Adobe CS Suite Launch Monday (Some new info and screenshots)

[Hazdaz]

Meh.

Photoshop is cool and all - but honestly now, what more is there?

[Signal2Noise]

Agreed. Next step for Adobe is to seriously consider lowering their prices on full license applications.

[Mysterious X]

Live Trace creates a vector image based on customizable presets for different types of raster images. For instance, one set of presets will convert a JPEG photo to a vector image. One source said that this "radical" feature could let a fashion design business translate sketches into vector art in under a minute—a task that now takes hours.

I'm looking forward for this in Illustrator

[TorbjornO]

I don't know if you meant "what more is there" as in features, but something I feel is quite necessary is HDRI. The tools I've seen so far for editing HDRI are quite lacking.

*update* ah seems it is indeed in this version.

"Photoshop CS2 includes added features for those working with film and video. It allows for nondestructive editing and for the creation and retouching of 32-Bit HDR (high dynamic range) images and FireWire Previews, which allow users to export and view images on a television monitor."

Wonder if this means proper 16bit support as well.

Meh.

Photoshop is cool and all - but honestly now, what more is there?

[Levitateme]

I really hope that photshop gets a rotate canvas like what painter has. that is so useful for wacom users. a color wheel would be nice too.

[Beamtracer]

I'd like 32bpc (HDRI) image support, but I'll wait and see how good the new Photoshop does this.

When Adobe introduced 16bpc support it wasn't complete. Photoshop could load up a 16bpc image, but couldn't manipulate it, so it was pretty useless.

Before jumping into this new 32bpc Photoshop, check if the filters can work with 32bpc HDRI images. No use being able to load the image if that's all you can do.

[alexyork]

Agreed. Next step for Adobe is to seriously consider lowering their prices on full license applications.

quoted for full agreement.

[Hazdaz]

Agreed. Next step for Adobe is to seriously consider lowering their prices on full license applications.

I agree with you, but don't think it is going to happen. PS is just sooooo ingrained into the industry (and for good reason - it is a great product) that they really don't HAVE to lower their prices at all and people will still buy/upgrade it. Kind of like Microsoft Office - no real new features for quite a few years, but since it is the de facto standard, the software will be bought and paid for even when there are competing programs that are FREE (like GIMP and Open Office).

One of the few thigns I would like to see is the complete merging of Illustrator and Photoshop and their web application (it's name escapes me) into ONE application. I see no GOOD reason that these applications should be apart... except that Adobe can now sell 3 different packages of software, versus one. I think because of that alone, there will always be a seperate Illustrator app.

[GOTgraphic]

Live Trace creates a vector image based on customizable presets for different types of raster images. For instance, one set of presets will convert a JPEG photo to a vector image. One source said that this "radical" feature could let a fashion design business translate sketches into vector art in under a minute—a task that now takes hours.
I'm looking forward for this in Illustrator

Same here! Its about time they replaced Streamline. I'm waiting for the replacement to Dimensions now

[Shogmaster]

How about > 1.75GB of RAM support Adobe? HUH? HUH? HUH? Maybe then I'd consider upgrading.

Windows 64 is already here, and Tiger is about to launch. Get with the program Adobe. And that goes for you too, Corel.

[Ikarus]

I just find it funny how everytime any software comes up with an upgrade the majority of people have at least one complaint about it :shrug:

I'm sure everyone would love lower prices on all software, but personally I don't think anybody using photoshop, illustrator, InDesign, etc. proffesionally consider the price such a big factor. Besides the upgrade for photoshop is only like $149 if I'm correct.

[Per-Anders]

I think the point is Adobe are making the sort of upgrades that make people go "meh". And if they're doing that when the upgrade is 149 then something is seriously wrong.

The last signifigant upgrade was V7 for Photoshop (which is why in conjunction with the disincentives offered in CS there are so many users who simply haven't upgraded since then).

[JDex]

The only complaint I have with the CS line (and reason I still have v7) is the damn hoops I have to jump through if I reformat my computers... the piracy protection they implemented in CS stopped not a single pirater, and aggravated the paying customers exclusively... thus I'll remain with v7 unless the current protections have been revised appropriately or removed all together.

[scottsch]

The only complaint I have with the CS line (and reason I still have v7) is the damn hoops I have to jump through if I reformat my computers... the piracy protection they implemented in CS stopped not a single pirater, and aggravated the paying customers exclusively... thus I'll remain with v7 unless the current protections have been revised appropriately or removed all together.

I've reformatted twice and the license issue was not a problem - both CS and Dreamweaver require activation, and it will reactivate with your new hard drive. I think that Dreamweaver also recognized my processor upgrade and required reactivation. No big deal there, either.

Illustrator CS is a massive improvement over 10, so if you are holding back, consider the new type functionality. The brushes are also nice.

---

Price is fine if you earn your living with it. Photoshop elements is only $99 and it has a ton of functionality for normal people. It doesn't do separations, but most people don't care about CMYK. Elements also comes FREE with a lot of scanner bundles.

