Diary of a Wimpy Kid

In The Ugly Truth, our intrepid middle-school hero faces one of life's most awkward challenges: puberty! Ack! Full of humor and heart, this latest installment in the Wimpy Kid series is sure to please Jeff Kinney's legion of fans.


Synopses & Reviews
The highly anticipated third book in the critically acclaimed and bestselling series takes the art of being wimpy to a whole new level.
Lets face it: Greg Heffley will never change his wimpy ways. Somebody just needs to explain that to Gregs father. You see, Frank Heffley actually thinks he can get his son to toughen up, and he enlists Greg in organized sports and other “manly” endeavors. Of course, Greg is able to easily sidestep his fathers efforts to change him. But when Gregs dad threatens to send him to military academy, Greg realizes he has to shape up . . . or get shipped out.
Greg and his family and friends, who make the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books a must-read for middle school readers, are back and at their best in this hilarious new installment of the series, which is sure to please current fans while attracting new ones.

Publishers Weekly-1/19/2009:
The third book in this genre-busting series is certain to enlarge Kinneys presence on the bestseller lists, where the previous titles have taken up residence for the past two years. Kinneys spot-on humor and winning formula of deadpan text set against cartoons are back in full force. This time, Greg starts off on New Years Day (he resolves to “help other people improve,” telling his mother, “I think you should work on chewing your potato chips more quietly”) and ends with summer vacation. As he fends off his fathers attempts to make him more of a man (the threat of military school looms), Gregs hapless adventures include handing out anonymous valentines expressing his true feelings (“Dear James, You smell”), attempting to impress his classmate Holly and single-handedly wrecking his soccer teams perfect season. Kinney allows himself some insider humor as well, with Greg noting the “racket” childrens book authors have going. “All you have to do is make up a character with a snappy name, and then make sure the character learns a lesson at the end of the book.” Greg, self-centered as ever, may be the exception proving that rule. Ages 8–12. (Jan.)

Autobiography of Mark Twain: The Complete and Authoritative Edition, Volume 1

"I've struck it!" Mark Twain wrote in a 1904 letter to a friend. "And I will give it away — to you. You will never know how much enjoyment you have lost until you get to dictating your autobiography." Thus, after dozens of false starts and hundreds of pages, Twain embarked on his "Final (and Right) Plan" for telling the story of his life. His innovative notion — to "talk only about the thing which interests you for the moment" — meant that his thoughts could range freely. The strict instruction that these texts remain unpublished for 100 years meant that when they came out, he would be "dead, and unaware, and indifferent," and that he was therefore free to speak his "whole frank mind."

The year 2010 marks the 100th anniversary of Twain's death. In celebration of this important milestone and in honor of the cherished tradition of publishing Mark Twain's works, UC Press is proud to offer for the first time Mark Twain's uncensored autobiography in its entirety and exactly as he left it. This major literary event brings to readers, admirers, and scholars the first of three essential volumes and presents Mark Twain's authentic and unsuppressed voice, brimming with humor, ideas, and opinions, and speaking clearly from the grave as he intended.

Decision Points

President George W. Bush describes the critical decisions of his presidency and personal life.

Decision Points is the extraordinary memoir of America’s 43rd president. Shattering the conventions of political autobiography, George W. Bush offers a strikingly candid journey through the defining decisions of his life.

In gripping, never-before-heard detail, President Bush brings readers inside the Texas Governor’s Mansion on the night of the hotly contested 2000 election; aboard Air Force One on 9/11, in the hours after America’s most devastating attack since Pearl Harbor; at the head of the table in the Situation Room in the moments before launching the war in Iraq; and behind the Oval Office desk for his historic and controversial decisions on the financial crisis, Hurricane Katrina, Afghanistan, Iran, and other issues that have shaped the first decade of the 21st century.
President Bush writes honestly and directly about his flaws and mistakes, as well as his accomplishments reforming education, treating HIV/AIDS in Africa, and safeguarding the country amid chilling warnings of additional terrorist attacks. He also offers intimate new details on his decision to quit drinking, discovery of faith, and relationship with his family.
A groundbreaking new brand of memoir, Decision Points will captivate supporters, surprise critics, and change perspectives on one of the most consequential eras in American history – and the man at the center of events.

Amazing Android Apps For Dummies

Find the Android apps that are right for you so you can have fun and get more done!

The popularity of Android apps is exploding and this handy guide helps you sort through the thousands of available applications so you can find the ones that are ideal for you. You'll explore a variety of apps in the areas of entertainment, finance, health, food, music, news, weather, photography, reference, dining out, social networking, sports, travel, and more. Author Daniel Begun helps you navigate through this enormous—and potentially overwhelming—array of Android apps.

• Holds your hand through the oftentimes overwhelming app selection and shares helpful advice for sorting through the tens of thousands of apps to find the ones that are right for you
• Helps you uncover which apps are worth the price and what's fabulous for free
• Provides advice on what apps work best for all your favorite hobbies – from movies to music, sports to social networking, fitness to fun games, and everything in between

Amazing Android Apps For Dummies walks you through the process of finding, purchasing, and installing the most appealing apps for your needs.

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Introducing Character Animation with Blender , 2nd Edition

Introducing Character Animation with Blender, 2^nd Edition is written in a friendly but professional tone, with clear descriptions and numerous illustrative screenshots. Throughout the book, tutorials focus on how to accomplish actual animation goals, while illustrating the necessary technical methods along the way. These are reinforced by clear descriptions of how each specific aspect of Blender works and fits together with the rest of the package. By following all the tutorials, the reader will gain all the skills necessary to build and animate a well-modeled, fully-rigged character of their own. The character built over the course of the tutorials is included as a .blend file on the DVD, for the reader to experiment with and learn from. Introducing Character Animation with Blender, 2^nd Edition is inspiring as well as educational. A color insert includes sample characters and frames from animations by many of the Blender community's most talented artists, which help to illustrate the impressive potential of the software.
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Blender For Dummies, 2nd Edition

The exciting new book on the exciting new Blender 2.5!

If you want to design 3D animation, here's your chance to jump in with both feet, free software, and a friendly guide at your side! Blender For Dummies, 2^nd Edition is the perfect introduction to the popular, open-source, Blender 3D animation software, specifically the revolutionary new Blender 2.5. Find out what all the buzz is about with this easy-access guide. Even if you’re just beginning, you'll learn all the Blender 2.5 ropes, get the latest tips, and soon start creating 3D animation that dazzles.

• Walks you through what you need to know to start creating eye-catching 3D animations with Blender 2.5, the latest update to the top open-source 3D animation program
• Shows you how to get the very most out of Blender 2.5's new multi-window unblocking interface, new event system, and other exciting new features
• Covers how to create 3D objects with meshes, curves, surfaces, and 3D text; add color, texture, shades, reflections and transparency; set your objects in motion with animations and rigging; render your objects and animations; and create scenes with lighting and cameras

If you want to start creating your own 3D animations with Blender, Blender For Dummies, 2^nd Edition is where you need to start!

