Part IV: Using Layers in Real-World Situations begins with how all that you have learned thus far really works in the real world. This includes creating alternate versions of your documents, flattening documents, using Photoshop in a team, and alternate ways of achieving the same goals. Then you will see how to use Layers in other applications such as QuarkXPress, Illustrator, and Flash.

If the prior chapters focused on the technical aspects of Layers, then you now begin to look at the more practical side. First you examine how to design with layers. This includes building a web page layout, creating a brochure, and producing a flyer. Next you see how to manipulate photographs by using layers. Here you see how to improve contrast, correct color casts, adjusting skin, and work with the new Auto-Align feature in CS3. Finally you work with posters, calendars, and other types of projects.

Part V: Appendixes explores what comes on the included CD-Rom disk: the author-created materials, a PDF version of this book, and more than 90 stock images. There is also a section that highlights the Photoshop short cut keys for manipulating layers.

Photoshop CS3 Layers Bible is a really good reference book about how to use Layers within Photoshop. It breaks everything down into easy to use and understandable language. It has quite a bit to offer for many on many different levels especially those new to Photoshop.

I do wish that the book was printed in color; yes there is a color section that shows a number of the concepts in color, but the majority of the book is in black and white print. Another thing is that the disk included is a CD-Rom as opposed to a DVD and so not all of the images included are of high quality; they are 72 dpi, and not all of the Photoshop files used in the creation of screen captures are included. I wish that a DVD had been used to include all of these.

The upside of the CD-Rom; and to me is a really big upside, is the inclusion of a searchable PDF version of the book that you can keep on your computer and when you need to find something, you don't have to muddle through the book trying to remember where it was located at. Photoshop CS3 Layers Bible will take your ability to use and manipulated layers to an all new level and makes a great reference book.