Content Outline and Competencies:

I. The Work Area and Image File Management
   A. Use the tools, tool options bar and palettes
   B. Customize the workspace
   C. Use Adobe Photoshop Help
   D. Open, save, and organize images
   E. Automate routine file management tasks
   F. Acquire stock photography

II. Basic Photo Corrections
   A. Work through the retouching workflow
   B. Change the image’s size and resolution
   C. Straighten and crop an image
   D. Make automatic image adjustments
   E. Manually adjust the tonal range of an image
   F. Remove an image’s color cast
   G. Replace colors in an image
   H. Adjust lightness and saturation
   I. Sharpen an image
   J. Save an image for four-color printing

III. Retouching and Repairing Digital Photographs and Images
   A. Use a variety of tools to repair/replace areas of an image
   B. Apply retouching techniques to an image on a separate layer
   C. Analyze scanned images for resolution and image dimensions
   D. Prepare images using various outputs such as print, screen, and Web

IV. Working with Selections
   A. Use selection tools to create a color-based selection
   B. Use selection tools to create a shape-based selection
   C. Combine selection tools and techniques
   D. Move, Copy, Transform and rotate a selection

V. Layer Basics
   A. Use the layers palette to view, create and rearrange layers
   B. Apply a layer style and a blending mode to a layer
   C. Edit text on a text layer
   D. Compare and save a fully-layered file and a flattened layer file

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Create and Organize Text Elements
   A. Create and save, duplicate and move a document.
   B. Duplicate and move a document.
   C. Import text from three different applications.
   D. Alter typeface, style, point size and leading.
   E. Move text using the Control palette.
   F. Move text from one text box to another.
   G. Link text from one text box to another.
   H. Add a ruled line and space after paragraph.
   I. Create a baseline shift and offset for a line of text.
   J. Divide text into multiple columns.
   K. Create a hanging indent.
   L. Create right justified numbers for paragraphs.
   M. Add right and left tabs.
   N. Alter margin settings.
   O. Create multiple pages.
   P. Create textwraps around objects.
   Q. Alter document setup attributes.
   R. Spell-check a document.
   S. Add a master page and alter page guides.
   T. Scale type.
   U. Kern type.
   V. Create and apply styles.
   W. Convert text to an outline.
   X. Fill a text outline with a graphic image.
   Y. Add a stroke to an outline of text.
   Z. Print a document.

II. Create and Import Graphic Elements
   A. Import graphic images.
   B. Draw graphic shapes.
   C. Merge graphic shapes.
   D. Create gradients.
   E. Group objects.
   F. Scale objects.
   G. Rotate objects.
   H. Lock objects.
   I. Impose pages for printing.
   J. Create Bézier paths and shapes.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Draw simple paths
   A. Draw a straight line
   B. Create a path with a Bozier curve
   C. Create paths combining Bozier paths and straight line segments
   D. Turn on a built-in grid
   E. Draw straight and Bozier paths using the built-in grid

II. Draw shapes with Bozier curves 
   A. Convert smooth anchor points to corner anchor points 
   B. Convert corner anchor points to smooth anchor points 
   C. Create a compound path 
   D. Divide shapes 
   E. Duplicate shapes using the transform function 
   F. Add and delete anchor points

III. Work with layers
   A. Toggle layer visibility on and off
   B. Create a new layer 
   C. Delete a layer 
   D. Duplicate a layer
   E. Name and rename a layer 
   F. Toggle a layer's visibility on and off
   G. Move an object from one layer to another
   H. Outline a path
   I. Create a dashed line
   J. Lock and unlock an object
   K. Lock an unlock a layer
   L. Mask objects

IV. Work with type
   A. Create, resize, move and delete text boxes
   B. Specify font, size, style and color of type elements 
   C. Kern pairs of letters 
   D. Scale type uniformly and non-uniformly 
   E. Add type along a path 
   F. Import text 
   G. Link text boxes 
   H. Wrap text around an object 
   I. Convert text to an outline
   J. Mask an imported graphic image with type
   K. Distort the compound path of outlined type

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Masks and Channels

A. Refine a selection using a quick mask.

B. Save a selection as a channel mask.

C. View, modify, load a saved mask using the Channels palette.

D. Make an intricate selection using the Extract command.

E. Create and use a gradient mask.

II. Correcting and Enhancing Digital Photographs

A. Process a proprietary camera raw image and save it an industry-standard digital negative.

B. Make typical corrections to a digital photograph, including removing red eye and noise and bringing out shadow and highlights detail.

C. Adjust the visual perspective of objects in an image.

III. Digital Image File Formats

A. Input, edit and output images using both proprietary and generic image file formats.

B. Analyze and implement scanner settings to acquire images with precise output specifications for digital format editing.

