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2025 Project Photoshop: Adobe Photoshop 2024 release - Classroom in a Book by Conrad Charvez Review

Adobe Photoshop 2024 release - Classroom in a Book by Conrad Charvez I did most lessons except the web ones, preparing for print, editing video and working with camera raw which I didn't think was worth it. I did not learn as much as I think I would have, but I borrowed it from a library so there was no cost to me. I think it's probably overpriced at $64.99 or £51.99.  However the caveat, and there is a caveat, if it was part of a work project, I probably would buy it. After all I did get the 2023 Illustrator Classroom in a Book which cost me £48.99 - I didn't finish it however I got enough skills and confidence to do my book cover featured blow.  Cover from learning the illustrator in a Classroom book I guess depends on how much value a person gets from it, and how desperate you are. I was desperate when I paid £48.99 even though I had access to LinkedIn learning webinars.  Good Selling Points It a good showcase of what Photoshop 2024 can offer but rarely goes in de...
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2025 Project Photoshop -Composites and Montages: Introduction

I've been a long-time on-and-off hobbyist user Photoshop, dabbling now and again, mostly because I got a copy at work years ago, and sometimes my workplace gives me access to the tool since they have an company-wide license.  In the early days as a hobbyist I bought a few instructional books which now obsolete or superseded by Youtube instructions, new versions of Photoshop and AI image generation however I would still like to work through.  I have five books instructional books and a couple of old magazines, so that would keep occupied with projects, I can't find one book so I'll call that book five. I also have one from the library which I'll use.  The reason for this? I've dabbled on and off in this programme.  Adobe Photoshop 2024 release - Classroom in a Book by Conrad Charvez This has 15 lessons so I'm looking at roughly a lesson a week at most, therefore 15 weeks which is roughly three and a half weeks. Looking at an April finish if not sooner.  How to Ch...
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Test driving & Review: Abode illustrator 2023 release by Brian Wood: 5 Lesson TRANSFORMING ARTWORK

5 Lesson TRANSFORMING ARTWORK This is my result image and of course I changed some stuff to make it less boring. I do feel some options have changed even since the book is for Abode illustrator 2023 and I'm using version 2024. However I'm using the essential classic workspace  which means tools don't change.  This was the lesson menu and I have no idea why its blurred but this lesson was mostly about learning skills. Add, edit, rename, and reorder artboards in an existing document.  Navigate artboards.  Work with rulers and guides.  Position objects with precision.  Move, scale, rotate, and shear objects using a variety of methods.  Explore the mirror repeat.  Work with the Puppet Warp tool. Most of it was boring because I was working with demo files and just learning where things where and now they worked rather than doing much. I think it's a good reference chapter incase I wanted to do anything complicated.  At this point, I feel the...
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Test driving & Review: Abode illustrator 2023 release by Brian Wood: 3 Lesson MAKE A LOGO WITH SHAPES and Lesson 4 EDITING AND COMBINING SHAPES AND PATHS

 3 Lesson MAKE A LOGO WITH SHAPES  This lesson was more interesting and about making logo with shapes.  Topics covers  Create a new document.  Use tools and commands to create a variety of shapes. Understand Live Shapes. Create rounded corners. Work with drawing modes. Use the Place command. Use Image Trace to create shapes. Simplify paths. It was a bit dull to begin with but after a while it got exciting because I was creating shapes. Overall,  I'd say the property panel needs a bit of practice and honestly my shapes didn't make the grade.  However I've learnt maybe best to think in layers or shapes. Like sketch it before hand in composite shapes. Yes it does spoil the magic a bit but it may prepare one for the lessons.  Note, I think there may be different configurations because the line segment tool in my package  has it's own option and does not reside as an option under the rectangle icon. Complaint: Yes. I thought it was going to do the...
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Test driving & Review: Abode illustrator 2023 release by Brian Wood: 2 Lesson - TECHNIQUES FOR SELECTING ARTWORK

Lesson 1 was a bust. A waste of time because it was more a review and demonstration so I have not done that. It was about getting to know the workspace rather than doing anything productive, so I skipped it. I was excited at first when I saw the complicated image but realise it was just a demo. Then for lesson two I realised I had to download the lessons (yes, I did). So I registered and got the download.  Lesson 2: TECHNIQUES FOR SELECTING ARTWORK Lesson overview and objectives in bold and my comments.  Differentiate between the various selection tools and use selection techniques. This was basically using the selection arrows so was easy enough.  Recognize Smart Guides. It was okay. Save selections for future use. This was a good tip and may come in useful as I continue working through the book. Hide, lock, and unlock items. Good tip because it means I don't have lots of stuff and get confused. The outline vs CPU feature is also goo. Use tools and commands to align...
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