What I want a book to tell me....

[kerriann85]

I know we've been having a book discussion, but now I want to get more specific about what kind of info I need from a book.
Can someone tell me if Barbara's Missing Manual will take care of this? Or recommend something? Because of the lack of a decent bookstore here I can't just go paging through books. And my favorite Kelby book doesn't cut it for this purpose.

Let's say I want to change the size of my picture, I know to go to "Image" then "Resize" but there are four choices next. Hey book, what do each of those choices do? When should I choose a particular choice?

Ok, so I decided "image size" was what I needed. Now at the bottom I can check (or not check) a box that says "resample" Hey book, how do I choose? And If I check the box I then have 5 choices in the next box!!
(see here if you don't know what I'm talking about): http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?pic=1rMY2r2zeWBvcWXATBWqMuzAet2iW1

I want some kind of reference book that will cover each menu and submenu and sub-sub menu and explain what each choice does.
What do you guys recommend? Or am I asking too much?

[Wendy]

Kerri,

I haven't got a copy of Barbara's book so I can't comment on that one but I don't really know of any book for Elements that goes into that sort of depth of information ...

I have my my Adobe Photoshop Elements 2 User Manual and a copy of Photoshop 7 bible and I tend to look more obscure things up in those ... or ask questions on the forum :)

Hopefully someone who has Barbara book may be able to give us some feedback on it ... it would be useful to know the level of detail in her book :)


Wendy

[GaryK]

Hi Kerri:

I've been looking for something similar at least as far as the book is concerned. I have found quite a bit of info but it seems to be scattered all over the place...books/websites/tutorials..etc but nothing concise in one spot.
I'm not sure if you also were questioning the example you gave or if it was just an example but as far as I understand it, if you choose resample the pic is actually manipulated and if you are increasing size the pixels are made up from one of your five choices in the drop down. If you don't pick resample then what happens is you get less pixels per inch in the resolution area. I'm not sure how serious of an artist you are but in most cases if youkeep the resolution above about 200 your pic should print ok at whatever size you picked. This is just a rough guide..your mileage may vary.

Hope this helps a bit, Gary.

[kerriann85]

Thanks Gary,
I sort of understand the resampling thing, but I find I have the same general questions about other options in PS. Would like to find a book that would explore the menu choices, rather than just tell me the steps needed to do a project.

[Wendy]

Kerri,

That is just what the Photoshop Bible does ... but I don't think that there is one for Elements. I got my copy free when my husband subscribed to one of the Mac magazines ... and it has been really useful for things like menu choices.


Wendy

[kerriann85]

Sounds like what a "bible" should do! Hopefully the Missing Manual will. Still waiting to hear about it. (Another Concert gig tonight will pay for a new book!)

[Wendy]

Kerri,

Glad to hear that tonight's gig is paying for the new book ... hope everything goes well :)


Wendy

[kerriann85]

Thanks! (I don't have to work show, did the "in" and instead of sitting here I should be napping before I go back to load out!)
:roll:

[bnk1953]

Pages 64 thru 71 in the Missing Manual deals with changing the size of your image - includes the screen shot of the area you are referring to. Just looked it up as I just received the book in the mail today.
~bruce

[Wendy]

Bruce,

I'm still waiting for mine to arrive ... :)


wendy

[GaryK]

Hi Bruce:

Does the "Manual" look like what she is looking for? Like you have had gobs of time to read it. :)

Gary

[bnk1953]

I think it covers what was being looked for - hard to really tell. The book does cover both PC and Macs - which for me puts it above the other books - as I am on a mac.
I ordered mine thru Amazon market place for 21 dollars and 4 bucks shipping and handling - received in about 5 days.
Like all missing manual books it does a good job in covering all the basics and then some.
And I haven't had really any time to sit with it - w/ work and meetings in the evening - hopefully a few minutes here and there.