Photoshop in a Nutshell: A Desktop Quick Reference Book

This book does well what it purports to do, providing a quick reference to the myriad tools in Adobe Photoshop 4 for Windows and Macintosh. It doesn't try to take you through broad procedures, such as applying filters and color-correcting images, as many other Photoshop books do. Rather, it defines and describes each option so you'll know when and why you'll need it. The book first delves into tools--those items on the toolbar, such as selection, paint, type, view, color control, and quick-mask tools. Next the writers explore all options on the menus, from the File menu to the View menu. The third and final section covers options on the Navigator, Info, Color, Swatches, Brushes, Layers, Channels, Paths, and Actions palettes. Several screen shots of dialog boxes and images help you understand the tool under discussion. An appendix covers techniques in applying some of the tools, such as transforming type and creating curved lines. Another offers Photoshop keyboard shortcuts for both Macintosh and Windows users.Photoshop in a Nutshell is best suited for those who already know the basics, and it provides a wealth of documentation-like detail that even expert users may not necessarily have at their fingertips. In addition to outlining the correct use of a particular tool, each section focuses on common problems and errors, something that can be a huge time saver. All in all, this is a no-nonsense book that does an excellent job of deepening the reader's understanding of this complex program. --Kathleen CasterRead More