IV. Complex Layer Techniques

A. Create clipping groups so that an image on one layer can be a mask for artwork on other layers.

B. Create layer sets to organize and manage layers.

C. Add adjustment layers to an image, and use them to apply color and tonal adjustments without permanently changing pixel data.

D. Create knockout layers to use one layer selectively to reveal others.

E. Import layers from other Photoshop files.

F. Work with type layers.

G. Duplicate and clip layers to group objects.

H. Rasterize layers.

I. Convert clipping paths to masks.

J. Liquify a layer, giving it a melted appearance.

V. Image Compositing

A. Automate a series of steps by creating an action preset.

B. Add guides and place and align multiple images precisely.

C. Create and apply color effects, color corrections, filters and layer styles.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I.  Applied Typography

A. Flow text from frame to frame.

B. Create and import paragraph and character styles.

C. Reveal hidden type characters.

D. Thread text between frames.

E. Alter the number of columns in a frame.

F. Spell-check a story.

G. Adjust vertical text spacing.

H. Apply a gradient across type.

I. Create a drop cap.

J. Create optical kerning of type.

K. Distinguish between kerning and tracking.

L. Apply multi-line text composition.

M. Create tables with tabs.

N. Add rules above and below paragraphs.

O. Export a document to PDF.

II.  Applied Graphics

A. Add graphics from other programs.

B. Manage links to imported files.

C. Create a mask with a clipping path.

D. Import a PDF file.

E. Store files in a library.

F. Draw shapes with Bézier curves.

G. Produce compound paths.

H. Create inline graphics.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Object Tracing 

A. Create a tracing layer

B. Place an image

C. Lock and unlock images

D. Auto-trace an image

E. Make a layer non-printing

F. Dim a layer

G. Paste an object in place

H. Draw from a template

I. Move shapes within a layer

J. Create a custom pattern

II. Three-dimensional Drawing 

A. Create a fill for a compound shape

B. Apply a hard mix Pathfinder command

C. Fill a shape with a radial gradient

D. Edit a radial gradient

E. Create a shadow using unite, rotate, reflect, shear and scale

F. Apply a soft mix pathfinder command

III. Applied Perspective

A. Create an outline of a path

B. Transform shapes

C. Divide shapes to create new objects

D. Create guide lines

E. Create a custom gradient

F. Scale objects relative to a guide line intersection

G. Blend shapes to create new shapes

H. Apply a filter to rasterize a vector image

I. Apply a filter to a rasterized image

IV. Applied Projections

A. Set attributes to show the center of an object

B. Rotate an object around a circle

C. Make a compound object

D. Apply a gradient across a compound object

E. Create text on a curve

F. Shift the baseline of text

G. Convert text to an outline

H. Scale an object non-uniformly to simulate perspective

I. Create an extrusion (orthogonal projection) to simulate depth

J. Create a complex gradient for a shadow

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Color  
   A. Add swatch colors.
   B. Apply colors to objects.
   C. Create dashed strokes.  
   D. Create and apply a gradient swatch.
   E. Create tints.
   F. Create spot colors.
   G. Specify a color management engine.
   H. Specify default source ICC profiles.
   I. Embed International Color Consortium (ICC) profiles in graphics
created in other Adobe applications.

II. Transparency  
   A. Colorize an imported black-and-white graphic.
   B. Change the opacity of objects drawn in InDesign.
   C. Apply blending modes to overlapping objects.  
   D. Apply feathering to soften edges.
   E. Adjust transparency settings for imported graphics.
   F. Apply transparency to text.
   G. Apply drop shadows to text and graphics.

III. Long Documents  
   A. Join multiple InDesign documents into a book.
   B. Specify page numbering across separate documents using a book.
   C. Create a table of contents for a book.  
   D. Assign a source document for defining styles.
   E. Update index references.
   F. Generate an index file and sorting entries.
   G. Edit index references.

