The Photoshop 5.0/5.5 Wow! Book (Wow! Books) [Paperback]

The recent edition incorporates the updated features of Photoshop versions 5 and 5.5, including layer effects, "magnetic" options for many of the selection tools, actions that "record" a sequence of commands and the art history brush that applies textured strokes to an image.

Even with all this great new content, the original organisation mirrors from previous editions. The first two chapters cover fundamentals. Subsequent chapters begin with basics pertinent to the techniques covered but each entry can be read independently. The techniques are shown in step-by-step instructions accompanied by full-colour illustrations and, for many, digital files on the CD-ROM accompanying the book.

It's possible to dive right into the middle and tackle whatever problem is currently facing you. Silhouetting out a person's portrait is always tricky, particularly getting a good selection around hair. With potential time-wasters like this, Photoshop 5.0/5.5 Wow! is a lifesaver. And readers who have put off learning how to make full use of layers will find a whole chapter and a fun set of "dress up" files on the CD-ROM (digital equivalents of paper dolls) that will have you shamelessly proficient in no time.

With hundreds of illustrations, tips for making work quicker and easier, a gallery of work and advice from experienced Photoshop users, illustrated demos for each filter and so much more, it's quite a hefty book. The CD-ROM has stock images, plug-ins, actions and tutorial files. From "Making a Mezzotint" to "Making Buttons from Photos", The Photoshop 5.0/5.5 Wow! book is The Joy of Cooking for digital image-making. It'll have you cooking with Photoshop in no time. --Angelynn Grant, Amazon.com

Topics covered: Step-by-step instructions on tools, techniques and effects in Adobe Photoshop 5.0/5.5, including using layers, masks and channels; enhancing photographic images by solarizing, applying a mezzotint and other effects; making well-executed collages; using filters; painting effects; going from Illustrator to Photoshop and vice versa; adding special effects such as multicolour glow and others; using the new Web tools in version 5.5. CD-ROM contains tutorial files with before-and-after images; try-out applications and plug-ins; actions, gradients, brushes, stock photos and a teacher's guide that outlines course projects using The Photoshop Wow! Book.

Learn creative, practical, timesaving techniques for Web graphics, illustration, photo manipulation, and special effects with The Photoshop 5/5.5 Wow! Book. This updated edition of the award-winning bestseller features real-world examples from artists and designers of the kind of stunning, professional, full-color artwork you want to produce, and provides clear, step-by-step instructions for applying these techniques to your own projects.

The Photoshop 5/5.5 Wow! Book covers the new Extract command for difficult-to-select subjects and shows you how to use ImageReady 2 to create rollovers, animated GIFs, and sliced images for speedy, high-quality Web graphics. You'll also learn how to apply Layer Effects and get the most from "live" type. The book thoroughly explains the History palette and how to use it to perform multiple undos, new painting techniques with the Impressionist History and Art History brushes, and fast and flexible image-editing. The CD-ROM contains "before and after" tutorial files for the techniques in the book, with all layers and channels intact, as well as copy-and-paste Wow! Layer Effects, custom Actions, filters, and demos.