Real World Compositing with Adobe Photoshop CS4 Review

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(More customer reviews)This is really an instruction manual on how to sell a book with a misleading title and virtually no useful content for a hefty price. I kept waiting for the authors to quit wasting time and actually get to the "Industrial-strength Imaging Techniques" promised on the cover. It never happened. After 200 pages of filler, there are a few actual examples of compositing, but nothing you couldn't readily find online for free. A complete disappointment, especially considering it's published in association with Adobe Press. Some free advice for Adobe Press: before you put your name on it, try passing it by one of your editors, eh?


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In Real World Compositing with Adobe Photoshop CS4, Photoshop experts Scott Valentine and Dan Moughamian explain the key elements involved in planning and executing a composite imaging project. Readers will learn about the importance of the planning process, including tips on how to develop creative ideas and stay organized as their project evolves. In addition, they will pick up vital techniques for acquiring and perfecting source images in Photoshop CS4, before bringing them together as a seamless composite. The powerful new 3D features found in the Extended edition are also discussed as part of a 2D-3D workflow.Serious photographers and digital artists wishing to produce photo-realistic imagery or surrealistic artwork by blending—or compositing—multiple images and light sources can learn all they need to know right here. Building from the reader's existing skill set of Photoshop fundamentals, the authors provide detailed examples and explanations that cover the newest features in Photoshop CS4 and also utilize a variety of tools and software applications.More than just a Photoshop guide, this book takes a holistic approach, instructing readers on photographic planning and techniques, key design concepts, visual perception, and robust image editing techniques. This is an increasingly popular approach which requires the digital artist to become more involved in the presentation and concept of their images. Real World Compositing with Photoshop CS4 delivers the information readers need, to produce the best possible composite imagery.

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Adobe AIR For Dummies Review

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(More customer reviews)I have tried avoiding books "for dummies" for a long time but when I saw "Adobe AIR for Dummies" I decided to read it. While reading I have discovered that this book is a very valuable resource for developers who need a well organized and structured book covering AIR in practice. This book serves as friendly, no-nonsense guide to designing and developing Adobe AIR applications. There is only one thing I do not like about this book. I am a Flash/Flex developer and this book is written for JavaScript/HTML developers. I do not mind JavaScript but it should be visualized somehow on the book cover or in the title that this book reveals AIR from JavaScript developer's perpective. Anyway, to be precise, there are a few words dedicated to Flash/Flex developers, too. Chapter 3 is about Building AIR with Flex Builder and Flash. If you are a JavaScript/HTML developer and new to AIR, this book is what you may need. If you are a Flash/Flex developer, you should consider buying another book, more Flash or Flex developer oriented.

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Want to create rich Internet applications and RIA desktop apps that run seamlessly online and offline? Adobe AIR —Adobe Integrated Runtime — makes it possible; Adobe AIR For Dummies makes it easy.
AIR allows Web developers to create rich Internet applications using Web technologies. They run on desktops and across multiple operating systems, and they're more than mere wimpy widgets. Adobe AIR For Dummies gives you the scoop on AIR, working with local file systems and databases, setting up security, and all the stuff you need to know to create cool AIR apps. You'll learn to:
Build full-fledged Web apps with JavaScript, Flash, Flex, or HTML
Integrate AIR applications with Flash
Use AIR to access services like eBay and AOL videos on the desktop
Understand the AIR security model and how application sandboxes protect your code and data
Create apps for network connectivity, monitor remote network services, and work with audio files
Debug your apps with the AIR Debug Launcher, the alert command, or the AIR HTML Introspector
Set the environment path in Vista, Windows XP, or Mac OS X
Use HTML and CSS as building blocks and handle events in HTML DOM
Add drag-and-drop capability in Flex, Flash, and HTML apps

If you're excited about the possibilities of building applications that run on the desktop and interface with external Web apps, Adobe AIR For Dummies is just what you need to get started!
Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

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Dreamweaver CS3 for Windows and Macintosh Review

