Adobe

Adobe have been busy! They have released Version 11.0.2 which plugs some security holes in Photoshop CS4. The security issues look pretty obscure and unlikely but its a good idea to install it anyway.
Open Photoshop CS4 and select the menu item: Help:Updates and follow instructions from there.

Photoshop CS5 in not affected by this bug.

You can read more about the issues here:
http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb10-13.html

1. Workplace layouts are crisper and less liable to move about than in CS4, selecting a preset or custom made workspace layout switches the workspace instantly – unlike CS4 that took ages.

2. Working in CS5 is definitely snappier than in CS4 on the same setup, things seem a little more solid. Having said that there are a few none critical bugs to do with selecting images to copy then paste over other images, sometimes when this is attempted it doesn’t work (or pastes another image from earlier working and not the last one selected and copied). This is the kind of bugette that is removed by a 0.1 release within a few months.

3. CS5 now supports the IPTC extension standard which are extra metadata fields for things like model/property releases. Not too sure if Getty or anyone else support metadata in these new fields yet but I would imagine they could in the future (and simplify their upload process which is very tedious).
You can read more about the metadata extensions here:

http://iptc.cms.apa.at/cms/site/index.html?channel=CH0099

Stephen

Installed and running today here are some initial thoughts on CS5

1. content aware fill works great on low res images but needs more effort to work on high res images

2. Speed of opening images / moving around images seems improved, this is not what usually happens with a new Photoshop release so very pleasantly surprised.

3. Resizing and brush softness controls with Wacom tablets has been subtly altered so that the same shortcut key changes size when the pen is moved left/right and softness changes with up/down pen movement. An improvement in some regards but will take getting used too as arching the pen away from these axis stops the change.

4. Zooming using keyboard shortcuts and either the mouse or Wacom tablet has changed dramatically. Instead of a bounding box to define the area to be enlarged the image zooms in dynamically by mouse or pen movement. It has the potential to be quicker/more flexible than the older method but it will take some getting used too! Update: This new way of zooming is called “scrubby zoom” If you dont want to use it then you can go back to the older method by pressing Z for zoom and unchecking the Scrubby Zoom box.

Not had too much time to play with Bridge yet but sad to report that Adobe still don’t allow the appending of text to existing unique descriptions when applying metadata to images. This is a little sad as Adobe have done the code for Lightroom which has the capability…

Overall though I’m intrigued by the new release.

I suspect many more subtle changes will surface with further play / real work, will update any facts relevant to the Photoshop retouching methods I promote for Photographic use.

I have just ordered an update to my Adobe design standard suite (CS4) to CS5.

I noticed that the receipt given at the end mentions an availability date of 30th April, not too clear if this is a shipping date or a delivery date.

As in the past I will be up to speed on the new Photoshop within a week or two and will be ready to support it amongst my clients. I will also continue to support fully the last 2 releases (CS3 and CS4).

I can of course offer advice and guidance on CS2 and earlier to clients but will not be running these systems myself.

The stage is set for Apple to refresh the MacPro line of workstations which are currently looking a little long in the tooth, I know lots of people waiting for 64bit Photoshop CS5 to use with a new 6 or 12 core 64 bit Mac.

There is no love lost between Adobe and Apple at the moment however and I wouldnt put it past Apple to cut off their noses and not play along with the game, its been a while since Apple needed Adobe to sell their kit and make a profit, Apple have lots of money from consumers at the moment and thats where they are focusing their attention.
Stephen

Adobe are after your cash again, a new updated photoshop will be available on the 21st/22nd of this month.
You can check out some of the improvements here:

http://cs5launch.adobe.com/

As with the last 3 versions there are worthwhile improvements for high end creative retouching with smaller improvements for the kind of minimal retouching regime of say wildlife photographers.

Content aware fill will reduce the retouching time on creative work whilst the improved camera raw will be more generally useful.

CS5 is 64bit on Apple Macs for the first time so if you are running a recent Mac this may tip you over into making the purchase.

Prices are up on last time, I think Adobe assume everyone will gladdly pay even more, I will be updating because I need to (teaching/retouching work). If your happy with what you have then dont worry about the upgrade.

Stephen