Quick take
When you're preparing for a software design course or studying Adobe tools on your own, the book you choose can shape how quickly you pick up Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and Flash. These four titles take different paths: one all-in-one CS6 volume, two Dreamweaver-focused editions from the Web Collection series, and one comprehensive Flash CS4 reference. Listed prices run from $27.49 to $142.95, so your decision depends on how broad your learning goals are, which condition you want, and whether you prefer a single-tool deep dive or a multi-tool survey. A beginner building a base in all three tools will weigh that choice differently than a student who needs one specific Adobe program for a course module.
Listed-price comparison
| Product | Listed Price | Price Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe CS6 Web Tools | USD 27.49 | |
| The Web Collection Revealed Premium Edition | USD 28.95 | |
| The Web Collection Revealed Premium Edition, Hardcover | USD 28.99 | |
| New Perspectives on Adobe Flash CS4 Professional | USD 142.95 |
Decision matrix
| Product | Consider It If You Want |
|---|---|
| Adobe CS6 Web Tools | A single book covering Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and Flash |
| The Web Collection Revealed Premium Edition | A Dreamweaver-focused guide from the Web Collection series |
| The Web Collection Revealed Premium Edition, Hardcover | A Web Collection Dreamweaver guide in Brand New condition |
| New Perspectives on Adobe Flash CS4 Professional | A comprehensive deep-dive into Flash CS4 |
Product Notes
#### Adobe CS6 Web Tools
At $27.49, the Adobe CS6 Web Tools trade paperback is the lowest-priced title in this lineup. It is the only one of these four books to combine Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and Flash in a single volume, with authors Barbara Waxer, Sherry Bishop, and Chris Botello. The copy here is marked New Edition and arrives in Very Good condition, so the text should be readable but the book may show signs of prior use. If your goal is a broad starting point across all three classic Adobe web tools without buying separate books, this is the most direct route. The trade-off is that this is a pre-owned copy and the content targets CS6, not a newer release.
#### The Web Collection Revealed Premium Edition
This trade paperback is listed at $28.95 and focuses specifically on Adobe Dreamweaver. The author list includes James Shuman, Sherry Bishop, James E. Shuman, Jim Shuman, and Elizabeth Eisner Reding, giving it a team-written instructional approach. If your study plan centers on Dreamweaver rather than a general Adobe survey, this title keeps your attention on that one application. The listing describes the copy as Very Good condition, so it should be a readable used volume. The limitation is that it does not cover Photoshop or Flash, meaning you will need a second resource if those tools are also part of your software design coursework.
#### The Web Collection Revealed Premium Edition, Hardcover
Listed at $28.99, this hardcover edition sits close in price to the paperback above but arrives in Brand New condition. The authors are Sherry Bishop, James E. Shuman, and Elizabeth Eisner Reding, and the content targets Adobe Dreamweaver CS4. If you prefer a fresh, never-used volume and want the Web Collection series' approach to Dreamweaver, this hardcover is a strong choice. The catch is that it is a single-tool guide, so Photoshop and Flash are not included. The CS4 focus also means the instructions reference an older Dreamweaver version, which is worth factoring into your decision.
#### New Perspectives on Adobe Flash CS4 Professional
At $142.95, this is the highest-priced book of the four, and it is also the most specialized. The trade paperback is described as Like New, so the pages should be in very clean shape. Authors Luis A. Lopez and Robin M. Romer delivered a comprehensive Flash CS4 reference, which suits a learner who wants an in-depth treatment of that exact version. If Flash CS4 is your main focus and you need thorough coverage, the higher listed price buys you a robust single-volume resource. The limitation is that this book does not extend to Dreamweaver or Photoshop, and it is tied specifically to Flash CS4 rather than later Adobe tools.
Final recommendation by use case
If you need one book that introduces Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and Flash together, the Adobe CS6 Web Tools guide is the pick. For a Dreamweaver-focused study route, the Web Collection Revealed Premium Edition paperback gets you there. If you want the same Dreamweaver content in a new hardcover, choose the Web Collection Revealed Premium Edition, Hardcover. And if Flash CS4 is your sole priority, the New Perspectives on Adobe Flash CS4 Professional comprehensive volume is the deeper investment.
