Each Chapter’s A Lesson
Each chapter takes about 1-1.5 hours to review and practice. It’s best to have the book by your computer while reading, since you’ll want to apply the lessons directly. The first chapter holds your hand becoming established with Apple, setting up the Apple Developer membership (free or paid), and walking through Apple’s process. Thereafter, each chapter provides lesson activities and coaches the reader how to incorporate specific files to develop a beta app. And like most good instruction books, a summary, question & answer, plus a quiz and extra activities are provided after finishing each chapter.

After 24 chapters in 24 hours, the reader will have built, and completed several iPad apps. The last chapter focuses on how to distribute applications through the Apple store. Each book purchase also provides a free online edition for 45 days through the Safari Books Online subscription service.

Overall, it’s a good book for a beginner iPad app developer.

Systems Requirements: Apple platform with Intel processor; Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) and the iOS SDK that can be downloaded here: Apple Developer.

Contact: TeachYourselfiPad.com

Cost: $39.99 US; $47.99 CAN

Readers can browse the detailed index that offers subheadings under each chapter, making it easy to find specific points, or techniques. The book’s initial section focuses on getting started (uploading lesson files), setting computer preferences and how to play video tutorials (requires Adobe Flash). Learning what’s new in Dreamweaver CS5 is found in Chapter 16. Each lesson chapter provides step-by-step instructions (no long paragraphs), and numerous lessons are provided on the DVD insert.

Some screen shots throughout the individual sections point out various tools, or techniques identified in the individual directions. However, since this is a beginning Dreamweaver CS5 book, it would be helpful to view more screen shots in the book that specifically identifying cursor placement, or what the screen work area looks like during various steps. However, readers can refer to the supplemental video tutorials, which are very informative and a bonus to this tutorial package.

Self Study Section
At the end of each chapter there is a self study section, plus topic questions and related answers. The individual chapters do not state their estimated time length, but from practicing a few lessons, I would assume the average user may need 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. Video lessons are short and informative.

If you are interested in learning Adobe Dreamweaver CS5, then consider this book as an option.

Contact: www.digitalclassroombooks.com
Cost: $49.99 US; $59.99 CAN

Adobe Flash Professional CS5 Digital Classroom allows beginning to intermediate web designers the opportunity to practice a wide variety of skills learning Adobe Flash Professional CS5. Lesson files and tutorial videos allow the reader to learn how to edit, tweak, and enhance digital photographs. Advanced digital photographers familiar with Flash Professional CS5 can also pick up interesting tips and techniques in later chapters.

Readers can browse the detailed index that offers subheadings under each chapter, making it easy to find specific points, or techniques. The book’s initial section focuses on getting started (uploading lesson files), setting computer preferences, basic to advanced animation, creating and delivering a movie, and how to play video tutorials. Learning what’s new in CS5 is found in Chapter 15. Each lesson chapter provides step-by-step instructions (no long paragraphs), and numerous lessons are provided on the DVD insert.

Extra screen shots throughout the individual sections point out various tools, or techniques identified in the individual directions. Readers can also refer to the supplemental video tutorials, which are very informative and a bonus to this tutorial package.

Self Study Section
At the end of each chapter there is a self study section, plus topic questions and related answers. The individual chapters do not state their estimated time length, but from practicing a few lessons, the average user may need 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. Video lessons are short and informative.

Interested in learning Adobe Flash Professional CS5?  Then, consider this book as your next read.

Contact: www.digitalclassroombooks.com
Cost: $49.99 US; $59.99 CAN

If you’re a beginner at iPhone development, are experienced using Apple platforms but not much experience, if any, coding, and want to develop to an iPhone app,  then read this book.

Each Chapter’s A Lesson
Each chapter takes about 1-1.5 hours to review and practice. Best to have the book by your computer while reading, since you’ll want to apply the lessons directly. The first chapter holds your hand getting established with Apple, setting up the Apple Developer membership (free or paid), and walking through the process. Thereafter, each chapter provides lesson activities and coaches the reader how to incorporate specific files to develop a beta app. And like most good instruction books, a summary, question & answer, plus a quiz and extra activities are provided after finishing each chapter.

After 24 chapters in 24 hours, the reader will have built, and completed several iPhone apps. The last chapter focuses on how to distribute applications through the Apple store.   Each book purchase also provides a free online edition for 45 days through the Safari Books Online subscription service.

Overall, it’s a good book for a beginner iPhone app developer.

Systems Requirements: Apple platform with Intel processor; Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) and the iOS SDK that can be downloaded here:  Apple Developer.

Contact: TeachYourselfiPhone.com

Cost: $39.99 US; $47.99 CAN

From design styles, motion techniques, uploading video, character animation, Flash to video, interactivity, and extending Flash there are numerous cool tips and suggestions on how to tweak up Flash CS5

Back of the Book
Chapter 11 covers Extending Flash, and Chapter 12 discusses What’s New in Flash CS5. On page 357 information about DVD content and Design styles are available.

