Adobe Photoshop CS3 at a glance
With the release of the Adobe Photoshop CS3 public beta, users who already have a Photoshop CS2 serial number will be able to download and install the brand new version of Photoshop-at least in its current beta form.
One of the things users will notice is a new application icon which heralds the beginning of the new Creative Suite 3 icon art.
Be aware also that it will take some time to get it downloaded-the Mac version is 684MB (including Bridge and Camera Raw 4) and the Windows version is 355MB. The larger Mac file size is due largely because it’s a Universal Binary that includes both the PPC as well as MacIntel optimized code.
Users will also notice a new splashscreen and more strikingly, a whole new user interface as shown below.
Photoshop CS3 UI
Click on the image to see larger sized image in a new window.
There will be a slew of stories coming out about the new features and functionality included in the Photoshop CS3 beta, chief among them for Mac users is the fact that Photoshop can now finally run natively on MacIntel machines-and the best term to use when describing the speed is FAST, very FAST.
But the public beta also includes a brand new version of Adobe Bridge version 2.0.
This new version sports a new UI and additional functionality that is a jump over Bridge 1.0. First and foremost, the Bridge engineers have tried to make it a lot faster.
Additional new functionality will also be welcomed by users of Photoshop CS2 and Bridge 1.0 including the new Filter panel and the enhanced Preview panel. And, did I mention it was faster?
Bridge 2.0
Click on the image to see larger sized image in a new window.
In Bridge 2.0 you can preview multiple images in the Preview panel.
The Preview panel also has a loupe view that allows close inspection of detail.
Camera Raw 4.0 (alpha)
Click on the image to see larger sized image in a new window.
The Photoshop CS3 beta also includes a new version of Camera Raw, the alpha version of 4.0. The new functionality is very similar to the controls found in Lightroom but the interface is not exactly final. So, it is subject to change.
So, when the downloads start, and new beta users of CS3 can get their hands on it, PhotoshopNews will be posting a variety of stories to help you out. Be sure to check back in the coming days.
December 14th, 2006 at 10:06 pm
as Little Steven says:
“very groovy”
December 14th, 2006 at 10:57 pm
Jeff,
Any chance that CS3 will allow me to insert scripts into actions?
December 15th, 2006 at 2:21 am
Will it properly utilize dual monitors?
December 15th, 2006 at 2:40 am
Nice! With the new features, faster bridge, and improved Camera Raw, will we still need Lightroom?
December 15th, 2006 at 8:47 am
Thanks for the excellent review, Jeff. It looks like the ACR interface has acquired a few features from Lightroom. BTW, the shot of you on the motorcycle does not appear to be exposed fully to the right.
December 15th, 2006 at 11:32 am
forget my first question… What I want to know is if I can use a script with in a script
I use Image Processor and I would like to add an action that CONTAINS a script and in CS2 I can’t do this.
My work flow for the job in question is as follows.
make overall corrections to the shoot in ACR via bridge
image processor to convert filess ready for printing
I use an action that preps the converted file for printing
this is what the action does
Convert to lab color space
drop from 16 to 8 bit
photokit sharpener
fit image (action to reduce file size)
photokit output sharpener
the script add filename as text layer
a few layer styles to the file name layer
flaten
save
The problem seems to be with running the script add filename as text layer
with in the Image processor script.
December 16th, 2006 at 1:25 am
Any chance that, in CS3, the quick and dirty Filter>Extract will work in 16 bit? for those who have never fully mastered the Zen of the Pen?
December 17th, 2006 at 8:51 am
Jeff,
As always, thank you for your tireless work at keeping us informed. Also, I am so sorry to hear about Bruce. I never met him personally, but got a lot out of reading his book on Camera Raw.
I wanted to find out if Bridge 2.0 will work directly with Photoshop CS2 or will it only work with the new CS3?
I appreciate the info. Thanks,
December 21st, 2006 at 6:07 pm
Any news about ImageReady?