The CS3 Thread :)

[colourbox]

OK, since nobody's posted about this yet...

Photoshop CS3 press release (http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressreleases/200612/121406Photoshop.html) (Universal on Mac)

From Martin Evening:
Article (http://www.photoshopforphotographers.com/pscs2/photoshopcs3.htm)
New features PDF document (http://www.photoshopforphotographers.com/pscs2/download/whatsnewinPSCS3.pdf)

[dogwood]

OK, since nobody's posted about this yet...

Photoshop CS3 press release (http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressreleases/200612/121406Photoshop.html) (Universal on Mac)

From Martin Evening:
Article (http://www.photoshopforphotographers.com/pscs2/photoshopcs3.htm)
New features PDF document (http://www.photoshopforphotographers.com/pscs2/download/whatsnewinPSCS3.pdf)

Well, just my two-cents, but this upgrade doesn't seem all that great. Yeah, there's an upgrade to bridge, but really, how could bridge NOT be improved? It's so slow right now you can basically eat lunch and walk the dog in the time it takes to open a shoot.

If the big plus in the CS3 is improved ACR, well, I'm still not impressed. As a Canon shooter, I find DPP does everything ACR can-- only faster and better.

[David_S85]

ACR is a plug-in. It can be updated at any time (and is) by Thomas Knoll. Necessary due to new cams being introduced so fast.

ACR has more useful and logical tools than does DPP. That said, I will be using DPP for the forseeable future due to its rock-solid performance. The DPP noise reduction functions barely work though. :cry And the DPP interface is just plain dumb. They might want to consider re-labeling the exposure slider to "exposure" instead of the way stupid "Brightness." :doh

On the BIG plus side for DPP is the file read speed. It can display JPG and RAW file thumbs from a folder in a few seconds or less. Lightning fast compared to all other apps.

• Some chatter about CS3 here (http://digg.com/software/Adobe_going_to_release_Photoshop_CS3_beta_today). Click ">more..."

• Rumor: Non-destructive filters (or actions) and reversions to non-filtered state without adding extra layers to preserve the original. = smaller file sizes (theory so far).

• Tighter integration with the CS3 suite(s). Big Bridge overhaul. Yet to be seen.

• Because newer is better :lol3 (not always true).

• Mostly, the PS app is crying for the upgrade fast track due to Mac'ers screaming for the program to run on their newer Intels. CS3 suite is on its heels, a few months later. GoLive to be retired and replaced with Adobe Dreamweaver CS3. (aka ver. 9).

[Andy]

Well, just my two-cents, but this upgrade doesn't seem all that great. Yeah, there's an upgrade to bridge, but really, how could bridge NOT be improved? It's so slow right now you can basically eat lunch and walk the dog in the time it takes to open a shoot.

If the big plus in the CS3 is improved ACR, well, I'm still not impressed. As a Canon shooter, I find DPP does everything ACR can-- only faster and better. Not in my book. Not now, and certainly not in the CS3 release :)

http://www.photoshopuser.com/cs3/sk_features.html

[Andy]

On the BIG plus side for DPP is the file read speed. It can display JPG and RAW file thumbs from a folder in a few seconds or less. Lightning fast compared to all other apps.

Dunno, guys. AFAICT, dpp is like 2x slower than my Bridge + ACR

[David_S85]

Dunno, guys. AFAICT, dpp is like 2x slower than my Bridge + ACR

Yeahbut, you use a Mac. I use one of those other boxes. :uhoh

[Andy]

Yeahbut, you use a Mac. I use one of those other boxes. :uhoh
Oh.

So DPP is faster on Win95? OK :D

[David_S85]

And while we're all waiting for my rip-roaring PS CS3 review using Windows 3.1 and 95, here's some screenshots and a user preview (http://www.photoshopuser.com/cs3/sk_features.html)of the new king.

[patch29]

Adobe Photoshop CS3 Beta (http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/entitlement/index.cfm?e=labs%5Fphotoshop), the link will require you to enter your Adobe or Macromedia ID to get to the CS3 page.

I am downloading it now. :D

From Adobe: Important: A licensed copy of Photoshop CS2, Creative Suite 2, Production Studio, Adobe Web Bundle, or Adobe Video Bundle is required to use this technology beyond a two-day trial period.

