Book Reviews by d.a.w. DESIGN
Illustrator CS Accelerated
By Youngjin.com, Sybex
REVIEW
The layout of this book is very professional in nature, stunningly full of color with a nice clean look, as is all of the Accelerated series. Also comes with a CD full of course files to do with the exercises, this is particularly imperative for the beginner, may not be for the more advanced.
Chapter 1 Covers the Interface of Illustrator CS. Installation and Interface.
Chapter 2 Basic Drawing Tools. Make a cool Dartboard using the Polar Grid Toll, also simplifying and Adding Ancho Points.
Chapter 3 Drawing and Editing Paths. If you love the pen tool, you will like this chapter, if you are new to the pen tool you may pull out a few hairs. If you practice and practice you will find the pen tool second nature. The pen tool is very important to Illustrator.
Chapter 4 Covers Gradients, Blends and Clipping Masks. Learn to blend objects to create Morphing Effect.
Chapter 5 Make a Christmas Card using layers and filters.
Chapter 6 All to do with creating and editing text. Text on a path, text inside an object.
Chapter 7 Creating a poster using symbols and transition effects.
Chapter 8 Covers using Advanced Techniques with the Liquify and Mesh tools. Use the Mesh tool to make your image look more realistic.
Chapter 9 Using the paint brush tools, making patterns.
Chapter 10 Chapter 10. Covers the Transparency tool and 3D tool. Use the 3D effects to make Flash Animation, use the Scribble effect on an image, also Edit your effects.
This book is for beginner to professionals, the exercise are easy to follow. Also keep an eye open for all the tips an notes scattered throughout the book. The book has some basic errors in some chapters (as in some books these days). These are not substantial errors but they may make the beginner confused. One of the better Illustrator books in the $30 price range. This book serves as an excellent resource for Illustrator users of any level. The book sells for $29.99 in the US.
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