Product Description

Illustrator CS4 Digital Classroom is like having a personal instructor guiding readers through each lesson, while they work at their own pace. This book includes 11 self-paced lessons that let readers discover essential skills and explore new features and capabilities of Adobe Illustrator CS4. Every lesson is presented in full color with step-by-step instructions. Learning is reinforced with video tutorials and lesson files on a companion DVD that were developed by the same team of Adobe Certified Instructors and Flash experts who have created many of the official training titles for Adobe Systems. Each video tutorial is approximately five minutes long and demonstrates and explains the concepts and features covered in the lesson. This training package shows how to create and produce vibrant graphics using this robust vector drawing application. Jam-packed with information, this book and DVD takes users from the basics through intermediate level topics and helps readers find the information they need in a clear, approachable manner.

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #71066 in Books
• Published on: 2009-02-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780470436356
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From the Back Cover
You have a personal tutor in the Digital Classroom

If you want expert instruction that fits into your schedule, Digital Classroom delivers. Adobe Certified Experts guide you through 12 lessons, helping you learn essential Illustrator CS4 skills at your own speed. Full-color, step-by-step instructions in the book are enhanced with video tutorials on the DVD. With Digital Classroom, you have your own private instructor showing you the easiest way to learn Illustrator CS4.

• Use Illustrator CS4, reset the workspace, and navigate the program

• Create and save graphic styles and apply them to elements in your design

• Speed up your work with custom shortcuts

• Work with the Shape tools and the Transform panel

• Explore color options using global colors, Live Paint, Live Color, and blending modes

• Draw lines, trace objects, and format text

• Use Effects and organize your illustrations with Layers

About the Author
The Aquent Creative Team consists of Adobe Certified Instructors who create and deliver training programs for creative, marketing, and communications professionals at Aquent Graphics Institute. They have developed many of Adobe's official training books and technical training programs for Adobe's employees.

Customer Reviews

Aimed at the computer-savvy
I received the book today and just started working through the first lesson. What struck me about the approach is that the authors presume a LOT of knowledge about the terminology (e.g., stroke, fill, symbol, etc.) that folks who have never worked with Illustrator would not have.

If you're computer-savvy, that's okay because the authors give enough context for you to quickly figure out what those terms mean and how to apply what they teach you broadly. If you are not computer-savvy (most people over 40 won't; I'm 41, but I started programming when I was 12), then you will probably feel lost.

If you're computer-savvy, this book is a 5. If you're not, it is probably a 3, if not lower (depending on skill/comfort level; there are a lot of gaps that you need to fill). I recommend anybody who is a total newbie to preview the book at your local bookstore before buying.

Good introduction book
I've been creating basic art projects for a few years - mostly some flyers and signs, though I dabble in creating web sites. I had started with Photo shop and discovered it was the wrong product for my signs so I switched to Photo shop Elements (great product) and purchased Illustrator instead. After working through this book I know enough to be dangerous. I can add and format text, create my own drawings, and import other images (which is good because mine aren't all that great). I did discover a few cool things like tracing items that I scan and controlling several items at the same time so I can change one color and all related items get changed. There were some cool projects that are a bit beyond my needs but probably are helpful for professional artists. There are a few errors - maybe 10 or so - but I discovered that fixes were listed on the book web site. But because they were listed on the update site referenced in the book, they didn't cause me a big issue (although I'm taking away a full star because I think they should have found them before printing). I can still recommend the book mostly because it is a good value for the money especially with the video clips. I went from zero to working with Illustrator in just a few days.

Great Content!
This book is a great way to get up to speed on the latest version of Illustrator fast! Not only does it go over new features, but also shows how to create projects using those new features. The book does a great job of incorporating basic and advanced features in a way that is not overwhelming. Great work!