[.ca] Photoshop Type Effects Visual Encyclopedia (ISBN 0735711909)

Easy to follow, yet packed with information:
The Photoshop Type Effects Visual Encyclopedia is a non-linear tutorial and a visual reference, which walks users step-by-step with complete details for designing professional level type effects. The interior design is crafted to work exclusively as a reference/tutorial book on type design. Photoshop Type Effects Visual Encyclopedia is organized into two general parts: an introduction full of context; and the actual encyclopedia, with rich illustrations of what each effect looks like, how to create the effects, and how to do your own variations of the effect. Each page is easy to follow, yet packed with information.

sure to inspire you:
Photoshop is an amazing tool and each new version brings with it new tools, features, options, and complexity. Even long-time users can find it hard to keep up, especially in areas that aren't your speciality. For instance, I use Photoshop fairly extensively as an image editor for my photography. But when it comes to Photoshop's text manipulating capabilities, I'm behind the curve. If you want to use Photoshop to a degree even approaching it's potential, you need help. Thank Buddha, there are lots of good books being written about Photoshop and how to use it. Among those written specifically to educate users how to handle type and type effects, Photoshop Type Effects Visual Encyclopedia from New Riders is one of the best and deserves a spot on your bookshelf. Author Roger Pring sets forth to inspire, inform, and teach in his book designed to turn on your creativity where type designing is concerned. In the first section of the book, Pring lays out basic information explaining the various ways to work with type in Photoshop. In the later part of the first section, we see real-world examples of type at work, including many examples of signs and signage. This book is called an encyclopedia after all, and the second section includes 72 different effects with step-by-step instructions so you can try them out. And many of the effects include alternatives with the instructions. The effects are grouped into categories, like reflective effects, atmospheric effects, lighting effects, simulations, and mood effects. There's also a very good appendix at the back of this book showing page after page of type with Photoshop filters applied, so you can see and compare what different filters do. One way to increase our productivity in Photoshop is to learn to use Photoshop's built-in shortcuts. We know that keeping our hands on the keyboard is more efficient than switching to the mouse for things like changing tools and views. So there is a complete listing of all Photoshop's shortcuts at the end of the book. The book also includes a CD filled with all the various effects samples, and a collection of about 20 Photoshop 'actions.' If you want to learn more about handling type in Photoshop, pick up a copy of Photoshop Type Effects Visual Encyclopedia. I give it a solid rating of 4 stars.

No time to read, get this book!:
If you don't have time for the "War and Peace" version of some of the other typography books on Photoshop, get this one! The pictures are excellent and the book is organized in a logical layout. Get in, see what you want, get out...then DO IT! A Perfect way to organize a book for us visual folks.

Just my type! :):
Roger Pring's book is not only exemplary in its content but also in how the author has designed the presentation of that content. I might have never thought of Photoshop as a source generator for super typography effects had it not been for happening upon Pring's excellent book. Now I think of Photoshop before I try manipulating type in any other application. I'm hooked. But beware! Before picking up Roger Pring's book I was just a normal PowerBook page designer desktop publisher. Now I'm one of Pring's minions. This book about type is just my type.

Another Beginner's Point of View:
I too am new to Photoshop and am finding this book a struggle. Also, I have no real reason to learn these skills. But I am hooked! I have only owned Type Effects for 72 hours and have already put in at least 30 hours of work on it. True, this book does not include all the basics, but there are many other resources for those. I feel like I am struggling with a foreign language, with Type Effects on my right and my "basics" manual on my left. But what I have learned in only 3 days! A boring "learn to" book alone would not have given me the motivation to stay up all night and forget meals while mastering new skills. You don't need to be a professional graphics designer to appreciate this book. I have never considered myself to be the least bit artistic and am immensely enjoying being able to produce works of art with Adobe. This book is helping me to quickly master Photoshop. As to another reviewer's complaint that the author does not provide enough details; a lot of the infomation he requires is available with the samples included on the cd. He can even "borrow" from the layers if he wants to cheat a bit! (Boy, was I delighted to discover this) This book may be a challenge for a beginner, but I am learning quickly from it and expect to be an expert by the time I reach the final chapter. Effects is a wonderful book. It is attractive, well written and offers something for everyone.