IV. Brochure Layouts  
   A. Identify and describe the construction of six common brochure
layouts. 
   B. Calculate brochure panel widths when using various sizes of paper.
   C. Create and position cut marks, fold lines, bleed lines, and
registration marks.  
   D. Perform a find operation within a library file
   E. Utilize library items in an InDesign document
   F. Adjust paragraph styles for typeface, color, margins, and ruled
lines.
   G. Import and alter grayscale bitmap images for color, contrast and
brightness.
   H. Specify registration color for production markings. 
   I. Print a scaled document.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Typographic Elements 
   A. Use guides to precisely position complex text in an image
composition
   B. Make a clipping mask from type and an imported image
   C. Merge type with other layers to rasterize a type layer and image
layer
   D. Use complex layer styles to warp and professionally edit text
   E. Warp a text-based layer around a 3D object

II. Vector Drawing Techniques
   A. Differentiate between bitmap and vector graphics
   B. Draw straight and curved paths using the vector-based Pen tool
   C. Convert a path to a selection, and convert a selection to a path and
save a path
   D. Draw and edit custom layer shapes
   E. Import and edit an Adobe Illustrator object

III. Producing and Printing Consistent Color
   A. Define RGB, grayscale, and CMYK color spaces for displaying,
editing, and printing images
   B. Prepare an image for printing on a PostScript CMYK printer
   C. Proof an image for printing
   D. Create and print a four-color separation
   E. Explain how images are prepared for printing on professional
printing presses

IV. Preparing Images for the Web
   A. Create links within an image using slices, image maps and text HTML
hyperlinks
   B. Generate an HTML page that contains the image with hyperlinks
   C. Explain the differences between GIF and JPEG optimization 

V. Digital Imaging Workflow Processes
   A. Using color management technology, identify color appearance and
maintain the color appearance by changing the color numbers needed by the
target device to produce the specified color appearance
   B. Identify the various workflows: Prepress professional, Graphic
Designer, or Digital photo professional
   C. Create a project management document for each of the following
workflows: CMYK Commercial Print, Mixed RGB and CMYK Print, RGB Photo
Print and Internet Publishing sRGB

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Chart and graph techniques
   A. Create a three-dimensional chart using a variety of charting tools
   B. Alter numerical data and keep it linked with a drawn chart
   C. Add a three-dimensional extrusion to a chart
   D. Create a chart with customized design elements

II. Autotrace a scanned image
   A. Demonstrate the steps necessary to autotrace a scanned image
   B. Create and modify an autoscan of a prepared symbol design

III. Fill objects with pen and ink filter effects
   A. Demonstrate a variety of pen and ink filter effects available in
Illustrator
   B. Layer ink effects in conjunction with custom dashes
   C. Create an illustration which incorporates pen and ink effects,
custom dashes and a   blended shadow

IV. Create an imagemap for the web
   A. Layer artwork
   B. Specify URL destinations
   C. Export illustrations in GIF format
   D. Import images into Photoshop
   E. Optimize an image by indexing colors
   F. Create an illustration, import it into Photoshop and optimize it for
web viewing

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Raster Images and Digital Photo Manipulation

A. Define raster images.

B. Combine images using layers. 

C. Develop non-destructive image editing skills.

D. Apply color and image corrections.

E. Demonstrate photo retouching.

F. Produce image files in various color modes.

II. Vector Graphics using Digital Drawing, Painting, and Shape Tools

A. Define vector graphics.

B. Produce points and paths.

C. Generate Bézier curves.

D. Create shapes.

E. Apply stroke and fill.

F. Create variations of line styles.

G. Produce drawings from photos.

H. Create text.

I. Produce vector graphics in various color modes.

III. Digital Typography

A. Define typography.

B. Create text frames and columns.

C. Flow text from various document types.

D. Correct overset text.

E. Apply line spacing, letter spacing, and kerning.

F. Create paragraph and character styles.

G. Describe system fonts.

H. Add Adobe Fonts typefaces to applications. 

I. Generate multipage documents.

J. Add photos and graphics to multipage documents.

K. Employ parent pages.

IV. Electronic Color Theory

A. Discuss electronic color theory.

B. Describe the differences between RGB and CMYK.

C. Discuss use of RGB and CMYK color modes in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

D. Discuss the use of RGB and CMYK color swatches in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

V. Graphic Formats

A. Discuss types of graphic formats.

B. Define graphic formats for print, web, and motion media.

C. Use graphic format terms.

VI. Image and Device Resolution

A. Discuss image resolution.

B. Define device resolution.

C. Use image and device resolution terms.

D. Apply image and device resolution in visual design.

VII. Concept, Design, Layout, and Completion

A. Discuss concept, design, and layout steps to complete assignments.

B. Generate a concept.

C. Create a design.

D. Compose a layout.

E. Practice concept, design, and layout steps to complete assignments.

F. Synthesize elements from several Adobe applications to complete visual design assignments.

VIII. Project Workflow with Digital Assets

A. Discuss workflow strategies.

B. Define digital assets.

C. Produce organized digital assets.

D. Practice workflow sequence.

E. Practice organization of digital assets.

IX. Sharing and Archiving Project Files

A. Discuss sharing project files.

B. Produce project files to share.

C. Discuss archiving project files.

D. Discuss file naming conventions.