[patch29]

I installed it on both my G5 and Macbook. It seems to work well so far.

Lots of info out there on it from:

http://photoshopnews.com/

http://www.photoshopforphotographers.com/pscs2/photoshopcs3.htm

http://www.photoshopuser.com/cs3/index.html

[ballentphoto]

I am downloading it right now.... Based on what I have seen and the reports from dpreview from people that have already installed it, it's a winner. The new selection tool (if it works as advertised) will be worth it to me alone. That magnetic lasso tool get old quick. PSe4 had the magic selection brush and it worked great. Panos done in layers, and filters done in layers and re-doable ... what is not to like... and everyone is saying that it's much faster in everything (I will report back on that one)

ACR4 comes from Lightroom so changes done in there will be visible in PSCS3. I am looking forward to the final version.

And while we're all waiting for my rip-roaring PS CS3 review using Windows 3.1 and 95, here's some screenshots and a user preview (http://www.photoshopuser.com/cs3/sk_features.html)of the new king.

[Andy]

The changes to ACR are awesome.

Fill light. Split toning. Recovery. Improved grescale. Way-improved curves functionality.

[Richard]

The changes to ACR are awesome.

Fill light. Split toning. Recovery. Improved grescale. Way-improved curves functionality.

Anybody know whether ACR 4 will be usable with CS2?

[ballentphoto]

Anybody know whether ACR 4 will be usable with CS2?

Could always try to copy the file over :D I will experiment with that once I'm up and running... Since I use Capture NX for my raw conversions ACR is only used to preview from Bridge... of course it could just be coded to only work with CS3... Will see :)

[DifferentSeed]

Does anyone know if you can still run PS CS2 if you install the CS3 beta?

[01af]

In the Photoshop CS3 Beta Trial package, ACR 4.0 is a great thing! And Bridge CS3 is rubbish. Definitely not an improvement over Bridge 1.0.4---it's as slow as it ever was, and even more prone to crashing. Okay, it's only a beta release, but still I was expecting more. I am very disappointed.


Anybody know whether ACR 4 will be usable with CS2? I just tried it. It's not.


Does anyone know if you can still run PS CS2 if you install the CS3 beta? Yes, you can. No problem.

-- Olaf

[Andy]

Photomerge is updated, with new perspective controls :clap

[ballentphoto]

Photomerge is updated, with new perspective controls :clap

Have you tried the auto-align layers and Auto blend? that is one of the things that has me very interested.

[Andy]

Oh nice :D

Bridge is really well done. Lots of personalization options, easily configurable, and try clicking (just highlighting) on two or three thumbs at once. Sweet

[wxwax]

You have to have CS2. :patch

[Andy]

Did they run out of budget and that's why the Dock Icon's are so Freakin' Fugly? :lol3

[dogwood]

The changes to ACR are awesome.

Fill light. Split toning. Recovery. Improved grescale. Way-improved curves functionality.

This part sounds good. Plus, I like the idea of a b&w conversion using an adjustment layer. And the new extract or selection tool sounds nice too. Guess I'll have to give it a spin.

Maybe once Vista comes out and I go dual-chip, bridge will be faster for me. I would very much like to be able to use it-- but for me (on PC anyway), it's an absolute crawl. I end up using Photo Mechanics to sort my photos before working in PS.

[patch29]

You have to have CS2. :patch


:haha :wxwax

[DavidTO]

You have to have CS2. :patch


Just what you want to do: pay for a CS2 update when CS3 is just around the corner!

[wxwax]

Just what you want to do: pay for a CS2 update when CS3 is just around the corner!
Not gonna happen.

I'll wait 'til April.

[Andy]

I love opening Bridge and CS3 now! Everytime, something new!

It's an Adobe-gasm!!!!!! :lol3

[dogwood]

It's an Adobe-gasm!!!!!! :lol3

Hmmm, I think I know why you're not developing Adobe's new ad campaign, Andy. :rolleyes

[Nikolai]

Anybody know whether ACR 4 will be usable with CS2?

Yes and no.

