Adobe Photoshop Core Skills: Level 1

Adobe software is virtually the same on the Mac and PC platforms. When taking this class from one of our locations, it will be taught using PC hardware with Windows software. Minor Mac keyboard and interface differences will be highlighted by the instructor. When taking this course from home or office, students can use either PC or Mac hardware to attach to the hosted Windows-based Adobe software.

Overview
This class includes a thorough review of the Photoshop interface including how to use tools and panels, and how to customize and save workspaces.

Core skills you will gain in this course include an understanding of strategies for retouching photographs, how to determine resolution and image size, how to straighten and crop images, and adjust color and tone.

You will learn to work with many of the selection tools in Photoshop to isolate parts of images for adjustment or editing. You will learn how to use layers, and how to apply gradients, styles and effects to layers. In addition to using selection tools, using masks and channels is an important Photoshop skill to create composite images or isolate parts of images. You will learn to create and edit masks and channels in this class.

Finally, you will learn how to use type in Photoshop, including how to create clipping masks from type, create type on a path, create paragraph text, warp point type, and create vertical text.

Version Note
Our Creative Cloud classes upgrade to the latest CC version as soon as new training materials are released from Adobe. Typically new content is available within 2 to 4 months of a software release.

Preparing for Certification
Our Adobe classes use "Official Training Workbooks from Adobe" which are in alignment with the Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) exams. For individuals seeking certification, we offer Certification Bundles which include training, practice exams, certification study guides, and test vouchers--everything that you will need to successfully obtain Adobe certification.

Target Student
This course is appropriate for beginners and for anyone who is self taught on the basics of Photoshop. Quite often even experienced users find they benefit from a Core Skills: Level 1 class to fill in the gaps in their knowledge.

Prerequisites
Basic computer and file management skills are required for Core Skills level Adobe courses. Students should know how to - locate, copy and open files; create folders; arrange, re-size, minimize and maximize application windows; start and exit programs; manage use of multiple programs simultaneously; and switch between open programs.

Course Outline:

Getting to Know the Work Area

• Starting to work in Adobe Photoshop
• Using the tools
• Sampling a color
• Working with tools and tool properties
• Undoing actions in Photoshop
• More about panels and panel locations

Basic Photo Corrections

• Strategy for retouching
• Resolution and image size
• Opening a file with Adobe Bridge
• Straightening and cropping the image in Photoshop
• Adjusting the color and tone
• Using the Spot Healing Brush tool
• Applying a content-aware patch
• Repairing areas with the Clone Stamp tool
• Sharpening the image

Working with Selections

• About selecting and selection tools
• Getting started
• Using the Quick Selection tool
• Moving a selected area
• Manipulating selections
• Using the Magic Wand tool
• Selecting with the lasso tools
• Rotating a selection
• Selecting with the Magnetic Lasso tool
• Selecting from a center point
• Resizing and copying a selection
• Cropping an image

Layer Basics

• About layers
• Getting started
• Using the Layers panel
• Rearranging layers
• Applying a gradient to a layer
• Applying a layer style
• Adding an adjustment layer
• Updating layer effects
• Adding a border
• Flattening and saving files

Masks and Channels

• Working with masks and channels
• Getting started
• Using Select and Mask
• Creating a quick mask
• Manipulating an image with Puppet Warp
• Using an alpha channel to create a shadow

Typographic Design

• About type
• Getting started
• Creating a clipping mask from type
• Creating type on a path
• Warping point type
• Designing paragraphs of type
• Adding a rounded rectangle
• Adding vertical text