- Create code art, visualizations, and interactive applications with
this powerful yet simple computer language and programming environment
- Learn how to code 2D and 3D animation, pixel-level imaging, motion
effects, and physics simulations
- Take a creative and fun approach to learning creative computer
programming If you’re interested in creating cutting-edge code-based art
and animations, you’ve come to the right place! Processing (available at
www.processing.org) is a revolutionary open source programming language
and environment designed to bridge the gap between programming and art,
allowing non-programmers to learn programming fundamentals as easily as
possible, and empowering anyone to produce beautiful creations using
math patterns. With the software freely available, Processing provides
an accessible alternative to using Flash for creative coding and
computational artboth on and off the Web. This book is written
especially for artists, designers, and other creative professionals and
students exploring code art, graphics programming, and computational
aesthetics. The book provides a solid and comprehensive foundation in
programming, including object-oriented principles, and introduces you to
the easy-to-grasp Processing language, so no previous coding experience
is necessary. The book then goes through using Processing to code lines,
curves, shapes, and motion, continuing to the point where you’ll have
mastered Processing and can really start to unleash your creativity with
realistic physics, interactivity, and 3D! In the final chapter, you’ll
even learn how to extend your Processing skills by working directly with
the powerful Java programming languagethe language Processing itself is
built with. You’ll learn:
- The fundamentals of creative computer programming-from procedural
programming, to object-oriented programming, to pure Java programming
- How to virtually draw, paint, and sculpt using computer code and
clearly explained mathematical concepts
- 2D and 3D programming techniques, motion design, and cool graphics
effects
- How to code your own pixel-level imaging effects, such as image
contrast, color saturation, custom gradients and more
- Advanced animation techniques, including realistic physics and
artificial life simulation

URL: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/159059617X/

Digital imaging technology has been used in forensics since at least
1992, yet until now there?has been?no practical instruction available to
address the unique issues of image processing in an everyday forensic
environment. Photoshop CS3 for Forensics Professionals serves the
everyday, real-world needs of law enforcement and legal personnel
dealing with digital images (including both photos and video stills).
This book is an excellent tool for:
Law enforcement personnel, from crime scene and arson investigators,
detectives, and patrol officers to forensic photographers, fingerprint
examiners, video analysts, tool mark and footwear examiners, and
criminalists. Security pros in such fields as private investigation,
insurance, fraud detection, and loss prevention. Scientific and
technical users of Photoshop with workflows similar to law enforcement,
such as medical photographers, research imaging experts, engineering and
architecture staff, and industrial photographers. Staff responsible for
maintaining a photo archive or printing images for court. Photoshop CS3
for Forensics Professionals is the only book to provide forensics
professionals with specific answers to their imaging questions. This is
the perfect resource for those who want to move from simple theory to
the essential skills needed to be more effective. This resource is
dividied into three parts:
Part I: The Essentials is about setting up your workflow, archiving your
images, and familiarizing yourself with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe
Bridge, including the setting up of preferences. Also covered are the
best practices in writing reports and providing courtroom testimony.
Part II: The Digital Darkroom teaches how to use Photoshop to accomplish
what traditionally was done in the darkroom, from correcting color casts
to making prints and exhibits for courtroom use. Part III: Image
Analysis & Enhancement covers techniques for clarifying images so that
details can be better viewed and used for analysis or comparison, from
contrast enhancement and pattern removal to even forensic video
analysis.

URL: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0470114541/

Whether you are just starting out with Painter, or are a seasoned pro
who wants to take your photographs to the next level, you cant go wrong
with this essential guide by your side! Covering Painter X, but also
applicable to earlier versions and to both PC and Macintosh users, this
reader friendly book will show you how to get the most out of this
powerful program. Uniquely written specifically for photographers,
Martin Addison gives a complete overview of the program, showing how to
master each exciting tool, including the brand-new RealBristle and Smart
Stroke brush libraries. Two all-new portraiture chapters show you how to
turn photographs of your family members or professional clients into
works of art ideal for framing. Youll be able to give all of your
precious photographs the painterly touch in no time!

Be sure to visit the accompanying website
www.painterforphotographers.co.uk to view even more images and
information to get you started!

Pictures by Martin and Doreen Addison can be seen on their website:
www.martinanddoreen.co.uk.

* Transform your photographs into stunning works of art using Corel’s
Painter X
* Packed with beautiful color images and precise, step-by-step
instructions

URL: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0240520335/

Over 50,000 photographers cant be wrong! John and Barbara Gerlach
finally write the book their workshop attendees have been asking for!