CS3 came with TWO versions of "Camera Raw.8bi".

One is located in
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe Asset Services CS3\Plug-Ins

and the other in
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Plug-Ins\CS3\File Formats

File has different sizes and works differently.
The second one refused to work with CS2 (error when opening RAW file).

The first one, if copied to CS2 location

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Plug-Ins\CS2\File Formats

is working:-).
However, it's almost the same as the old ACR, but with added Fill Light slider.

HTH

[jfriend]

Does anyone know if you can still run PS CS2 if you install the CS3 beta?

Over on dpreview, there are people running both side-by-side. The only place I've heard that they collide is in file associations (the last one installed wins). Other than that, they seem to install and work completely separately.

[jfriend]

Anybody know whether ACR 4 will be usable with CS2?

Adobe's prior stance with ACR was that new versions of it would only work with the latest version of Photoshop. For example, the current versions of ACR only work with CS2, not with CS. I've heard there are practical reasons for this (testing and maintaining compatibility with older releases in something that get's released four times a year) and there are obviously business reasons for it (driving people who need new versions of ACR to upgrade). I'd be surprised if Adobe changed this policy.

[Nikolai]

Just spent the whole eveing watching the videos.
It looks like in this version Adobe finally did a lot of things right.. Adobe's website gives a good rundown on the new features, but the videos are well worth watching (NAPP members will get some extras). New curves, new edge refining and selection tool, new vanishing point, new b/W, new blending modes, smart filters, new bridge ... The list goes on and on...
Man, this is gonna be the best PS ever :clap

[jfriend]

Just spent the whole eveing watching the videos.
It looks like in this version Adobe finally did a lot of things right.. Adobe's website gives a good rundown on the new features, but the videos are well worth watching (NAPP members will get some extras). New curves, new edge refining and selection tool, new vanishing point, new b/W, new blending modes, smart filters, new bridge ... The list goes on and on...
Man, this is gonna be the bes PS ever :clap

I watched a bunch of the videos too. This looks like one of the bigger releases with multiple compelling things to motivate an upgrade. They got me just with ACR4 and all the new adjustments, but I can see a bunch of things in the Photoshop editor that will be highly useful too. There are even lots of little things that they finally got right like why wasn't the histogram shown in the curves editor until now. It's sooo helpful to see there, particularly when you're messing with contrast and curve steepness. I think smart filters will save a lot of editing rework time too when you suddenly realize you have to modify an earlier editing step as you now won't have to delete subsequent layers, make the fix and then redo those steps. To me, this release is a big deal.

[Stustaff]

I want smugmug cs3 How to's. :)

[Andy]

Sure hope they fix the brush-size-visibility (http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/webforums/forum/messageview.cfm?forumid=72&catid=626&threadid=1223809&enterthread=y) thing soon. :cry

[Andy]

I love opening Bridge and CS3 now! Everytime, something new!

It's an Adobe-gasm!!!!!! :lol3
Cool loupe tool in Bridge, a bit buggy but interesting to have it.

[Cameron]

Cool loupe tool in Bridge, a bit buggy but interesting to have it.

Yeah, when I first used it I noticed it was rotating around and I couldn't figure out what I did to make it do that - I quickly realized it orients itself on its own. Clever effect, and a pretty useful little addition.

[patch29]

Cool loupe tool in Bridge, a bit buggy but interesting to have it.


It seems to work great at time and others it displays vertical lines/noise. I like it when it works right.

[Andy]

It seems to work great at time and others it displays vertical lines/noise. I like it when it works right.
Bridge forums the dev's say it's when the image has been rotated and they will be fixing it.

[patch29]

Did the Automate>Web Photo Gallery feature get removed/replaced? :scratch

[01af]

I love opening Bridge ... You do!? Have you ever tried browsing a folder with, say, 500 or more image files using Bridge 2.0? On my machine, Bridge crashes every time when I try this. It happily (but slowly) builds the cache. Okay. But then, when I try selecting one of the images, it goes haywire ... and then usually crashes eventually. Browsing folders with only a few dozen image files however is working fine ...

Am I the only one who experiences this? I have many folders that contain 200 - 800 image files each.