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(More customer reviews)I read the other reviews and had to comment.
This book is NOT a technical manual, nor a step-by-step on how to design websites. Rather, it is a COMPANION book on how to use DreamWeaver. If you are familiar with other Adobe products, then you will appreciate that DreamWeaver maintains many similarities. If you are NOT familiar with Adobe products, then you are in for a major learning experience!
Let's get one thing straight right off the bat ... DreamWeaver is a highly complex program that is NOT meant for just any [dingbat] one to pick up on a whim and design the "perfect" website. You actually have to know how to read and understand (X)HTML, you can't just plop a site together without knowing this. Just because you CAN use the WYSIWYG interface doesn't mean you can do that exclusively.
If you are used to using FrontPage, then you have a RUDE awakening when it comes to the difference between that and DreamWeaver.
This book was the required book for the class in Web Design with DreamWeaver that I enrolled in (at an actual school) and completed very successfully.
This book is EXACTLY what the title states: a "quick start". It in no way ever implies that it is anything other than that! It is there as a gentle nudge. It is NOT there as a guided class!
AND, it NEVER EVER states that it teaches CSS ... NEVER!! Maybe you thought that "CS3" was the same as "CSS"??
If you are looking for an entire "class in a book" strictly on DreamWeaver, then I recommend the "Missing Manual" by O'Reilly and/or the "Classroom in A Book" series from Adobe Press.
If you are looking for a book on CSS (cascading style sheets), then you want the "Head First" series entitled "HTML with CSS & XHTML", or the Visual Quick Start book entitled "HTML, XHTML & CSS" ... DUH!! I mean, really - make sure you buy the correct book for what you want to learn! If you don't, then DON'T BLAME THE BOOK!!
I use this book as a reference quite often, and to remind myself how to do certain functions in DreamWeaver. It has a great index, and the appendices are very informative.
Also, the website is as complete as it can be. They give you the links for the resources in the book. There is only one "errata" that relates to using a Mac, and it's listed on the site.
About emailing ... they specifically say to READ THE FAQ'S FIRST. There is a disclaimer about them NOT being able to answer each and every email on page xiv of the book - so quit griping about that! Read the FAQ's, or get a teacher! [such a freakin' whiner you are M.F.Summy.]
I wish people would THINK before posting a negative review. There is value in every book. Before you buy it, look through it either online or in a book store! Whether you bought the proper one for your needs is NOT the book's fault! Grow up!

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With the release of Adobe Creative Suite CS3, Dreamweaver is now partof the world's leading suite of creative tools, making it the de factotool of choice for anyone designing for the Web. Adobe Dreamweaver CS3for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide uses a combinationof task-based instruction and strong visuals to teach beginning andintermediate users how to create, design, and publish powerful,innovative Web sites with Dreamweaver. Leading technology authors TomNegrino and Dori Smith take readers step-by-step through the newfeatures in Adobe Dreamweaver CS3, with all new chapters on buildingdynamic pages with Ajax and Spry, and designing for mobile devices.They also cover improvements to using styles and CSS in Dreamweaver,and the new Browser Compatibility Check in Dreamweaver CS3. Beginningusers will learn to create their first Web site, add text, style andposition page content, manage styles, work with links, incorporateimages, media, tables, forms, and frames, design site navigation, andso much more. Experienced users will find this a convenient referenceto the new features of Dreamweaver CS3.

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Dreamweaver CS4 for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide Review

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(More customer reviews)This is an excellent resource book. It is written for both the the beginner and the advanced user. I have read a wide variety of books on this subject, I have found this to be the easiest, best text.

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With the release of Adobe Creative Suite CS4, Dreamweaver solidifies its role as the de facto tool of choice for anyone using Photoshop and designing for the Web. Adobe Dreamweaver CS4 for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide uses a combination of task-based instruction and strong visuals to teach beginning and intermediate users how to create, design, and publish powerful, innovative Web sites with Dreamweaver. Leading technology authors Tom Negrino and Dori Smith take readers step-by-step through the new features in Adobe Dreamweaver CS4, with completely revised chapters on critical tools like linking and including images and Flash animations. They also cover improvements to using styles and CSS in Dreamweaver, and the new Code Navigator in Dreamweaver CS4. Beginning users will learn to create their first Web site, add text, style and position page content, manage styles, work with links, incorporate images, media, tables, forms, and frames, design site navigation, and so much more. Experienced users will find this a convenient reference to the new features of Dreamweaver CS4.