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ZBrush Studio Projects: Realistic Game Characters

Tips and techniques for bringing reality and creativity to your game characters and art

As video games evolve, the bar moves ever higher for realism, one of the most challenging artistic frontiers is creating realistic human characters. In ZBrush Studio Projects: Realistic Game Characters, ZBrush expert Ryan Kingslien zeroes in on specific areas of concern for game creation: human body style, faces, skin texturing, clothing, shoes, weaponry, and putting your character into a game environment. Throughout the book Ryan offers tips and insights that provide readers with the depth and breadth they need to bring reality and creativity to their game characters and art. Projects start from the beginning, just as they do in the studio, with the author to guide you step by step through attributes and tools. Projects encompass multiple disciplines to obtain finished, professional results.Although some step by step explanations are given, projects serve more as a guide for readers to complete their own version of the project. Each project comes with support files to validate results

• Covers one of the most unique challenges for game artists -- sculpting realistic and moveable human characters for a game environment
• Brings you up to speed on ZBrush, the top digital sculpting tool used to create characters and props in such games as Rock Band and World of Warcraft
• Covers body style, faces, skin texturing, clothing, shoes, weaponry, and how to put your character into a game environment
• Provides in-depth techniques and tips for everyone from aspiring digital sculptors to high-level professional ZBrush artists
• Includes a DVD with supporting files from the projects in the book, as well as videos that illustrate concepts

Build the next game-winning action character with ZBrush and this professional guide!

Introducing ZBrush 4

Introducing ZBrush 4 launches readers head-on into fulfilling their artistic potential for sculpting realistic creature, cartoon, and hard surface models in ZBrush.


ZBrush's innovative technology and interface can be intimidating to both digital-art beginners as well as veterans who are used to a more conventional modeling environment. This book dispels myths about the difficulty of ZBrush with a thorough tour and exploration of the program's interface. Engaging projects also allow the reader to become comfortable with digital sculpting in with a relaxed and fun book atmosphere.

Introducing ZBrush 4assuages the apprehension and gets artists quickly involved in creating their own work, as they complete tutorials on digital sculpting, painting, detailing, textures, lighting, rendering, and working with other 3D applications.

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Android Development with Flash: Your visual blueprint for developing mobile apps





The visual guide to developing for one of the world’s hottest new mobile platforms, the Android OS

The Android operating system works on phones that combine a camera, Web browser, e-mail, GPS, and mapping tool into a single accessible pocket-sized unit, and can function on computers, as well. Aimed at visual learners and packed with hundreds of screen shots, this guide brings Flash developers up to speed on the necessary factors to take into account when developing for this touch-based, mobile platform. Experienced Flash developer Julian Dolce escorts you through the process of creating applications for the Android OS using the Flash CS5 development platform and informs you of best practices to try as well as common pitfalls to avoid.

• Guides you step by step through the process of creating applications for the Android OS using Flash CS5
• Explores the capabilities and limitations of developing apps for the Android OS
• Points out common pitfalls and teaches you best practices
• Features hundreds of screen shots to assist with visual learning

Android Development with Flash: Your visual blueprint for developing mobile apps gets you on your way to developing apps for Android… in a flash!

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Droid 2 For Dummies

Find out what your Droid 2 does with this indispensable, full-color reference!

The highly anticipated arrival of the Droid 2 runs on the latest version of Google's mobile operating system and boasts a suite of apps that wirelessly synchronize with Gmail, Calendar, Contacts, Maps, and Microsoft Exchange. Ultimate For Dummies author Dan Gookin shows you how to maximize the performance of your Droid 2 smartphone in his unique fun-and-friendly manner, holding your hand the entire way. Sure, the basics of setup and configuration are covered, but you’ll also explore texting, e-mailing, accessing the Internet, using maps and navigation, syncing with a PC, and more. Gookin's accessible and fun writing style strikes a perfect balance for explaining important content in a way that is easily digestible.

• Delves into the basics and beyond by covering the new and exciting Droid 2
• Shows you how to set up and configure your Droid 2
• Walks you through texting, e-mailing, accessing the Internet, synching with a PC, using maps and navigation, shooting pictures and video, and more
• Explains how to expand the phone's potential with cool apps from the Android Market
• Encourages you to refer to the various fun-but-straightforward chapters as you explore the exciting new features of your Droid 2 phone

Don't be left in the dark with what the new Droid does—dive into the full-color Droid 2 For Dummies today!

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T-Mobile G1 For Dummies

Excited about the new Google phone? T-Mobile’s G1 android phone is packed with possibilities, and T-Mobile G1 For Dummies will help you make the most of them.

This fun and friendly guide shows you how to navigate the G1’s android interface, make phone calls, view maps, manage contacts, browse the Web, and a whole lot more. Your T-Mobile G1 is so much more than a phone—it’s also an administrative assistant, movie theater, jukebox, mobile office, and several more things all rolled into one device. With T-Mobile G1 For Dummies, you can:

• Find out all about the Android smartphone operating system and what it offers
• Learn your way around the G1’s keyboard, buttons, and touch screen
• See how your G1 connects to both Wi-Fi networks and T-Mobile’s high-speed network
• Surf the Web, download music and picture files, and tweak browser settings
• Send and receive Gmail, get where you’re going with Google Maps, and stay organized with Google Calendar
• Take photos, check out YouTube, and fill your phone with media
• Manage your e-mail and choose which messages will be synced to your phone
• Shop the Android Market and discover more cool apps for your G1

Don’t waste a single cool feature of your T-Mobile G1! T-Mobile G1 For Dummies shows you how to use all the great Google functions, play (and even buy) music, browse the Web, add apps, and more.


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Professional Manga

Combine high-end manga storytelling theory and advice with the tools for digital creation in Manga Studio, guided by expert professional manga-ka.

You'll discover manga storytelling techniques, from speed lines to technology, from toning to big sound effects. Steve Horton and Jeong Mo Yang then show you how best to accomplish these techniques using the leading manga art creation program, Manga Studio EX. Every ounce of theory is backed up with step-by-step manga illustrations and Manga Studio screenshots that show how these illustrations were created.

See the techniques in action in The Other Side of the Tracks, a new manga short story in the book centerfold which demonstrates at least one example from every technique described. You can also follow the continuing story as a webmanga available at comicspace.com.

And there's more! The companion CD includes trial version of Manga Studio EX along with high-resolution image files from the book.

Smith Micro has also included a coupon for $100 off the full version of Manga Studio EX.

--Authors are expert professional manga-ka (creators), with credits such as TokyoPop's Star Trek: the Manga and Dyoz, Image Comics' Strongarm, and Grounded Angel on the web.

--There is no other Manga book that melds high-end Manga storytelling theory and advice, with the tools for digital creation in Manga Studio.

--In the book centerfold is a new manga short story: The Other Side of the Tracks, which shows at least one example from every technique described. This story will continue after publication as a webmanga.

--Demo version of Manga Studio EX on CD (plus exclusive value-adds not found elsewhere) along with high-resolution image files from the book.

--Smith Micro (makers of Manga Studio) will provide a coupon in the back of the book for $50 to $100 off the $220 Manga Studio EX software.

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Force: Character Design from Life Drawing

Design creative characters inspired by real people. Let Mike Mattesi show you how to use life drawing to discover the poses, features and personalities which form the basis of character and then build, develop and 'PUSH' your drawings to new heights of dramatic and visual impact for believable characters audiences can relate to.

Packed with color illustrations and photographs of the models who inspired them. With step-by-step explanation of how the characters were developed and exercises for you to sharpen your skills this is everything you need to bring your characters to life.