As for HDRI:

"Photoshop CS2 also can create and edit 32-bit HDR (High Dynamic Range) images—images with a higher range between shadows and highlights than many cameras are able to capture. The Merge to HDR tool can combine multiple exposures while retaining detail in both ends of the dynamic range."

Looking forward the new trace tool. 7+ years isn't that long of a wait. :scream: I think the new version of Photoshop has built-in filters to eliminate lens barrel distortion, whch would be great to have.

[davpunk]

ya I agree. Theyre too big to lower their prices. They know everyone will buy it, and they are not doing a whole lot with their development- like Alias. They think theyre making these HUGE releases, without resolving common issues and seamless integration. A dynamic rotating canvas would rock- like painters. Or development of the paint media, into something comparable to Painters would be great as well. Or tools geared towards 3d artists and painters- not just print or web.

[JDex]

I've reformatted twice and the license issue was not a problem - both CS and Dreamweaver require activation, and it will reactivate with your new hard drive. I think that Dreamweaver also recognized my processor upgrade and required reactivation. No big deal there, either.


Re-format again (maybe twice)... and see what they say. I've heard a number of bad stories, and it is not worth my time or aggravation to go through it... they are far more difficult about it than M$ and their activation issues.

[halo]

Agreed. Next step for Adobe is to seriously consider lowering their prices on full license applications.

PS is what, $600 ? thats a pitance for a company or professional user to stump up for in commercial terms. Elements covers the home user pretty well.

[Tripdragon]

boooo there is nothing great new... It still has loads of missing feeatures and most of this is stuff that should have been in years ago ... :( bah just venting :P

But in thought they did nothing to play with Tigers upcoming Core Image, forshame... And there are still destructive filters.

[og_reborn]

On the 32bit funcionality...
If you could create and edit your HDRIs like any other photoshop document, I think that would make it worth the upgrade alone. Current programs only allow you to combine photos, not edit them...am I right?:bounce:

[scottsch]

Creating and editing HDRI is a pretty new and great thing, imo. Also, it looks like they added Smart Guides, which helps a lot for people that do 2D design in PS.

As far as the Suite goes, color management in one application "Bridge", which is transferred to PS, Illustrator, and InDesign, is a good idea. Color in CS is good already but it's nice to not have to set up each app independently and hope you don't miss a checkbox. If you can save the setting and take it to other machines (hopefully it will have this feature), then it's going to make color management a lot easier.

Available in May - think they announced it early enough? :argh:

[richcz3]

I think the point is Adobe are making the sort of upgrades that make people go "meh". And if they're doing that when the upgrade is 149 then something is seriously wrong.
The last signifigant upgrade was V7 for Photoshop (which is why in conjunction with the disincentives offered in CS there are so many users who simply haven't upgraded since then).The only complaint I have with the CS line (and reason I still have v7) is the damn hoops I have to jump through if I reformat my computers... the piracy protection they implemented in CS stopped not a single pirater, and aggravated the paying customers exclusively... thus I'll remain with v7 unless the current protections have been revised appropriately or removed all together.Version 7 works fine for me and I see zero reason for up---er downgrading to restrictive shackled version. It took allot for me to let go of Version 5. I understand CS 12 will be the first release to acknowledge there is a 3D world that a few people in a small industry paint textures in. :rolleyes:

[PokeChop]

I'll agree with everyone on Version 7 Photoshop. Gonna be real hard for Adobe to convince me an upgrade is essential.

[yinako]

yes, yes, but is the "Filter Gallery" faster? God its slow as hell.

[hypercube]

Had to flip a coin between which of the pshop CS2 announcement and bashing threads to post this in, but figured these would add to the pot if no one's read them yet..shows the Vanishing Point stuff in action, I'd definitely throw down $150 just for that..yipes.

http://www.digitalproducer.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=31711-0 (specifically about vanishing point)

http://www.digitalproducer.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=31601 (overview)


P.S. on topic, I really have no problem with CS aside from that insanely idiotic currency restriction thing, and there were patches floating around that will disable that..regardless I still keep 7 installed just because. shrug.

[Hazdaz]

^^ some of that stuff is fairly impressive, but honestly all of it is possible with PS from like 3 years ago using the Distort command. I mean for the low price of the upgrade, it's neat and probably well worth the cost, but it's not like that stuff couldn't be done with previous versions.

[yinako]

theres some video clips at totalTraining web site, the perspective tool, and wrap tool looks use full if your are doing texturing work. :/

[hypercube]

If you watch the quicktimes or even just page 3, the impressive thing (to me anyway) is that it's doing it 'live' and allows you to do all those operations in perspective, which though you could technically do before by distorting stuff out of perspective, working on it, and then distorting it back at the end, I think the new way makes it a ton easier and faster, and the fact the perspectives can paste into each other and save with the PSD is super nifty, at least IMO. :shrug:

[JDex]

I must admit that seeing the perspective tool in action has proven it worth $150 for me... Wowza!

