Capitalization does not freeze the ending
When a nominalized adjective identifies a person, the article and case still affect its form. A definite masculine nominative article supplies information that the indefinite article leaves to the adjective ending.
Ein Deutscher kommt an. Der Deutsche wartet draußen.
A German man arrives. The German man waits outside.
Something new can change case
After etwas or nichts, nominative and accusative commonly show the neuter strong ending -es. A dative preposition changes the required ending. Keep the capital letter in both constructions.
Wir sprechen über etwas Neues. Wir arbeiten mit etwas Neuem.
We are talking about something new. We are working with something new.
Keep ordinary noun phrases separate
In a phrase with an explicit following noun, the adjective generally stays lowercase. Genitive forms after an article use -en, while masculine and neuter nouns may also carry a genitive ending. Do not treat capitalization as a substitute for checking the phrase.
Der Rat einer guten Freundin hilft Nora.
The advice of a good female friend helps Nora.
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References
Original explanations and examples informed by grammar references. Level placement is an editorial teaching choice.