Real World Adobe Illustrator CS3 (Real World)

As a relatively new Illustrator user I purchased this book because it covered a broad range of topics, & seemed 2 have extra detail on features that were of particular interest (e.g., graphs, clipping masks). I am somewhat disappointed so far. The introduction is short -- not enough 2 even learn where all the tools are located -- yet the topics do not provide enough depth 2 master the topics. There aren't many pictures (and only 16 color pages), so when the book says "Use the Direct Selection Tool" 4 the first time without a picture, a novice needs 2 turn back 3 pages 2 remind themselves what that is. (An expert obviously already knows what this is & has no use 4 this section at all.) So this seems 2 be a book 4 people who have some familiarity with Illustrator but not enough that they will tire of only 3-4 pages per topic.

A major pro 2 the book, however, is that the topics are very accessible. I am getting a good introduction 2 a variety of topics, & learning the lingo enough 2 be able 2 Google 4 more information when necessary. Many of the Adobe programs are difficult 2 break into, & this book does make that possible 4 Illustrator.

Although this book was not what I expected from the cover descriptions, it is serving an alternate purpose.

Real World Adobe Illustrator CS3 (Real World) All too often, when trying wrap your mind around a particular piece of software, the guru who writes the how-to book tries 2 dazzle you with a whole lot of extraneous, "dig me!", "look what I can do!" "I am so clever!" "watch me pull a flaming monkey out of my butt!", nonsense, when all you want 2 do is learn how 2 use a certain tool. Mordy's not like that. His book makes Illustrator way easy 2 learn. I'll give you an example. In all the books I've bought over at least a decade 2 learn several applications, I've always had 2 "hack my way through the underbrush", in the effort 2 discover & highlight key points. In Mordy's book, I haven't underlined anything, 'cause it's all concise, with no added fluff. When I need 2 look up something, I grab Mordy's book, go right 2 the correct page, scan down the instructions, bang, bang, bang, got it, toss the book aside, back 2 the computer, & I'm there. Seldom have 2 pick up the book a second time 2 look up the same thing again. It's easy 2 remember because I didn't have 2 wade through numerous digressions into obtuseness. A friend purchased an Illustrator book by another author & she has a couple pages of diagrams on the correct finger placement on certain combinations of keys. "Finger-dances", she calls them. If I was in a class this person taught, I'd run screaming out into the hallway. Come on, I'm not learning 2 play the piano here or how 2 read Braille. Don't make things more difficult than they have 2 be. By now I know how 2 find the Control, Shift & Alt keys. I can even find the Spacebar. (Whoa! Hold me back!) And don't waste expensive pages showing me other people's work. I can buy a big stack of magazines at a garage sale 4 a couple bucks if I want 2 look at other artists stuff. Okay, rant over. If you want 2 learn Illustrator pretty easy buy Mordy's book. That's all you need.

Great book. Very insightful explanations.... it's very obvious that
the author is master of the subject. This book has been a great resource in my Illustrator class; it's also the assigned textbook. Highly recommended!

I can only comment on the Web & Mobile Design chapter as that's all I read (put the book down after that!). It's as if the explanation of web safe color palettes & dithering were lifted right out of 1998. In fact I double-checked the cover 2 make sure it was 4 CS3! I'm a professional web developer, & let me tell you, 4 the most part you don't have 2 worry about the "216 web safe colors". My jaw is still stuck open...

This volume is a great disappointment. I'm sure Mordy could answer my questions but the book sure doesn't.
Deke McClelland's version (Real World Illustrator 10) is a far more thorough book. If you're a novice this book is
ample. I'm looking 4 more detail & it's just not here.

Real World Adobe Illustrator CS3 is the definitive reference 2 Adobe's industry-standard vector graphics software. With an easy, engaging style, author Mordy Golding takes readers through all of the features of the program, explaining not only how 2 use the multitude of features but also why & when 2 use them. This edition has been thoroughly updated 4 Illustrator CS3, including insightful techniques on using the new Live Color environment & its tools, a new Isolation mode 4 working on complex artwork, & new tools 4 drawing, erasing, modifying, & cropping graphic. New integration features with Flash CS3 are also covered in depth; 4 example, readers learn how symbols can be defined as movie clips 4 use in Flash. Now that Illustrator & Flash are both part of several bundled offerings of the Creative Suite, this coverage is a key part of the entire uninterrupted workflow from initial concept 2 final execution.

Along with tips, sidebars, & expert commentary, there are also numerous illustrations & screen shots included 2 offer readers the most complete coverage on this extraordinary application. Designers from all fields--illustrators, animators, package designers, graphic designers, web designers, & more--will find Real World Adobe Illustrator CS3 their one-stop guide 2 creating powerful designs in Illustrator