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Summary: Transparency Explained!
Review: One of the most complex features in Illustrator 9 is the transparency options. This book covers it all, from opacity masks to knockout groups. I learned everything I needed to about this and many other features from this book.
Rating:
Summary: Solid, Excellent Quality, Easy to Understand
Review: The authors clearly and solidly put themselves mentally in the shoes of a beginning user. Yet there is no padding or chaff. There are maybe a half dozen software books that come close to equalling them in this respect.The many illustrations would admittedly be much more attractive in color. But you have to do it to learn it. And you get the color on screen as you do. A MUST, and a BEST BUY, whether you are a beginner, an initiated, or a pro.
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Summary: Thorough
Review: The book is well written and easy to read with good graphics for a beginner level user. It provided exactly the information I was searching for. The program is very intuitive to use as the book shows. I wanted to learn how to develop my own templates and logos. I have not been able to find a clear explanation anywhere as how to do this until I found this book. I mainly use Illustrator because it has more drawing tools provided with it. A good book that covers this subject clearly. I've been working with different versions of Illustrator for over 5 years now, but I bought both of Alspach's books (beginning and advanced) to learn "everything" I could about Illustrator. This book was an excellent tutorial, well written, and patient. Exercises were educational and the book just seemed to move along at a good pace. I was impressed.
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Summary: Not just a book for beginners-something for everyone
Review: The day I got this book, I turned to page 1 and started reading. Two hours later, I had made it only to page 80. Why? Because this book is DENSE and FULL of tips and tricks that will expand the horizons of the beginning or intermediate designer. I spent a lot of time studying the numerous examples in order to soak up all the information that was being presented. I've been using Illustrator since 1992 and now teach it at a community college. And yet with every turn of the page, I learned something new.
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Summary: Recommended reading
Review: The Illustrator for Dummies book is well written, and it is evident that lots of research has gone into this project. I have used Mr. Alspach's books as resource materials in the past and the quality of this book rates with the others I have read. I would highly recommend it for the beginner as well as the experienced user. Anyone using Illustrator would be well served in having this book as a source of reference.
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Summary: More 9.0-specific info than any other book!
Review: This book is chock full of goodness regarding Illustrator 9. Entire chapters on Appearance and Transparency are included. I compared this to most of the other books out there, and this book, though clearly intended for beginners, covers the new 9 features in more depth than most other sources!
Rating:
Summary: Useful, excellent, and detailed
Review: This is a truly useful and excellently detailed book. Not only to look at, although the book is illustrated quite well, of course. And the author has evidently been forthcoming with his secrets and "inside knowledge" of Illustrator. This is potent and useful stuff. The book is extremely well organized, with each chapter building on the previous one. The chapters are labeled with fun, yet not condescending or childish, labels that make it a simple matter to know what you'll find within the pages. There are many excellent step-by-step examples; they walk you step-by-step through recreating each effect and function. t
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