The Photoshop CS2 Help Desk Book

• Cover Type: Paperback with 304 pages
• Published by: Peachpit Press June 27, 2005
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0321337042
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0321337047
• Book Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Weighs: 1.2 pounds

After years of fielding questions at seminars from Photoshop users, Dave Cross realized there was a lot of common ground: there were many questions that were indeed "frequently asked." In addition, most questions seemed start with “How come I can’t…." "How do I…." or "Why won’t the (fill in the blank) tool work?" This book addresses the most common problems and questions in Photoshop by both providing answers to the most frequently asked questions, and outlining strategies that can help you avoid problems in the first place.

You’ll see:

• Where to start when things don't work: from tool settings to re-installing Photoshop

• The most common warning dialogs: why they appears, how to fix them, and how to avoid them

• The Photoshop CS2 Checklist: what to check when things go wrong, or before you start working, to help avoid problems

• Solutions to typical problems when using the Adobe Creative Suite

• How to avoid problems by creating flexible documents (adjustment layers, layer masks, groups, smart object, layer comps, and more)

• Frequently asked questions—and their answers—in all key areas of Photoshop CS2:

• general operations (palettes, workspaces, menus, etc.)

• color (CMYK, color management, spot color, choosing color, etc.)

• type

• selections

• making adjustments

• layers

• preferences and settings

•  image capture (resolution, Camera Raw, file size)

• sizing (canvas size, image size, copping)

• automation (actions, batch, built-in automation commands)

• common image problems (exposure, focus, noise, color cast, etc.)

• painting (brushes, choosing color)

• output (web, PDF, video, printing)

• special effects (filters, layer styles)

• tools (that don't fit into any other category)

• How to customize Photoshop CS2 to work the way you want it to (actions, menus, workspaces, shortcuts, preferences)

• How to make your own brushes, swatches, shapes, styles, and patterns

About The Author
Dave Cross is Senior Developer of Education and Curriculum for NAPP. He is involved in all aspects of the training that is provided to NAPP members, including the content of seminars, conferences, workbooks, and tutorials on their website. Prior to joining NAPP, he lived in Canada and spent many years as a trainer and author, running his own training center, the Digital Media Learning Centre, teaching classes on Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, QuarkXPress, and InDesign. He wrote Illustrator CS2 Killer Tips, and is the author of three other instructional DVDs: Photoshop Elements for Beginners, Photoshop CS for Beginners, and Photoshop Elements for Digital Photographers.

Reader Reviews
At this point I literally have had the opportunity to read or browse a lot of the new crop of CS2 books coming out. I agree with the other reviewers that Mr. Cross has some real gems in this book and while it is not necessairily a book you will read cover to cover, I know that I will be using it often as a great reference. Some of the tips are questions I have had for years. I also agree with another reviewer that the person who left one star for this book has it in for Mr. Cross. Check out his four reviews and you will see that in three he skewers Mr. Cross. Looks like a personal vendetta to me and I think Amazon should remove the review and I am going to point this issue out to them. Get this book!!!