Advice on learning Adobe programs

[SiouxJ]

I need to become proficient at Photoshop, Illustrator etc. and there are no classes offered in my area. I've been searching the sites that offer training CD's on-line but I can't decide which one to go with. The actual software I have is Creative Suite 2 but I mainly need to learn Illustator and Photoshop. I have designed websites and am proficient at Publisher so I am not a novice with computers, but I am with Adobe software. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[canetoad]

1. Recommended Books

SAMS teach yourself books are great value, much more informative than the ubiquitous .....for Dummies.

Luckily Illustrator and photshop have similar interfaces, so that cuts the learning curve. There are plenty of online tutorials etc, but I've found many of them to be task specific. A couple of sessions at the computer with a SAMS should get you up and running.

They have a website, but the books may be found second hand on eBay. www.samspublishing.com.

Even if you cannot find the particular Illustrator & Photoshop CS books, a recent, previous version will still show you most of what you need, ie. Illustrator 10 or PS 7.

[SiouxJ]

2. Awesome advice

thank you!

[Control-Z]

3. Lynda.com may have Adobe tutorials

I haven't been there for a while but as I recall, they offer unlimited tutorials for the duration of a month or an entire year - for varying fees.

The Classroom in a Book series is also quite good and is usually available right off the shelf at any large book store.

[SiouxJ]

4. Thank you . . .

I'll look into Lynda.com too.