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  Online Learning

• Fred Showker, DTG Editor, takes a look at only the BEST online, downloadable and books training aids

  BEST Sources

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• &Else! News
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Best Training & Learning Sources

Fred Shokwer

Here are the best of the best I've found! I've tried them, and tested them for all the right criteria. I've also provided a link to demo videos for all of these products, so you can give it a run for the money. Beware: you'll need QuickTime (free download) enabled on your computer, and some of the links are extensive, and can take a while to pre-load.

BEST VIDEO Training: Total Training

Adobe Creative Suite 3 Master Collection: Essentials Bundle Learn Adobe Creative Suite 3 from the inside out with this all inclusive essentials bundle. With a team of Adobe experts leading the tutorials, you'll learn insider tips for working with the programs in Adobe Creative Suite 3. This bundle is highly recommended by DTG to give your creative skills professional polish -- and make your publishing savvy kick butt!
(Setting up Key Preferances in Photoshop - Free Chapter requires QuickTime)

Photoshop CS3 Whether you're just getting started or if you're a seasoned professional looking for an extra edge in your work, let Total Training show you how it can be done in Photoshop. Each product is designed using our custom user interface - letting you peer over the shoulder of an expert as you learn all the tips for all levels of Photoshop.
Free Chapter: Best Color Settings in Photoshop requires QuickTime

Adobe InDesign CS3 Total Training These pros match a combination of real-world design experience, technical expertise, and training background to take your skills over the top. In Part 1, you learn how to navigate the new Adobe InDesign CS3 interface as well as all the paragraph, text, and character options available. In Part 2 you'll learn how to insert Photoshop, Illustrator and PDF files into your work and how to create and transform shapes and effects. Plus, you'll learn necessary skills for using color, working with layers, and preparing your designs for final output. (Demo: Working with shape tools requires Quicktime.)

FIX THIS Photoshop Elements on Steriods You may not have any idea how powerful Photoshop Elements is until you take this course! The series starts with an overview of how to use the Quick Fix mode, correct colors, and import the raw image data from your digital camera. You'll also learn how to fix defects in an image, sharpen the focus, and add high-resolution text. Plus, the series shows you how to load the newly cleaned up photos onto your iPod or cell phone!
FREE Chapter: Quick Smart Fix Features in Elements requires Quicktime.

Adobe Dreamweaver CS3 Take your web design to next level with the Adobe Dreamweaver CS3: Advanced training series. Instructed by Janine Warner, you'll learn tips and tricks for working with Adobe's latest award-winning design program including how to customize CSS Layouts, how to use Spry features to create drop-down navigation bars, and the basics of creating a site with ColdFusion.
Free Chapter: Working with images in Dreamweaver

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BEST VIDEO/BOOK Training: Lynda.com

Benefit from the best of both mediums -- video-based training and a printed guide! Each Lynda.com Video Training Book offers hours of instructor-led video instruction, complete with a step-by-step, printed book to guide readers through each tutorial. The video tutorials let readers learn at their own pace, while the book offers a complete reference, helping readers identify the video tutorials they want to watch (timecodes are printed in the book), giving them the exercise files they need, and highlighting important keyboard shortcuts, tips, notes, and practical advice.

Adobe Photoshop CS3 for Photographers: Video Training Book Chris Orwig, a professional photographer and instructor at the world-renowned Brooks Institute of Photography, shares his techniques for getting professional results in Photoshop. The video follows a photographer's digital workflow, starting with essential color management decisions and organizing images with Adobe Bridge. Readers will learn how to process Camera Raw files, enhance tone and color, correct imperfections, and to prepare the images client reviews. Exercise files included allow ou to follow along and learn at your own speed. This new series offers creative professionals (or beginners) the tools they need to get up to speed quickly and affordably -- it's very hot!

Adobe InDesign CS3: Video Training Book This is a blockbuster -- David Blatner walks readers through all the essentials of this powerful layout program, sharing his techniques for creating compelling content. The lessons cover all the basic principles of InDesign CS3, from getting to know the workspace and tools to using new features such as object effects (including feathered gradients), finer transparency controls, table styles, new export options, and enhancements for better productivity -- creating documents, working with text and objects, applying formatting and styles, placing images, managing color, and outputting files. You'll be better... much better! I guarantee it!

Adobe Dreamweaver CS3: Video Training Book Start creating great Web sites -- NOW -- including working with text and images, adding links, modifying page properties, and managing Web sites. From there you'll move on to more advanced topics like using the new CSS layouts, techniques for working with new Photoshop integration features, and embedding audio and video files into pages. The tutorials show you everything you need to know to go from creating your first page to publishing an entire site on the Web. Materials are included, all you have to do is absorb! Get to it!

Just a sampling of the powers of these courses...

Photoshop: Making selections in Quick Mask mode - changing eye color made easy
Photoshop: Making Color Range selections
Deke McClelland on InDesign: The five kinds of style sheets
Deke McClelland on InDesign: Meet Paragraph Styles

I stand behind each one of the solutions above ... I've had hands-on experience with each one of them! You can bet they will truly live up to their promise.

Thanks for reading...

Editor / Publisher, DT&G Magazine

Keep on learning...

Graphic Design & Layout learning
Type Layout, Typography, and design with letters
Tour Museums and Galleries for learning
Roadmap to Successful Online Learning - Jim Norrena
Online learning musings - Fred Showker

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