Photoshop, Painter, and Illustrator Side-by-Side [Paperback]

Wendy Crumpler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 18, 2001

Photoshop, Illustrator, and Painter are three popular graphics software packages that are commonly used by production artists, fine artists, and Web graphics artists. Each has capabilities that the other don't: Photoshop is known for its image editing features, Illustrator for its type handling and vector-based shape building abilities, and Painter for its traditional, "painterly" effects. Using a system of easy-to read charts, this book shows readers how to use these tools effectively inconjuntion with one another, side-by-side.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

No digital artist uses only one tool, nor do they use a set of tools from only one publisher. The beauty of Photoshop, Painter, and Illustrator: Side by Side is that it addresses the practical needs of today's digital artist. The book covers three tools, from two publishers, using tutorials and side-by-side comparisons--and it does a great job.

If you're most experienced with one of these programs but want to learn about any of the others, you need this book. Every page compares and illustrates common tools, techniques, and similar terminology through color-coded screen shots (each program is assigned a color) or through a table that lists a particular feature and how it is implemented in each program.

These tables are the driving engine of the book. Each chapter starts with a three-column matrix describing a feature common to all three programs. Chapter 6, "Selections, Masks, and Channels," gives a side-by-side view of the different methods of selecting pixels, accessing the selection tools, using masks, using channels, and so on. It's incredibly useful when looking up a familiar term or feature to instantly find its counterpart in the program you are learning.

The last section of the book, "The Artists," offers an inside view of how and why some artists approach projects in particular ways. The works of 19 digital artists and a descriptive paragraph from each provide insight, inspiration, and experience.

Photoshop, Painter, and Illustrator: Side by Side should be a trendsetter. Many people use numerous programs, all of a particular type, during the course of a project. This reference, describing and comparing both common and unique features, is timesaving and educational. --Mike Caputo --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Sybex Books; 2 ed edition (May 18, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0782129234
• ISBN-13: 978-0782129236
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,413,994 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fresh Approach to Digital Graphics Tools, June 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Photoshop, Painter, Illustrator: Side By Side (Paperback)

The last thing I thought I needed was another book related to the trinity of programs that Side by Side covers. After looking through this book thoroughly, I bought it without even a discount! This book takes an ingenious approach to comparing the image creation tools that real artists REALLY use and then has concise, pointed descriptions of what happens in the different software programs. The writing and art samples are intelligent and creative, a rare combination in these kinds of books. And through it all is the author's gracious tone,a strong point of view about what is important and above all, respect for the book's buyer by offering a great web site for support, a meaningful resource list, etc. I don't know anything about this author but I was sold immediately on the fresh concept and her concern her readers get everything they need. The design effects are shown clearly and the color samples in the book are generous and informative beyond belief. How great is this type of analysis--well right away I could see how Painter compares with Photoshop/Illustrator in many key areas--e.g. textures, paintbrush effects, color control, blends--something hard to find in other books; the differences in how critical tools and techniques build an image or an idea and the unique look each programs' tools can give to artwork. If you are serious about making your ideas come to life, NOT looking like every other digital image out there, this book is a must. The only thing that compares might be the Design Essentials(Cohen), but this is truly unique and makes you want to try new things for print/web that you never thought of before. I have a few web effects I plan to change immediately as a result.While not for ground zero beginners, it is great for those who already "get" the ideas of the basic tools and more advanced users have a GREAT way to quickly maximize their software assets and thus their ideas. I can clear off about 5 books from my shelf after getting this one. Crumpler has raised the bar for computer books, thank goodness

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't Waste Your Money, February 22, 2002

By 

D. Schmidli - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Photoshop, Painter, Illustrator: Side By Side (Paperback)

Since there aren't many books out there on Painter, I grabbed this book as soon as I saw it figuring that the Illustrator and Photoshop information would be a bonus. What a disappointment - the very day I received the book I resold it on Amazon. The book's title "Side by Side" describes exactly what you can expect to find inside this book - a comparison of the three programs. I can't see where having this book would be useful since it really doesn't describe techniques or provide useful information, or do anything more than cite differences between the programs, which any user would already be aware of anyways. Rather than waste your money on this useless book, I'd recommend the WOW books and/or Kelby's photoshop books - they're packed full of useful information. This book gets one star for the pretty pictures.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent coverage of major programs, January 17, 2001

By 

John Barrows (Juno, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Photoshop, Painter, Illustrator: Side By Side (Paperback)

I enjoyed the insightful comparisons between these packages. However, the biggest drawback is that this book doesn't cover the most recent versions of the software, but it a version behind.