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Every few years Adobe brings up yet another rendition of the what has to be the most ubiquitous application in software history. Even those unfamiliar with software know the name Photoshop. So it is to be expected that a new version demands both attention and evaluation. It is also a given that anyone in design is going to rush out and get the latest copy. This is with good reason considering that Photoshop stands in a class literally by itself.
Version 7 of Photoshop contains some real nice “additions” that make computing easier, faster, more efficient, and believe it or not, a tad more user friendly. But don’t let these ease of use features lull you into thinking Photoshop has been watered down. No, this is still the much heralded behemoth of applications. It retains all of its power and glory, as well as claiming even more space on your hard drive.
What always amazes me is that every new version of Photoshop contains either two or more features that one would think should have, or could have, been incorporated from the beginning. One the biggest additions, and one welcomed by those who did not earn A’s in spelling, is a built in spell checker. Designers secretly have been hoping for this one for a long time, and now Adobe has answered that request by including one ready for action.
Taking a tip, perhaps from Paintshop Pro, Photoshop now has a full fledged file viewer for viewing files within the application. While some have considered this new feature trivial, I have to say that I am starting to find it a welcome relief. On the surface this maybe a small thing, but having that preview ability from the menu is a nicety that just helps things along. Certainly it is not an impressive addition, just a nice extra.
Considering the need for more painterly approaches, Adobe has given the paint brush more pizzazz. The new brush options offer a bit more options and on some level seem to be an attempt to cover ground already explored by the likes of Painter 7. Again, this is a welcome addition to Photoshop, but not necessarily a “must have” feature.
Another plus for Photoshop is that the menus have been given a face lift. Now the tool bar sports a softer less harsh look that previous additions. In keeping with the updated Illustrator 10, Photoshop 7 starts to copy that same more fleshed out less harsh icon look. The gentler shading may not be an essential, but it does give the application a more contemporary look. Plus, if you send any time with Photoshop, you know anything that makes the menu less harsh is a plus.
Of course all of this means an even larger application, and one that eats memory and resources without mercy. But, this is also the most complete image editing software on the planet. While others have found the new additions “so-so” we all know that whenever a new version pops up everybody will want it if for no other reason than to claim bragging rights.
While other versions have seen greater more indepth and more obvious changes, Photoshop seven is in many ways a truly refined application. My only fear for Photoshop is that it not become too big, or forget its main function as an image editor. While every revision of Photoshop demands new features, the concept of simplicity could be lost, as well as the objective of Photoshop. While spell checking, better paint brushes and a file viewer are all much welcome additions, these additions add to a program that is already full bodied. One wonders if new abilities are included because they are needed, or to simply justify yet another version? For those that are using Photoshop and are more or less happy, this may not be a compelling reason to spend hundreds of dollars for a larger program. For those who are serious about computing and graphics, and those that need to be on the cutting edge, this is going to be a must have, not a maybe have, program. My feeling is if you can take the cost, or if you have a new (OS X or Windows XP) this rendition is the one to get. One thing is for certain, this is the most complete Photoshop ever, that is until version 8 comes out.
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