GETTING STARTED

How to Use This Book

This book is different. I have approached it like an edit session. I have gathered the best source materials. I have “logged the tapes,” so to speak, by pulling only the essential information that a video editor, motion graphic artist, or DVD designer would need. I’ve organized things into bins for you (except here they’re called chapters). I’ve also loaded the system with tons of new effects and powerful tools to help you out. Think of me as the perfect assistant. I’ve prepared everything for you—now go to town.

This book and accompanying disc can be enjoyed in a nonlinear fashion. Work in whatever order you want (or need). I’ve included a detailed index and glossary to help you through any gaps caused by skipping around. If you’re a little rusty, there are expert articles and tips on the DVD to help you through.

I want Photoshop to be fast and easy for you. I also want you to understand it, not just memorize things. While the chapters will often contain step-by-step instructions for certain skills, there is always a clear explanation of both how and why to do things. I want you to get immediate results every time you read a chapter.

I face the same problems you do. I have designed this book so it can live next to your NLE or motion graphics suite. Since space is valuable I have tried to give you the best book out there on making graphics for video. All of the techniques in this book are real-world solutions. You have problems…I’ve got answers.

Iconography

Throughout this book, I have included callout boxes that either present you with additional noteworthy information or direct you toward another resource (the Internet or the included DVD-ROM). The icons associated with these callouts are in the margin.

Key to the Icons
	Web Link. Go online to find out more.
	On the DVD. Resources on the DVD-ROM that are important to the current subject.
	Noteworthy. “Gotchas” to avoid, new terminology, or Photoshop-related skills.
	Technical Tips. Hints and tricks to make Photoshop work for you.

Disc Access

Since this book is exclusively for the video audience, I am assuming you have access to a drive that can read DVDs. If you don’t, buy one. There are so many free resources on the disc that the money spent will be worth it.

The book and DVD-ROM are meant to be enjoyed together. Nearly every chapter has its own project files so you can try the techniques discussed in the chapter. Look throughout the chapter for the On the DVD icon to point out much of the bonus content.

You can explore the disc on your own or use the interactive Pixel Browser. The browser helps sort through the 8+ gigabytes of demos, source files, fonts, freebies, tutorials, and source files. You’ll find helpful descriptions and a familiar browser environment to view content. For your browsing enjoyment, I’ve even added a jukebox filled with songs from one of my favorite bands, The Nadas. Be sure to check them out on the DVD as well as visit their website at http://www.thenadas.com.

Installation

Mac Versus PC

Adobe Photoshop runs the same on Windows as it does on a Macintosh. The faster your machine, and the more memory you have, the better it runs (regardless of platform). People will always ask, “Why Mac or Windows? What do you recommend?” Here are the facts, as far as this book is concerned.

The Future

As things change—and they always do—I will update. For updates, news, free resources, and the podcast, visit the companion website at www.PhotoshopforVideo.com. If you would like to contribute to the effort by reporting any errors you spot or things I’ve overlooked, please use the online contact form.

For Instructors

If you are an instructor, I sincerely hope that you will adapt this book to your specific curriculum. I have designed it to be a great resource for advanced courses in screen graphics or video production. This book is based on techniques that I have taught over the years. I am a college instructor, as well as a frequent speaker at industry conferences and training events.

There are several sample files that you can use for demonstration purposes during lessons or lectures. If students own the book, I recommend copying a chapter’s files to their local computer. This way, they can save and work with the material.

You will also find an excellent series of articles from http://www.adobeevangelists.com included on the disc. These serve as excellent supplemental material or to fill in points that a new user might not know. This book is written assuming that the reader has completed a “beginner book.” If this is not the case, please consult several of the supplemental materials. Be sure to check out the Adobe Evangelist site for more advanced articles on Photoshop and all other Adobe products.

An instructor’s guide is available on the Photoshop for Video website (www.PhotoshopforVideo.com). It contains outlines to each chapter, suggested exercises, sample exam questions, and project ideas that students can complete to refine their skills. Additionally, a list of resources for each chapter is also available to help you map the book and disc content to your lesson plans.

As a fellow instructor, you’ll understand how much work goes into preparing lessons and sample exercises that are helpful and meaningful. The entire content of this book and DVD-ROM are copyrighted. Owners of the book are granted specific rights as granted in the End User’s License or in supplemental licenses provided in each folder. While there are several excellent resources, many of them fully functional or “free,” they are for those who purchased the book. In some cases, I have content on the disc that is also available online. I have placed it on the disc for convenience. (Downloading a 12-MB file to 25 lab machines over a network can be slow.) If students do not (yet) own the book, they can access some of the content this way.

If a school distributes copies of the source files, software, plugins, movies, or PDFs to anyone who has not purchased the book, that constitutes copyright infringement. Also, reproducing pages electronically or physically is a bad thing. Thanks for respecting my work and that of the project’s contributors. Your voluntary compliance with copyright enables this book to be updated and me to keep teaching others. Thanks again!

Qualified teaching professionals can acquire evaluation copies of this book by submitting the request form provided on the Focal Press Web site.