Adobe(R) Illustrator(R) 10 Classroom in a Book

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 528 pages
• Published by: Adobe Press February 11, 2002
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0201756242
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0201756241
• Book Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.2 x 1.1 inches
• Weighs: 2.3 pounds

From Library Journal
Virtual Classroom covers basic program features and techniques step by step, with helpful notes and shortcuts. Per the series, it also includes video lessons on a CD-ROM that show and expand on the techniques in the text. Adobe's official effort, Classroom in a Book starts with a quick tour of common functions and moves on to more detailed lessons on specific topics and techniques, such as creating web graphics and working with layers. The review questions and suggestions for further practice ending each chapter, as well as the CD's lesson art files, are useful self-study aids. QuickStart jumps right into the Illustrator interface, though it does so a bit messily at first. Other chapters, however, provide helpful illustrations and screen shots. This is better reference than self-study material readers can easily look up how to accomplish common tasks. Special Edition is more appropriate for intermediate to advanced users, spending extra time covering version 10's new features and advanced topics like dynamic data-driven graphics. Troubleshooting sections at the end of each chapter answer common questions. All of these titles are appropriate purchases for public libraries. Institutions owning version 9 guides should upgrade for coverage of 10's new features.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description


Illustrator has long since grown from simple illustration tool to full-fledged graphics package. So don't waste time groping your way throughIllustrator 10's deep tool kit. Pick up Adobe Illustrator ten Classroomin a Book, a thorough, self-paced guide to the key features of theprogram, developed by the staff at Adobe and packed full of professionaltechniques and tips.

Adobe Illustrator ten Classroom in a Book delivers what no other bookcan promise: official training from Adobe, tested in the company's ownclassrooms and labs. This comprehensive workbook is structured as a seriesof lessons, with a companion CD containing all the necessary files. Eachchapter is a hands-on project, and each project builds on your growingknowledge of Illustrator. Review questions wrap up every lesson toreinforce the concepts you've just put into practice. With Adobe Illustrator ten Classroom in a Book, you'll learn how to manipulate type, blend colors, apply special effects, and prepare your work forprinting and other output in record time.

Reader Reviews
After first determining why I needed Illustrator when I already had Photoshop, I picked up this book because of my positive experience with another book from this Classroom in a Book series (Photoshop 7.0). And this book does not disappoint in the least bit either. It follows a tutorial style approach to teaching how to use Illustrator (both Mac and Windows versions). The book is mostly black and white with all the relevant color pictures tucked between lesson 12 and 13. It hasn't caused me any problems as I follow along on the computer as I read the book (I have a color monitor). In 15 lessons, this book does an excellent job of teaching you how to use Illustrator ten without having to be in a classroom. All lesson files are on the CD-ROM that comes with the book. The book starts off with explaining how to use the Work Area and builds from the basic to the more complex topics. The basic topics of creating shapes, painting, drawing, working with brushes are followed by the more difficult topics of transforming objects, working with type, blending shapes and colors, etc. Even though the two programs Photoshop and Illustrator are coming closer with each new version, the main differences between them are to do with whether you want to start with an existing photo and modify it for print & web or you want to start from scratch and create illustrations and artwork for print & web. I am oversimplifying here but this explanation helps me keep the differences between these two programs straight in my head. The technological differences are that Photoshop uses bitmaps to represent images and Illustrator uses vectors (and complex mathematical equations) to represent the images. Of course, you don't need to bother with this part as it is irrelevant to using the tools effectively. I use both Photoshop and Illustrator for basic web design but mostly stay with Photoshop. The reason for this is that I am a photographer and have never been good at artwork so I use Illustrator mostly as a hobby to improve my creativity in this area. It has been a lot of fun for me and I hope the same for you! Have fun learning to use this amazing and cool tool! And don't forget to check out Adobe's website for their latest release of Adobe CS (Creative Suite) that includes the next version of Illustrator after Illustrator 10.