Bookmark
December 2007
3D Tools for Photographers, Illustrators & Graphic Designers
by Autodesk
$59.99; Sybex/Wiley;
We didn’t check the price on this book until after we decided to review it. Yes, it’s pretty startling and you’ll need Maya Complete 8, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator to make good use of the tutorials inside. You do, however, get a DVD with the Autodesk Paint FX Plug-in for Photoshop, an author interview, textures, scene files and Maya Personal Learning Edition software. So if this fits your profile and your budget or you’re really into 3D, then read on.
This is a project-oriented book in the sense that there are step-by-step tutorials, but you can easily transfer those skills to your personal work. The book is broken up into four “projects” starting with Photo-realism. This section covers a number of topics including matching perspective and textures (including a separate chapter on using photographic textures). As an example, the first tutorial walks you through the process of importing a photograph of a kitchen complete with table and chairs and adding various objects to the table like a teapot and apples. Other exercises in this section include building 3D children’s building blocks (cubes), complete with a letter of the alphabet and shadows.
The other three “project” sections cover a variety of tasks including compositing, flash format output, patterns, illustration, brushes and texture and how to create a background from scratch. The tutorials are well written and easy to understand, although we recommend that you come into this with some 3D experience.
This well-illustrated book is as attractive as it is helpful. And while we’d highly recommend this 300-plus page soft cover if it were less expensive, we have to suggest that you thoroughly check out the contents before you buy just to make sure that this is the right book for you.
Adobe Flash CS3 Professional Video Studio Techniques
The Definitive Guide to Creating Video for the Web
by Robert Reinhardt
$54.99; Adobe Press;
It seems as though we ended up with two very expensive books in this issue of Bookmark, including this book about Adobe Flash CS3. So be sure to get your hands on a copy at the bookstore or library to make sure it meets your needs. We’ll give you our opinion, of course, but it’s your money so you should still check out the book’s contents even after you’ve read our review.
As more and more people have the opportunity to post video to the Web, Flash has become increasingly indispensable, especially if you want to do more than just show off a simple video clip. That’s where this book comes in with its advanced techniques and detailed instructions.
A DVD is bundled with the book, so you’ll have the files you need to complete the exercises. But please check the author’s blog — http://blogs.flashsupport.com/robert/ — for updates, including possible missing files on the DVD.
Thankfully, Reinhardt starts off with what he appropriately calls “Working Foundations,” a section that you should read thoroughly unless you’re highly experienced with Flash. We also found it helpful to review the Appendices (Software Installation, Flash Video Project Checklist, Encoding Flash Video and Troubleshooting Flash Video) before jumping into a project.
In the middle, you’ll find a wide range of suggestions and directions that cover everything from initial preparation and tools to uploading your footage to the Web. You’ll also learn how create your own video player, build indices and playlists, add captions and much more.
This isn’t for the faint of heart since Reinhardt goes into details you may not find elsewhere. But if you want to present your Flash video professionally and in a way that will draw viewers to your site, then this may be the book for you.
Creating Digital Music and Sound
An Inspirational Introduction for Musicians, Web designers, Animators, Videomakers, and Game Designers
by Chris Middleton
$36.95; Focal Press;
One thing’s for certain, you’ll definitely gain a better understanding of digital music and sound after reading Creating Digital Music and Sound. This nuts-and- bolts book serves as both a learning tool and a reference guide with some interesting interviews to round out the contents.
The author provides an excellent knowledge base throughout the book, so even if you’re just getting started creating your own soundtracks or digital music, you’ll gain a solid foundation by the time you’re ready to start the creative process. Following the introduction, Middleton immediately launches into a detailed look on sound and sound waves. You’ll also get an education about digital recording, with detailed information about hardware and software so you can gauge whether or not your current equipment is sufficient for the task at hand.
Not surprisingly, there’s a lot of information about mixing and editing, with some special notes on manipulating voices. But what’s really fun is the section on making music with a virtual guitar. There’s also good information about Internet broadcasting, making music for your cell phone and podcasting. Basically, this book contains lots of interesting and useful information as well as how to’s.