* Push your character designs to the next level with creative life drawing
* See how it's done; with photographs of models and the characters they inspired
* Unlock your imagination; put the theory into practice with detailed exercises to sharpen your skills

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Character Design for Graphic Novels

Character Design for Graphic Novels not only showcases the best in character design from the world's leading artists onscreen and on the printed page, but provides you with a hardworking guide to the process behind the evolution and development of character design, the key milestones of the art, the genre busters, and the genre definers.

This stunning book offers a unique insight into the creative process, interviewing the genre's leading artists, showcasing their work, and showing how it is done so you can benefit from their expertise when creating your own graphic novel characters.

Throughout the book biographies of the major artists in each field, their inspirations, their achievements, and their finest hours, are highlighted to give you the inspiration required to succeed in this competitive field.

Learn how popular characters evolved from sketches, drawings, and initial inspirations, through fine-tuning, discussion, and alternative proposals, to onscreen debut and first-edition publication on the printed page.

Featured artists include: Colleen Doran (Illustrator on the Neil Gaiman's - New York Times bestselling author- Sandman series), Kurt Busiek (Writer for Marvel Comics), Eddie Campbell (Illustrator of Alan Moore's acclaimed 'From Hell')and Stan Sakai (creator of the famous character Usagi the bunny).

* Learn how some of the great contemporary and near contemporary illustrators design their graphic novel characters
* Benefit from the professional invaluable insight into how character design changes depending on the medium, the audience, trends, and different decades
* Fully illustrated in color thoughout to showcase the best artwork and inspire your creativity!

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Force: Dynamic Life Drawing for Animators, Second Edition

Capture the force in your life drawing subjects with this practical guide to dynamic drawing techniques - packed with superb, powerfully drawn examples that show you how to:

* Bring your work to life with rhythmic drawing techniques
* Create appealing and dynamic poses in your drawings
* Experience the figure's energy in three dimensional space
* Use the asymmetry of straight and curved lines to clarify the direction of force in the body
* Build on your foundational anatomy and figure drawing skills to animate your drawings
*Apply the theory of force to your on-location and animal drawing observations


Whether you are an animator, comic book artist, illustrator or fine arts' student you'll learn to use rhythm, shape, and line to bring out the life in any subject while Mike Mattesi's infectious enthusiasm will have you reaching for your pencils!

Mike Mattesi is the owner and founder of Entertainment Art Academy (www.enterartacad.com) based in Southern California. He has been a professional production artist and instructor for the last fifteen years with clients including Disney, Marvel Comics, Hasbro Toys, ABC, Microsoft, Electronic Arts, DreamWorks and Nickelodeon.

Audience level: Intermediate to advanced

* Discover and master the techniques of rhythmic drawing and bring your work to life
* Learn from a professional production artist who has successfully taught his unique techniques for the last fifteen years
* Written in an accessible, enthusiastic style which will have you reaching for your pencils!

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Character Design for Mobile Devices Character Design for Mobile Devices

Mobile gaming on cell phones and portable consoles is a huge business, and many characters have become design icons. However, the physical limitations of these small screens, and the technological challenges of different gaming platforms, mean that designers have had to become experts at creating characters with just a few points of light. Creating art for these devices is a completely different process than used when creating art for highly sophisticated 3D games. The difference between pixel art and art created for 3D games is two-fold: there are practical considerations that must be addressed as well as aesthetic considerations. This book will cover both subjects as well as examining the evolution of gaming graphics-explaining the significance of the changes we've seen in game artistry and what we can learn from examining successful icons and graphics created in the past. Character Design for Mobile Devices looks at the techniques, the inspiration, the technologies, and the creative challenges behind designing characters with only a few pixels at your disposal.

Filled with:
*Practical and inspirational tutorials that enable you to clearly understand the processes involved in creating art for mobile devices
*Timely and inspirational information
*Features over 400 full-color images to inspire and instruct

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Art and Design in Photoshop : How to simulate just about anything from great works of art to urban graffiti

Fancy designing your own classic and contemporary movie posters, books and magazine covers?

Feel like turning your photographs into works by Turner, Matisse and Magritte?Want to create illustrations in the styles of The Simpsons, steampunk and Victorian engravings?

Then you need Art and Design in Photoshop.

In this unique book, acclaimed master of photomontage and visual trickery Steve Caplin shows you how to stretch your creative boundaries. Taking the same tried-and-tested practical approach as his best selling How to Cheat in Photoshop titles, Steve's step-by-step instructions recreate a dazzling and diverse array of fabulous design effects. You'll learn how to design everything from wine labels to sushi cartons, from certificates to iPod advertising, from textbooks to pulp fiction.

Written by a working pro, the clear guidelines pinpoint exactly what you need to know: how to get slick-looking results with minimum fuss, with a 16-page Photoshop Reference chapter that provides an at-a-glance guide to Photoshop tools and techniques for less experienced users. Steve explains both typography and the design process in a clear, informative and entertaining way.

All the images, textures and fonts used in the book are supplied on the accompanying CD-ROM. Imaginative, inspirational and fun to use, this book is a must-have for every creative Photoshop user, both amateur and professional.

* Learn to quickly and ingeniously create fantastic graphic effects in Photoshop, from graffiti to classic art, newsprint and stained-glass windows
* Easy and fun to use with clear step-by-step instructions and hundreds of screenshots.
* Backwards compatible: fully up-to-date with the latest Photoshop release but also relevant for use with previous versions of Photoshop

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The Ultimate Adobe Photoshop CS2 Collection : Four best-selling CS2 books - All on one DVD

Not everyone has the desire - or the finances - to upgrade to the latest version of Photoshop - and that's where this DVD comes in. Packed full of information from four of Focal Press' top selling authors, The Ultimate Adobe Photoshop CS2 Collection is the one stop guide to all things CS2.

The DVD contains the full text of the following books in fully searchable eBook format - as well as all of the tutorials, videos and sample images from the accompanying DVDs:Evening: Adobe Photoshop CS2 for Photographers + all DVD content, Caplin: How To Cheat in Photoshop 3ed + all DVD content, Andrews/Galer: Photoshop CS2 Essential Skills + all DVD content, Andrews: Photoshop CS2 A-Z

Key Features
* Full, searchable eBook versions of all four titles
* All accompanying DVD content - tutorials, videos and sample images
* Less than half the price of buying all four titles separately* Total combined sales of over 100,000 copies!

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Black and White in Photoshop CS3 and Photoshop Lightroom : Create stunning monochromatic images in Photoshop CS3, Photoshop Lightroom, and beyond

Black and white photography has come a long way in the digital world. Feeling overwhelmed by the endless conversion options in (and around) Photoshop, Lightroom and beyond? If so, you are not alone, and this is definitely the book for you!

In this thoroughly up-to-date book that covers all of the new features of Photoshop CS3 and Lightroom, you'll learn how to use methods within an application or raw converter, scripts, plug-ins, and more. Leslie Alsheimer and Bryan O'Neil Hughes show you everything you need to know to uncover the secrets to successful black and white conversion and printmaking. Let the stunning images (presented in both color and black and white) show you just what is possible when you master these powerful tools.

Bryan O'Neil Hughes is a Product Manager for the Photoshop team, and a Product Evangelist for the Photoshop Lightroom Team. Working for Adobe since 1999, Bryan has helped test, develop, drive and demonstrate Adobe's digital imaging applications. Beyond Adobe, Bryan is a published photographer, editor and author.

