The 5.5 release of Adobe's comprehensive compositing and visual effects tool offers a wide range of special effects options to the digital video maker. It features new 3D tools, brand new effects and increased productivity and workflow management. This title seeks to bring you everything that this version has to offer, both Standard Version and Production Bundle and should teach you everything you need to have sheer digital beauty, on your desktop, in the palm of your hand.

2002-05-21 Enjoy surfacing at the deep end when you can barely swim...

This book is going to be a constant source of reference for me and will not be consigned as the usual dust gatherer on the shelf that some other "Tutorial" Volumes now find themselves taking up residence in my home library shelves.
I'll start with a criticism...I couldn't wait to jump straight in to the deep end and get stuck into those juicy Case Studies, much meaty content here and almost wanted to read the book from finish to start (if you know what I mean). The area covered in this book is focused but you can really apply it to loads of exercises that you or your client will want you to undertake. It's easy to read, very easy to understand and the amount of visual step-by-step tables enable you to grasp the most simple & complex usages fairly quickly.
This book is about jumping in at the deep end when you fear you can't swim and learning how quickly you can surface. All in all, I've found that I can now quickly navigate my way around the After FX program and don't feel as totally awestruck (or is it dumbstruck) as I was when first presented with the menu.
As a novice to After Fx I feel totally inadequate in reviewing this title, but my main comment would be that having looked at other tomes & training books on this subject, this one has been a feast rather than a famine. Okay, I have to read & re-read, but each time I do so my understanding of the After FX system is increased, a rare case where repitition & revision are actually enjoyable rather than a chore.

Can't wait to fully delve into the case studies included on the CD.

The authors seem to totally understand your eagerness to get into the dynamics of the program but use their skills to hold the reins and guide you through a step-by-step approach, a sort of distance discipline, which I really appreciate.

Maybe this review of the book is of little help (from a novice)to those who are concerned in shelving out yet more money! But for me this book has to get a definite thumbs up...why? because I'm still using it to keep advancing....it is useful for all levels of learning, and a great resource!