There are a few computer programs that have their market niches
locked down and define an entire industry. Perhaps the best example is
Adobe Photoshop: Whole industries have sprung into existence just to
cater to the needs of Photoshop jockeys.
So a new version of Photoshop is news to anyone who works with
graphics, Web design, or print publishing.
Like most other Adobe products, the new Photoshop 7.0 (about $600,
upgrade about $150) has equivalent versions for Windows and Mac users,
but the big news is a vote of confidence in Apple's year-old operating
system: Mac OS X. By rewriting the Mac version to run natively
under OS X, Adobe is telling graphics and publishing professionals
that it's okay to migrate to the new operating system.
Adobe has done a good job with its OS X version; unlike some ports
to the new operating system, the new OS X Photoshop holds its own
in any speed contests. While not delivering any OS X-only
features, Photoshop takes advantage of the operating system's improved
stability, memory management, and multitasking.
However it's not yet all smooth sailing for OS X-wannabes;
Photoshop 6-compatible plug-ins will have to run in OS X's Classic
mode, and plug-ins that control SCSI scanners, printers, or other
hardware may not work at all under OS X. Plug-in creators, such as
Alien Skin (maker of the popular Eye Candy series), are rushing updated
versions to market. Of course, that means having to buy more
upgrades!
(Photoshop 7 continues to support older Mac running OS 9.1 or later,
along with Windows systems running Windows 98 or later. Of course, all
users will benefit from a powerful processor and lots of RAM).
But while the new OS X support will be welcomed by Apple's
management team, the product's new features, while worthwhile, are not
as dramatic. Among the new features:
- The ability to customize and tidy up Photoshop's multitude of
palettes into savable Workspaces.
- Similarly, Tool Presets can now be saved.
- A File Browser, carried across from Adobe's low price (but highly
useful) Photoshop Elements, lets users search for graphics by name or
date or keyword.
- A greatly revised Brushes palette includes features to approximate
real-world painting, reminiscent of (though still a pale imitation of)
Corel/Procreate Painter.
- Two new tools, Healing Brush and Patch Tool, that work magic in
erasing wrinkles and other minor flaws from photos.
- Auto Color adjustment, which simplifies correcting color casts in
scans or digital photos.
- A spelling checker. You won't use Photoshop to replace your word
processor, but now you'll have no excuse for making spelling mistakes
when you add text to images.
Photoshop's Web graphics companion program, ImageReady also benefits
from minor makeovers such as improvements in its Rollovers palette and
more options when creating transparent GIF files for Web use. I'm
disappointed that Adobe still hasn't managed to integrate all of
ImageReady's features into the Photoshop core; this is the third
version of Photoshop that instead packages both programs together,
forcing users to bounce back and forth between the two while working on
a single image.
Photoshop 7.0 is a must-have for Mac-users who have moved to
OS X or are considering migrating. Other Photoshop users can
probably take their time deciding whether the new features justify the
time and expense of upgrading.
Corel/Procreate Painter is a better choice if you're creating
digital art from scratch; while Macromedia Fireworks deserves
consideration if you're making graphics for the Web. Adobe's own
Photoshop Elements is a powerful and much more affordable ($149)
alternative for the nonprofessional.
But despite all this, Photoshop 7.0 offers enough new and powerful
features to keep the Photoshop jockeys happy.
You can order Photoshop 7.0
from
Amazon.com for US$609.
The
upgrade sells for US$149.
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