But - -
Photoshop requires tools to do what it does - and that's some of the things those tools can do, which, in turn, is what Photoshop can do. (Catch MY drift?
)
Of course, you haven't yet told us why you need to do more than just Image Retouching/Processing.
Image Retouching/Processing are some pretty broad areas. Some of the words that I offered go to more specific types of tools.
How can you separate what Photoshop can do, from what Photoshop's tools will do? Seems like the same things, just more detail (Isn't that what you want?)
Basically, I don't think I am "catching your drift", as you are not "drifting" enough information.
Can you, perhaps, share details about what your project entails, and what your goal is? (hint: a list of words is probably not your project goal, eh?) You know, something like "develop a lesson plan for a Photoshop course, entailing various techniques, and including a detailed list of tools that the student will show knowledge, and be able to describe the purpose of those tools, and perform hands-on practical use of those tools."
Now there's a goal you can sink your teeth into (and then you can manipulate that image, too
)