-- Olaf

[patch29]

Bridge forums the dev's say it's when the image has been rotated and they will be fixing it.


The whole image or the displayed image in the loupe?

I see it more on vertical images. if the loop is oriented down, but if it spins up it seems to fix itself. :dunno I still find it very useful and will be waiting for the final version. :deal

[patch29]

Am I the only one who experiences this? I have many folders that contain 200 - 800 image files each .


My current folder has 400 images and it works well, the loupe has some intermittent issues and in vertical filmstrip mode my thumbnails don't seem to be as large as they display in 1.0, there is a fair amount of empty space. That said it does load a lot faster vs 1.0.

[dogwood]

That said it does load a lot faster vs 1.0.

I'll agree with this but I'm still not crazy about the speed of the latest bridge compared to software like Photo Mechanics. Maybe if I had more RAM (I have 2 GB) or ??? Photo Mechanics seems to do just about everything bridge does only faster and a whole lot easier. And when it comes to downloads, I've yet to find a program that works as well at Photo Mechanics (renaming, downloads to multiple locations, etc).

That said, the other new features in PSCS3 seem nice. ACR is dramatically improved. I'm still struggling a bit with using dual screens and the tool/layer/etc palettes, but even Scott Kelby struggled with that!

I think it's brilliant for Adobe to release this as a beta though. Gives a good chance to learn it before making the leap to purchase.

[rutt]

It took me a little while to figure this out. I want darkness always to the left. In the vocabulary of cs3 that means I want pigment / ink % instead of light to be the default. Used to be you could just click on the little button in the center of the x axis and it stuck for the given color space. Now you have to choose "Curve Display Options" and then check the appropriate box. But I couldn't figure out how to get it to stick (become the default.)

Answer: Choose "Present Custom" from the drop down at the top. Make the change to pigment / ink%. Then OK and now it's the default.

[rutt]

My CS2 serial number didn't work, so I checked "trial". It says I only have 2 more days. Did anyone else get something better to work?

[rutt]

My CS2 serial number didn't work, so I checked "trial". It says I only have 2 more days. Did anyone else get something better to work?

Well, I'm not a great fine-print reader, but reading the fine-print at the bottom of the download page paid off.

[Andy]

Well, I'm not a great fine-print reader, but reading the fine-print at the bottom of the download page paid off.
:nod Reading is hard :lol3

[Nikolai]

With all the latest improvements coming in for both ACR and PS, it's gonna be really hard to make a decision which tool use for what. Color correction tabs of the ACR (HSL sliders, configurable parametric curve) kick ass, but per-channel curving of PS would still give you a more precise control. Split toning for duo-tones in ACR has no direct match in PS, but PS' Black and White adjustment layer, with its 7 channels sliders and direct "on-image" control can make anybody crazy with the question "why can't we have both in the same tool?".

I guess the solution for now would be to import the RAW file as a smart object (at least for those images that you know you gonna work hard with for whatever reason), so you'd be able to use the both set of tools interchangeably...

Man isn't this the best PS version ever...:-)

[rutt]

You have to separate ease and power. If there is some way to convert from raw to PS's internal format without losing any information, then well, I'd say this wins on the power score. You should be able to do just about anything. It's a mere matter of knowing how.

Already (in CS2), though, there are a few things which are much easier to do in ACR, particularly a first take on color balance.

Without all 10 channels available, without the various brush and selection tools, etc, it's hard to see how ACR could ever actually get close to PS in terms of raw power.

Here is what I'd really like most of all: no ACR at all. Why couldn't PS just open the darned file and then pay attention to the tools so that color balance, highlight/shadow, &etc would work well with raw files.

[Nikolai]

You have to separate ease and power. If there is some way to convert from raw to PS's internal format without losing any information, then well, I'd say this wins on the power score. You should be able to do just about anything. It's a mere matter of knowing how.
I think the way of using RAW as a Smart Object (CS2/CS3) is currently the way of combining the power of both.

Already (in CS2), though, there are a few things which are much easier to do in ACR, particularly a first take on color balance.
Totally agree!

Without all 10 channels available, without the various brush and selection tools, etc, it's hard to see how ACR could ever actually get close to PS in terms of raw power.

