Books don’t just appear on the bookshelves by themselves. Thanks to all the folks at Sams Publishing, and to Betsy Brown, Songlin Qiu, Heather Wilkins, and Mandie Frank for their professional and untiring help in publishing this book. Words simply cannot describe the admiration and appreciation I have for John Ray, who assisted in updating most of the book for this CS3 version. John’s knowledge and personality show in his work. Simply put, this edition would not be possible without his dedication and support. Special thanks to Kate Binder, who not only helped make sure this book was technically accurate, but offered valuable advice as well.

This book is a work that finds its words shaped from years of experience and friendship. Thanks to Sharon Steuer, Sandee Cohen, David Blatner, and Bert Monroy for your continued support.

There’s no way that I could have possibly completed a project of this magnitude without the support from my friends at Adobe. While it’s impossible to list everyone, there are some folks for which a blanket “thanks to everyone at Adobe” statement simply won’t do. Thank you to Ginna Baldassarre, Lydia Varmazis, Will Eisley, John Nack, Addy Roff, Kevin Connor, Lynn Grillo, Whitney McCleary, Phil Guindi, Terry Hemphill, and Julieanne Kost.

I can’t offer enough thanks to Dave Mainwaring and the entire membership of the Print Planet forums. It’s a fun place to be, and I guarantee that I learn more from you guys than what you learn from me.

To the Wrotslavsky family, who welcomed me as one of their own over 12 years ago (and who still willingly admit to that fact today).

For all the times I asked him silly questions, like why the sky is blue, my father has forever earned the right to ask me how to create a mask in Photoshop (and other assorted technical support questions). My mother continues to serve as my role model for everything I do.

Of course, this book would not have been possible without the love and support of my wife, Batsheva, and my children, Chayala, Simcha Bunim, and Chavi. I’m one lucky man.

Mordy