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Adobe Photoshop CS2 Training SolutionsAn error occurred. Please try later.An error occurred. Please try later.An error occurred. Please try later.An error occurred. Please try later. |
Photoshop has evolved from being an image editing program into being much more. Over time it has still retained the role of being an image manipulation program, but it has added significant design functions and Web page layout capacities to its new found capabilities. Simply because of the format of the program, and its overall power and ease of use, it has become a foundation for those in creative realms. For graphic designers and other creative professionals, Adobe's Photoshop remains the premier program. While others have tried to claim the crown, Photoshop is the undisputed champ for the serious pro.
Evolving slowly over many versions, we are up to nine, the program has carefully, almost judiciously, added new features while still remaining amazingly true to its roots. In fact the last major revision of the program came with the transition from version 5 to 6. Now into Photosphop 9, or rather CS2 — Adobe has stopped formally titling the application with numerical designations after Photoshop CS. On the surface the program has not radically altered from version 8, aka Photoshop CS.
Where the real changes come are after you look under the hood. For those like myself that have long craved for an improved file browser and the ability to preview fonts in Photoshop, those all so important features are now present.
Like a blessing from above, Photoshop CS2 now allows preview of fonts prior to using them. You no longer need to open another application to see what they look like. Just as amazing is the new and much improved image browser.
Now an independent application titled " Bridge," it is far more intuitive than previous versions. While these are not huge feature changes, if you are on a deadline and Photoshop is your proverbial bread and butter, these features can shave some time off of a project and perhaps put a few more dollars in your pocket. In the world of design where deadlines are a way of life and revisions constant, every little bit that hastens the workflow becomes practical.
As befitting a professional application, the new improvements with Photoshop CS2 are clearly geared towards the high end user, or more appropriately the design and/or creative professional.
Another big change with CS2 is that now multiple layers can be selected. You can actually multiple select them. Again, this is a feature that for pros may, or may not, save time. I can see its application, but much depends on the way you work. Again, if this a feature you really wanted and hoped would be a part of the program, it has finally arrived.
Several new features incorporated into CS have to pertain with changing lines, perspectives and actually warping images. The warp image filter allows you to easily and readily wrap and warp an image around any shape imagined. What was once the area of plug-ins, Photoshop CS2 has moved forward and made them part of the package.
Issues with distortion of lines and perspective have also been addressed. The depth of fine tuning detail is enhanced much like filters specifically designed for that function.
While the image browser built into Photoshop CS 2 has been liberated from the application, the independent Image Ready is still something of a quasi plug-in as well as an independent application. I am still curious as to why it has not been simply made a part of Photoshop CS2, but none the less it is there.
Regarding the actual interface of Photoshop CS2, not too much has changed. The floating tools palette is intact. The alterations are mainly cosmetic refinements. Detailed shadows and other visual niceties are now part of the interface giving the program a more updated appearance.
Help menus are now tied into Web access and an entire reworking of the help system has been put in place making it less cumbersome. As with previous versions, there are instructional videos and links to online resources.
Every new iteration of Photoshop CS2 brings about anticipation. This version is not an exception. For those that want the latest and greatest, there are enough improvements to merit an upgrade.
For pros, having the latest means a savings in time, money and frustration. For non-professionals and those that do not require the depth of features Photoshop CS2 offers, it is a real judgment call. For those that live and die by Photoshop, upgrading is not a question. The real issue is for those using Photoshop CS, or even 7, and are content with what they have and the plug-ins they have acquired.
Bridge, the new preview font feature and the slew of other improvements is enticing. What is more enticing is that if you want to purchase more than one Adobe product, you may want to consider the suite. If all you want is Photoshop CS2, there is enough here to make that a clear cut choice. But should you desire Illustrator CS2 and Indesign CS2, you may as well just bite the bullet and go for the package. If your pocket book is deep enough, and you don't have Acrobat Professional, the Creative Suite Premium is a solid deal.
As much improved as Photoshop CS2 is, the program, although nearly essential for serious Web and fine art creation is not inexpensive. Although there are alternatives, some of them very good, the bottom line for right now is Photoshop CS2.
For me, the new features included are those that I have personally felt should have been in places earlier and are long overdue. Lately it seems every new version of Photoshop includes at least a few "I really need" feature sets.
One thing for certain is that that Adobe still retains the crown for image editing, and CS2 continues that tradition.
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