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The New Photoshop CS
09:14 PM - Jan 19, 2004

If you purchase Photoshop CS, like me you may open the program and initially wonder why you upgraded since the user interface, at least on first glance, is quite similar to the Photoshop 7 interface aside from the new splash screen and logo. There are, however, quite a few major improvements, and I’ve become increasingly more impressed as I’ve used it the past few weeks. Below you’ll find some highlights with links to reviews, comments, and more information.

So far I’m especially thrilled about the more comprehensive (but not complete yet) 16-bit image support, Camera RAW support, text on a path, customizable keyboard shortcuts, more layer functions, and the vastly improved and far more useful File Browser. Here’s an overview of some of the changes and improvements.

1. Text on a path, at long last!
2. Improved support for OpenType fonts
3. Customizable Keyboard Shortcuts
4. Macromedia Flash file export: it’s now possible to create Flash animations with vector artwork and variable text in ImageReady CS, bundled with Photoshop CS just as before
5. Enhanced ImageReady user interface and more image manipulations features and improvements, especially for web design
6. Major improvements with layer functionality: Layer Comps, nested Layer Sets, and the ability to export Layer Comps and layers as individual files
7. Vastly improved and fuller support for 16-bit images
8. Much improved and expanded File Browser with many new features and capabilities
9. Camera RAW support for both 8-bit and 16-bit images
10. New support for video professionals, including support for pixel aspect ratio correction and several presets for working at various video resolutions
11. New image manipulation functions, including Shadow/Highlight, Match Color, and the Color Replacement Tool
12. All New Filter Gallery Tool
13. New Automation Tools: Crop and Straighten Photos function, Photomerge stitching tool

Wondering if it’s worth the upgrade (PC upgrade, Mac upgrade) or full version purchase? Personally, I’m glad I upgraded as I use Photoshop daily with my website design business, but here are several reviews and comments that go into a fair amount of detail to help you decide if it would be a good purchase for your specific needs.

• Photoshop CS (Creative Suite) - What the Experts Think
  Very helpful and insightful comments about the new Photoshop CS from many Photoshop experts, including Lynda Weinman, Katrin Eismann, Gregory Georges, Richard Lynch, David Blatner, Eddie Tapp, Ben Wilmore, and Dan Margulis.
• Adobe Photoshop CS
  A thorough and very well done review with dozens of screenshots, by David Nagel.
• Photoshop CS: The Killer App for Digital Photography
  Another fairly thorough review of new features with screenshots at creativepro.com by Bruce Fraser.
• Adobe Photoshop CS Top 10 New Features
  Adobe highlights the biggest new features and changes.

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