The lack of channels manipulation and support as well as a bery basic sharpening definitely weakens it, otherwise ACR woul become almost ideal from Dan's p.o.w., since there is no way to make selection and you have to operate on the whole image:-)


Here is what I'd really like most of all: no ACR at all. Why couldn't PS just open the darned file and then pay attention to the tools so that color balance, highlight/shadow, &etc would work well with raw files.

I agree again. They have already dropped ImageReady, I hope next time they'll simply integrate ACR into PS itself and simply activate/deactivete the certain tools based on what they can or cannot do. They already made the ACR aware of the two most common digital camera types: jpeg and tiff, there is no reason anymore to keep it separate. All the have to do is to update "Camera Raw.8bi" dll from time to time:-)

[StevenV]

an interview and demo of changes/new features
http://video.macworld.com/2006/12/downloads/mwvodcast2.m4v

[Nikolai]

Seems to be OK:clap
I just verified that Star*Explorer integration with Bridge works with CS3 version too:ivar .
The only difference seems to be a script folder name (details on the website (http://www.starexplorer.com/))

[Nikolai]

Tried it today for the first time. Popped in the card and was greeted with a multiple choice window, among the choices - Bridge image import.
Gave it a try and was blown away. :D
I mean, I watched the video on it, but watching somebody doing it and doing it yourself are "two big differences" (as they say in Odessa). I opted for Advanced Dialog, which seems to be way more powerful than it's non-advanced brother.
One of the nice things (apart many) is its ability to apply metadata while copying the data. Shaves a step in a workflow, making my life a bit easier.:thumb
WTG, Adobe!:clap

[erich6]

It sounds like the updates to Bridge and ACR are bringing the frontend of the Photoshop Creative Suite to be very similar to Lightroom. Any thoughts on the differences in workflow between the two?

Erich

[Nikolai]

It sounds like the updates to Bridge and ACR are bringing the frontend of the Photoshop Creative Suite to be very similar to Lightroom. Any thoughts on the differences in workflow between the two?

Erich

I agree. All is missing is to bring ACR functionality into the Bridge itself.
I mean the left hand control panel of ACR acan be just another panel in Bridge. :deal
And THAT would be a killer!:clap

[Richard]

And THAT would be a killer!:clap

Bridge already kills my machine. :cry

[Nikolai]

Bridge already kills my machine. :cry

This is strange... I observe better performance of CS3 vs CS2 across the board...:dunno And my PC is two years old, 1 Gb of RAM, nothing fancy...

Do you use the new thumbnail logic? It helps a lot...

[Richard]

This is strange... I observe better performance of CS3 vs CS2 across the board...:dunno And my PC is two years old, 1 Gb of RAM, nothing fancy...

Do you use the new thumbnail logic? It helps a lot...

Actually, I'm talking about CS2. My machine is 5 years old. It was great till I started doing photography. :rofl

[Nikolai]

I agree. All is missing is to bring ACR functionality into the Bridge itself.
I mean the left hand control panel of ACR acan be just another panel in Bridge. :deal
And THAT would be a killer!:clap

I just noticed: in Bridge's Preferences there is an Inspector section, which is empty for now. However, descriptions says something about panels in Inspector mode, whcih, methinks, is akin to LR's Developer's mode...:wink :deal
Man, I'm already drooling:-) :clap

[Nikolai]

Actually, I'm talking about CS2. My machine is 5 years old. It was great till I started doing photography. :rofl

Yeah, the new one will take advantage of the fast videocard, 64bit OS, extra memory.. Time to upgrade, mon cher ami!
Not now, but maybe in April, or whenever Vista comes out...

[Richard]

Yeah, the new one will take advantage of the fast videocard, 64bit OS, extra memory.. Time to upgrade, mon cher ami!
Not now, but maybe in April, or whenever Vista comes out...

Yep. My thoughts exactly.

[dogwood]

Okay, Andy, you were right. The new 'bridge' is faster than the CS2 bridge for me-- but it's still clunky and slow for sorting compared to Photo Mechanics.

But-- that said, I did a comparison of a DPP processed RAW with a CS3 ACR processed RAW (in the past, DPP was better) and I actually liked the CS3 ACR better this time! Now that's a start.

