Software on the Rise

Adobe's done it again. Introducing a new suite of software that will be available in late October, the company has raised the bar for graphic design, web development and production creatives.

Is it all hype?

Collecting resources and opinions from a variety of designers and production professionals, the overall opinion seems to be positive. As designers we may dig our heels in for a while hoping to avoid the $600 upgrade fee, but in the end we know that we will have to adjust and move with the times or we will be limiting ourselves and our work flow with others.

The new edition of Photoshop is not without some new and promising features. Just to barely scan the surface, here are few to get you started:

• New configuration settings for the Burn and Dodge tool make more realistic looking changes, in contrast to the previously washed-out or over-exposed results that were so common with novices using the tool in the past.
• New "adjustments" dialog to quickly access effects and enhancements that were previously housed in various menus.
• New "real edge" features which take into account things like fur and hair
• For photographers there is a new depth-of-field feature that assists with short focus issues.

For the suite as a whole, Adobe is proud of their new level of cross-compatibility with more media, web and mobile integration. Interestingly enough, thats a subject I had trouble finding "actual" specifications on.

One thing I do know, as a designer I will be forced to take the plunge and buy the upgrade once it's released. And truth be told, I'm pretty excited about it regardless of the price!