The Adobe Illustrator CS5 Wow! Book

Very well written and fast-paced book, created presumedly for advanced users that already know their way around Illustrator, written to teach the more advanced techniques of Illustrator. I've owned all versions of this book since "The Illustrator 8 WOW Book!" and also used Illustrator for 8 years before buying the first copy. Each revision adds on new techniques that apply to the newly-introduced features of Illustrator while retaining some of the more useful tutorials that still apply.Bottom line: I used Illustrator daily for around 8 years before buying the very first book (purchased used) that I bought and it increased my skill level considerably. That's not an exaggeration, nearly 10 years experience at the time and this book taught me a lot. It's now nearly 10 years later and I continue to buy these books because they are the only book I've found that guarantees I will make money from the knowledge that I learn from it; if not by skill itself, but by the time saved by being more productive.If you think you know everything about Illustrator, like I did, buy this book and you will thank me for it. I thought I was as good as it gets at the time. In hindsight, I can easily estimate that I am *at least* 4-times better at Illustrator because I bought these books. If you think you know Illustrator, it's time that you buy this book to prove yourself wrong. And besides, it'll pay for itself.(PS. On a side note, I believe I've rated and reviewed all of the series of these books, that's how much I love this series. I not only believe this is the only book with advanced techniques, but firmly believe it should be purchased by every single person that uses Illustrator with more than 5 years experience.)

I hate computer books that are written step-by-step and waste your time with simple things you could figure out on your own. This book is not for those who have never used illustrator before, but is excellent for people like me who have used illustrator for years but really only know the basics.For example, I don't need to know how to create a new document, but I do need to learn some tips and tricks that make working in illustrator less frustrating. Within reading two or three pages of the book I was hooked and bought it immediately. There are tutorials on things like making maps easily in illustrator, drawing complex shapes, and just how to arrange your work space to make it less frustrating. These are things I have wondered about for years, tinkered with him around, and given up on.If you have trouble learning new computer skills, I don't recommend this book for you. However, if you are a quick learner like me, give this book a shot. I think you'll be happy you did!

I am a long time computer software user. I also loved Freehand or Macromedia FX over Illustrator so I have been kicking and screaming towards Illustrator. Still hate some of the inane commands but about 5 years ago I switched. I am highly proficient in Photoshop and that was my first WOW book, CS3Because I never really embraced Illustrator and have been fairly self taught via projects along the way I finally decided to breakdown and pick this up. I still do not find Illustrator as intuitive as Freehand was but this is a great way to dive into the nitty gritty of an Adobe software, this being Illustrator, for a non-novice. Maybe a beginner but I am past that. I need nuanced examples. I often know what I want then go looking for how to achieve it. Sometimes it takes following someone else's steps with an actual project in mind for me to learn more. That's why I like these books.

I truly love all of the WOW series of books for Adobe products. The thing that is great about these books is that they use skills that most users know but they use them in non-traditional ways to make absolutely awesome projects. These projects will get your mind going and give you great ideas for your projects. I consider myself a high intermediate to advanced user and I love to just read through this book every year or so just to remind myself of the possibilities. When you are a working designer, the majority of the time you are a bit constrained as to how much WOW you can add to a project, mostly because of time, so this book is full of awesome little tips that you can use to add WOW to your everyday projects.

I got this book as an advanced tutorial for Illustrator CS5, explaining the new features by using practical exercises.I have limited time and don't enjoy books that have little benefit over the online manual of the Adobe applications, especially if they delve into tedious and boring step-by-step descriptions such as "press key A, now press key B, etc.". This book takes a refreshingly different approach in that each chapter first explains the nuts and bolts of a certain feature, then continues to exemplify it with practical examples of professional Illustrator artists, but at a very detailed level and with the actual files on the enclosed DVD. Thus, it is not only a tutorial, but also a portfolio of stellar works that will inspire any AI user.I had a look at various other Illustrator CS5 books, and this one was the best I found. Can't fault it in any way and wish the authors many happy returns. Highly recommended for any intermediate Illustrator user looking for inspiration.

This well bound book arrived in the time mentioned and was shipped in protective jacket and arrived in great condition. This is a must have book for anyone using adobe illustrator and is highly recommended. Thank you amazon for such a great price on this item. I found your shopping site easy to use and provided intuitive options for comments and questions. In closing, I found that the staff at the eight hundred number, resourceful and courteous.Best regards,Extremely happy.

Great informationand tips, very helpful, I would buy it again. I will certainly purchase other WOW! books available.I had to to use it several to clarify terms being used in my Class Room Photoshop book, further The WOW! books identified numerous shart cuts.

Superb book with gorgeous eye catching tutorials and inspirational images. Enjoyed this book tremendously, good value, good quality and now a reference on my studio shelf. five stars.

Excellent aid

The images inside the book are just as boring as the one on the cover. Teaching methodology is sound, but the images are all so dull and boring.... Its like the smelly old art teacher with a sweater vest and cords - he knows his stuff, and you can learn something, if you can just stay awake long enough.