Leslie Alsheimer is a freelance photographer, and photo educator based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. With the Santa Fe Digital Darkroom, Leslie travels around the country teaching photography, Photoshop and digital imaging workshops, as well as working with private clients as a creative imaging consultant, instructor, and trainer. She has worked extensively with many of the foremost digital image makers in the US. She is an instructor with the American Photo/Nikon Mentor Series and a member of the Adobe Beta Testing Team. Leslie is also the Director of Community Photography Outreach.

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Creative Photoshop : Digital Illustration and Art Techniques

"Derek's edge is that he won't stand still. He has a knack for finding new corners of the program to exploit and innovative ways of doing so. He's pushed the boundaries not only for his own art but also for thousands of up and coming artists who also want to create onscreen the visions they have in their minds. If you've bought this book, you're about to discover what I mean."-Garrick Webster, Editor, Computer Arts

Welcome to the world of art and imagination! Derek Lea, one of the world's top 100 digital artists, shows you how to use Photoshop in unorthodox ways to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. His work is a unique combination of original photography, traditional illustration, and digital art.

If you are a digital artist, illustrator, cartoonist, graphic artist or designer who is familiar with Photoshop, but want to push the program to the limit, this book is for you! Learn how to get professional results from the paint features in Photoshop. Create sharp illustrations by combining vectors and pixels. Explore less-than-obvious composition methods, and discover the hidden potential in unlikely artistic resources and materials. Play around with texture using spray paint effects and scanned elements, or age faces and objects. Use stencil tags and comic book coloring techniques. Learn how to bring 3D art to life! Maximize your creativity AND efficiency with invaluable information on working between Photoshop and Illustrator.

This book/CD package provides clear, step-by-step tutorials that make it easy to emulate Lea's techniques in your own work. With all the images from the book to play with, you'll be creating stunning artwork in no time!

* Learn from an award winning digital illustrator how to think outside the box and create stunning art with Photoshop
* Be inspired by a wide range of artistic styles and real world techniques that you can adapt to your own work, including graffiti spray art, comic coloring, and antique effects
* Practice new skills with FREE tutorial files on the CD

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Creative Suite 3 Integration : Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Flash Pro, Acrobat, Bridge and Version Cue

Learn how to integrate the new versions and features of all design programs within Creative Suite 3 with this definitive guide. Improve your productively by achieving professional results faster and more collaboratively. Simplify both your creative and production tasks as you move your creative elements freely between applications while maintaining editing capability - all in one unified design environment.

With this book, you get a unique combination with...

* Focus on integration so that you can work most efficiently with the Suite's packages together as part of your overall design workflow, saving valuable time
* Colorful, practical tutorials that use multiple programs for real-life projects
* Look-up reference and troubleshooting organization for cross-program issues - even if you use just 2 or 3 of the CS programs
* Coverage from basics for readers who are just beginning with the Suite through in-depth, comprehensive info for cross program mastery

From print, Web, or multimedia projects to PDFs, you get the most hands-on approach to cross-Suite issues. Exciting real-world projects include building entire websites and multi-chapter books. Produce effective and efficient PDFs for approval and print or screen using Acrobat with content from Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.

Whether you work with design, editorial, advertising, or production, you will not find this information anywhere else!

Praise from Ginna Baldassarre, Sr. Product Manager, Creative Suite, Adobe Systems Inc.

"After reading this book, I was so happy to see that we have a great resource/tool that really highlights the strides Adobe has taken to really integrate these products. Keith's book is so easy to follow and really targets the benefits and efficiencies gained by having all the creative tools work seamlessly. Keith really makes you feel like you are in his studio with him, watching him work, and learning about all the different products. It's almost a magical experience.

After reading this book, I know that you will continue to fall in love with all the new features the CS3 applications have to offer..and perhaps learn some new things that you didn't know! I know I did."

* A unique guide showing you how to use the 7 packages within Adobe's Creative Suite 3 together and efficiently as part of your overall workflow, saving you valuable time
* Produce professional results with highly illustrated, practical how-to tutorials
* Ideal to use as a look-up reference and trouble shooting manual for cross-program issues - even if you own just 2 or 3 of the CS programs
* Bonus CD packed with project files so you can work right alongside the examples in the book; sample images, partially completed layouts and graphics from the projects; and links to useful online resources

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Flash Catalyst Workshop : Rich Internet Applications for Designers

Master Web and interactive design with the powerful new Flash Catalyst toolset. Tutorial exercises demonstrate how you can use artwork and assets from your tool of choice, Illustrator orPhotoshop for example, and transform them into complex, data driven applications.Yes, now you can design Interactivity without coding! You get step-by-step instruction on how to build projects from a simple button component to a searchable video application. Topical articles address issues critical to your new workflow, whether you want to publish projects to the web or collaborate with developers using a single project file. Key Features:

* Detailed projects reveal multiple workflow alternatives including Photoshop, Illustrator, and Fireworks
* Design/development processes are detailed to improve workflow
* The companion Web site features Catalyst-based interfaces that are deconstructed within the book

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Flash + After Effects, Second Edition : Add Broadcast Features to Your Flash Designs

Flash Designers, push Flash to the next level with After Effects' robust toolset. Combine these two powerhouse applications to expand your multimedia horizons. Flash + After Effects gives the experienced Flash designer a working understanding of the After Effects toolset with professional techniques that raise the design bar for Web, HD broadcast, or CD/DVD delivery. The companion web site contains project media that permit you to practice essential After Effects skills that include:

* Working with live video in Flash and the After Effects timeline
* Using alpha channels for keying and enhancing interactivity
* Exporting layered After Effects compositions for Flash
* Building interactive 3D environments with video, cameras, and lights
* Enhancing character animation using IK and Puppet Tools
* Experimenting with Pixel Bender between Flash and After Effects
* Exporting video in HD and for the Web

You also get a video primer, render and file optimization techniques, and publishing and streaming guidelines.

Combine two powerhouse applications to:
* Add motion graphics and visual effects
* Build interactive 3D video environments
* Enhance character animation
* Prepare Flash animation for HD
* Save development time

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Flash Advertising : Flash Platform Development of Microsites, Advergames and Branded Applications

Create awe-inspiring, mind-blowing Flash ads, microsites, advergames, and branded applications that engage consumers and demonstrate their worth to clients. Creating Flash Advertising delivers the nuts and bolts of the development process from initial design conception to ad completion. You'll learn the best practices for:
* Mastering the myriad of ad specs, deadlines, quality and version control issues
* Creating ads that balance campaign goals with design constraints
* Preparing and building ads with team and QC standards
* Using forms and data in ads without file bloat
* File optimization techniques for swf files
* 3rd party rich media technologies that transcend the 30k banner
* Integrating video into sites and banners
* Social media applications
* Trafficking and tracking ads for impressions, interactions, clicks, and conversions* Using ActionScript to save development time and implement team standards

* Real-world examples of rich media ads and AIR applications
* Industy insider tips and workflows from award winning designers
* Companion Web site with case studies, and re-usable AS3 and Flex code snippets

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How to Cheat in Adobe Flash CS5

Need to solve problems quickly to develop creative projects to time and to budget? Want to hone your Flash skills so you can concentrate on your animation? Then How to Cheat in Flash is for you! Chris Georgenes shows how to work from the problem to the solution - from the viewpoint of an animator who has been commissioned to create a job and is working to a deadline and to a budget.

