Comprehensive Photoshop CS4 Training (5 days)

Comprehensive Photoshop CS4 Training Course Overview

This comprehensive Adobe Photoshop training course will take students new to Photoshop CS4 through the basics of modifying existing photographs and create their own graphics up through using advanced layer and compositing techniques and learning to produce consistent color for print output. This course can also be taught using an older version of Photoshop.

Comprehensive Photoshop CS4 Training Course Goals

• Get to know the Photoshop CS4 workarea
• Learn to use Adobe Bridge
• Learn to work with the different selection tools
• Learn to work with colors, painting and retouching
• Learn to use Photoshop layers effectively
• Learn advanced features of Photoshop CS4
• Learn to work with filters
• Learn to create images for the Web and for video
• Learn to work in 3D

Comprehensive Photoshop CS4 Training Course Prerequisites

Experience in the following areas is required:

• Experience with basic software programs such as Microsoft Word

Comprehensive Photoshop CS4 Training Course Outline

1. Exploring Photoshop
   1. Taking a look at the final project
   2. Starting the composition
   3. Using the new Mask panel
   4. Adding a graphic image with the Clone tool
   5. Adding an adjustment layer to the composition
   6. Adding a text layer
   7. Making a 3D postcard
   8. Converting multiple layers into one smart object layer
   9. Turning your image into a 3D texture
2. Getting to Know the Workspace
   1. Opening an existing document in Adobe Bridge
   2. Discovering the Tools panel
   3. Hidden tools
   4. Navigating the image area
   5. Using the Zoom tool
   6. Using the Hand tool
   7. Using the Rotate View tool
   8. Tabbed windows
   9. Using panels
   10. Putting the new panel system to u
   11. Choosing other panels
   12. Expanding your panels
   13. Customizing your panels
3. Using Adobe Bridge
   1. What is Adobe Bridge?
   2. Navigating through Bridge
   3. Using folders in Adobe Bridge
   4. Making a Favorite
   5. Creating and locating metadata
   6. Using keywords
   7. Opening a file from Adobe Bridge
   8. Searching for Files Using Adobe Bridge
   9. Searching by name or keyword
   10. Using the Filter panel
   11. Automation tools in Adobe Bridge
   12. Automated tools for Photoshop
   13. Web Photo Gallery
   14. Saving or uploading your Web Gallery
   15. Automated tools for Photoshop: PDF contact sheet
   16. Changing the view
   17. Adobe Bridge Home
4. The Basics of Working with Photoshop
   1. A look at the finished project
   2. Opening an existing document
   3. Understanding document settings
   4. Viewing an image’s size and resolution
   5. Combining the images
   6. Using Copy and Paste
   7. Dragging and dropping to copy an image
   8. Transforming and editing combined images
   9. Changing the size of a placed image
   10. Removing a background
   11. Understanding the stacking order of layers
   12. Refining the edges of copied images
   13. Adding text
   14. Saving files
   15. Understanding file formats
   16. Choosing a file format
   17. Saving a JPEG file
   18. Saving for print
   19. Changing the color settings
   20. Adjusting image size
   21. Saving a Photoshop PDF file
5. Making the Best Selections
   1. The importance of a good selection
   2. Using the Marquee tools
   3. Creating a square selection
   4. Creating a selection from a center point
   5. Changing a selection into a layer
   6. Working with the Magic Wand tool
   7. The Lasso tool
   8. Adding to and subtracting from selections
   9. Using the Quick Selection tool
   10. Understanding the Refine Selection Edge feature
   11. Using Quick Mask
   12. Saving selections
   13. Copying and pasting a selection
   14. Using the Pen tool for selections
   15. Using the Pen tool to select an area of an image
   16. More Pen tool selection techniques
   17. Converting a path to a selection
6. Painting and Retouching
   1. Setting up your color settings
   2. Color primer
   3. Understanding color gamut
   4. The RGB color model
   5. The CMYK color model
   6. Why you will work in the RGB mode
   7. Editing color settings
   8. Selecting colors
   9. Starting to paint
   10. Using the Color panel
   11. Using the Brush tool
   12. Changing opacity
   13. Save time—learn the shortcuts
   14. Applying color to an image
   15. Changing blending modes
   16. The Eyedropper tool
   17. Retouching images
   18. Using the Clone Stamp tool
