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Posted on 06/07/05 5:13:18 PM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7010 Reply  |
Inside the third edition
Ok, everyone, just over a month to go until publication date - in the UK, at least - so I thought it would be time to let you know what's in store. First, let me make this clear: this is not a completely new book. It's a revision of the earlier books, with new stuff added. I'm only pointing this out because one or two readers (not here, of course) last time around complained that they'd read much of the stuff before. The third edition has 64 more pages than the second edition. But I've taken out a load of material that I felt wasn't pulling its weight, including the whole Carry On Spending chapter (that's now a two-page Interlude), which means that there's actually over 100 pages of new stuff in there. I've even chopped pages out of the contents and introduction to make more space. This is a rundown of what's included: Four new chapters Transformation and Distortion: covering the basics of the Free Transform tool, including its step and repeat function (what? You didn't know Photoshop had a step and repeat function?) as well as coverage of the new Image Warp feature in CS2. Examples of how to use Image Warp successfully, for real-world transformations. Getting into Perspective: Yes, yes, I know most of you hate the very idea of perspective. Which is why I've included this chapter. It explains the principles of using horizons and vanishing points, and shows how to construct one, two and even three point perspective illustrations. It also shows how to read existing perspective out of an image, and how to replicate objects in perspective without having to draw any vanishing point lines at all. And, of course, it covers the new Vanishing Point filter in CS2, as well as how to undo perspective using the Perspective Crop tool. Though I say it myself, I think this is a really worthwhile chapter. Time Saving Techniques: A bunch of useful tips on how to save objects with clipping paths so there's no white edge, preparing artwork that will contain other objects, using layer groups and layer comps, and getting the most out of both Bridge and that really cool new CS2 feature, Smart Objects. Working for Print and the Web: There seems to be a lot of confusion about image size, resolution, the difference between RGB and CMYK images, and so on. This chapter deals with the basics of saving your work from Photoshop, what those megapixel ratings on cameras actually mean in terms of what you can do with your digital captures, and how to make animated GIFs using ImageReady. Self test sections By popular demand, I've included three double-page spreads designed to test you on your knowledge and Photoshop skills as you progress through the book. Each of these includes nine challenges of varying difficulty, covering techniques learned in the preceding chapters, and all with associated files on the CD. I'm hoping that readers will post their results here, so that we can compare and discuss the techniques. Miscellaneous extra tutorials As well as the four new chapters, I've made additions here and there that should be of interest. There's a new tutorial designed to help you get to grips with the Pen tool (this one's for you, Eventer!) that uses a numbered join-the-dots system to show you where to click and drag. I really hope this helps! A new tutorial, Composition Tips and Tricks, starts with a basic image and shows how to adjust the composition of all the elements to create an eye-catching, intriguing image. It talks about background and foreground elements, colour issues, and more. I think it should be useful for many of you. I've also covered Displacement Maps for the first time. These are a little-used, but surprisingly powerful way of distorting an image based on the black and white values of a Photoshop file. Two tutorials look at using natural backgrounds such as wood, brick and fabric to distort placed artwork so that it looks as if it's really there. Plus a load of other workthroughs, including: manipulating animals; drawing water from scratch; writing in mustard; complex reflections; cartoon distortions using Image Warp; and how to draw zombie pensioners. I've also included a few Friday Challenges from weeks gone by, showing the best method for solving the problems. And many of your entries are included! There are also two new Interludes, covering sources of free images on the internet, and building a home photographic studio. On the CD I've really pulled out all the stops this time around. I've got rid of the demo versions of plug-ins and programs, since I reckon if you want them, you'll be able to download them for yourselves. This leaves plenty of room for… Tutorial files: yes, of course, all the files as before. But this time I've got rid of all those irritating annotations, and I've tweaked some of the trickier ones, such as the People and Cars file, to make them easier to use. QuickTime movies: you asked for them, you've got them. There are now 20 of the little beauties, covering all the old topics plus many more - including that grave-digging episode from a recent Friday Challenge. Did you sweat over that one? Like to see the whole thing done in four and a half minutes? 