I agree-- integrating the ACR with CS3 would be nice. Eventually, I'd like Adobe to release a PS version just aimed at photographers.

Ironically, the "new" single bar toolbar on CS3 looks quite a bit like the Elements toolbar...

[Vich]

Actually, I'm talking about CS2. My machine is 5 years old. It was great till I started doing photography. :roflHey, get rid of Norton Antivirus already! (IT humor ... Norton's cripled more machines ...)

I see some wonderful improvements in CS3, but it's still the same basically nice package - but updated. Maybe they "rewrote Bridge", but I see ACR as the big improvement. I've only watched the videos and read some feature highlights, but that's my .02.

One cool feature is ACR accepting jpg and tiff formats. The new smart selection and blending features are trick too!

[Andy]

Okay, Andy, you were right.

Was there ever any doubt :scratch

:lol3 :lol3 :lol3

Ironically, the "new" single bar toolbar on CS3 looks quite a bit like the Elements toolbar...

Click just above the blue Ps, you will get a different toolbar:

[Richard]

Was there ever any doubt :scratch

:lol3 :lol3 :lol3


Click just above the blue Ps, you will get a different toolbar:

It's good to have the choice of single or double row, but what I want is to be able to completely customize the contents. There are some tools that I never use at all (the hand, for example). Other tools that share a button (paint bucket and gradient, for example) I use frequently and would rather have both of them visible at once. It's obviously not a big deal, but Microsoft and others have had customizable toolbars for years, and you would think that Adobe could do the same. Grumble, grumble...

[Nikolai]

It's good to have the choice of single or double row, but what I want is to be able to completely customize the contents. There are some tools that I never use at all (the hand, for example). Other tools that share a button (paint bucket and gradient, for example) I use frequently and would rather have both of them visible at once. It's obviously not a big deal, but Microsoft and others have had customizable toolbars for years, and you would think that Adobe could do the same. Grumble, grumble...

Can't agree more. I also never use some of those tools (likedodge/burn) and others I use exclusively via shortcuts (hand, zoom, quick mask). Yet they all take space, and, most importantly, you can't dock it along with other panels and save this strip of space, since even in the most collapsed state it will take the width of that one column and occupying the tiny top part of it.. Argh...

I do hope they will change their docking and configuration policy. They have already mage a huge leap in that direction, all it takes is a few more polishing steps. Again, this is the first public beta, and it already rocks:-)
If I know anything about development is that you can do a lot in 6 months :deal

[Andy]

Link to Martin Evening's 21pg PDF on the new goodness in PS CS3:

http://photoshopnews.com/2006/12/14/whats-new-in-photoshop-cs3-for-photographers/

Sorry if this was posted already?

[Bendr]

It's an Adobe-gasm!!!!!! :lol3
ARQG!

So when is CS3 supposed to come out?

[Nikolai]

Link to Martin Evening's 21pg PDF on the new goodness in PS CS3:

http://photoshopnews.com/2006/12/14/whats-new-in-photoshop-cs3-for-photographers/

Sorry if this was posted already?

In case you haven't read much about CS3 and want a coincise yet rather full review this might be a good one to start with. :thumb
(Or you can play with the beta yourself over a weekend and you will learn all that and then some:-) :wink

[claudermilk]

It's good to have the choice of single or double row, but what I want is to be able to completely customize the contents. There are some tools that I never use at all (the hand, for example). Other tools that share a button (paint bucket and gradient, for example) I use frequently and would rather have both of them visible at once. It's obviously not a big deal, but Microsoft and others have had customizable toolbars for years, and you would think that Adobe could do the same. Grumble, grumble...
Hrrmm... I use the hand all the time (alright, minds out of the gutters! :nono )--however I NEVER use the toolbar to get to it, spacebar-for-hand is probably one of the best shortcuts on the keyboard. You point is a good one: why not have a customizable toolbar? Or perhaps an expandable one with most-used always visible then expand for the rest?

[DavidTO]

The new icons: Love or hate them? (http://www.lifeclever.com/2006/12/21/adobes-new-icons-love-or-hate-em/)

[dogwood]

ARQG!

