Photoshop CS4 is clever with content

 

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Posted on 23 Sep 2008 at 10:24

Adobe has unveiled Photoshop CS4 as part of its new Creative Suite collection of 13 new applications.

Among those new tools is Content Aware Scaling that lets users intelligently size and scale images with a simple drag of the mouse. Users can select areas of an image that they want to preserve when cropping or scaling an image and Photoshop then adjusts the image to retain these areas when the edit is performed.

Adobe has also added Auto Align and Auto Blend modes that generate composites based on extended depth of field and 360 degree panoramas with seamless tones and colours. Other new features include new panels for adjustments and masks and improved Lightroom integration and raw image processing.

Finding, previewing and managing of image assets is improved with Adobe Bridge CS4, with new path bar navigation and workspace selection buttons. And there are new Camera Import controls, visual folder navigation, and a Carousel View for larger image group selections.

By exploiting graphics hardware, Photoshop enables smooth pan and zoom that allows users to easily edit images at the highest magnification while maintaining clarity and a new Canvas Rotation tool makes it simple to rotate and work on an image from any angle.

All that is wrapped in a unified application frame, with a tab-based interface and self adjusting panels designed to make it easy to quickly access advanced tools.

All these features can also be found in the new Photoshop CS4 Extended, which also provides advanced motion graphics functions, expanded 3D visualisation capabilities and precise image analysis. Users can paint directly on 3D models and surfaces, merge 2D files onto 3D images and animate 3D objects. The 3D engine has been rebuilt from the ground up to provide faster performance, allow editing of properties like light and the ability to create more realistic renderings with a new ray tracer. Video professionals can turn any 3D object into a video display zone, to edit and animate In addition, the core motion graphics editing has been improved with single key shortcuts.

“Photoshop is about delivering cutting edge innovation that really pushes the boundaries of digital image editing,” said Kevin Connor, vice president of product management for professional digital imaging at Adobe. “This version is no exception with some stunning new imaging technology that complements our work to bring more control, simplicity and speed to everyday tasks. By streamlining the most popular workflows for the professional, technical or home user, Photoshop CS4 bring new levels of accessibility to the gold standard in digital imaging software.”

Photoshop CS4 and Photoshop CS4 Extended will be available as standalone applications or as part of Creative Suite 4 collections. Estimated street price for Adobe Photoshop CS4 is £485 and £755 for Photoshop CS4 Extended. Upgrade pricing is available. For more information go to adobe.co.uk/photoshop.

Our reviews of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Fireworks and Bridge can be found in the 26 September issue of MacUser. Reviews of Flash, Device Central and Production Premium's video applications will follow in the 10 October issue.

Author: Simon Aughton