   19. Repairing fold lines
   20. The History panel
   21. The Spot Healing Brush
   22. The Healing Brush
   23. Using the Patch tool
   24. Using the Clone Source panel
   25. Cloning from another source
7. Creating a Good Image
   1. Choosing your color settings
   2. Opening the file
   3. Why you should work in RGB
   4. Reading a histogram
   5. Taking care of that nasty red eye
   6. Making the Curve adjustment
   7. Defining the highlight and shadow
   8. Inputting the white and black point values
   9. Adjusting the midtones
   10. Setting the neutral
   11. Sharpening your image
   12. Comparing your image with the original
   13. Using the Camera Raw plug-in
   14. Using Camera Raw controls
   15. Saving a DNG file
   16. Reopening a DNG file
8. Getting to Know Layers
   1. Discovering layers
   2. The Layers panel
   3. Getting a handle on layers
   4. Creating a new blank file
   5. Naming your layer
   6. Selecting layers
   7. Tips for selecting layers
   8. Moving layers
   9. Changing the visibility of a layer
   10. Using masks in a layer
   11. Preserve transparency
   12. Creating a composition
   13. Moving images in from other documents
   14. Creating a layer mask
   15. Editing the layer mask
   16. Cloning layers
   17. Aligning and distributing layers
   18. Applying filters to layers
   19. Creating a type layer
   20. Applying a layer style
   21. Creating a clipping mask
9. Taking Layers to the Max
   1. Making color changes using adjustment layers
   2. Refining the adjustment layer mask
   3. Adjusting the Hue/Saturation layer
   4. Adding a pattern fill layer
   5. Defining the pattern
   6. Applying the pattern
   7. Using the new Black & White adjustment layer
   8. Adding a tint
   9. Applying a gradient to the adjustment layer
   10. Layer styles
   11. Creating the text layer
   12. Applying the Outer Glow layer style
   13. Applying the Bevel and Emboss layer style
   14. Changing the shading
   15. Changing the fill opacity
   16. Saving the style
   17. Accessing the style
10. Getting Smart in Photoshop
    1. Creating a composition using Smart Objects
    2. Opening an image as a Smart Object
    3. Converting a layer to a Smart Object
    4. Placing a Smart Object
    5. Editing a Smart Object
    6. Editing the contents of a Smart Object
    7. Modifying multiple Smart Object layers
    8. Replacing the contents of a Smart Object layer
    9. Working with Smart Filters
    10. Modifying a Smart Filter
    11. Creating multiple Smart Objects
    12. Working with Illustrator files
11. Using Adobe Photoshop Filters
    1. Filter basics
    2. Starting to use filters
    3. Using the Clouds filter
    4. Using the Filter Gallery
    5. Applying filters in the Gallery
    6. Taking advantage of Smart Filters
    7. Applying a Smart Filter
    8. Smart Filter options
    9. Enabling and disabling effects
    10. Using a filter effects mask
    11. Using the Vanishing Point filter
    12. Building your own perspective planes
    13. Building an attached plane
12. Creating Images for Web and Video
    1. Viewing the completed file
    2. Changing your units of measurement
    3. Creating the web page
    4. Adding the Text
    5. Adding Style to the text
    6. Creating the text for the links
    7. Positioning and distribution of text
    8. Creating slices
    9. Slicing it up
    10. Selecting and combining slices
    11. Applying attributes to your slices
    12. Using Save For Web & Devices
    13. Optimizing the image slices
    14. Saving files for video
    15. Creating animation
    16. Working in Frame mode
    17. Saving an animated GIF
    18. Creating animation for video
    19. Working in Timeline mode
13. Introducing 3D
    1. Creating a 3D object
    2. Getting an image ready for 3D
    3. Wrapping the image around a soda can
    4. Adjusting the lighting
    5. Animating the soda can
    6. Testing your animation

Comprehensive Photoshop CS4 Training Course Materials

Each student will receive a copy of Photoshop CS4 Digital Classroom by Digital Classroom, which will serve as a guide for the class.

Each student will also receive a one-year subscription to Webucator's online reference library, which contains hundreds of the most current electronic technology books - a $149.95 per student value.

Comprehensive Photoshop CS4 Training Course Technical Requirements and Setup Instructions

Click here for technical requirements and setup instructions