Digital Nature Photography is a how-to guide for photographers who want
to take their work to the next level. Written by professionals with over
20 years experience, the Gerlachs reveal enlightening techniques for
shooting nature images in the field. The combination of artistic
approach and impeccable technique will help you capture your next great
image.

* Learn what equipment works best in the field, and why, as well as tips
for superb shots
* Create sharp images at capture with detailed instructions for digital
exposure
* Master the three factors that lead to excellent images: technique,
subject and situation

URL: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0240808568/

If youre new to After Effects and want to get up to speed quickly, After
Effects Apprentice was created just for you. With 11 core lessons plus a
fun final project, youll quickly get into the program and learn how to
tap its potential whether you want to create motion graphics for a
network program, your companys video, or your own independent
production. In this book, youll get a professional perspective on the
most important features a motion graphics artist needs to learn to use
this program effectively. Youll learn to creatively edit and combine
layers, animate eye-catching titles, replace a screen on a computer
monitor, place a studio shot in anew environment, manipulate 3D space,
and use effects to generate excitement or enhance the realism of a
scene. Easy to follow step-by-step instructions take you through each
technique, including projects that encourage you to express it in your
own way. Youll learn more than just the tools; youll learn skills that
you can immediately put to work in your own projects. Topics include how
to:

* Animate, layer, and composite images and text.
* Manipulate keyframes to create more refined animations.
* Use masks, mattes, stencils and modes to add depth.
* Manage layers to make them easier to coordinate.
* Add 3D to your animations.
* Use tracking and keying to create special effects.
* Includes new CS3 features; Shape layers, the Puppet tool, Brainstorm,
and Per-Character 3D Text.

URL: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0240809386/

Title: Advanced Photoshop Elements 5.0 for Digital Photographers
Author: Philip Andrews
Publisher: Focal Press
ISBN: 0240520572
Pub-Date: 2006-12-11

Book Description
Once you have mastered the fundamentals, this easy-to-follow, advanced guide takes you to new levels of expertise. Advance your skills and artistry far beyond the basics with expert guidance from the top industry insider to achieve professional-level results. Find innovative ways to exploit the new features of Elements 5.0 to achieve outstanding digital images. You learn how to stretch your digital photos and Elements to their limits and master all the insider tricks, tips, and techniques that guarantee outstanding results.

Learn everything you need to know about raw files, workflow, storage, toning, speed tweaks for no cost, how to fix scanning problems, make the most of dodging and burning-in techniques, adjust images for changes in color balance, set up a color managed workflow; and more from this completely updated edition for Elements 5.0. Learn how to use new features like the Adjust Color Curves and Sharpness options, the Convert to Black and White feature, 5 click web photo galleries and the Correct Camera Distortion filter. New chapters walk you through professional retouching, a complete raw workflow for Elements users, and the new free-form layout feature – Photo Layouts, including the Artworks and Effects palette.

Superbly illustrated with hundreds of color photographs, written in Philip’s trademark no-nonsense style, this must-have guide will help ensure that your digital photography stands out from the crowd as you learn how to:

* Take control of advanced image changes and apply amazing graphics capabilities
* Use scanner and camera capture techniques like the pros
* Extend your web capabilities
* Produce professional results quickly from your raw files with a complete workflow solution based around Elements.
* Explore the creative potential of the new Photo Layout feature
* Produce darkroom effects digitally
* Integrate all the power of Elements 5.0 to fit together for prize-winning results
* Transform your photographs with step-by-step, illustrated color tutorials into results that will amaze you (and your friends, family, colleagues, and customers)
* Increase your productivity with timesaving tips, workarounds, and advice to create an efficient, smooth workflow
* Master professional retouching techniques
* Create awesome panoramas
* Much, much more

Learn how to get the most from Philip Andrews, best-selling author, renowned photographer, Adobe Photoshop Elements Ambassador, professional photographer, accomplished teacher, best-selling international author, and alpha tester for Adobe.

FREE Bonus! Companion website ( www.adv-elements.com ) provides even more tools to hone your skills with

* Images for you to manipulate as you follow step-by-step book projects
* Video tutorials and printable lesson plans
* Links for examples, updates, and further learning
* Raw and 16-bits/Channel files to examine and put to the test
* And more!

