Greetings from Amazon.com Delivers Computer Graphics Editors, Mike Caputo and Angelynn Grant FEATURED IN THIS E-MAIL: * Just off the Presses: Brushing up on CG lingo, effecting Adobe animation and graphics, an expert virtual media show-and-tell, and character with computer animation: it ain't easy * What's Hot? Graphics bestsellers at press time * Recommended Reading: "Typography: The Best Work from the Web" * Almost Published: Books that are selling before they've even been printed * Featured Reviews: "Special Edition Using CorelDRAW 9" * Amazon.com Presents the Best of the Century JUST OFF THE PRESSES ******************** "CG 101: A Computer Graphics Industry Reference" by Terrence Masson http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/073570046X/entertainmentsit The pocket-size "CG 101: A Computer Graphics Industry Reference" is the ultimate handy reference to computer graphics, listing hundreds of commonly used terms, processes, acronyms, applications, theories, and companies. It features lengthy definitions, an abundance of useful and clear explanations, and small illustrations, many in color, for visual clarification. From image processing to 3D modeling, just about every significant word or name in computer graphics is made clear. "Adobe After Effects 4.0 Classroom in a Book" by Adobe Press http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0201658917/entertainmentsit Adobe After Effects is so widely used in the TV and multimedia industries, you'd think it'd be easy to get started on. In fact, anyone can begin creating animation and motion graphics with After Effects within a day--quality and aesthetics aside. Like many fields, though After Effects can be learned in a few days, you'll spend the rest of your life mastering it. "Adobe After Effects 4.0 Classroom in a Book" can help you get past the After Effects learning curve and show you the wide variety of ways in which this software can be used. "Virtual Media: A Step-by-Step Techniques Guide" edited by Kathleen Ziegler and Nick Greco http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0823069834/entertainmentsit The magic behind the digital tricks used by several talented illustrators is revealed in this large, colorful, and image-filled softcover. Artists walk through their creations, with every step clearly explained using screen shots. Tips and secrets in Photoshop, Illustrator, Painter, and lesser-known applications such as Expression Tools' Shade and Cheap Video Trick help make these amazing images achievable by anyone with a mouse and a creative urge. "Digital Character Animation 2" by George Maestri http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1562059300/entertainmentsit Creating good animation is hard. Creating good character animation is harder. And creating good character animation using computer animation software is sometimes like extracting water from a stone. George Maestri revisits the topic (the first edition of this book came out three years ago--that's about 30 in computer years) and goes into more detail in this essential handbook for anyone wanting to create convincing and emotive characters using their favorite 3D software. WHAT'S HOT? *********** At the top of this month's Graphics bestseller list are a Flashy Flash 4 design book, a Web-special Adobe Photoshop 5.5 resource, and a guide to mastering Bryce 4. "Flash 4 for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide" by Katherine Ulrich http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/020135473X/entertainmentsit Flash is a great name for an application; who wouldn't want to add flash to their designs? In practice, Macromedia Flash 4 is a complex set of tools for creating animated and interactive graphics that can be played within most up-to- date Web browsers. "Flash 4 for Windows and Macintosh Visual QuickStart Guide" is a well-paced, thorough introduction to all that this powerful application has to offer. "Adobe Photoshop 5.5 Classroom in a Book, Special Web Edition" by Adobe Creative Team http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/020165895X/entertainmentsit The new release of Photoshop 5.5 includes features such as the History Palette, spot color channels, an automated effects function, and new Web graphics additions--all of which are explored in "Adobe Photoshop 5.5 Classroom in a Book, Special Web Edition." New and advanced users will get intensive instruction on creating Web-bound images. "Bryce 4 F/X and Design" by R. Shamms Mortier http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1576104826/entertainmentsit Bryce 4 is one of those extraordinary and powerful 3D rendering applications that allows a user to create stunning environments and panoramas. The problem with Bryce, though, has always been its obscure interface. "Bryce 4 F/X and Design" is a step in the right direction if you're looking to master this rendering engine. Explore our top 50 computer titles, updated weekly: The Computer Top 50 RECOMMENDED READING: "TYPOGRAPHY: THE BEST WORK FROM THE WEB" ************************************************************* "Typography: The Best Work from the Web" by Jeff Carlson, Glenn Fleishman, and Toby Malina http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1564965171/entertainmentsit Another entry in the Web Site Graphics series, "Typography: The Best Work from the Web" features Web sites that outshine others in their use of type. "Each site draws some advantage from or is designed for the Web, and takes into account the special requirements needed to render or display type in a small, scrollable, and live window." It's not surprising that many of the typographically outstanding sites shown here are from design firms. For example, cow.interactive communication (www.cow.com) is an interactive design firm whose Web site shows a creative yet spare use of a single typeface with small, interactive lines of text, simple images, and blocks of color. ALMOST PUBLISHED **************** Graphics guides that have garnered the most pre-orders from Amazon.com customers--before they've even been published. "Maya 2 Character Animation" by Sherri Sheridan and Nathan Vogel Publication date: November 1999 http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0735708665/entertainmentsit Written by top-notch experts in the animation field, "Maya 2 Character Animation" presents advanced animation features of Maya and serves up real-world, effective tutorials. Vogel and Sheridan show serious users how to create a variety of characters and creatures--from walking humans to snakes, dragons, and flying birds. "Designing Exceptional Web Sites--Secrets of an Information Architect" by Jakob Nielsen Publication date: November 1999 http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/156205810X/entertainmentsit Jakob Nielsen, Ph.D., author of "Designing Exceptional Web Sites--Secrets of an Information Architect," explores the principles of Web site design and information architecture. Among the areas examined are hypertext, user interface design, and usability. Designers and information architects will get insider advice on creating and building a "break-the-mold" Web site and will benefit from Nielson's critique of existing sites. FEATURED REVIEWS: "SPECIAL EDITION USING CORELDRAW 9" ***************************************************** "Special Edition Using CorelDRAW 9" by Steve Bain, Steven Bain, and D. Scott Campbell http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0789719711/entertainmentsit "Special Edition Using CorelDRAW 9" wastes no time in helping the reader get the most from Corel's vector drawing application. The book starts, on the inside front cover, with a quick reference legend pointing to tips and tricks, and the first four pages of the book are a glossy tear-out section of keyboard shortcuts. The book includes chapters covering what's new in this version, as well as how the interface works and the basics of using the program, but the book really shines when delving into more complex topics. AMAZON.COM PRESENTS THE BEST OF THE CENTURY ******************************************* As the century comes to a close, Amazon.com takes a look at the landmarks in books, music, and video of the past 100 years. Selected by our editors, our lists take you decade by decade from the turn of the century all the way to the end of the millennium. But don't just take our word for it; cast your vote for the best book, video, and CD in our best-of-the-millennium poll for your chance to win our customers' 300 favorite music, book, and video titles. Books of the century ****** Give the Perfect Gift, Get the Perfect Gift Does Aunt Ida send polka CDs when you'd prefer pop? Create an Amazon.com Wish List and save everyone the agony of the unwanted gift. Wish list Clueless as to what to get your Kentucky cousin for Christmas? Send him an e-Card and tell him to set up an Amazon.com Wish List so you can easily find and send him his heart's desire. Wish card ****** You'll find more great books, articles, excerpts, and interviews in Amazon.com's Computers & Internet section at Computers & Internet ******
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