Overall, the book layout offers easy reading and detailed directions, plus great illustrations to propel intermediate digimators further into their field. Consider this book if you’re inclined to advance your knowledge in Adobe Flash CS5.

Contact: Focal Press

Price: $39.95 US

Readers can browse the detailed index that offers subheadings under each chapter, making it easy to find specific points, or techniques. The book’s initial section focuses on getting started (uploading lesson files), setting computer preferences and color correction, and how to play video tutorials (requires Adobe Flash). Learning what’s new in Photoshop CS5 is found in Chapter 14. Each lesson chapter provides step-by-step instructions (no long paragraphs), and numerous lessons are provided on the DVD insert.

Extra screen shots throughout the individual sections point out various tools, or techniques identified in the individual directions. Readers can also refer to the supplemental video tutorials, which are very informative and a bonus to this tutorial package.

Self Study Section
At the end of each chapter there is a self study section, plus topic questions and related answers. The individual chapters do not state their estimated time length, but from practicing a few lessons, I would assume the average user may need 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. Video lessons are short and informative.

If you are interested in learning Adobe Photoshop CS5, then consider this book as an option.

Contact: www.digitalclassroombooks.com
Cost: $49.99 US; $59.99 CAN

Readers can browse the detailed index that offers subheadings under each chapter, making it easy to find specific points, or techniques. The book’s initial section focuses on getting started (uploading lesson files), setting computer preferences and how to play video tutorials (requires Adobe Flash). Learning what’s new in Dreamweaver CS5 is found in Chapter 16. Each lesson chapter provides step-by-step instructions (no long paragraphs), and numerous lessons are provided on the DVD insert.

Some screen shots throughout the individual sections point out various tools, or techniques identified in the individual directions. However, since this is a beginning Dreamweaver CS5 book, it would be helpful to view more screen shots in the book that specifically identifying cursor placement, or what the screen work area looks like during various steps. However, readers can refer to the supplemental video tutorials, which are very informative and a bonus to this tutorial package.

Self Study Section
At the end of each chapter there is a self study section, plus topic questions and related answers. The individual chapters do not state their estimated time length, but from practicing a few lessons, I would assume the average user may need 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. Video lessons are short and informative.

If you are interested in learning Adobe Dreamweaver CS5, then consider this book as an option.

Contact: www.digitalclassroombooks.com or www.wiley.com
Cost: $49.99 US; $59.99 CAN

This book demonstrates hows how artists can integrate Photoshop CS4, or CS5 with 2D and 3D applications into a comprehensive, creative environment. For example, Poser and Cinema 4D are 3D character animation environments that can be tied in with Photoshop. 2D images can be used as a basis to create stunning 3D composite images.

One negative feature is the book’s small font, which makes it difficult to read. There’s a lot of white space around the paragraphs, and if the font had been 2-3 sizes bigger, reading the paragraphs would cause less eye strain.

Beyond Photoshop illustrates how to combine 2D and 3D, and push your creativity. All of the examples can be completed with Photoshop CS4, and don’t require the 3D capabilities of Photoshop CS5 extended.

Contact: www.focalpress.com
Cost: $39.95 US

Each page is a post card with interesting picture. On the back page a schematic drawing and short paragraph details individual lighting techniques.

All of the pages captures the “teachable moment” by offering a short summary how to achieve different lighting effects.  The content is short, yet detailed describing how to acquire the “look” for each photograph.

Over 25 post card pages offer numerous inspirational photos and lighting examples of outside lighting to indoor studio photography. And all the images are beautifully lit, and contain great composition.

Each volume costs $24.99 US, and $29.99 CAN.

To break out with lighting, definitely consider these books.

Contact: www.peachpit.com

Simple Lesson Structure
In Flash Catalyst CS5 CIAB, each chapter applies simple steps to understanding Flash Catalyst CS5. Each lesson takes about 30 minutes long, and if I become confused, I can return and follow directions which reinforce the material. I’m not a programmer. I’m a freelance writer, yet I realize to advance in media one must broaden their skills. If users are familiar with Adobe’s Photoshop, Illustrator, or Fireworks software, or they are working with individuals creating content using these programs, then understanding Flash Catalyst CS5 allows a better understanding of individual project work flow. As a writer, being familiar with web design, interactive content presentation and project development through Flash Catalyst CS5 allows me to ” walk the talk”. For designers, Flash Catalyst CS5 offers the advantage to create rich interfaces and content, while incorporating a wide variety of media content, no code required.

Work at your own pace, and follow the chapters in the book. Practice lessons are provided in the enclosed CD that help teach how to apply various resources (audio, video, image and text files) to develop engaging, exciting web and media products.

Contact: www.adobepress.com
Cost: $54.99 US, $65.99 CAN