Focal Press

How to Cheat in After Effects is an easy-to-follow book that lets you in on all of the little secrets to create those commonly needed effects with ease and speed. With clear pictures illustrating the step-by-step procedures, this is the perfect tool for the arsenal of any After Effects user, from novice to advanced. — Michele Yamazaki, Vice President Marketing and Web Development Czarina, Toolfarm.com Compose eye-popping After Effects projects quickly and creatively with dozens of concise, step-by-step tutorials accompanied by vivid 4-color illustration. Covering features new to CS5 such as Freeform AE, Refine Matte, Roto Brush, and more, this book clearly explains how to perform advanced, typically time-consuming tasks in simplified, quick steps. Create an entire 3D planet scene from scratch; Create true 3D text; Make smoke, snow, rain, chocolate, molten gold, and more from scratch with particles; Create animated growing vines; Fake a tilt shift effect, and so much more The companion DVD includes project files allowing you to work alongside the exercises in the book, as well as QuickTime movies displaying the techniques shown in the book. Chad Perkins is an award winning software trainer, as well as a filmmaker, musician, and visual effects artist. He is also the creator/owner of Movies and Computers (moviesandcomputers.com), which provides training in independent filmmaking. He is an Adobe Certified Instructor in After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere. Chad is also the author of the book The After Effects Illusionist (Focal Press, 2009).

Compatible with all versions of Lightroom Unsure where to start with Photoshop Lightroom? Feeling daunted by other 600 page monster user guides? Want to learn how to get the best out of your photography with the program in a snap? Focus on Photoshop Lightroom teaches you how to stay organized by using Lightroom's industry-standard keywording and captioning features, bring out the very best in your photography with the processing module, and how to create image presets that make polishing a series of images quick and easy. Expert photographers and Lightroom users Dave Stevenson and Nik Rawlinson lead you through the ins and outs of the program with easy-to-follow steps and projects to get your creative juices flowing! Discover time-saving features and shortcuts to navigate Lightroom's deceptively simple interface. Learn how to use the different Lightroom modules: how to import, organize, and sort your photos, edit them, create a book, video clips, or a slideshow, and how to make a great print! Be inspired by gorgeous photography and editing tips and tricks.