As usual, Focal Press used quality paper stock to print Creating Digital Music and Sound, which is always a plus. Although the book is generously illustrated with color images, the layout on some pages almost gave us a headache—there was just too much to see and it was a little difficult to discern one image from another. The book is accompanied by a CD-ROM with demo software, as well as 60MB of loops and samples, for both PC and Mac.
But, even though it’s pricey, Creating Digital Music and Sound not only provides the necessary knowledge base but helps you take that knowledge and put it to good use—all in simple and easy to understand terms, with step-by-step directions. If you’re interested in creating your own sounds and music, definitely check out this title.
Photoshop CS3 Workflow
The Digital Photographer’s Guide
by Tim Grey
$39.99; Sybex;
Part of the Tim Grey Guides series, Photoshop CS3 Workflow is a solid reference and learning tool for anyone who is using Adobe Photoshop CS3. The new version of Photoshop is enough of an upgrade that even those with a good understanding of previous versions might want to consider getting a helping hand to make the most of Photoshop CS3. And, if you’re interested in developing an efficient workflow using some of the program’s new features, this book will help get you there.
Granted, some of what’s in the book is standard Photoshop so don’t expect every page to reveal some of the application’s new features. But Grey does a good job of explaining and incorporating the “new” (and, I might say, improved) Bridge, Smart Filters, Cloning, Curves and a whole lot more.
You won’t find an explanation of each and every component of Photoshop CS3 but what Grey does is much more important. He shows you how to move from downloading and sorting your images through archiving and outputting.
After an introduction to Bridge and a solid section on working with RAW, Grey covers the basic adjustments that are the core of image-editing. From there, he moves into more advanced corrections and tasks you’ll perform as you process your images.
With Grey’s clear and easy-to-follow directions and explanations, even those new to Adobe Photoshop CS3 will be able to find their way through the program. More experienced users will especially appreciate Grey’s tips and tricks, along with the introduction to CS3’s new features. Both types of users will be in good hands with this book and Grey’s expertise.
David Lynch: The Air is On Fire
by David Lynch, et al
$70; Thames & Hudson/W.W. Norton;
If you happened to be in Paris last spring, perhaps you saw the David Lynch exhibition at the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain. But, if like most of us, you weren’t fortunate enough to see Lynch’s work in person, you can view it in this large, hardcover book.
Yes, Lynch is best known for his films such as “Eraserhead”, “Blue Velvet,” “Wild at Heart,” “Mulholland Drive” and “Twin Peaks” and there are some photographs of his films in the book. But he is also an accomplished artist and prolific in other media such as painting, drawing, photography, sculpture and music. It’s here, among the book’s 254 pages, that you will have the opportunity to examine more than 40 years’ of Lynch’s art. Most of the drawings and all but one of the photographs have been reproduced in their actual size, which gives you an even better sense of how the artist works.
Some of the drawings were created on notebook paper (complete with people’s names and what we assume are phone numbers, seeming to indicate the spontaneity of the art, or the lack of art supplies) and are reproduced as such—even one torn off from what appears to be a steno notebook. Some of our favorites are slightly smaller than postcard-sized and painted with reds or yellows, with several incorporating multiple colors that are stand out from the otherwise dark (physically and metaphorically) drawings and photographs that comprise most of the book.
You’ll find some of Lynch’s notes, including a mini-story about a dog, as well as some (but not much) commentary along with some images. An interview with Lynch has been reproduced in the book and on a CD for those of you who’d rather listen, than read. The photographs are often intriguing on their own, although there are some that seem to take on more intensity knowing that they were shot by Lynch.
If you’re familiar with Lynch’s films, you’ll have a sense of what to expect from his other art. But if David Lynch isn’t on your radar, then you might want to approach cautiously — Lynch’s work isn’t for everyone. Unless, of course, you’re wild at heart.
