Adobe Creative Suite — Photoshop CS

Adobe Systems has collated all the design related products under the CS (Creative Suite) umbrella, with all CS products now being compatible with each other. They have also added a document versioning application called Version Cue to enhance the workflow between different users in a group.

Photoshop goes a full circle with this version. Feather was one of the first tools of Photoshop, and it comes as a mascot in the latest version. 

The File Browser



The file browser allows easy searching and managing of files using keywords. You can also easily apply batch processes to the images. You can set a flag on the images and work with them as a batch. The file browser also includes options of adding the metadata to the images so that they can be searched according to keywords. It’s a boon for designers who need to manage and store large number of pictures. 

One thing we found missing was that the file browser did not provide all the automation options that are available in the Photoshop automate menu. The latest option of Crop and Straighten photos is also not available with the file browser. 

Photo Merge



Now you won’t need a third party program to stitch pictures and make a panorama. You can simply take pictures in a sequence and stitch them easily using the photomerge option. 

Match Color



Often photographs from the same shoot look different from each other because of lighting problems, over/under exposure etc. It is a nightmare to try and make them look similar. The match color command comes to rescue here.

The command can be used on a stand-alone image to change the luminance and color intensity. It can also remove color-cast on an image.

Shadow and Highlight Correction



A lot of times we do not take care while clicking photographs and realize later that there are shadows that sacrifice details in the picture. Traditionally, designers have used the curves adjustment option to correct this problem. But, it is a tedious job. 



Now, the shadow and highlight option makes it easier for the designer by giving him umpteen options to correct this problem.

Text on a Path



With Photoshop you can add text to a path. You can now make a work-path, click on it using the text tool and write on that path, as easy as that.

Layer Comps



Using layer comps, you can save the various positions, visibility and layer styles of the image and switch between them with the click of a button.

A huge plethora of enhancements and special tools like photomerge, file browser and raw camera image support for photographers and developers, make it a worth an upgrade.

Geetaj Channana