With his in-depth knowledge of the little-known secrets used by the pros to produce creative, professional animations, Chris isthe go-to guru for designers and animators who want to create great animation, applications or motion design with Flash.Fully updated for CS5, How to Cheat in Flash CS5,is a goldmine of artistic inspiration, timesaving practical tips, tricks and step-by-step workthroughs that you'll wonder how you survived without it.

Each techniquesis designed as a double-page spread so you can prop the book up behind your keyboard or next to your monitor as a visual reference while working alongside it. Many of these workthroughs are real-world client projects, with the source files supplied for you to open and explore. With these real-life professional projects you'll discover how to:bring objects to life with cool motion effects, make it rain, snow or set your world ablaze, develop flash mobile applications and many more tips and tricks not found anywhere else!

* Work over the shoulder of Chris Georgenes, renowned Flash expert,and apply thepractical techniques, tips and tricks to yourown projects.
* Bestselling How to Cheat coverage of Flash CS5 - proven format for successful learning
* Learn a myriad of tips and tricks based on real-life working methods to help you work faster and more efficiently and to budget!
* Work from the problem to the solution, to gain the best possible results from Flash CS5!

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Flash Cinematic Techniques

Apply universally accepted cinematic techniques to your Flash projects to improve the storytelling quotient in your entertainment, advertising (branding), and educational media. A defined focus on the concepts and techniques for production from story reels to the final project delivers valuable insights, time-saving practical tips, and hands-on techniques for great visual stories. Extensive illustration, step-by-step instruction, and practical exercises provide a hands-on perspective.Explore the concepts and principles of visual components used in stories so you are fluent in the use of space, line, color, and movement in communicating emotion and meaning. Apply traditional cinematography techniques into the Flash workspace with virtual camera movements, simulated 3d spaces, lighting techniques, and character animation. Add interactivity using ActionScript to enhance audience participation.

* A unique focus on the principles and techniques of the visual art in storytelling.
* Concepts are illustrated with deconstruction of technical issues, step-by-step instruction, and exercises.
* CompanionCD-ROM contains digital examples and media files for exercises

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Real-World Flash Game Development

This book covers Flash for the everyday developer. The average Flash developer doesn't have luxurious timelines, employers who understand the value of reusability, or the help of an information architect to design a usable experience. This book helps bridge the gap for these coders who may be used to C++, Java, or C# and want to move over to Flash. Griffith covers real-world scenarios pulled from his own experiences developing games for over 8 years in the industry.

Gifts from Griffith's REAL-WORLD experiences include: Game design templates and pre-written scripts to automate tasks within Flash; Classes for handling common math computations used in gaming, so that game developers can see how to set up a simple game flow; Powerful debugging tools for your games(debuggers for Flash games are hard to come by, and this book provides them for you).

The associated web site offers: Code from the game examples in the book with fully build-able source files. Additional code snippets, classes, and utilities. Scripts for automating tedious and repetitive tasks within Flash. Template game-design documents for planning game proposals in the same manner outlined in the book. Links to other helpful online resources for both Flash and game development.

*Teaches Flash users the most effective ways to leverage Flash as a game development tool. Concrete, relatable approaches to Flash game development.
* Provides sound strategies, and realistic goals for success - with REAL-WORLD examples and code included so that programmers become quickly empowered to make their own Flash games. *Covers ALL the aspects that come into play when developing a game in Flash, including art, animation, scripting, and optimization.

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Layout and Composition for Animation

This essential, hands-on guide is filled with examples ofwhat a composition should look like and example of poorly designed layouts. Spot potential problems before they cost time and money, andadapt creative solutions for your own projects with this invaluable resource for beginner and intermediate artists.With Beauty and the Beast examples and Simpson character layouts, readers will learn how to develop character layout and background layout as well as strengthen composition styles witha creativetoolset of trick shot examples andinspirational case studies. A companion website will include further technique based tools,finalized layout and composition examples and tutorials for further artisticskill development.

Adaptkey techniques, tips and tricks of an an experienced layout artists with 30 years of experience to yourfilm, television and animation projects.
Save time and moneywithworkflow solutions and avoid common mistakes and problems with troubleshooting tips and tricks. Implement creative solutions for your own projects with this invaluable resource for beginner and intermediate artists with examples ofwhat a composition should look like and example of poorly designed layouts.Create professional character layouts and background layouts as well as strengthen composition styles witha creativetoolset of trick shot examples, inspirational case studies and professional Disney examples and Simpson character layouts.
Further your artisticskill development with an interactive, companion website which will includefinalized layout and composition examples and tutorials.

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Hybrid Animation

Artist imaginations continue to grow and stretch the boundaries of traditional animation. Successful animators adept and highly skilled in traditional animation mediums are branching out beyond traditional animation workflows and will often use multiple forms of animation in a single project. With the knowledge of 3D and 2D assets and the integration of multiple animation mediums into a single project, animators have a wealth of creative resources available for a project that is not limited to a specific animation medium, software package or workflow processs.

Enhance a poignant scene by choosing to animate the scenic background in 2D while the main character is brought to life with 3D techniques. Balance the budget demands of a project by choosing to integrate a 2D or 3D asset to save time and expense. Choose which medium Hybrid Animation, learn the systematic development of the 2D and 3D assets and the issues surrounding choices made during the creative process.

* Achieve 2D and 3D character interactions and learn to animate beyond the mediums of classical animation with class exercises, projects and step by step tutorials for students and advanced amateur animators.
* Produce high-quality 2D and 3D narratives, regardless of the software you use; featuring Photoshop, Corel, Flash, After Effects and Maya workflows.
* Learn from other's experience with featured interviews of industry leaders who have successfully integrated 2D and 3D assets into their own workflows.
* Think critically about visual styles, the effects of 2D/3D overlaying in animation creation and the entire pipeline from start to finish.
* Explore hybrid animation techniques and insider tricks with the global animation community with an online forum and companion website.

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Write Your Way into Animation and Games

Launch your career in writing for video games or animation with the best tips, tricks, and tutorials from the Focal press catalog--all at your fingertips. Let our award-winning writers and game developers show you how to generate ideas and create compelling storylines, concepts, and narratives for your next project.
Write Your Way Into Animation and Games provides invaluable information on getting into the game and animation industries. You will benefit from decades of insider experience about the fields of animation and games, with an emphasis on what you really need to know to start working as a writer.
Navigate the business aspects, gain unique skills, and develop the craft of writing specifically for aniamtion and games. Learn from the cream of the crop who have shared their knowledge and experience in these key Focal Press guides:
Digital Storytelling, Second Edition by Carolyn Handler MillerAnimation Writing and Development by Jean Ann WrightWriting for Animation, Comics, and Games by Christy MarxStory and Simulations for Serious Games by Nick Iuppa and Terry BorstWriting for Multimedia and the Web, Third Edition by Timothy Garrand

* How to break in to the industry and have a career in writing for animation or videogames.
* How to fine tune your narrative, characters, world, and dialogue--with this comprehensive guide to writing.
* Companion Web site includes all of the key multimedia and resource components from the original Focal Press books.

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Professional ASP.NET 4 in C# and VB

This book was written to introduce you to the features and capabilities that ASP.NET 4 offers, as well as to give you an explanation of the foundation that ASP.NET provides. We assume you have a general understanding of Web technologies, such as previous versions of ASP.NET, Active Server Pages 2.0/3.0, or JavaServer Pages. If you understand the basics of Web programming, you should not have much trouble following along with this book's content.

