With its compact size, Short Order Adobe Photoshop 5.5 conveniently flops open on the desk showing step-by-step instructions and illustrations for image effects and techniques, each resolved within a page or two. True to its title, this compendium of advice, tips, and tricks for Photoshop 5.5 gives quick recipes for performing basic tasks as well as making complex image manipulations. The book was written for intermediate and advanced users who need quick solutions to everyday problems in Photoshop, yet the text is not so rigorous that a beginner would be lost. Do you feel comfortable with version 5.5's layer effects tool but don't know how to copy layer effects from one layer to another? Have you always been wary of using channels? Want to create sliced GIFs using Photoshop and ImageReady? All these questions are answered at your fingertips literally within minutes.
The book doesn't cover every image manipulation approach, nor does it address all the variations on how to execute the same command. This gives the pages a lean look that speeds up the learning process. Occasionally, sidebar tips show more efficient shortcuts (like double-clicking the white-point and black-point eyedroppers to set white and black target points in the curves palette) or ways to experiment (such as using a snapshot as the source for the History brush).
Short Order Adobe Photoshop 5.5 would be a good choice for those who need remedial training or who learned the application piecemeal and now find they have gaps in their knowledge, but users of all levels will be happy to have this book on their shelf. --Angelynn Grant
Topics covered: Step-by-step instructions for using basic tools and functions of Photoshop 5 and 5.5 and ImageReady 2, as well as instructions on more complex features and effects. Covers the history palette, resolution, and size issues, image modes, selecting image areas and transforming selections, painting, using layers and layer effects, putting type in an image, using channels and masks, image and color adjustment and correction, working with paths and filters, paper and electronic publishing, achieving consistent color, automating Photoshop with actions, using watermarks, and image sorting.
