Designer's Guide to Photoshop, Illustrator, and Painter

First of all you said I didn't qualify for the slow delivery/low cost rate so you charged me more. Then this package takes approx 3 weeks to get to me. The book is great, the time for delivery stinks.

This is a truly great book; much better than other books I've read on Illustrator alone. The fact that it covers Photoshop (and Painter) as well is a bonus.

The comparisons and charts in this book will give you a thorough understanding of what each program does, and which program is better than others for certain tasks. A great idea, flawlessly executed.

Of the many "bible" type books to aid me in my journey of learning this book has most books by an eye-full. There is no pictures in black and white, unless it was meant to be in grayscale. EVERYTHING else is in COLOR! The comparison tables leave me in awe. Worth every Yen for me.

The last thing I thought I needed was another book related to the trinity of programs that Side by Side covers. After looking through this book thoroughly, I bought it without even a discount! This book takes an ingenious approach to comparing the image creation tools that real artists REALLY use and then has concise, pointed descriptions of what happens in the different software programs. The writing and art samples are intelligent and creative, a rare combination in these kinds of books. And through it all is the author's gracious tone,a strong point of view about what is important and above all, respect for the book's buyer by offering a great web site for support, a meaningful resource list, etc. I don't know anything about this author but I was sold immediately on the fresh concept and her concern her readers get everything they need. The design effects are shown clearly and the color samples in the book are generous and informative beyond belief. How great is this type of analysis--well right away I could see how Painter compares with Photoshop/Illustrator in many key areas--e.g. textures, paintbrush effects, color control, blends--something hard to find in other books; the differences in how critical tools and techniques build an image or an idea and the unique look each programs' tools can give to artwork. If you are serious about making your ideas come to life, NOT looking like every other digital image out there, this book is a must. The only thing that compares might be the Design Essentials(Cohen), but this is truly unique and makes you want to try new things for print/web that you never thought of before. I have a few web effects I plan to change immediately as a result.While not for ground zero beginners, it is great for those who already "get" the ideas of the basic tools and more advanced users have a GREAT way to quickly maximize their software assets and thus their ideas. I can clear off about 5 books from my shelf after getting this one. Crumpler has raised the bar for computer books, thank goodness