If you are brand new to ASP.NET, be sure to check out Beginning ASP.NET 4: In C# and VB by Imar Spaanjaars (Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2010) to help you understand the basics.

In addition to working with Web technologies, we also assume that you understand basic programming constructs, such as variables, For Each loops, and object-oriented programming.

You may also be wondering whether this book is for the Visual Basic developer or the C# developer. We are happy to say that it is for both! When the code differs substantially, this book provides examples in both VB and C#.

This book explores the 4 release of ASP.NET. It covers each major new feature included in ASP.NET 4 in detail. The following list tells you something about the content of each chapter.

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ASP.NET 3.5 Website Programming: Problem - Design - Solution

* Uses the popular Problem;Design;Solution format to help readers, especially those who know how to code specific ASP.NET features, learn to "put it all together" into a complete Web application
* Emphasizes n-tier ASP.NET Web application architectural design, something intermediate and advanced ASP.NET developers need and can't find anywhere else
* Current edition is the most popular and discussed book in the p2p.wrox.com reader discussion forums
* Covers registration and membership system, user-selectable themes, content management systems, polls, mailing lists, forums, e-commerce stores, shopping carts, order management with real-time credit-card processing, localization, and other site features
* Developers also learn to handle master pages, themes, profiles, Web parts, server-side UI controls, compilation, deployment, instrumentation, error handling and logging, data access with ADO.NET and LINQ, ASP.NET AJAX, and much more

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Introduction to ASP.NET 4 AJAX Client Templates

This Wrox Blox will teach you how to create and customize ASP.NET 4 AJAX Preview 4 Client Templates. The author shows you how to use declarative as well as imperative data-binding techniques to address the simple to advanced UI requirements. He also covers how the observer pattern is fully implemented in ASP.NET 4 AJAX and, when used in conjunction with the Client Template markup extensions, provides a developer experience much like XAML-based applications like WPF and Silverlight. This Wrox Blox walks you through how to implement examples that fetch data from ASP.NET Web Forms using Page Methods and ASP.NET MVC controller actions, as well as interfacing directly with ADO.NET Data Services.

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Professional ASP.NET 3.5 AJAX

ASP.NET revolutionized Web application development. The platform handles many of the complexities of creating Web applications. Now ASP.NET AJAX takes the development platform even further. The lines between rich client applications and traditionally less interactive browser-based applications are being further blurred with the use of this technology.

The ASP.NET AJAX Library brings object-oriented programming to JavaScript development for modern browsers, and the ASP.NET AJAX Extensions makes it easy to write rich Web applications that communicate with the Web server asynchronously. Again, the complexities are made easy by using ASP.NET.

The new server controls that are part of ASP.NET AJAX make it simple to designate parts of the page to be updated automatically without making the user pause and wait while the data is refreshed. You can have partial page updates without writing a single line of code. Other new controls let you alert the user that background work is happening and designate regular intervals at which updates occur. In addition, the ASP.NET AJAX Control Toolkit makes it easy to make your user interface really come to life with animations, modal dialogs, transition effects, and more.

Ajax is definitely the hot buzzword in the Web application world at the moment. Ajax is an acronym for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML and, in Web application development, it signifies the capability to build applications that make use of the XMLHttpRequest object.
The creation and the inclusion of the XMLHttpRequest object in JavaScript and the fact that most upper-level browsers support the use of this object led to creation of the Ajax model. Ajax applications, although they have been around for a few years, gained greater popularity after Google released a number of notable, Ajax-enabled applications such as Google Maps and Google Suggest. These applications demonstrated the value of Ajax.

Shortly thereafter, Microsoft released a beta for a new toolkit that enabled developers to incorporate Ajax features in their Web applications. This toolkit, code-named Atlas and later renamed ASP.NET AJAX, makes it extremely simple to start using Ajax features in applications today.

Prior to Visual Studio 2008, the ASP.NET AJAX product used to be a separate application that developers were required to install on their machine and the Web server that they were working with. This release gained in popularity quite rapidly and has now been made a part of the Visual Studio 2008 offering. Not only is it a part of the Visual Studio 2008 IDE, the ASP.NET AJAX product is also baked into the .NET Framework 3.5. This means that in order to use ASP.NET AJAX, developers are not going to need to install anything if they are working with ASP.NET 3.5.

Overall, Microsoft has fully integrated the entire ASP.NET AJAX experience in that developers can easily use Visual Studio and its visual designers to work with your Ajax-enabled pages and even have the full debugging story that they would want to have with their applications. Using Visual Studio 2008, developers are now able to debug straight into the JavaScript that they are using in the pages.

In addition, it is important to note that Microsoft focused a lot of attention on cross-platform compatibility with ASP.NET AJAX. Developers will find that the Ajax-enabled applications that they build upon the .NET Framework 3.5 are able to work within all the major up-level browsers out there (e.g., FireFox and Opera).

This book is aimed at experienced ASP.NET developers looking to add AJAX to their applications, and experienced Web developers who want to move to using ASP.NET and AJAX together.

In this book, I assume that you already have an understanding of how ASP.NET works. For an in-depth discussion of ASP.NET, I recommend Professional ASP.NET 3.5 by Bill Evjen, et al. (Wrox, 2008). The focus here is on how you can extend ASP.NET applications to update portions of the page asynchronously and to add richer UI elements to a page. ASP.NET AJAX makes it easy to enrich your existing application or to design a new application to provide a better experience for users. The differences among modern browsers have been abstracted, allowing you to write to a common set of APIs and trust that the user will get the correct behavior whether they are using Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Safari.

If you know how to author ASP.NET pages, you can easily start using the Microsoft AJAX library to manipulate the browser’s Document Object Model and communicate with the server to update the user’s view of data without forcing them to wait for the entire page to be refreshed.

This book covers ASP.NET 3.5 AJAX. It does not cover ASP.NET 3.5, on which ASP.NET AJAX is built. The examples lead you from the core of what is included in the ASP.NET AJAX Library through the core controls you would first start using. You build on that using the core JavaScript library and the ASP.NET AJAX Toolkit before covering debugging, deployment, and custom control development.

The ASP.NET 3.5 release includes the Microsoft AJAX Library as well as the server controls that can be used in ASP.NET pages to extend applications, making them more rich and interactive. It does so by leveraging the ASP.NET AJAX Library, which is JavaScript that runs in the browser. The server controls and JavaScript Library work together to let you update HTML with data obtained asynchronously from the server. The ASP.NET application services are exposed to JavaScript classes in the ASP.NET AJAX Library, making authentication and personalization accessible from the browser.

