Each Classroom in a Book features consistently well-written and conceived lessons, part of Adobe's official training and certification program. They guarantee solid instruction, taking readers step-by-step through professional-level projects with topnotch artwork. Adobe Photoshop 7.0 Classroom in a Book book assumes no prior knowledge, and beginners will benefit from the slow and deliberate pacing. However, more experienced Photoshop users won't find it difficult to speed ahead through familiar material and there's a thorough index for troubleshooting specific problems. They'll find new techniques to make their workflow more efficient, and, perhaps, "unlearn" any bad habits (for example, getting a better grayscale conversion for a color photo by using the Channel Mixer rather than clicking "Mode > Grayscale").

Chapters cover the fundamentals: the work environment and help resources; making selections (with the wand, lasso, and marquee tools); using layers and masks; working with the pen tool and other vector graphics techniques; retouching and color correcting; selected effects like hand coloring; color-management issues; and creating images for print or the Web. Areas new to version 7 include working with the File Browser, using the new paint engine to create custom brushes and patterns, and working with the healing brush and cloning stamp.

All lesson project files and fonts are on the companion CD-ROM. Each lesson begins by outlining what will be learned and how long the project should take, and ends with review Q&A. The color section not only shows finished artwork for several projects, but also includes some useful reference pages: a toolbox overview (with color illustrations of what each tool does), a layer blending mode sampler, and a set of images helpful in color management.

Good introductory text, but not the best reference tool

While I had tinkered around with Photoshop a bit in the past, I had to buckle down and get serious about it for work a few years ago. Before picking up "Adobe Photoshop 7.0 Classroom in a Book," I could perform basic photo manipulations and touch-ups, but not much more.

I was able to work through "Photoshop 7.0 CIB" in about a week. The book's divided into 18 lessons, all roughly the same length, so it was easy to map out a plan and stick to it. The instructions are straightforward, clearly written, understandable, and informative. The beginning chapters (Getting to Know the Work Area and Using the File Browser) are perhaps a bit basic, but might be necessary for those completely unfamiliar with the program. The remaining 12 lessons cover the essentials, including basic photo corrections; working with selections; layer basics; masks and channels; retouching and repairing; painting and editing; basic pen tool techniques; vector masks, paths, and shapes; advanced layer techniques; creating special effects; preparing images for two-color printing; optimizing web images and image maps; adding interactive slices and rollovers; creating animated images; setting up your monitor for color management; and producing and printing consistent color. I did find two major mistakes that make completing the lessons impossible, but the good news is that they're only moderately difficult to spot.

After completing this guide, my understanding of Photoshop increased exponentially. It helped to familiarize me with tools which I had never used before (some of which I'll probably never use again!), and increased my confidence in regards to tools I already knew how to use. It's an excellent introductory guide to Photoshop 7.0 (indeed, it was the first Photoshop manual I purchased and actually completed!).

However, I've since upgraded to Photoshop 8.0 CS, and have read a number of 8.0 manuals. As I've graduated to more advanced graphics manipulation, I also find myself constantly referring to Photoshop books when I try a technique that I've learned but haven't yet mastered. I can honestly say that "Adobe Photoshop 7.0 Classroom in a Book" is always the last book I pick up - it's a last resort, and is almost never of any use. While it does help you learn the Photoshop basics, it isn't very helpful as a reference tool. Rather than teaching you the finer points of using a specific tool (including its many options, and when it's best to choose one tool over another), the "Classroom in a Book" just demonstrates the mechanics. Thus, it's virtually useless as a reference tool - it can introduce you to Photoshop's capabilities, but can't help you apply them beyond the basic lessons in the text.

Although newbies will find this book helpful, there are better ones out there which can both introduce you to the program AND act as long-term reference tools. I can guarantee that you'll read through "Adobe Photoshop 7.0 Classroom in a Book" once, maybe even twice, but after that it will just gather dust on your bookshelf. You're better off spending your cash on a book that you'll keep out on your desk, close at hand, until your next Photoshop upgrade. For an indispensable all-purpose guide to Photoshop, I highly recommend "Photoshop 7.0 for Windows and Macintosh" (or CS, if you have the newest version) by Elaine Weinmann and Peter Lourekas. It may be light on fancy illustrations and glossy pictures - but that's why it's one of the more affordable manuals on the market!


- Kelly Garbato

Author, ePublisher, Web Mistress
Peedee Publishing / Hot Dog!, LLC

Best way to learn photoshop

Still struggling with Photoshop even though you've purchased a half dozen or so "how to" books? Then you need to purchase "Photoshop 7.0 Classroom in a Book". Believe me - because I've bought them all - this is the best tutorial Photoshop book for the beginner. Work through each of the eighteen chapters and MOST IMPORTANTLY, go back and carefully review what you've done to cement your knowledge. So if you've already purchased other Photoshop books and you still don't get it, theres hope. After you diligently work through "Photoshop 7.0 Classroom in a Book", those other Photoshop books that you paid your hard earned money for will make a lot more sense. I've lived and learned.

Great Book

This is a must have for beginners. There is nothing else like it. It's very easy to follow lessons and it comes with a CD that contains all lessons and in every lesson they give you the final result so you can compare and see did you do it right. MUST HAVE BOOK.