Photoshop 5 For Windows For Dummies

This Dummies guide is designed for beginners who want to learn the core features in Photoshop 5 for Windows in a short amount of time. You start off with an overview of the two aspects of the package--painting images and editing images--and learn what's new in this version. The author explains how to navigate the interface using zooming, guides, and grids. In the second part of the book, he discusses image size, resolution, pixels, color, file formats, and file-saving and -printing issues. The third part of the book focuses on painting, photo retouching, and undoing your work--using the eraser and History palette, for example. In the fourth part, you really start messing with pixels by learning the basic selection tools, such as lasso and rectangle selections, and the more advanced ones, such as adding to and subtracting from a selection, extending a magic wand selection, and transforming selections and paths. You also apply color and gradients to selections. Finally, in the fifth part, you work with layers, type, filters, and advanced color-correction tools, such as contrast and brightness.

You can follow along with the projects as closely as you like, or just get general how-to tips for your own work. The book offers simple, clear discussion and quick technical tips, shortcuts, and warnings of common pitfalls, all denoted by easy-to-spot icons. Icons also note a feature that's new to this version. (The book assumes that you don't necessarily know any version of the package but alerts you to any changes in case you do.) Two full-color sections show examples of the project files, some in various stages of editing. The book has the same humorous, light approach to learning that other Dummies books have, and this makes it all the more accessible, especially if you're intimidated by what you've got to learn. The last section of the book, "The Part of Tens," features 10 techniques to memorize, 10 funny ways to distort faces, and 10 ways to output your work. These tidbits provide a good basis for becoming comfortable with the essential Photoshop tasks. A Macintosh version of the book is also available. --Kathleen Caster