Photoshop® and Illustrator Synergy Studio Secrets¿

Rating:
Summary: Huge Disappointment
Review: the title of the book is "photoshop & illustrator Synergy". but indeed only roundabout 50pages discribes the possible synergy. the rest is filled with 3rd party plug-ins and im-/export from/to other programs like freehand, bryce etcetera.

the back of the books says "reader level: intermediate to advanced". this is ridicoulous.

although this book is recommended for experienced user, it mentioned on the first 70pages at least five times that you should pay attention that text/types in illustrator becomes pixel in photoshop! so if these basics are already "intermediate" stuff, i don't want to see a beginners by miss alspach.

another big drawback of the book is the fact that it lacks images of the different stages of creation ("this is the first step... this is after the work in illustrator... blablabla"). it only shows the final result.

the book is also "old-fashioned". for the synergy with 3D-programms, it mentioned only extreme 3D and dimension 3, two programms that weren't updated since roundabout 1997/1998 and that are plain dead.

Rating:
Summary: Essential for working between Illustrator & Photoshop
Review: This is an essential book for getting the most out of Adobe graphics software in practical applications. It is illustrated in full color and includes the work and methods of several leading artists in the field. The book presumes a working knowledge of the basic programs. The focus is on moving images back and forth between Illustrator and Photoshop to utilize the special features of each program. The use of other software, including Freehand, Painter and filters by KPT, Extensis and Alien Skin is also covered. It provides the how-to of getting the programs to work together to produce stunning results. The CD-ROM includes demo versions of the major programs, some useful plug-ins and all of the art from the book. This book is full of art to inspire and ideas to stimulate backed by sound procedures to execute.

Rating:
Summary: The real secret: too many pictures from the family album
Review: When I pay $40 for a graphic design book, I want more professional illustrations and fewer snapshots. The author, under the influence of deadlines or laziness, appears to have raided the family album for many photos. The many examples of what Photoshop filters can do are gratuitous filler. We've never seen those before, huh? Ditto for the usual suspects on the CD, demoware of programs available from many other sources. The publisher has tacked an extra $10 on the price of the book for a CD that cost $1, a shameful practice that is all too common in the book business. This book is a compelling reason why publishers don't give refunds. It's also a good reason not to join a book club, where I bought this book sight unseen.