So when is CS3 supposed to come out?

Well-- it's pretty much out, at least as a beta for PSCS2 folks. The beta is fully funtional though-- it's the only software I've used to post-process pics since it was released Friday.

Personally, I think the beta option is a brilliant move by Adobe. I generally don't buy the PS upgrades when they come out-- in fact PSCS2 I didn't buy until last month when I had to due to selling off old camera gear and my old ACR version wouldn't work with the new gear. So this time when Adobe "officially" releases CS3, I will be buying the upgrade right away just because I'll already be used to it-- and honestly, the new ACR is a huge improvement, IMO.

So what I'm saying is-- yes, you'll need PSCS2 to get the CS3 beta but if you're anything like me, you'll be shooting and processing thousands of photos between now and the official CS3 release-- so why wait?

Just my worthless two-cents anyway...

[dogwood]

The new icons: Love or hate them? (http://www.lifeclever.com/2006/12/21/adobes-new-icons-love-or-hate-em/)

Hate 'em. I thought they were for the beta version only... guess not. They look cheap and I don't like icons with words or letters. I thought the point of an icon was to quickly identify a program visually-- not by figuring out if the PS intials (just as an example) are the Photoshop file or the Pete Springer folder or the Photos Selected folder, etc etc.

[jfriend]

Hate 'em. I thought they were for the beta version only... guess not. They look cheap and I don't like icons with words or letters. I thought the point of an icon was to quickly identify a program visually-- not by figuring out if the PS intials (just as an example) are the Photoshop file or the Pete Springer folder or the Photos Selected folder, etc etc.

In other software beta processes I've been part of, it has been common to have icons that just had letters on them during the beta process because final icon designs often can or do come in late in the process. The UI developer doesn't have the final icon when they build the UI so they put a placeholder in the product until the final icon is produced by the graphics folks. Are we sure that these lettered icons are intended to be production icons and aren't just placeholders in the beta process?

[DavidTO]

Are we sure that these lettered icons are intended to be production icons and aren't just placeholders in the beta process?


Pretty Sure. (http://blogs.adobe.com/jnack/2006/12/the_other_cs3_icons.html)

[DavidTO]

Photoshop and 64Bit Computing (http://blogs.adobe.com/scottbyer/2006/12/64_bitswhen.html).

[DavidTO]

Auto Align demo (http://www.jnack.com/vids/AutoAlign.html)

[Nikolai]

Pretty Sure. (http://blogs.adobe.com/jnack/2006/12/the_other_cs3_icons.html)

Well, since all you see on your desktop are links/shortcuts, you can always replace the icon for any of them in case you don't like the default one.
So, what's the big deal?:dunno

[nikos]

I'm amazed by the new black & white adjustment layer. Did you guys notice that you don't have to move the sliders -- instead, you can just scrub parts of the image to darken (left scrub) or lighten (right scrub) the pixel values.

Not only is this cool for adjusting black & white images, but it also makes a powerful selection tool for masking.

Nikos

[David_S85]

Did Adobe use the full power of Illustrator to create these CS3 icons?

Yuck. Man, those are for squares! (Hippie ref.) :lol3


Somebody's going to figure a way to change them all to something better, and will result in a new side industry.

[Nikolai]

I'm amazed by the new black & white adjustment layer. Did you guys notice that you don't have to move the sliders -- instead, you can just scrub parts of the image to darken (left scrub) or lighten (right scrub) the pixel values.

Not only is this cool for adjusting black & white images, but it also makes a powerful selection tool for masking.

Nikos

I agree, the idea of grabbing the image itself and changing the luminosity simply by dragging is pretty ingenious. Color-coded sliders are also cool, but that image dragging is something. Interesting, they have chosen the similar approach in their new Quick Selection tool, complete with Refine Edges. Eliminates all the guesswork and simplifies the whole selecting ordeal...

And that mistery Inspector mode in Bridge... Makes you wonder what other cards do they still hold in their sleeves for the actual release :wink

[jdryan3]

It sounds like the updates to Bridge and ACR are bringing the frontend of the Photoshop Creative Suite to be very similar to Lightroom. Any thoughts on the differences in workflow between the two?

