Illustrator CS3 Bible

I purchased this book because of the quality of the "Bible" series I have purchased in the past (Word, Project, Access, Excel, QuickBooks, Dreamweaver, Visio, PowerPoint, etc). This was by far the most disappointing.

The power of the Bible series is in the projects & examples included in each manual & accompanying CD; step-by-step instructions on "how to" use the features of the software. The CS3 Illustrator Bible contains very few examples; it is wordy & will not help you much if you want 2 explore & learn 2 use the CS3 Illustrator software.

If you are looking 4 a resource 2 learn "how" 2 use CS3 Illustrator, I would suggest searching 4 a different book...

This is a book that has everything you ever wanted 2 know about Illustrator CS3. The only draw back 2 this book is that it has no tutoring projects & 4 me that's an important part of a book.

I just love this book! I started learning Illustrator with CS2. I was connecting the dots with CS3 & decided 2 get the Illustrator CS3 Bible. By not having classes with Illustrator CS3, I was missing out on all the cool new tools like Live Trace. A great designer always has the best refrence books! I also have the Photoshop CS3 bible & the InDesign bible... get them all!!

I purchased this book 2 help migrate from Fireworks 8 2 Illustrator CS3. I have read six chapters so far.

Another reviewer commented on the "newspaper" pages, & while the pages are somewhat thin, it doesn't detract from my reading process.

The book's first few chapters covers all of the basics any newcomer needs 2 start drawing simple designs & my reading was going rather well until I read about symbols.

The author's description of a symbol is, well, nothing. The first mention of symbols is, "Since the addition of the Symbol tools in Illustrator 10, the world has never been the same. Small children can now, with ease, make a sensible drawing using the Symbol Sprayer tool."

So I read on, expecting 2 be enlightened, & he never even tells the reader what a symbol is, or why "the world has never been the same"! Such a bold statement with absolutely no supporting dissertation. There are 6 pages dedicated 2 symbols with not one mention of the fact that the concept significantly increases productivity & efficiency.

Luckily, I know enough about symbols 2 know the author really missed the mark, & instead of exposing their true power, passes them off as art that can be spray painted on the the canvas. Yeah, that's kind of helpful in certain situations, but those situations are far & few between.

If I wouldn't have already understood what symbols are & how they work, I wouldn't have figured it out by using this book. I am, therefor, lead 2 question how much information is left out. Am I going 2 be left in the dark on some other basic & important concepts that the author either doesn't understand or doesn't care 2 share? Probably.

This is the only time I have ever wanted 2 return a book...I simply don't think I can trust it as an authority on the subject.

It has been 2 years from last "Illustrator CS2 Bible" & now we have updated version of it 2 CS3.
This time book again written by Ted Alspach alone & he stays the guard of this reference from version 7 (in far 1997). And the most interesting thing that every time Ted tried 2 power this book on 100% with information.

Bible keeps not only it's author, but also great style. With minimum clear explanation it gives you the most full information on an object. There're couple of color insert with nice Illustrator examples (seems very creative). Book consist of 700 pages. Pages are not not white shiny 2 make you blind, but pretty good indeed & in calculation of (book information*paper quality)/price buyer wins a couple of times.

All information you need is included: from novice 2 professionals - this reference is 4 everybody. To study new features or start from basics, 2 draw simple lines up 2 combine them in one complicated object & up 2 professional printing process of your work.

Great information order, information presented very clear & it is easy 2 follow, easy 2 find & it is explained step by step.

As we all know Illustrator belongs 2 Adobe family products, that's why almost every month such programs as Illustrator, Flash, Photoshop & other are used together 2 make work more easy & productive. Ted took one chapter of this time 2 explain the very basics of this programs integration (to expand our vision on this program & it's possibilities).
Illustrator is also a very powerful program & has a lot of "hot keys" & the complete list of it you can find in Appendix.

For people who never used Bibles, I would like 2 give table of content 2 let you know what you can expect from Bibles:

Part I: Illustrator Basics
- What's new in Illustrator CS3
- Understanding Illustrator's Desktop
- Working with Illustrator Documents
- Understanding Drawing & Painting Techniques
- Creating Objects, Graphs & Symbols
- Learning how 2 select & edit
- Understanding Color, Gradients & Mess

Part II:
- Using Illustrator 2 Organize Objects
- Working with Type
- Using Creative Strokes & Fills with Patterns
- Applying Transformations & Distortions
- Using Path Blends, Compound Path & Masks
- Using Live Trace
- Using Live Paint
Part III:
- Working with Graphic Styles, Filters & Effects
- Creating 3D in Illustrator
- Customizing & Automating Illustrator

Part IV:
- Understanding PostScript & Printing
- Creating Web Graphics

Appendix: Shortcuts in Illustrator CS3
Index


But in couple of words, we have here a titanic work of Ted Alspach that was put on paper 4 your satisfaction. And I really can't imagine a person that would not enjoy it. This book is really all you need.

Adobe insider Ted Alspach helps you unlock the power of CS3

The new CS3 version of Illustrator is light years beyond previous versions, & whether you're a novice or veteran designer, you'll want 2 get quickly up 2 speed on this powerful new tool. With clear explanations & plenty of examples, Adobe insider Ted Alspach reveals the secrets on how 2 best use Illustrator CS3 4 Web graphics, integrate it with the rest of the Creative Suite, work in 3D—and above all, why it's such a radical step up from CS2. Tap the power of Illustrator CS3 4 your projects with this in-depth guide from an industry expert.

• Use Live Color 2 get color options you never had before

• Integrate Illustrator CS3 seamlessly with Photoshop & Flash

• Quickly start new documents with preset profiles

• Work easily with transparency, fonts, styles, & effects

• Get more out of Illustrator with hundreds of tips & tricks

• Learn about scripting & Web graphics generation 4 online design

Customize the Illustrator workspace

Generate color sets with Live Color

Create graphics 4 the Web