Photoshop CS5 Advanced

Course Description:

Photoshop CS5 delivers the utmost power and creative control with the next generation of advanced tools for outstanding image manipulation and superior compositing. It redefines image editing with a strong focus on photography, including breakthrough selection capabilities, content-aware fill options, state-of-the-art processing of raw images, advanced creative control of High Dynamic Range (HDR) imagery, automated lens corrections, powerful free-form transformations, new painting technology, and a sweeping range of workflow and performance enhancements that boost productivity at every step.

Photoshop CS5 Extended is a super-set of tools and features made for professionals who want to push the boundaries of digital imaging. It delivers all the editing, compositing, and painting capabilities of Photoshop CS5 plus powerful new features for creating stunning 3D artwork from selections, graphics, and type with direct control over lighting, materials, and meshes.

Our two day course takes you to the next level and allows you to take advantage of the power and scope of Photoshop CS5.

Course Outline:

Lesson 1: General

• Working with Bridge and mini-bridge
• Managing presets
• Setting up Preferences
• Color Settings - working with color for the screen and for print, customising colour settings, embedding color profiles

Lesson 2: Selection techniques

• A comprehensive look at selection techniques including:
• Color Range
• Refine Edge
• Quick Mask and Rubylith mode
• Using Alpha channels to generate selections
• Using keyboard shortcuts to speed up the selection process

Lesson 3: Layers

• Adjustment and fill layers
• Working with layer Groups
• Using Blending modes
• Smart Objects - placing content as Smart Objects, creating your own Smart Objects from existing layers, non-destructive transformations, nesting

Lesson 4: Masking techniques

• Understanding the principals behind using masks for selectively revealing or hiding various layers
• Generating Layer Masks from selections, gradients, by painting and more
• Copying masks between layers
• Applying masks to layer groups
• Working with Vector masks
• Clipping Masks: applying to adjustments and to other types of layers, clipping multiple layers

Lesson 5: Effects and Filters

• Smart Filters: converting layers for Smart Filters, blending options and masks
• Layer styles - creating and editing styles, going into depth with style parameters for plastic, metal and other effects
• Fill opacity and advanced blending options

Lesson 6: Channels

• Understanding document color channels
• Saving selections as Alpha Channels
• Editing channels
• Filters that use channels

Lesson 7: Shape Layers

• Creating and editing shapes
• Drawing accurate paths
• Converting paths to selections
• Combining shapes
• Saving custom shape presets

Lesson 8: Type

• Understanding the type tools
• Type on paths and in areas
• Type layers as masks and more

Lesson 9: 3D

• Using Repoussé to create 3D content from Text, Shape layers and other content
• Creating standard shapes from layers
• Creating 3D postcard layers
• Combining 3D elements, creating reflections and shadows, tricks with opacity masks

Lesson 10: Other topics

• Working with the ‘Brush Engine’, modifying and designing your own brushes, special effects with brushes
• Transformations - pixels, paths and selections, tips and tricks with free transform