Photoshop CS5 for Digi Scrapbookers

[cheska99]

Here's a report on Photoshop CS5 from a digital scrapbooking point of view, but these tools are every bit as useful to photographers (well, maybe not the layers one so much), but they also happen to be great for anyone who retouches or wants a lot of selecting and masking power:

I was a sort of second string beta tester for Photoshop CS5 but couldn't talk about it until after the launch, which took place last Monday. So here's what I've been dying to say: there are at least two new features in this upgrade that make it very tempting for the digital scrapbooker. In my opinion, if you are a CS3 or CS4 user or a Photoshop Elements user, you're going to want this upgrade.

The first hot feature is "content aware fill," which takes about 80% of the work out of cloning and is so intuitive that even I (an amateur Photoshop enthusiast) could teach it to myself. If you want to see exactly what I mean check out the "content aware fill" presentation at Adobe.

The other huge benefit in CS5 that I have so far managed to get a good understanding of is called "refine edge," which makes the task of getting a high quality extraction significantly easier. If your scrapbooking style involves extractions, you are about to become a much happier camper.

There's also something called layers management that might be good for those of us for whom life is a many layered thing, but I haven't tried it out yet.

A few other points: I believe the product starts shipping in three weeks. I've already found classes in how to use the new features at Kelby. You can get it at the academic discount if you've got any sort of connection to academia, including having a child in school. I lucked into the beta testing opportunity, by the way, when I happened upon a call at National Association of Photoshop Professionals. Since I was retiring and had time on my hands and it is the twentieth anniversary of Photoshop, I was thrilled to be able to play with CS5 and wouldn't give it up now for anything.

[manda]

That whole "Content Aware Fill" tool is what has got me drooling over this even though I just bought CS3 not to long ago. I saw it being demonstrated on a video and it is soooo amazing. I am forever needing to get rid of the junk in my backgrounds LOL.

[Jen D]

I already ordered my copy at the academic superstore. I am counting down the days!!!!!

[iUma]

I ordered CS5 Design Standard at the Adobe Academic store at the suggestion of Pattie Knox. And I can't wait either.

[anke]

Mine is ordered also Nothing like a new toy!!!

[FlowerGirl]

I'll be getting it too! Although I think we already have 'refine edge' -- I have CS3.

[cheska99]

You may very well be right--I often discovered things in CS5 and wondered if I just didn't know about them in CS4. One thing I can say is that in my opinion this thing is already cleaned of bugs. Since I leave many programs open at once, I trip up ACDSee all the time, but almost never with CS5.

[Starlite9711]

Still drooling, and debating, wishing there was an easy way to ask for it for my anniversary....romantic eh?!?

[cheska99]

Oh--and did I mention the crop tool that works according to the "rule" of thirds? Very, very handy.

[ptabbert]

There are so many new features in CS5 that I'm drooling over! I JUST upgraded from CS3 to CS4 but I think there are enough new features that another upgrade is warranted!

[Shanah-rhymes with Donna]

Well I probably don't use any of the tools I should in CS3 but count me in for an upgrade...sounds like some great new features..thanks for enabling...ahem, ahem, I mean sharing with us.

Now I just have to figure if it's worth getting the discount at academic superstore..if I understood it correctly people here advised us the issue is you can't upgrade it..and let's face it....we'll probably be upgrading some day!!!If anyone has any input on the pros and cons of passing on the upgrade ability I'd love the input. Tyou!

[cheska99]

My figures are very rough here, but I think the picture is something like this: if you buy PS CS5 stand alone, no discount, you're going to be paying about $600. If you get the academic discount you pay about $300 but you have to buy it again instead of upgrading. That means you don't get a price break for the upgrade. But if you buy the $600 version, you have to pay $199 for the upgrade, which means that you paid $400 for each version, the first one and the upgrade. Don't hesitate to tell me if I'm completely wrong about this. Don't want to mislead anyone, but that's my understanding.

[Jen D]

Originally Posted by Shanah-rhymes with Donna

Well I probably don't use any of the tools I should in CS3 but count me in for an upgrade...sounds like some great new features..thanks for enabling...ahem, ahem, I mean sharing with us.

Now I just have to figure if it's worth getting the discount at academic superstore..if I understood it correctly people here advised us the issue is you can't upgrade it..and let's face it....we'll probably be upgrading some day!!!If anyone has any input on the pros and cons of passing on the upgrade ability I'd love the input. Tyou!

The upgrade is always more. I say go for it!!!!

[Jen D]

Originally Posted by FlowerGirl

I'll be getting it too! Although I think we already have 'refine edge' -- I have CS3.

The have improved the refine edge tool dramatically from what I have seen on the previews and classes =) It is much easier to include hairs and fur!

[Shanah-rhymes with Donna]

Just to clarify I only need to buy the upgrade...I have CS3 already..the full one - Paid full price too. So if I get the discount on the upgrade I'm worried the next upgrade won't be allowed....hmmm..I think I"m confusing myself!

[oldvwblues]

I ordered mine..can't wait for it to get here!

[lvich]

Does anyone know if you can have the CS4 Design Premium installed as well as a copy of CS5 alone? There is no way I can upgrade the whole shebang but down the road I might be able to do just Photoshop CS5.

[ptknox]

Originally Posted by lvich

Does anyone know if you can have the CS4 Design Premium installed as well as a copy of CS5 alone? There is no way I can upgrade the whole shebang but down the road I might be able to do just Photoshop CS5.

Yep. I only upgraded PS to CS4 and left all of the CS3 Master Suite (including PSCS3) on my system. I've since added the beta testing version of PSCS5 to the mix and there is no problem at all with having all three installed.