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Web Design with HTML and CSS Digital Classroom, (Book and Video Training) Review

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(More customer reviews)I thought this book was really good except for one thing, I noticed multiple mistakes typing mistakes that really effect the outcomes of the tutorials. I have some knowledge about html and css, which is the only reason I was able to understand some of the reasons why the tutorials were not working. It's as if someone didn't even go through the tutorials to make sure they were correct before it was published. Other than that this book is very informational.

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"An invaluable full-color training package for Web design
Web design consists of using multiple software tools and codes-such as Dreamweaver, Flash, Silverlight, Illustrator, Photoshop, HTML, and CSS, among others-to craft a unique, robust, and interactive websites. This book teaches you how to effectively use all the major tools involved in web design to create a site that is both attractive and functional.
You'll go beyond the basics to learn best practices of good web design so you can go from the drawing board to a successful site.
Combining full-color, step-by-step instructions with lesson files and video training from web experts is like having your own personal instructor guiding you through each lesson-but you work at your own pace!
Discusses properties of good web design and best practices for building a site that is both attractive and functional

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HTML, XHTML, and CSS: Your visual blueprint for designing effective Web pages (Wiley Desktop Editions) Review

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(More customer reviews)As a Web design teacher who deals with these issues on a daily basis, I have already decided I will use this as a textbook in the future. My students range from completely uninformed to reasonably practiced developers. This book will work equally with all of them.
Others have addressed the depth of the topics of the book, so there is little I can add there. I wanted to say how much I appreciate how short the lessons are. Although the book is designed for more advanced Web designers, a neophyte wanting to learn to develop Web pages could pick this book up and work through the lessons in short and easy steps, becoming reasonably well informed developers.
I also particularly appreciate the appendices in the back. One addresses XHTML, and the other Cascading Style Sheets. They are both easily used and full of information.
I highly recommend this book and plan to use it in relevant graduate and undergraduate courses (actually, I also plan to keep it by my side while I work). Now if I could just find a similarly satisfying XML book.
Thanks

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If you've ever been curious about any of the multitude of internet acronyms, the web technologies they represent, and how they can benefit you, this book is a great place to start. This book covers all the necessary topics to get up and running with HTML, XHTML, and CSS while offering readers a guide to modern, standards-based design. Key tasks covered in the book include setting up a Web page, reducing image resolution, creating radio buttons, adding a hit counter, adding an embedded sound, adding content from other sites such as integrating a blog and creating an RSS feed. Large topics are broken into smaller, more approachable sub-topics that are clearly explained on two pages eliminating the back and forth page flipping required in other references. Arranged so that skills build progressively throughout the book coupled with bold page headers it is simple to flip through and easily find any section or topic you are looking for. Understandable with straightforward terms that avoid intimidating and unexplained jargon, this is a book that will benefit complete novices and advanced users alike.

While primarily focused on the technologies outlined in the title, this book goes on to provide tips on integrating with Google, Flickr, social bookmark sites and even creating and implementing RSS feeds. Rest assured, each of these technologies is explained with the benefits of each outlined. A serious resource that quickly and concisely gets to the point, this book helps you gain real skills that will have you online in short order. Best of all, you can be confident that you are doing so the right way.
HTML, XHTML, and CSS: Your visual blueprint™ for designing effective Web pages offers visual learners a solid reference that employs straight forward examples to teach you to create and design Web pages with impact. "Apply It" and "Extra" sidebars highlight useful tips and high-resolution screen shots clearly illustrate each task while succinct explanations walk you through the examples. The associated website contains all the needed code to learn HTML.

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Web Design All-in-One For Dummies Review

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(More customer reviews)What I really loved about this book is the emphasis on topics most other web design books skip over such as planning, researching, getting content together to create a successful website. I'd recommend this to people just getting started learning web design or a seasoned professionals that just want to get more value out of their own website projects.

