Adobe Photoshop CS4 Fundamentals & Essentials

Description

This Adobe Photoshop CS4 Fundamentals & Essentials training course is ideal because it covers basic techniques in Adobe Photoshop. Learn how to retouch digital photos, work with layers and masks, navigate the workspace, prepare images print and explore the latest features. Tips, extra-credit exercises, and step-by-step lessons help you become more productive using Photoshop. Learn to correct and enhance digital photos, create image composites, transform images in perspective, and prepare images for print and web. Combine images for extended depth of field and try out the new 3D features in Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended.

The manual you receive in this class has a lot of additional training material, below is what we're able to cover from that material in a 2-day session. If you're looking for more advanced Photoshop training, please see the Advanced Photoshop CS4 outline.

You may send us specific topics you'd like to cover and we'll tweak the class to help satisfy your needs.

Audience

To gain the most from this Adobe Photoshop class, you should:

Be familiar with Windows or Mac OS X.
Bring samples of your work to class.

Course Length

2 Days

Course Outline

Unit 1: Getting to Know the Work Area

Lesson overview
Starting to work in Adobe Photoshop
Using the tools
Using the tool options bar and other palettes
Undoing actions in Photoshop
Customizing the workspace
Finding resources for using Photoshop
Checking for updates
Review questions and answers

Unit 2: Basic Photo Corrections

Lesson overview
Strategy for photo retouching
Resolution and image size
Straightening and cropping images
Making automatic adjustments
Removing a color cast
Manually adjusting the color range
Replacing colors in an image
Adjusting lightness with the Dodge tool
Adjusting saturation with the Sponge tool
Comparing automatic and manual results
Repairing areas with the clone stamp tool
Using the spot healing brush tool
Using the healing brush and patch tools
Applying the unsharp mask filter
Saving the image for four-color printing
Review questions and answers

Unit 3: Working with Selections

Lesson overview
About selecting and selection tools
Getting started
Using the Quick selection tool
Moving a selected area
Manipulating selections
Using the Magic Wand
Selecting with the Lasso tools
Rotating a selection
Selecting with the Magnetic Lasso tool
Cropping an image and erasing within a selection
Refining the edge of a selection
Review questions and answers

Unit 4: Layer Basics

Lesson overview
About layers
Getting started
Using the Layers panel
Rearranging layers
Applying a gradient to a layer
Applying a layer style
Flattening and saving files
Review questions and answers

Unit 6: Correcting and Enhancing Digital Photographs

Lesson overview
Getting started
About Camera Raw
Processing files in Camera Raw
Correcting digital photographs in Photoshop
Editing images with a vanishing-point perspective
Correcting image distortion
Adding depth of field
Creating a PDF image gallery
Review questions and answers

Unit 7: Typographic Design

Lesson overview
About type
Getting started
Creating a clipping mask from type
Creating a design element from type
Using interactive formatting controls
Warping point type
Designing a paragraph of type
Warping a layer
Review questions and answers

Unit 8: Vector Drawing Techniques

Lesson overview
About bitmap images and vector graphics
About paths and the Pen tool
Getting started
Using paths with artwork
Creating vector objects for the background
Working with defined custom shapes
Importing a Smart Object
Review questions and answers

Unit 9: Advanced Layering

Lesson overview
Getting started
Clipping a layer to a shape
Setting up a Vanishing Point grid
Creating your own keyboard shortcuts
Placing imported artwork
Adding artwork in perspective
Adding a layer style
Placing the side panel artwork
Adding more artwork in perspective
Adding an adjustment layer
Working with layer comps
Managing layers
Flattening a layered image
Merging layers and layer groups
Stamping layers
Review questions and answers

Unit 10: Advanced Compositing

Lesson overview
Getting started
Assembling a montage of images
Applying filters
Hand-coloring selections on a layer
Applying Smart Filters
Adding drop shadows and a border
Matching color schemes across images
Automating a multi-step task
Stitching a Panorama
Review questions and answers

(If time permits, the following topics may be covered)...

Unit 11: Preparing Files for the Web

Lesson overview
Getting started
Selecting a web design workspace
Creating slices
Adding animation
Animating a layer style
Exporting HTML and images
Using the Zoomify feature
Creating a web gallery
Review questions and answers

Unit 12: Working with 3D Images

Lesson overview
Getting started
Creating a 3D shape from a layer
Manipulating 3D objects
Using the 3D panel to adjust lighting and surface texture
Merging two-dimensional layers onto 3D layers
Importing 3D files
Merging 3D layers to share the same 3D space
Adding a spot light
Painting on a 3D object
Adding 3D text
Creating a 3D postcard
Review questions and answers