Coreldraw 12: The Official Guide

Rating:
Summary: Not for newbies
Review: I am brand new to Coreldraw 12 and purchased this book with the idea that it would help me quickly learn the basics. Each time I needed help and went to this book, I was disappointed by the fact that it either didn't explain how to perform the functions I was trying to execute, or I couldn't find it altogether. I ended up finding answers to all my questions on the good old web or the tutorial that came with the program

Rating:
Summary: The Essential book of CorelDRAW
Review: Let's cut to the bottom line - if you own CorelDRAW 12 you must buy this book. Why? Steve Bain has taken a very large application and distilled its tools and features into a well oganized book. Unlike so many books which describe an application's tools (sounding very much like a rehash of the help files) without ever telling you what you can do with the tools, Steve has created a wealth of practical real world examples of what can be done with using CorelDRAW.
Most large books end up on my bookshelf only being pulled down when everything else fails. Because this is such a useful book, I have to refer to it on a daily basis. Point in fact, it isn't on my bookshelf, I use it so often that is it is next to my computer. Like I said at the beginning, if you own CorelDRAW 12 buying this book will be the best investment you will ever make.

Rating:
Summary: Misleading Information
Review: The book only covers Coreldraw, yet the reviews and the description of the imply that it also covers Photo-Paint

Rating:
Summary: Stellar!
Review: This book cuts to the chase with the exact steps to use all the tools and effects in CorelDRAW, plus explanation of illustration concepts which have eluded my all my life. Haven't found a single error yet either. It doesn't include PhotoPaint coverage (I believe that's another official guide) and the support files are only available via download (meaning no CD). But, the example tutorial workshops are error free and extremely informative. It's the only book I could find that explains CorelDraw's complexities clearly without driving me crazy. It is nearly 700 pages packed, well-pictured, written in laymen's terms, and includes hundreds of program tips. I learned more from this book than I ever did in college!

Rating:
Summary: The BEST CorelDRAW learning/training guide I've read
Review: This is the best choice of the two available CorelDRAW books (the Unleashed ebook I think is a rip-off - read my review). This book explains each and every tool and program feature in plain English and great detail (infinitely better than the CorelDRAW manual). As a non-designer and new CorelDRAW user, the Official Guide helps me learn what I need to know right away and taught me some great basic drawing techniques. Kudos to the publisher/author!

Rating:
Summary: An Instant Classic
Review: When I upgraded from CorelDRAW 10 to 12, I was determined to only use the documentation that came with the product. While all of the information is in the user guide I eventually got tired of jumping from one end of the book to the other trying to figure out how to do things. I finally broke down and bought the Official Guide. After using the book for one day I can say my only mistake was not buying the book to begin with. It is an excellent book and I was really impressed with how well it is organized into tasks and projects. The only recommendation I have for the improvement of the book is to add a CD to the next edition.