Virtual Media: A Step-By-Step Techniques Guide - Softcover

As a collection of case studies, Virtual Media surveys the work of 12 artists who work in differing styles and who employ a vast range of methods using applications like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Painter. The artists achieve finished works that don't look like mere digital manipulations. In fact, some of the compositions completely hide their digital origins and give the illusion of being hand-crafted, for example, illustrator Chet Phillip's use of scratch board tools within Painter or collage assembler Lisa Johnston's evocative and surreal layering of distorted photographic images.

The artists walk through the construction of their respective illustrations, beginning with the first pencil sketches. At every step are screen shots of many phases of the process, including the drop-down menu commands. This gives the book the feeling, look, and pace of a video tutorial and makes even the most involved image seem doable.

Readers should note that Virtual Media does assume a basic working knowledge of the applications showcased by the artists. Sidebars elaborate on the artists' special tricks, for example, applying a "gaussian" blur along the "seam" of two images or using the eraser tool instead of the feather command to blur an edge.

Using artwork from a myriad of styles, the book exposes the secrets behind the digital magic, and it may just help you carry out your own vision or inspire you to try your hand at some new tricks. --Angelynn Grant

Topics covered: techniques, tips, filters, and effects using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, MetaCreations Fractal Painter, Adobe Dimensions, Expression Tools' Shade, Pixar Typestry, RayDream Designer, and Cheap Video Trick; computer-generated illustration; digital collage; 3D modeling; and typographic imaging