always been a challange. I was sent this book to review and I have to say I was disappointed. It seems like they are wanting to impress and not use the route with the fewest steps. There are easier ways of doing most of these exercises. The effects themselves were also a little strange. The liquify filter is the old Kai's Power Goo and doesn't need a whole chapter on caricatures. I will say that there were a few (two) of the examples I was able to use in class.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Now this Is what I wanted!, March 14, 2001

By 

Joyce (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Photoshop 6 Effects Magic (Paperback)

I was really impressed with this book, not only is it a Who's who of great photoshop instructors but it actually has valuable projects. I've seen big names before and often they give you projects that tease and not really valuable.

The projects in this book are quite impressive and are more advanced than normal. If you are looking for a beginners book then please don't buy this one, it means it when it says intermediate to advanced. But if you want to expand your Photoshop skills with techniques such as recreating a full studio environment with shadows and reflections, neon painting using blending modes (I've never seen anyone teach it like this before). There are shadows, reflections, clouds (great clouds, not the simple ones using just a filter), some restoration and algorithmic painting as well. This just touches the surface.

The layout is easy to follow and the steps are complete and not vaque. The full color layout throughout makes each project feel special. Ok, I admit I have a book fetish and I appreciate good quality paper, nice layout and color, it just seems to put me in the right frame of mind to do the project. After all, the book wouldn't do me any good if I didn't feel motivated enough to pick it up and actually use it <g>.

This one is a fantastic value for the money and I would highly recommend it to any aspiring "intermeiate to advanced" user.