Praise for previous editions of this title:

“Philip’s friendly style makes learning Photoshop Elements a breeze. This book gives you everything you need to feel like a digital pro in no time at all.”Richard Coencas, Photoshop Elements Quality Engineer Lead, Adobe Systems

With Philip as your guide, youll be using Elements like a pro and making great images in no time.
Nigel Atherton, Chief Editor, What Digital Camera and Better Digital Photography

* Go beyond the basics of Elements with this guide for serious Elements users
* Achieve professional results by following step-by-step colorfully illustrated tutorials
* Loads of new information in this version, from Macintosh users to raw workflow
* Contains hot new information that you want on raw workflow, storage, toning, protecting your assets, and loads more
* Brand new chapters on retouching and the Creations and Content Browser
* The only book out there written FOR serious Elements users BY a serious elements user

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?path=ASIN%2F0240520572

Title: Maya 8 Character Modeling (Wordware Applications Library)
Author: Gary Oliverio
Publisher: Wordware Publishing, Inc.
ISBN: 1598220209
Pub-Date: 2006-10-25

Book Description
This Maya modeling book is unique in its approach to modeling a high-resolution character model. Where other books take a grueling approach that often leaves readers confused, Maya 8 Character Modeling breaks down the character into an easy-to-follow formula. Readers learn that modeling a character can be accomplished without the fear of being in over their heads. In addition, the author takes a light-hearted approach to the subject matter, making the learning process easier to digest. This allows the reader to look at the modeling process as an enjoyable undertaking as opposed to dealing with the steep learning curve of other modeling books.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?path=ASIN%2F1598220209

Title: Introducing Maya 8: 3D for Beginners +CD
Author: Dariush Derakhshani
Publisher: Sybex
ISBN: 0470051353
Pub-Date: 2006-10-09

Book Description
If you’re just beginning to dive into the world of 3D, this is the book for you.”
Animation Magazine

The Academy Award® winning Maya® 3D animation and effects software is the first choice of film and video artists, game developers, and 3D design professionals. Discover how to build, render, and animate your own digital models and scenes, and begin to develop professional-level Maya skills with the latest edition of this popular bestseller.

Starting with the basics, the book builds from the ground up, combining straightforward text with practical examples that make it fun and easy to learn Maya’s core features while introducing new Maya 8 elements such as improved polygon tools and enhanced rendering with mental ray. Clear-cut, engaging lessons let you experiment using the wealth of files provided on the CD-ROM. You’ll also find an abundance of instructional and inspirational Maya creations in the full-color insert.

The accompanying CD-ROMs images, movies, and scene files let you view material from the book right on your own computer. Tackle all-new rendering and dynamics tutorials and much more. The CD includes Maya Personal Learning Edition software.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?path=ASIN%2F0470051353

Title: Maya 8 at a Glance +CD
Author: George Maestri / Mick Larkins
Publisher: Sybex
ISBN: 0470056576
Pub-Date: 2006-10-02

Book Description
The Visual Key to Maya

One look and you’ll see that this Maya book is different from all the others. It presents the core Maya features visually, using pages packed with striking graphics and loaded with concise explanations of the Maya interface. This expanded edition includes more tutorials; updated material on modeling, animation, rendering and dynamics; and new coverage of Toon Shaders, along with other exciting Maya tools. Engaging step-by-step lessons provide hands-on reinforcement as you learn. Start your adventures in Maya with this full-colour, visual guide—the perfect introduction to Maya 8.

• Use Paint Effects to create images from scratch or add painterly qualities to existing images.
• Learn how Maya’s MEL scripts can help with tasks, such as connecting a curve’s CVs to joints to pre-visualize a skeleton.
• The enclosed CD includes the Maya Personal Learning Edition and all the files you need to complete the tutorials.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?path=ASIN%2F0470056576

Title: Pro OGRE 3D Programming (Pro)
Author: Gregory Junker
Publisher: Apress
ISBN: 1590597109
Pub-Date: 2006-09-25

Book Description

Pro OGRE 3D Programming is your detailed guide to utilizing the OGRE 3D engine, one of the best-in-breed 3D rendering libraries available. You’ll learn what OGRE is, and more importantly, what it is not. OGRE gives you an object-oriented interface to render 3D scenes independent of the implementation, such as Direct3D or OpenGL. OGRE is available on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. It can be utilized to create a variety of 3D-based applications and is commonly used in game creation.

This book covers OGRE from obtaining the source to polishing the final product. If you are an aspiring game programmer with beginner/intermediate-level knowledge of game design practices and intermediate-level knowledge of the C++ language, this is the book for you. Familiarity with open source project management tools such as CVS and Subversion will also help you to digest the material. Included with the book is a ready-to-use Utility Toolkit class library useful for jumpstarting OGRE-based programs. You’ll also find discussion of OGRE’s capabilities from the perspective of a content creator, not just a programmer.

The content of this book was reviewed prior to publication by Steve Streeting, founder and lead developer of the OGRE 3D project.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?path=ASIN%2F1590597109