[Angela]

Not sure if this has been mentioned anywhere else (apologies if it has) but CS3 is available for download at here

It only lasts for two days unless you have a CS2 activation code in which case you can get a CS3 activation code - not sure how long it lasts then!

[Steve]

It was posted here Angela but its not a problem for mentioning again. I am sure that others may have missed it too

[P-E]

Been using CS3 for a while now and I can say it is very nice indeed......not that CS2 wasn't

Impressed with ACR (didn't like ACR in CS2) which I am using instead of Capture One at the moment.

[skipper954]

PE - could you comment specifically on the pros and cons of cs3 vs cs2?

It seems like Adobe comes out with a new edition every 18 months or so, just to suck up our money.

So, bottom line, is it worth the upgrade?

skip

[Dave]

New features for the Photoshop CS3 beta include the following:

* Non-destructive Smart Filters
Smart Filters are Photoshop filters that are applied non-destructively, and that remain live and re-editable. To apply a Smart Filter, select one or more layers and choose Filter->Convert for Smart Filters. The selected layer(s) will be converted to a Smart Object, to which you can apply filters non-destructively. Smart Filters appear as parameters under the layer to which they have been applied. Edit the Smart Filter mask to adjust the filter’s effects on different areas of the image. Note that any filter is treated as a Smart Filter when you apply it to a Smart Object.

* Quick Selection Tool
The new Quick Selection Tool creates selections by painting the general area of interest. Photoshop CS3 analyzes the image to complete the selection automatically. To remove pixels from a selection, hold the Opt (Mac)/Alt (Win) key and paint. You'll find the Quick Selection tool in the same slot as the Magic Wand tool in the Tools palette.

* Refine Edge
The new Refine Edge feature offers a simple, flexible way to modify the edge of any selection. Available via the Options bar or via the Select menu, the Refine Edge dialog lets you smooth, feather, contract or expand the current selection by using simple slider controls. Experiment with the Radius slider to select irregular or fuzzy edges.

* Automatic layer alignment and blending
Using automatic layer alignment and blending, easily combine the best parts of multiple images of the same scene into one "best" image. Simply place multiple, related images on separate layers in one document, and let Photoshop CS3 analyze the contents, moving and rotating the layers so they overlap as precisely as possible. Then use the masking tools to reveal the areas you need from different layers to finalize the elements of the composite image. Automatic layer blending seamlessly blends the color and shading into the final image. The "Auto-Align Layers" and "Auto-Blend Layers" commands are both found in the Edit menu. Note that you must have multiple layers selected simultaneously in the Layers palette before you can apply these commands.

* Vanishing Point with multiple, adjustable angle perspective planes
One of the most powerful new features of Photoshop CS2 is now even more flexible. Vanishing Point adjusts brush strokes, healing and cloning as you paint over its perspective planes. In Photoshop CS3, you are no longer restricted to adding planes at 90-degree angles. You can now quickly and easily create multiple planes in any image, connected at any angle. In addition, artwork (for example, a product label pasted from the clipboard) can be wrapped around multiple planes simultaneously. To adjust angles of planes, use the Alt/Option key when dragging on a side point of a plane, or enter a specific angle in the Angle field in the dialog.

* Black and White conversion
Advanced black-and-white conversion is now simpler and faster. With the new Black and White adjustment, one button analyzes the image and offers conversion settings. Fine-tune your image with simple sliders that control the conversion of each color. Click and drag any portion of any image to adjust the corresponding tonal range (for example, click and drag on a red car to lighten or darken all red tones). The improved Channel Mixer adjustment includes new black-and-white presets, the ability to save your own settings as presets for reuse later, and the new Total indicator that keeps you informed on the total percentage contribution from all three color channels.

* Enhanced Adobe Camera Raw
Camera Raw 4.0 now features Fill Light, Recovery, and Vibrance controls; a parametric tone curve; sophisticated black & white and split toning controls; and more.

[Dave]

* Black and White conversion
Advanced black-and-white conversion is now simpler and faster. With the new Black and White adjustment, one button analyzes the image and offers conversion settings. Fine-tune your image with simple sliders that control the conversion of each color. Click and drag any portion of any image to adjust the corresponding tonal range (for example, click and drag on a red car to lighten or darken all red tones). The improved Channel Mixer adjustment includes new black-and-white presets, the ability to save your own settings as presets for reuse later, and the new Total indicator that keeps you informed on the total percentage contribution from all three color channels.

Looking forward to this one

[P-E]

Hi Skip........CS2 V CS3 ........good question.

Thanks to Dave you can see the new features .

As to if the upgrade will be worth it , will obviously be a personal thing but for me CS3 loads quicker I like ACR (4.0 I think). Curves has a nice drop down box with pre-set curves that is a nice touch.

Overall it is a nice improvement.........worth the upgrade as I say that will be a personal thing.

[fionaB]

i think i will stick to Cs2 for a while yet........ it does what i want it to do ( when i have figured out how to ask it), so i cant really ask for more! lol

Fi

[skipper954]

Seems like some things that I would like.

I am still learning cs2, like everyone else, but cs3 makes a lot of stuff easier.

Maybe I will wait for cs4. The beta should be out in October

skip

[P-E]

Just three screen shots showing some of the improvements;

Curves;



Added pre-set curves;



Finally the Black and White options;

[P-E]

Screen shot of the new ACR which I am now using instead of Capture One.

[VinnyP]

The new bridge is much improved with useful features. The zoom window on preview for example and the slideshow now becomes a useful tool and instant gratification with raw files.