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Web designers must wear many hats. Among books on Web design, Web Design All-in-One For Dummies is the one that helps you successfully wear all those hats without losing your head.
Full-color illustrations and five self-contained minibooks show you how to be a graphic designer, creative organizer, visual communicator, markup language technologist, and cutting-edge trendsetter, all in one. This book helps you lay the groundwork, follow design rules, test your site, register a domain name, and much more.
Getting Started covers planning, defining your target audience, choosing the right software, and more
Designing For the Web acquaints you with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, plus how to choose a layout and optimize graphics
Building Web Sites gets down to nuts and bolts: putting text, images, hyperlinks, and multimedia files together, organizing content, and building navigation systems
Web Standards & Testing teaches you how to test and validate so everyone can enjoy your site
Publishing & Site Maintenance helps you get your site online and keep it current

Web Design All-in-One For Dummies also helps you learn how to choose a Web editor and graphics program, how to make your site accessible to the widest possible audience, and when it's time to call in a pro like author Sue Jenkins. It's just what you need to start and manage a great site.

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The ActionScript 3.0 Quick Reference Guide: For Developers and Designers Using Flash: For Developers and Designers Using Flash CS4 Professional (Adobe Developer Library) Review

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(More customer reviews)I was browsing at Borders at Park Ave and 57th, where they had exactly one copy of this. I'd heard of this book but hadn't seen it yet--it was announced over the summer but O'Reilly kept delaying publication so the book could be current with Flash CS4. I looked up a few items in the ToC and index, and went straight to the checkout queue. I had to have this book right away! even if Amazon could sell it to me cheaper!
Okay, why is the book good? I've spent more time with it now. I'll give you my three biggest reasons:
1) It's readable. It really is. It's friendly and accessible. Did you ever enjoy those juvenile histories and biographies and How-and-Why science books that started out with something like, "Hi! This is a fun book, and we're going to take you on a fun journey, step-by-step. This is a great subject to be interested in! Aren't you happy? Well, we are!!!"?
Well, did you like books like that? I did, and I've always resented scholarly and technical books that didn't introduce themselves along those lines. So many of them are written like resentful documentation: "Go away. We hate you. This is only for ugly, squirrelly, socially backward people like US."
This book is overtly addressed to users of ActionScript 1.0 and 2.0, and those already using 3.0; to artists, designers, and developers of all stripes. It's all-inclusive. Like Rich Shupe's Learning ActionScript 3.0, it has a friendly, hand-holding attitude that goes through the length of the book.
2) A personal obsession: this book has a good section on how to write XML loaders that use HTML. This is a very poorly documented area of Flash. The ActionScript 3.0 Cookbook had a little bit on it, but the explanation was hard to follow and the code was buggy.
3) Another personal interest: SWF loaders and unloaders. This is the first book I've seen that tells you how to unload both the thing loaded and the "event listener" that keeps sitting there, using up processor time and space.
The book is also current with the less traditional Flash-related technologies, such as FlashDevelop and Flex.

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"No matter what your background, the pages that follow will provide you with some excellent knowledge, insight, and even a little bit of wisdom in the realm of Flash and ActionScript. Happy learning!" -- Branden Hall, from the Foreword Written by Flash insiders with extensive knowledge of the technology, this guide is designed specifically to help Flash designers and developers make the leap from ActionScript 2.0 to the new object-oriented ActionScript 3.0 quickly and painlessly. Formatted so you can find any topic easily, ActionScript 3.0 Quick Reference Guide explains:

Object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts, such as packages and classes
ActionScript 3.0 features and player enhancements that improve performance
Workflow differences between ActionScript 2.0 and ActionScript 3.0 including tools, code editing, component sets, and image and font rendering
Where did it go? A guide to help you find familiar features in ActionScript 3.0, such as global functions, operators, properties, and statements
How do I? Step-by-step solutions for performing tasks with ActionScript 3.0, including input, sound, video, display, events, text, and more

Also included are overviews of Flash and ActionScript features and workflows. ActionScript 3.0 is a huge upgrade to Flash's programming language -- and this guide helps you upgrade your skills to match it.

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