Talk about making an impact: Apple¿s Shake compositing and visual effects software has been used in every Academy Award-winning film for visual effects since its debut. It¿s no wonder then that trained Shake artists are in high demand¿and there¿s nowhere better to begin getting that training than with this comprehensive Apple-approved guide (which includes a free 30-day trial version of the $4,000-plus software).

Using step-by-step, hands-on instruction, Hollywood effects wizard Marco Paolini takes you through Shake¿s interface and features, including its color correction tools, tracking and stabilization capabilities, integrated procedural paint and rotoscoping tools, and more. As with the other titles in the Apple Pro Training Series, each chapter in this Apple-authorized guide represents a complete lesson¿with a project to complete, a review section, and bonus exercises to reinforce the lessons. The accompanying DVD includes all of the lesson files needed to complete the book¿s projects. You can work through the book from cover to cover to get an entire course or you can go straight to the lessons that interest you most. Either way, you¿ll find the coverage you need to confront even the most daunting compositing and effects tasks with Shake.