PhotoShop 8.0 Software Review
By Scott Fresener

With a bevy of helpful new functions and features, PhotoShop's latest offering is well worth the cost of an upgrade.

It seems like every year or so I'm writing a software review - software companies just can't leave well enough alone. They no sooner finish a version than they start to work on another.

In the old days, new software releases were like new cars. I may be dating myself when I say this, but as a young boy, I eagerly awaited the new models because they were always so much different than the previous year's. New software releases used to be like that. Now when you look at a car (or a software program), you aren't even sure what model year it is.

Often, though, when you look under the hood, you're pleasantly surprised - and that's how it is with PhotoShop CS 8.0, released in early October. On the surface it does the same things as versions 6.0 or 7.0. In fact, everything I teach about creating channel separations and doing CMYK separations is identical from PhotoShop 5.5 through PhotoShop 8.0. What's new and improved are the ways PhotoShop 8.0 helps you build and perfect designs and how it will improve your PhotoShop productivity.

If you're looking for more magic in creating separations, you won't find it here. But if you're looking for new tools to help you build images better, you'll love PhotoShop CS 8.0. Here's a quick look at the most important changes and improvements.

New Features Abound

The New Name.

The first thing you'll notice is that PhotoShop has a "last name" - it's now called CS, which stands for Creative Suite. Adobe also refers to it as version 8.0, and I will do that here. This reflects Adobe's attempt to make its software more seamless - like a suite of programs. In other words, they're adopting what Corel and other programs have been doing all along.

Activation Copy Protection.

If you're a PC user, this function will probably aggravate you - it's the most complained-about feature on the PhotoShop Internet forums. On the Mac side, everything is business as usual. Install the new version, type in your serial number and life is good. But on the Windows side, the rules have changed. You now have to activate your version via the Web or phone within 30 days. If your computer crashes, you have to activate again. If you change one of several components that PhotoShop maps (a new video card, etc.), you may have to activate again. There's no word yet about how many times you can activate without Adobe thinking you're installing the program on more than one computer, but this is a hot topic.

Training CD.

The new Training CD explains all of PhotoShop 8.0's new features, and it's very well done.

Photomerge.

This one is huge! I've written articles in the past showing how to take an image larger than your scanner, scan it in sections, bring each section onto a separate layer, move it around, soften and blend edges and rotate it until it lines up.

Now imagine doing all that with the click of a button. And yes, you can use a number of images. I've tried it with four, and the PhotoShop manual shows an example of six but doesn't say what the limit is. What's funny, however, is that PhotoShop shows this in the context of piecing together a panorama of a group of photos, not working with extra-large images.

By going to the File/Automate Menu and selecting Photomerge, you can merge images from open files or folders. PhotoShop performs major magic here and assembles a seamless final image. Sometimes it can't process the request, but it will tell you what the problem is. For example, it may not line up one out of six pieces, but it will let you bring the piece in and align it manually.

Shadow/Highlight Adjustment.

This handy little menu lets you adjust only the highlights or only the shadows of an image. Yes, this could be done with Levels or Curves, but it's much easier this way. You'll find this under the Image/Adjustments menus.

Type on a Path.

This is one we've all been waiting for. You can create a work path and let the text follow it just as in your favorite vector program.

Color Replacement Tool.

This new function, part of the Healing Brush, lets you replace a color in the image with a new one by simply drawing over the original.

Filter Gallery.

This excellent tool lets you preview how a filter will affect an image. Also, you can apply more than one filter at a time and see onscreen how the new image will look.

Crop and Straighten.

This feature lets you scan a variety of images at one time without worrying about whether they're straight. PhotoShop 8.0 straightens the images for you and opens them as separate files.

Keyboard Shortcuts.

It's about time for this feature, which allows you to create custom shortcuts for your favorite tasks.

Professional Photographer Support.

Adobe has really upped the ante with file support that professional photographers will love. PhotoShop 8.0 supports the RAW format used by high-end digital cameras, and the image adjustments available are almost like developing film on the computer. Also added are various photo filters and a lens blur filter.

Professional Video and Web Support.

Adobe has included a number of new features for creating Web graphics. If you're into video production (like we are), you'll find PhotoShop's integration with video-editing programs like Adobe Premier greatly improved.

A Look at Improved Features

File Browser.

You'll find the File Browser much easier to use. It's now a separate menu, not just a palette. You can access it from the file icon next to the Palette Well. PhotoShop 8.0 refers to viewing files in the File Browser as a Light Box. You can also access a number of standard PhotoShop menus from within the File Browser.

16-Bit Color.

In the past, only certain effects and menus were available for use with higher bit depth (16-bit) color; 8-bit color was the norm for earlier PhotoShop versions. As part of Adobe's quest to offer photographers more control, most of the normal 8-bit editing tools (Magic Wand, etc.) are now available for use on 16-bit images.

Other Improved Features

You can now save a Layer Comp with various versions of a file's layers, plus there's an improved Help section as well as several more under-the-hood improvements.

So, is it worth it? I say yes. I love the Photomerge feature, and I think the improved File Browser, Filter Gallery and Type on a Path are great additions. PhotoShop costs about $650, but upgrades are a small $150. For that price, I say go for it.

BYLINE: Scott Fresener, Copyright 2004 VNU Business Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved Impressions January 1, 2004
Scott Fresener is the co-author of How To Print T-shirts For Fun And Profit and an automated separation program called FastFilms.
He is a founder and director of The U.S. Screen Printing Institute.Contact him at scott@usscreen.com or call (480) 929-0640.