As far as sequels go, Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 belongs in the ranks of The Godfather: Part II – a sequel that improves on the original. What made the first release of Elements so impressive wasn't that it was especially easy to use; it was how much of Photoshop's power you could get for such a low price. Elements 2.0, however, takes big steps forward in both power and ease.

Photoshop Elements 2.0 For Dummies explains this program from the ground up, assuming that you know absolutely nothing about the program or even about image editing in general. But step by step, concept by concept, tool by tool, you'll gradually work through a thorough examination of Photoshop Elements 2.0 and the incredible things it can do for your images.

While this book is organized in logical order, with the lofty idea that you'll read it cover to cover, the best thing about Photoshop Elements 2.0 For Dummies is that you don't have to. Feel free to skip around if you get restless. You'll gain insight into

• Getting to know the Photoshop tools and palettes
• Editing your images
• Saving your files in proper format
• Making a bad image better
• Painting and distorting your images

Just as one CD contains both the Windows and Mac versions of Elements, so this one book tells both Windows and Mac users everything they need to know to use Elements on their system of choice. And because Elements 2.0 runs on both Windows XP and Mac OS X, we've also updated the figures in this book to show off the spiffy look of these two new operating systems.

As an Elements user, you've got a whole lot of Photoshop power coiled up inside your computer, waiting for you to discover how to harness it. Photoshop Elements 2.0 For Dummies is your guide for doing just that.