But what makes this book one that will keep by your computer is very clear writing, examples that cover all the fundamentals, and a clean layout. This book is great for basics, although even experienced users will appreciate "The Zen Illustrator" instructions that help you "think" and "see" in Illustrator. You start by creating basic shapes by using various methods, all the while to be very agile with the pens, pathfinder palette, and other equipment. Then, there Finger Dance: a set of keyboard fingerings that will bring you back to your lessons. other lessons including drawing and coloring method, create an image of isometric, pattern and image vector, using distort filters, mapping techniques, extensive use of new tools Illustrator CS's typography, blends, gradients, transparencies, preparing artwork for use in Flash, designing pages web Illustrator, and more. In addition to in-quick-track on the Zen and Finger Dance (where you learn by looking more than reading), there's a nifty spread showing all the options in the Pathfinder palette and other special techniques that show that can be achieved with a brush. And there is the withdrawal of useful glossary of terms and summary explanations of all steps in the Finger Dance. There are techniques from accomplished artists and the galleries displaying their works. Highlights include paintings expressionist Marc LaMantia's New York City, made of carefully tracing over photos in Illustrator using the pen tool; mindblowing Ann Paidrick's, plate realistic glistening tomatoes and olives, and illustrations awesome Yukio Miyamoto about cats, horn France, and motorcycle, so detailed , you can not believe they are vector based.