Rating: 
Summary: A Total Delight for a Tech Dummie Like Me
Review: After trying desperately to understand the manual that came with Illustrator 10, I was ready to give up. I'm an artist, not a computer whiz.
This book was so much fun, and it was delightfully humorous as well. I looked forward to each lesson. My only problem was that I would become so enamored with each thing I'd learned, I would spend hours trying different ways to use it.
Actually, in retrospect, it was a good thing because I now feel totally comfortable in Illustrator. So take your time, ENJOY it, and you will discover there's almost nothing you can't create. I loved this book, and without it, I would have long since abandoned the whole idea of learning Illustrator 10.
Rating: 
Summary: Book needs to be streamlined
Review: Content of book is good. The author demystifies the technical aspects of Illustrator fairly well.But the book's organization is below par. The author is verbose at times, and some of his cliches tend to clutter the chapters. For future editions, the author needs to address the fundamental concepts more concisely. Extra visual aids would also prove helpful.
Rating: 
Summary: A Good Place To Begin
Review: I am a complete novice to any drawing software. So when I bought Adobe Illustrator CS and listened to the accompanying "training" tape, I knew I had to have a lot more instruction. I have found that most software manuals are like dictionaries--fine if you already have a good idea of what you're looking for, but not if you don't. So usually a great place to start is a "good" Dummies book. This Dummies book is better than most. It is written in a clear, concise manner with instructions on how to accomplish each feature covered in the chapters. If a simple earlier instruction is needed in a later chapter, it is repeated instead of referred to from the earlier chapter. This saves a lot of time flipping back and forth. And I appreaciated Ted Alspach's humorous approach to topics--at least the first time around. If you have to go back and re-read, it just gets in the way. The only drawback to the book is that it needs either an accompanying CD filled with Illustrator graphics for practice or an Internet source for such vector graphics. Often the instructions say, "Select a piece of artwork..." and I'm left struggling to find a decent example.
Rating: 
Summary: Worst Dummies book I've encountered
Review: I can pretty much learn programs during a weekend. I did learn some things via this book, but not as much as I need to get started. I was shocked to see that they actually define the word "font"...and discuss some really basic things. Someone starting Word might need this help, but give me a break -- if you buy Illustrator you probably already know! I was also shocked at how few visual examples they give. For a graphics program, I would give as many as I can. Finally, I would include a step-by-step creation of an Illustrator page -- gets the user to learn hands on.
Rating:
Summary: Everything you need to get up and running
Review: I had never used Illustrator before, but this book has me creating all sorts of things I thought only the pro's could make. Easy to follow, it really makes Illustrator usable for anyone.
Rating:
Summary: A little fluffy
Review: I liked the intro on the history of vector graphics, but (like most Dummy books) it's a little wordy, but the content is quite good. I recommend it highly.
Rating: 
Summary: Weak
Review: Not sure why my previous review of this book was erased from Amazon, but it was probably whining on the author or publisher's part because of a poor rating. This book (besides being biased against Mac users) is not the best for new Illustrator users because it doesn't create the best foundation for future learning. Being an advanced user myself, I wanted to buy something for a friend who wants to learn Illustrator, and I thought the Dummy series would be a good place to start. Several lessons instruct users to perform tasks in a way that real world users rarely use (because of inefficiency, better method, etc.). The Visual Quick Start series or the Classroom in a Book series on Illustrator are far superior to this. (The CIB in a book is really the best--partly because it was written by the pros at Adobe).
Rating:
Summary: Book is Not Mac Compatible!
Review: The author of this book has a personal bias against Mac's. Don't feed his ego by buying this book! Here's the quote FROM THIS BOOK: "As of 2003, Windows systems have taken a decisive lead over Macs when it comes to performance," Alspach writes in his book. "The difference is most apparent with graphics applications such as Photoshop and Illustrator, but you'll notice it with other applications as well. If you're thinking of purchasing a new system, and speed and responsiveness is important (or at least more important than the feel of the OS, I suggest getting a zippy PC over a (comparably) sluggish Mac." Considering the G5 desktop, his statement is misinformed. I have no idea how his comment against Mac's is relevant to the book, yet it's in there.
Rating:
Summary: Book is Not Mac Compatible!
Review: The author of this book has a personal bias against Mac's. Don't feed his ego by buying this book! Here's the quote FROM THIS BOOK: "As of 2003, Windows systems have taken a decisive lead over Macs when it comes to performance," Alspach writes in his book. "The difference is most apparent with graphics applications such as Photoshop and Illustrator, but you'll notice it with other applications as well. If you're thinking of purchasing a new system, and speed and responsiveness is important (or at least more important than the feel of the OS, I suggest getting a zippy PC over a (comparably) sluggish Mac." Considering the G5 desktop, his statement is misinformed. I have no idea how his comment against Mac's is relevant to the book, yet it's in there.
Rating:
Summary: Good learning book
Review: This book is a great place to start learning. The information is accurate, well written and excellent. Alspach uses humor to make the learning of Illustrator a little less intimidating. The illustrations are well done and explain the theory well. The book is full of tips that will make the reader more productive and efficient with the application. Maybe not for intermediate or advanced users but a great starter book for Mac and Windows users.
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