Mastering CorelDRAW 8 [With CDROM Contains Art That Can Be Disassembled...]

I picked up this book in my local bookstore, opened the book at random in two separate places and learned something I didn't know instantly, both times. Now that's a good book! I've been an avid CorelDRAW user since it was in version 3 way back in 1993. The software has grown in capability by leaps and bounds with each new revision, and each time I get a new version I look to see if Rick Altman has written a "Mastering..." book for it. His explorations of the program make the book well worth the price. My only disappointment was that there were no color plates to better display some of the astounding power of this software. However, the CD makes up for it by providing a wonderful smorgasbord of images and samples.

I'm a computer graphics instructor (college level) and the "Mastering" books have long been on my Highly Recommended list for students. As for Rick Altman, I've been using his Corel books for the last four versions. This is a reference book, and a beautifully complete one. Don't look here for complex projects with lengthly recipes. This is for the artist who needs to truly understand an effect or feature and get back to work. It's also readable. Students can work through chapters, or even the entire book, and they certainly won't get bored. I love following an Altman book from start to finish.

Rick's book is the ultimate CorelDRAW reference for hard-core illustrators. Whenever I work on a complex project, Mastering CorelDRAW is open and on my desk.

Rick Altman puts the mastery in Mastering CorelDRAW 8. Nobody has mastered the ins and outs of CorelDRAW as well as Rick and nobody communicates as quickly, effortlessly, and with as much warmth and humor as Rick. Though this book is explicit in detail to the nth degree, the material is always accessible, logical and fun. I'm no newcomer to CorelDRAW, but every time I pick up Mastering CorelDRAW (whatever the number) I always learn something new.Gary W. Priester