Chapter 1 introduces you to ASP.NET AJAX. This book discusses the need for AJAX Libraries and explain how ASP.NET AJAX compares to other AJAX Libraries. You will see how ASP.NET AJAX is composed of client and server pieces and that you can use the client library with any server platform you choose. In Chapter 2, the focus is on the most popular and easily applied feature of ASP.NET, the UpdatePanel control. This control allows you to automatically update portions of a page asynchronously, without subjecting the user to a visible pause while the page refreshes. Chapters 3 and 4 give you some key information about working with JavaScript and how the ASP.NET AJAX Library makes development with JavaScript easier. The book then works through several key features, including control of script resources and working with the ScriptManager control in Chapter 5, the new ASP.NET 3.5 ability to work with the back button in Chapter 6, and the ASP.NET AJAX Toolkit in Chapter 7 and all it has to offer for creating rich user interfaces. The next chapter, Chapter 8, looks at how to use ASP.NET’s application services (such as the Membership and Role management systems) with ASP.NET AJAX. Chapter 9 looks at networking objects. Chapter 10 looks at working with animations in ASP.NET AJAX. Chapter 11 shows you how to develop custom AJAX controls. Chapters 12, 13, and 14 shows the reader how to incorporate Ajax in some other ASP.NET core features such as Web Parts, localization, and state management. Chapter 15 looks at what is required to test and debug Ajax applications, and finally, Chapter 16 explores how to deploy ASP.NET AJAX applications.

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jQuery for ASP.NET Developers

This Wrox Blox teaches you how to use jQuery with your ASP.NET-based websites. jQuery greatly simplifies JavaScript development and allows you to create highly interactive and responsive websites using the latest JavaScript and AJAX techniques. The author walks you through the jQuery API using a simple ASP.NET MVC application to highlight major topics, and shows how you can apply jQuery to your own applications. After learning the basics of using jQuery, you’ll discover how easy it is to use within your own ASP.NET projects. Whether you are using WebForms or the MVC framework, jQuery will greatly simplify your code. As you will quickly find out, jQuery really is the “write less, do more” framework.

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JavaScript Programmer's Reference

Learn everything about utilizing the JavaScript language with the next generation of Rich Internet Applications from the accessible information in JavaScript Programmer’s Reference, both a tutorial and a reference guide for web developers. Master methods for using Java with applications like Microsoft’s Silverlight, Ajax, Flex, Flash and AIR by practicing with hands-on examples with practical, usable code. Employ this complete JavaScript reference to help you understand JavaScript Data Types, Variables, Operators, Expressions and Statements, work with JavaScript Frameworks and data, and improve performance with Ajax.

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Beginning JavaScript and CSS Development with jQuery

jQuery is a JavaScript library that helps web developers create JavaScript applications that work well in any browser. This book demonstrates how to use jQuery to reduce the amount of code you need to write and reduce the amount of testing that is required. You ll see how separation of presentation (CSS), markup (XHTML), and script (JavaScript and Ajax) in web pages is a crucial direction in web development for creating maintainable, accessible, cost-effective web sites. The featured full-color code syntax highlighting provides you with a visual reinforcement so you can see the various pieces and parts that make up each line and section of code for each language.

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Professional JavaScript for Web Developers, 2nd Edition

Professional JavaScript for Web Developers, 2nd Edition, provides a developer-level introduction along with the more advanced and useful features of JavaScript.

Starting at the beginning, the book explores how JavaScript originated and evolved into what it is today. A detailed discussion of the components that make up a JavaScript implementation follows, with specific focus on standards such as ECMAScript and the Document Object Model (DOM). The differences in JavaScript implementations used in different popular web browsers are also discussed.

Building on that base, the book moves on to cover basic concepts of JavaScript including its version of object-oriented programming, inheritance, and its use in various markup languages such as HTML. An in-depth examination of events and event handling is followed by an exploration of browser detection techniques and a guide to using regular expressions in JavaScript. The book then takes all this knowledge and applies it to creating dynamic user interfaces.

The last part of the book is focused on advanced topics, including performance/memory optimization, best practices, and a look at where JavaScript is going in the future.

This book is aimed at three groups of readers:

- Experienced developers familiar with object-oriented programming who are looking to learn JavaScript as it relates to traditional OO languages such as Java and C++
- Web application developers attempting to enhance the usability of their web sites and web applications
- Novice JavaScript developers aiming to better understand the language

In addition, familiarity with the following related technologies is a strong indicator that this book is for you:
- Java
- PHP
- ASP.NET
- HTML
- CSS
- XML

This book is not aimed at beginners who lack a basic computer science background or those looking to add some simple user interactions to web sites. These readers should instead refer to Wrox’s Beginning JavaScript, 3rd Edition (Wiley, 2007).

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ZBrush Character Creation: Advanced Digital Sculpting, 2nd Edition

A stunning, content-rich update to this top-selling ZBrush guide!

This second edition of ZBrush Character Creation has been fully updated for ZBrush 4, the newest version of this fascinating and popular 3D sculpting software. ZBrush enables users to create detailed organic models using a brush-based toolset and tablet. The startling results look as though they've been painted with real brushes and oils, and ZBrush is increasingly popular for use in film, game, and broadcast pipelines.

Author Scott Spencer is embedded in the ZBrush community and his movie credits include Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix and the upcoming The Hobbit. Learn Spencer's invaluable techniques for texturing, chiseling, posing, costuming, and more with his newest ZBrush guide.


- Explains ZBrush 4, the newest version of the revolutionary software tool for creating 3D organic models in a way that appears to be traditionally painted or sculpted
- Shows you how get the most out of ZBrush, from the fundamentals to new tools for texturing, chiseling, and costuming
- Offers plenty of insights and professional techniques for creating characters for films and games, drawing from the author's own experience on such films as Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix and The Hobbit
- Demonstrates the author's own techniques of using traditional sculpting and painting concepts and applying them to digital art for greater artistry

Discover the beauty of ZBrush with this colorful, in-depth guide.

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Introducing Autodesk 3ds Max 2011

Introducing 3ds Max teaches the basics of modeling, texturing, animating, and visual effects to familiarize readers with the program as a whole and encourage them to find what aspects of the production pipeline appeal to them. The expository text is reinforced with excellent tutorials, and the companion website includes tutorial files so readers can learn by completing hands-on projects in the book. The tutorials offer realistic, professional challenges for those new to 3D, and to those coming from another 3D application.

Each chapter leads with an introduction to the topic and explains methods, as well why certain methods are used. Each chapter is richly illustrated with workflows and examples to make following the sometimes difficult subject matter much easier and fun. The book evenly covers all aspects a beginner should be familiar with for a solid foundation of 3ds Max, but also caters some sections to Max's strengths, such as game work. For example, extra time is given to low poly modeling techniques and UV texturing for game export. Readers can expect to get a solid foundation of skills and knowledge to the sophisticated software package. Those coming from other 3D software applications will appreciate the book's sophisticated approach.

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Mastering Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2011

Turn Your Ideas into High-Impact Architectural Visualizations

This Autodesk Official Training Guide helps you master the essentials of 3D modeling, texturing, animation, and rendering with 3ds Max Design—it has everything you need to create compelling visualizations of your projects with exciting CG filmmaking techniques. The book provides pages of real-world architectural examples that show you how to apply 3D concepts to your own work with striking results.

Whether you're just starting, upgrading, or preparing for the Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2011 Certified Associate or Certified Professional exams, this book offers the complete instruction you need to master this indispensable design tool.