[beaker]

Agreed. Next step for Adobe is to seriously consider lowering their prices on full license applications.No offense but most people who say this have very little proffessional experience. 1 weeks pay will buy photoshop, which makes it more than worth it.

[beaker]

The last signifigant upgrade was V7 for Photoshop (which is why in conjunction with the disincentives offered in CS there are so many users who simply haven't upgraded since then).Full 16 bit support in CS was one of the biggest new features since photoshop 3.

[ambient-whisper]

No offense but most people who say this have very little proffessional experience. 1 weeks pay will buy photoshop, which makes it more than worth it.

sometimes less than one week even.:)

one thing i really want to see in photoshop is a sort of lattice system. where i can make a selection and make a grid inside that selection, which i could use as a lattice to deform my image.

or even have the ability to construct images with some proceduralism. it doesnt have to be all procedural, but even in houdini you can work straight ahead.. and choose to use the procedural methods if you want. so having both methods would be nice. ( especially if that could be then exported into apps like shake :D.

[Per-Anders]

Full 16 bit support in CS was one of the biggest new features since photoshop 3.

Photoshop 7 introduced 16bit support not CS. The "full" support of CS from what I gather still wasn't that full, merely extended from the previous outing. And while it's a big deal to those that deal with film, I would hardly call it one of it's biggest new features since 3 for most of it's users.

[theCloudmover]

I must admit that seeing the perspective tool in action has proven it worth $150 for me... Wowza!
AMEN!!

Holy crap!

[dmaas]

16-bit channels have been in photoshop I believe since version 5. However only a handful of editing operations worked on them until version "CS". With CS you can do almost anything to a 16-bit image that you can do to an 8-bit image. (however I believe some tools/filters are implemented by quantizing down to 8 bits which causes banding artifacts).

The big question about CS2's 32-bit support is, will they allow pixel values greater than 1.0 and below 0.0? CS can already read and write 32-bit TIFFs and EXRs, but it clamps the pixels to 0-1 which makes it seriously difficult to handle true "HDRI" images.

[yinako]

sometimes less than one week even.:)
one thing i really want to see in photoshop is a sort of lattice system. where i can make a selection and make a grid inside that selection, which i could use as a lattice to deform my image.

check the adobe website it has this tool you describe in cs2: http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/newfeatures.html#nf6

yes I wanted something like this for a while, I tends to think about these 2d image wrap problems like I would approch it in 3D, ie, deformers/lattice

[beaker]

Photoshop 7 introduced 16bit support not CS. The "full" support of CS from what I gather still wasn't that full, merely extended from the previous outing. And while it's a big deal to those that deal with film, I would hardly call it one of it's biggest new features since 3 for most of it's users.You should try it since you have photoshop 7. It only supports a single layer, no alpha and like 6 effects(blur, sharpen, medium, max and another few filters). 16 bit in ps7 or earlier was worthless. Might as well have not had the feature it was so worthless.

CS made it so you had access to about 95% of PS's features in 16 bit. It is one of the biggest features since version 3 for me since I work in film and 8 bit is useless to me. Also raw files out of cameras carry much more information then the 8 bit information it clamps when it imports it in previous versions.

[paintbox]

Anyone else think 3D (still) compositing is just a step away with the Vanishing point feature ? What if you could import that info into your 3D app ? Place an object in your 3D scene and it snaps to the vanishing point grids.

I am not sure whether Ill upgrade ; I got PS CS and it does all the stuff I want maybe ill skip this one...

* About Adobe Bridge ; does this mean the "File Browser" got replaced by Bridge ?

* Also, there is no word about PS little brother ImageReady

[dmaas]

Yes, at some point it's going to make sense to merge Photoshop into a compositing application. Nuke is already a step in this direction. (I wonder if Adobe would consider making a DLL version of Photoshop you could embed into any application that needed its paint features?)

[SylvanMist]

yeah does anyone know what's going on with Image Ready? Maybe they've combined them?

[pentultimate]

Let's see photoshop with non-destructive workflow... node-based... all houdini-like

I say Adobe should release Photoshop as it is now for a lower cost, then have a higher-end version. Most 3D suites have something like that... Maya Unlimited, Softimate XSI Advanced, Houdini Master, etc etc... Why not photoshop??

[-Vormav-]

Let's see photoshop with non-destructive workflow... node-based... all houdini-like

I say Adobe should release Photoshop as it is now for a lower cost, then have a higher-end version. Most 3D suites have something like that... Maya Unlimited, Softimate XSI Advanced, Houdini Master, etc etc... Why not photoshop??
They already do. They have the basic Photoshop Elements, and the more advanced Photoshop. :shrug:

[beaker]

http://stream.qtv.apple.com/events/jun/wwdc_2004_qt_sotu/wwdc_2004_gm_sotu_ref.mov

Watch 36 minutes in at the Core Image demonstration. Thats what I want in photoshop, something that does everything with hardware rendering on the video card with pixel shaders so it is realy fast.

[halo]

adobe have already said that although OSX is ready to do that, to do so would mean different behaviours on different platforms...

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