100 new high res images: PhotoObjects.net, great people as they are, have generously donated 100 high resolution, royalty free images for you to use in your own projects. From the 50,000 or more available on their website, I've selected 100 images that I think will be of most use - people in action, people sitting and walking, people from behind, as well as a bunch of useful hands, objects and animals. Literally, thousands of dollars' worth of free images! Cool! Plus… a load of animated GIFs from our very own Becky, and an exceptionally clever Java demonstration showing exactly how two point perspective works. And for those of you who may be missing some of the stuff I've had to miss out, you'll find all the deleted pages included as PDF files on the CD, as well. Bonus material! As I was finishing the CD off for the publishers yesterday, I found I had some free space left. And I hate wasting space. So I've included 13 high resolution skeletons, all modelled in Poser using high res texture maps and detailed figures, in a variety of poses. I know these sort of images are hard to come by, and I figured you'd enjoy playing with them. I've tried to pose them so you can combine bits and pieces to make many more positions. The overall design is largely the same as before, except I've now colour coded the pages so you can see at a glance what section you're in. Also, the introductory spreads for each chapter now have some real content, rather than just showing previews of what's to come. The book will be released in the UK on August 15th, and you'll find it on Amazon.co.uk here. (They're still using a very early version of the new cover, so ignore that.) The US release date isn't until a month later - still, it makes a change from us having to wait months to see the new Star Wars. I'll post an Amazon link once it appears on the site. Still waiting for the publishers to get back to me regarding discounts for Forum members, though. I don't think they'll be able to beat Amazon prices, but they should be able to offer perks such as free postage instead. I'm not normally one to blow my own trumpet (why does that sound so rude?) but I'm really, really pleased with this new edition. And it goes without saying that I couldn't have made it nearly so good without the help of all you great people on this Forum. So thanks for taking part, for your thoughtful and insightful comments, and for making the whole thing so much damn fun. Steve |
Posted on 06/07/05 5:32:11 PM |
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Neal
Master Manipulator Posts: 322 Reply |
Re: What's in the third edition
How do you find time to do it? Write a book, edit a forum and create illustrations for publications--are there more than one of you? With all of these references to CS2, your forcing me to upgrade from my Univac 1000 with vacuum tubes to a G5 with OS X |
Posted on 06/07/05 5:56:17 PM |
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trinityofone
Guest Reply |
Re: The third edition
It's the new triple-core Caplin5 CPU, three-way multi-tasking 
The content looks fantastic (as ever)! _________________ It must be Thursday, I never could get the hang of Thursdays |
Posted on 06/07/05 7:16:03 PM |
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BobbyJo
Image Imaginator Posts: 250 Reply  |
Re: Inside the third edition
A cracking little present for me to buy someone I love dearly ... me.
_________________ BJ - Image Imaginator |
Posted on 06/07/05 8:28:08 PM |
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Dezolat0r
*** Posts: 159 Reply  |
Re: Inside the third edition
No doubt I made the user posted content section. 
Oh hush, I can dream... Can't wait to see it! |
Posted on 06/07/05 10:10:00 PM |
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Glen
Montage Maestro Posts: 282 Reply  |
Re: Inside the third edition
There is absolutely no reason whatsoever NOT to blow your own trumpet so unless you can think of good reasons not to then blow away Steve (bloody hell that sounds even ruder!!). You really have excelled in this edition - even including the deleted pages, what value for money and all the new information too. What then for version IV ? all the deleted pages from the last three PLUS scans of the scraps of paper with your initial ideas on? Thankyou so much for all your time, patience, knowledge, titles and fun. _________________ most of the lack of sunshine in our lives is caused by us standing in our own shadow |
Posted on 07/07/05 02:39:49 AM |
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NW Rain
* Posts: 37 Reply |
Re: Inside the third edition
This all sounds absolutely wonderful, can hardly wait to get my hands on a copy. September is such a looong time away!  |
Posted on 05/08/05 6:51:03 PM |
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Pooch
** Posts: 110 Reply  |
Re: Inside the third edition
Its been a while since I visited this forum due to now working in London and spending ridiculous amounts of time commuting. The new book looks ace Steve. I think the cover looks great. I will take a wander over to Amazon and preorder a copy. Hope you are all well! _________________ I was here when things were bad. We finished second one year! Bob Paisley, RIP. |
Posted on 05/08/05 9:36:20 PM |
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BobbyJo
Image Imaginator Posts: 250 Reply |
Re: Inside the third edition
Nice to see you back here old bean
_________________ BJ - Image Imaginator |
Posted on 08/08/05 9:07:40 PM |
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Pooch
** Posts: 110 Reply |
Re: Inside the third edition
Hi Bobbyjo how you doing?
_________________ I was here when things were bad. We finished second one year! Bob Paisley, RIP. |
Posted on 08/11/05 11:06:20 AM |
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metacool
* Posts: 13 Reply  |
Re: Inside the third edition
congatulations...i buy your book 2 days ago...and in these 2 days its like a girlfriend to me....i have 8 or 9 books about photoshop, but this is clerly the most inovative and creative...clear examples, nice tuts, great compos, a must....learning a lot about curves, and some of the "easy" steps youve mayde to achieve a "final" image.... 5*****...and off the record..this forum rules _________________ www.metacool.org » grieser ezine |