Photoshop, Painter, and Illustrator Side-by-Side

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Summary: Excellent coverage of major programs
Review: I enjoyed the insightful comparisons between these packages. However, the biggest drawback is that this book doesn't cover the most recent versions of the software, but it a version behind.

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Summary: Great summary of the big three!
Review: I learned an awful lot about Photoshop and Painter when using this book. Very helpful.

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Summary: Great book
Review: If you do graphic art work at all, this is an excellent book.

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Summary: Not a Good Book
Review: 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.

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Summary: An enlightenment
Review: 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.

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Summary: Don't Waste Your Money
Review: Since there aren't many books out there on Painter, I grabbed this book as soon as I saw it figuring that the Illustrator and Photoshop information would be a bonus. What a disappointment - the very day I received the book I resold it on Amazon. The book's title "Side by Side" describes exactly what you can expect to find inside this book - a comparison of the three programs. I can't see where having this book would be useful since it really doesn't describe techniques or provide useful information, or do anything more than cite differences between the programs, which any user would already be aware of anyways. Rather than waste your money on this useless book, I'd recommend the WOW books and/or Kelby's photoshop books - they're packed full of useful information. This book gets one star for the pretty pictures.

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Summary: A Complete Book
Review: Since this book covers all the three programs viz. Photoshop the robust Industry standard software for pixel editing and Painter an excellent natural media tool for creating feel of conventional painting, last but not least it shows effectively how to use an vector Illustration software i.e Illustator in conjuction with these tools to produce eye catching graphics for new media and print media.

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Summary: Even if you only use 2 of these product, snap up this book
Review: 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.

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Summary: A Fresh Approach to Digital Graphics Tools
Review: 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

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Summary: Not a Good Book
Review: This book doesn't strike me as being useful to anyone. It is a reference book, and not by any means a COMPLETE one. At times it tells really simple things that you would find out just by looking at the program. Like when I just started flipping through the book, it says 'Editing layers - saving'. now i'm not sure, but that doesn't seem like something that you would not assume, ya know? It is an okay book, but the only reason i can see someone buying it is to save money from getting 3 seperate books, but no one would need only this book. Just get the Photoshop, Illustrator, and Painter Wow Books, they're much more worth your money.