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Comprehensive Photoshop CS4 Training

Delivery Options

Class Description

Class 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.

Class 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

Class 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 and 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

Class Materials

All students receive a course manual or book and all the class examples.

Students in private onsite classes will also receive:

  • Photoshop CS4 Digital Classroom

Class Prerequisites

Experience in the following areas is required:

  • Experience with basic software programs such as Microsoft Word

Technical Requirements

Our computer technical requirements and setup process is easy, with support just a click away.

Client Success
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  2. Client List
  3. Testimonials
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