Coverage includes:

- Understanding the 3ds Max Design 2011 tools, menus, and interface
- Editing meshes and creating complex shapes with surface modeling tools
- Assembling high-impact scenes using the right design data and tools
- Using the Lighting Analysis feature to analyze sustainable design features
- Accessing the Autodesk Materials Library for just the right floor, wall, or finish
- Applying the camera effectively during animated walk-throughs
- Using mental ray® to achieve the most realistic rendering
- Adding cinematic atmosphere and compositing your final designs

Seamlessly Link Data from the Revit Family of Products into 3ds Max Design 2011
Apply Concepts from Game Design to Transform Your Sketches
Work Faster Using the Polygon Modeling and Texturing Toolset
Produce Stunning, Detailed, Photorealistic Presentations for Clients
Prepare for the 3ds Max Design 2011 Certified Associate and Certified Professional Exams

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Mastering Autodesk Maya 2011

A beautifully-packaged, advanced reference on the very latest version of Maya

If you already know the basics of Maya, the latest version of this authoritative book takes you to the next level. From modeling, texturing, animation, and visual effects to high-level techniques for film, television, games, and more, this book provides professional-level Maya instruction. With pages of scenarios and examples from some of the leading professionals in the industry, this book will help you master the entire CG production pipeline.


- Provides professional-level instruction on Maya, the industry-leading 3D animation and effects software
- Covers the very latest Maya tools and features, including Dynamics, Maya Muscle, Stereo - Cameras, rendering with mental ray, and more
- Offers complete coverage of advanced topics such as cloth, fur, and fluids
- Showcases the techniques of professionals through numerous examples and real-world scenarios, showing you how to set up and manage 3D animation and visual effects pipelines
- Includes a CD with all support files from the book, along with movies to illustrate concepts
If you're looking for an in-depth, professional Maya resource to turn to again and again, Mastering Maya is the book you need.

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Introducing Mudbox

One of the first books on Autodesk's new Mudbox 3D modeling and sculpting tool!

Autodesk's Mudbox was used to create photorealistic creatures for The Dark Knight, The Mist, and others films. Now you can join the crowd interested in learning this exciting new digital modeling and sculpting tool with this complete guide. Get up to speed on all of Mudbox’s features and functions, learn how sculpt and paint, and master the art of using effective workflows to make it all go easier.


- Introduces Autodesk's Mudbox, an exciting 3D modeling and sculpting tool that enables you to create photorealistic creatures for film or games; it is interoperable with - Autodesk's 3ds Max and Maya products
- Explains what digital sculpting is—and what it isn’t—and how to fit it into the pipeline when creating assets for film, television, games, and advertising
- Shows you how sculpt and paint a model in Mudbox; breaks down the complexities and gets you started right away with interesting projects
- Helps you set up workflows to cut the time you spend on the technology, freeing you to focus on the creative aspects
- Includes case studies and examples from industry leaders as well as a DVD with movies, sample project files, MELscripts, and more

Develop skills as a digital content creator or visual effects or CG artist with a good understanding of Mudbox and this valuable guide.

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3ds Max 2011 Bible

Updated version of the bestselling 3ds Max book on the market

Used by more than 150,000 people, and the winner of more than 65 industry awards, 3ds Max is the world's most popular animation modeling and rendering software for film, television, video games, and design visualization. 3ds Max Bible is the world’s most popular book for getting the most out of the software. Whether a novice looking to create something immediately using the Quick Start tutorial, or an experienced 3ds Max user who simply wants to check out the software's latest and greatest features, this update to the bestselling 3ds Max book on the market continues to be the most comprehensive reference on this highly complex application.

- Packed with expert advice, timesaving tips, and more than 150 step-by-step tutorials
- 16-page color insert highlights the work of some of today’s most cutting-edge 3D artists
- Includes a companion DVD with a searchable, full-color version of the 3ds Max Bible, as well as customizable models and textures

The only comprehensive reference-tutorial on 3ds Max, it's no wonder the 3ds Max Bible is the bestselling 3ds Max book in the world and a favorite of both amateur and professional animators.

Blender Studio Projects: Digital Movie-Making

Learn how to get professional results from Blender

Start from scratch-the way it happens in the studio-and create fully rendered objects with Blender open-source 3D animation software and this real-world, roll-up-your-sleeves guide. No time is wasted-this book plunges straight into step-by-step instruction designed to help you build skills and create solid assets for film, video, and games.

Blender is gaining clout in professional settings, and you can get a running start with this series of hands-on tutorials that encompasses multiple disciplines. The book includes a DVD with starter, intermediate, and final files, as well as movie files to help you every step of the way.


- Helps you harness Blender, the free, open-source alternative to commercial CG packages such as Maya and 3ds Max
- Presents projects that start from scratch and encompass multiple disciplines, thoroughly teaching you the Blender software
- Shows you how to use Blender attributes and tools for professional results
- Allows you to emerge with finished, renderable objects and assets for use in film, video, or games
- Includes a DVD with starter, intermediate, and final files, plus movie files for reference

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Introducing Maya 2011

A practical, step-by-step guide to Maya 2011

Four previous editions can’t be wrong: this book is the perfect introduction to 3D and Maya. Learn to build and animate your own digital models and scenes with step-by-step instruction and fun and practical examples, while you draw inspiration from the striking examples included from talented Maya users. You’ll create a simple animation of the planets in the solar system, learn to model a human hand and a decorative box—among other projects—and master all essential tools.


- Provides a thorough, step-by-step introduction to Maya 2011
- Explains the core concepts of CG and working in 3D
- Covers modeling, rigging, HDRI lighting, mental ray rendering, and more
- Provides project files on CD and walks you through the creation of several projects; the CD also includes images, movies, and scene files
- Includes a color insert with pages of striking examples from talented Maya beginners

Build your Maya and animation skills from the ground up with this practical, thorough guide.
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Maya Studio Projects: Game Environments and Props

Use Maya to create realistic environments and props for digital games

Weapons, vehicles, tools, buildings, trees, plants, walls, ceilings, and floors-these items may seem secondary to the game environment, but they are integral parts of the game and they all need to be created. Maya Studio Projects: Game Environments and Props is a step-by-step project guide to creating some of the most popular game art.

Author Michael McKinley shares techniques for getting the most out of Maya to create realistic, vivid, and compelling worlds and otherworldly props. Along the way, he provides notes and FYIs that give readers depth and breadth for bringing both reality and creativity to their game art. A bonus DVD features step-by-step videos to help drive home concepts.


- The Studio Projects series offers projects that start from nothing, just as they do in the studio; these books provide you with a step-by-step guide to software attributes and tools that encompass multiple disciplines so that you can create a finished, renderable object
- Many games have only a few characters, and multiple levels and environments, and hundreds of props-this book focuses on projects and techniques for creating everything but the character
- Maya is the top 3D app for creating console and computer games such as: Rock Band, Gears of War, James Bond: Quantum of Solace, Fallout 3, and Far Cry 2

Learn effective Maya studio techniques with this handy, step-by-step, full-color book.

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Android Application Development For Dummies

The fun and friendly guide to creating applications on the Android platform

The popularity of the Android market is soaring with no sign of slowing down. The open nature of the Android OS offers programmers the freedom to access the platform's capabilities and this straightforward guide walks you through the steps for creating amazing Android applications. Android programming expert Donn Felker explains how to download the SDK, get Eclipse up and running, code Android applications, and submit your finished products to the Android Market. Featuring two sample programs, this introductory book explores everything from the simple basics to more advanced aspects of the Android platform.


- Takes you soup through nuts of developing applications for the Android platform
- Begins with downloading the SDK, then explains how to code Android applications and submit projects to the Android Market
- Written by Android guru Donn Felker, who breaks every aspect of developing applications for the Android platform into easily digestible pieces

No matter your level of programming experience, Android Application Development For Dummies is an ideal guide for getting started with developing applications for the Android platform.

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