The first chapter covers the interface and introduces the reader to the basic features (layers, the toolbar) as well as tucking on some new additions in CS2 like Smart Objects that allow linking external image files into a Photoshop document.

The next chapter looks at some basic skills like using layer masks, the blending modes, combining two images together, layer transparency, vector shapes, drawing tools.

The following two chapters then concentrate on creating various button styles, from the Mac-inspired ‘Aqua’ buttons to more conservative web buttons that look good without being too flashy.

In the chapter on backgrounds, the reader is shown how to create various backgrounds, from picking photo images that can be tiled as well as synthetic images created with Photoshop’s filters.

This is followed by a chapter on text handling. The reader is shown how to wrap text around an object (such as putting text on an orange or cup), text on a path and various text effects.

In chapter six, the focus is on improving photos and preparing them for use on a website. Examples include matching the colour-cast between several images and combining two images.

The next chapter is on manipulating images, specifically creating effects like isolating part of an image, adding scan lines, putting a photo onto a box.


Chapter eight looks at using Photoshop to design the actual website. This covers using Photoshop for some of the ‘background’ tasks like creating roll-over states for buttons and creating slices from a layout.

Finally, chapter nine covers some advanced Photoshop techniques such as creating actions, saving layer style sets and animated GIFs using Photoshop’s tweening functions.

At about 270 pages, the book covers a lot of territory quite quickly, fortunately there’s illustrations and screen shots on nearly every page. Compared to another Sitepoint book I reviewed earlier, this has a very open layout so it’s easy to scan quickly for what you’re looking for. Who is this book for? Most Photoshop experts will have seen the aqua buttons and tiling images techniques before, but for the web developer who doesn’t spend most of their time in Photoshop, this book should provide the knowledge required to get the job done.