Paint Shop Pro 8: Zero to Hero

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Summary: Navigating the PSP 8 maze
Review:

This is one of the few specialty books that specifically addresses some of the image issues that I have found when using PSP 8: ie., the number of pixels per image when printing and using appropriate selection tools. As with other books written to solve some of the problems for users, not all issues can be addressed and the book covers what the authors feel is pertinent, facilitating user-friendly navigation of Paint Shop Pro 8. Be sure to read the Table of Contents to ascertain that this book covers your particular concerns.

Zero to Hero offers a variety of websites for those seeking help or clarification and these sites can serve to further answer specific questions. This book is worth purchasing for these resources alone. The program is too complex for one book alone to cover all the aspects, but since each artist brings his own perspectives, often the basic knowledge offered is enough to point in the right direction. Zero to Hero also engages in troubleshooting issues, clarifying some of the complications.

I buy these books looking for solutions when I can't seem to get enough information from the help section of the Paint Shop Pro program. That is where how-to books, like Zero to Hero, enable me to get past the problems with visuals that make more sense to me when I can see the process. Any book that offers solutions, like Zero to Hero, and I have bought many, complements some of the others in my growing library. In Zero to Hero the websites have been particularly helpful and I have accessed some, as well as received responses. Luan Gaines/2004.


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Summary: Thank you Sally and Ron.......
Review: For the newbie and the seasoned user......I had only reached the second chapter in this great little book when I realized that this was going to be what I had been looking for. A way to make the learning process of our beloved PSP easier, and really come to life.

Paint Shop Pro is a real addiction for the graphic or photographic oriented person. We live and breathe the program, literally. We have thousands of folks in forums and chat rooms around the world absorbed by this phenomenon. It is to this end that we all are going to appreciate what Sally and Ron have given us here.

Going into great detail, and with colored graphics on every page to illuminate their lessons, these very clever people have crafted something here that we all will treasure. Moving from simple graphics, and the painting tools to the Digital Darkroom, and the mysterious Histogram tool. Its all here........over 270 pages to keep you absorbed for many nights.

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Summary: Delighted, impatient and already halfway thru the book.
Review: I have taken classes and purchased books since my first PaintShopPro7 graphics and I believe I have the entire library of KISS, IDIOT or DUMMY books on PSP8. This book, informative & including terrific tutorials, is written in a style that draws the reader in, makes him a willing participant and never makes him feel incompetent.

I strongly recommend this book for anyone wanting to learn and understand their computer and photo graphics.

Rating:
Summary: Delighted, impatient and already halfway thru the book.
Review: I have taken classes and purchased books since my first PaintShopPro7 graphics and I believe I have the entire library of KISS, IDIOT or DUMMY books on PSP8. This book, informative & including terrific tutorials, is written in a style that draws the reader in, makes him a willing participant and never makes him feel incompetent.

I strongly recommend this book for anyone wanting to learn and understand their computer and photo graphics.

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Summary: Zero to None? This book sure is not the best by far.
Review: Paint Shop Pro 8 Zero to Hero is in my opinion clearly written by armatures who have little (if any) formal training in graphic arts and design. Most of the information in the book is easily found for free on the Internet on Paint Shop Pro and Photoshop tutorial sites, and in newsgroups. In my opinion the authors struggle in the unique and creative departments, flaunting no originality at all, opting instead to just regurgitate what is found for free elsewhere. Their knowledge of digital photography and photo editing is lacking in professionalism. Some of the recommended techniques simply do not work as advertised. The book cover's use of the term 'Professional' is seriously misleading because the content is no where near that level of knowledge. If anything their own uncertainly of the proper processes has meant missing information that will only serve to confuse new users when they try to work on images of their own.

I have purchased many of the Friends of Ed books in the past and have always been satisfied, and figured the new publisher would be similar in 'content quality'. I will not make that mistake again. Paint Shop Pro 8 Zero to Hero is a major disappointment, and in no way does the information presented reflect the power of the features added to Jasc's outstanding Paint Shop Pro 8 graphics program. Sure the colored images are nice, but I mostly buy books for learning and this book does not cut it at all.

If you are looking for a good book on digital photography, and editing/repairing your photos in Paint Shop Pro 8 do yourself a favor and purchase Paint Shop Creations -- Demystifying Digital Photography by Dave Huss who is a veteran photographer that actually knows what he is talking about and therefore offers you information above the 'ground floor level' advice that is offered in Paint Shop Pro 8 Zero to Hero which even a beginner will find too basic.

If you are looking for an all around beginners book, there are none for Paint Shop Pro 8 that really fit the bill. Wait a while for the books that were not rushed out the door and waited for the newest release of Paint Shop Pro 8 (8.10)

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Summary: Great companion book for PSP 8
Review: This book is just full of excellent explanations and visuals. A great quick reference that is not too difficult for a beginner and well worth the price for the digital darkroom information alone. I certainly don't agree with the vitriolic review above about the "armatures" writing the book. My opinion is that it is quite professionally done and I would certainly buy another book written by these two. Keep up the good work Ron, Sally, and FOE(Apress).

Rating:
Summary: Great companion book for PSP 8
Review: This book is just full of excellent explanations and visuals. A great quick reference that is not too difficult for a beginner and well worth the price for the digital darkroom information alone. I certainly don't agree with the vitriolic review above about the "armatures" writing the book. My opinion is that it is quite professionally done and I would certainly buy another book written by these two. Keep up the good work Ron, Sally, and FOE(Apress).

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Summary: Excellent resource
Review: This is by far the most definitive book that has been published to date for Jasc Paint Shop Pro 8. This is a must read for anybody wanting to get up to speed on this great graphic program.
Not only is this book very well written, but the authors are extremely well versed in their subject matter. The best $20 that I have spent in a long long time.

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Summary: Purely pedestrian
Review: Unless you are an absolute (can't stress 'absolute' enough) beginner who can't form basic connections on your own and don't care if you pick up bad habits don't bother with this book. The information provided is painfully basic making it blatantly obvious that the authors are purely pedestrian and not formally trained in design or photography, lacking the ability to do anything but touch the surface of topics discussed. The graphic examples are a joke and clearly done by someone who has no creative abilities as an artist. In my opinion these two are in no position to be authors of a book on anything to do with design, photography or creativity in the arts.

I was able to find most of the information covered (just reworded)easily on Paint Shop Pro hobby sites, in newsgroups and user forums on the Internet, and in the much more informative Jasc Paint Shop Pro 8 Users Manual which comes free with the purchase of Paint Shop Pro 8. Don't waste your money on this one folks.

If you want an informative book on photography and Paint Shop Pro make sure to take a look at the books written by Dave Huss. The Do Anything With Paint Shop Pro 8 book should have been called Photography and Paint Shop Pro 8 since it covers little on painting, but it is far superior to Lacey and Beacham's book for photo editing topics. Dave Huss' other book Demystifying Digital Photography is tops, and it is obvious he (Dave) is a career photographer and not some hobbyist trying to make a fast buck at the expense of those too new to know the difference.

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Summary: PSP8 from the Foundation on up
Review: What a fabulous foundation Sally and Ron have put together regarding PSP8.. worth the $'s spent. It is my opinion that this book is a must read for anyone that is interested in PSP8 and it's potential. What I enjoyed about this book, you get a good feel of each of the newest features and a little tutorial on how to accomplish a task.

Each section offers a new quest and learning curve... I may know a lot about PSP8... but this book fills in those questionable areas... This book seemed to add that extra punch I needed to get on that next level of expertise. Well written... No CD's.. You have to buy the book and read if you want the extra's that compliment each chapter.