So Photoshop CS5 is out and you either have a copy you're playing with or you're watching the videos and reading the online posts and reviews drooling over the new tools. After watching the demos and reading what Photoshop CS5 has to offer, I got my hands dirty to see to for myself. Here are my fav-5 new tools in Photoshop CS5 as a multimedia designer.
1. Mini Bridge
A simplified version of Bridge built right into Photoshop. Move it, dock it, and modify it just like another other panel in Photoshop. You can preview files (even 3D objects!), perform batch tasks, and search. There is an extremely easy to use, intuitive interface and navigation bar, as well as a button to quickly take you to the full version of Bridge.
2. Content Aware
This is probably the most talked about tool in Photoshop CS5. It almost seems too good to be true - make a selection, choose fill and select the content-aware option and voila! your selection is magically filled in using surrounding image information. Is it perfect everytime? No, of course not. But even when you're results aren't exactly what you wanted, it's is a great start and time saver for designers that have to create content that isn't there. Obviously, some images work better than others.
©iStockphoto.com/Kemter
©iStockphoto.com/Mlenny
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3. Improved Masking
Adobe brought us more improvements in masking than I could have imagined I wanted. You can make a quick selection and open up your refine edge panel to get amazing results quickly and easily.
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©iStockphoto.com/sandsun
Modify the radius of edge detection and use the refine edge tool to paint details in and erase artifacts out.
Eliminate ghosty areas around fine details by using decontaminate color. (Unfortunately this option isn't deconstructive.) In the end you have the option to export out to a new file, a new layer, or a new layer and mask. (Or if you opted out of the decontaminate color feature, you can create a mask on the image).
You can use the mask panel to modify the density and feathering or jump back into refining options.
4. Painting
I will start by saying you can't get the full experience of the new painting tools without a pen and tablet. With the number of settings you can modify - number of bristles, bristle thickness, stiffness, and angle - just one bristle brush gives you endless results.
You get a preview window you to see your brush in action (profile or bird's eye view) and a cursor that updates the angle of your brush as you maneuver your stylus and take full advantage of real tilting effects.
Another amazing new tool is the mixer brush. This tool is like the smear tool on steroids. You can also use it to start turning your photographs into paintings.
©iStockphoto.com/ks1sta
The two brushes do take some practice and getting used to. I found it hard at first to grasp the fact that one brush paints and the other primarily mixes and blends. I can also imagine if you've never used a 3D application before, the brush preview window can throw you for a loop.
5. 3D
I can remember attempting to use the 3D features in Photoshop when they first came out, but they were more counterproductive than they were worth. Naturally, I was skeptical of the additions and improvements to 3D in CS5 but I have been nothing but pleased with what it can do.
I was able to import a 3D object and manipulate them with ease.
I was able to move the camera by zooming in or out, rotating, and panning. I could also move the object the same way.
I was given the ability to add lights to my "scene", manipulate them, and change their settings.
I could select mapped image areas and change their materials as well.
Turn on groundplane shadow caster and shadows are cast onto the grid plane (which can be manipulated using the camera tools).
There was also the option to create 3D objects from a library, including spheres, cubes, soda cans, and more. Just like primitive objects in a 3D app.
With the 3D postcard option you can take a flat image and manipulate it in 3D; even add shadows.
Adobe also added a new tool called repousse that allows you to extrude text and masked images to create 3D objects.
Honorable Mention
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Puppet Warp
- Just like the tool inside After Effects
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Camera Raw 6
- Improved Lens Correction
- Improved Noise Reduction
- Improved Grain Addition
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HDR
- Merge to HDR Pro
- HDR Toning Effect
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New blending modes
Did I miss your favorite tool? Do you have questions or want to share your experience with a specific tool? Tell me about it!