Erich

Erich -
Did you get any response to this comment? I saw Scott Kelby's column in Photoshop User but haven't found any deep discussion beyond lightroom for the profesional photography

Note: I found this discussion via searching dgrin, but nothing else - did I miss it? :rolleyes

[El Kiwi]

Did you get any response to this comment? I saw Scott Kelby's column in Photoshop User but haven't found any deep discussion beyond lightroom for the profesional photography

This interests me as well. I've been using Lightroom for pretty much everything, and have just started with PS for sharpening etc. I'll be buying CS3 for sure, if I can avoid buying Lightroom as well, that would be great. I do love it though.

I'm currently "evaluating" CS3, I'm gonna try ACR when I get a moment and see what I think.

[Nikolai]

I've noticed another minor annoyance: in some cases CS3 provides nice descriptive icons for the adjustment layers, but sometimes displays an old "generic" ones.

Here are two samples taken from two consecutively edited images:

CS3 Layer Icons bug:

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/119367159-L.jpg

I have a feeling that generic icons happen for the very first image, and next ones are OK, but I didn't spend enough time to verify this assumption...

Funny, however, than once you get generic (or new descriptive) icons in your PSD, you will keep getting them for this image.

[EDIT]
It's not the bug, and it's not CS3. It's the vertical orientation or icon size. If changed in Layers' Palette option to Medium (or Large) it will always be descriptive.
False alarm:-)

[dogwood]

Just ran across this gem about CS3 bugs:

"#1382654: Mac/Win: Quality of Image Size resizing is worse than CS2
————————————————————
Workaround:
1) Use CS2"

Well this sure explains why my size-for-web action in CS3 (the same action I use in CS2) leaves me with pixelated edges.

Here are the rest of the known bugs:

http://photoshopnews.com/... .../12/27/photoshop-cs3-known-issues-updated/ (http://photoshopnews.com/2006/12/27/photoshop-cs3-known-issues-updated/)

[Nikolai]

...
Here are the rest of the known bugs:

http://photoshopnews.com/... .../12/27/photoshop-cs3-known-issues-updated/ (http://photoshopnews.com/2006/12/27/photoshop-cs3-known-issues-updated/)

Nice link, thanks alot!:thumb

[erich6]

Erich -
Did you get any response to this comment? I saw Scott Kelby's column in Photoshop User but haven't found any deep discussion beyond lightroom for the profesional photography

Note: I found this discussion via searching dgrin, but nothing else - did I miss it? :rolleyes

Nick posted:

I agree. All is missing is to bring ACR functionality into the Bridge itself.
I mean the left hand control panel of ACR acan be just another panel in Bridge. :deal
And THAT would be a killer!:clap

That's about the extent of the discussion so far. I downloaded the Lightroom beta version and I plan on downloading CS3 to compare.... I like some of the Lightroom functions but I use DxO Pro to do my initial processing so it doesn't quite fit in the workflow. The part of Lightroom that attracts me is the duotoning and B&W conversion and I think CS3 now offers that in ACR.

Erich

[Stustaff]

he he this is my favourite


#1324277: Cancel on progress dialogs does not work
————————————————————
Workaround:
1) Do not click Cancel while a progress dialog is displayed

[Andy]

Just ran across this gem about CS3 bugs:

"#1382654: Mac/Win: Quality of Image Size resizing is worse than CS2
————————————————————
Workaround:
1) Use CS2"

Well this sure explains why my size-for-web action in CS3 (the same action I use in CS2) leaves me with pixelated edges.

Here are the rest of the known bugs:

http://photoshopnews.com/... .../12/27/photoshop-cs3-known-issues-updated/ (http://photoshopnews.com/2006/12/27/photoshop-cs3-known-issues-updated/)

My Bridge Prefs, for which are my "favorites" are not being saved. Anyone else have this problem, or am I just being dum?

[Nikolai]

My Bridge Prefs, for which are my "favorites" are not being saved. Anyone else have this problem, or am I just being dum?

Which ones?
Thus far mine seems to save everything MRU perfectly... :dunno

[patch29]

Adobe released a Bridge CS3 Beta 2, info at robgalbraith.com (http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-8735-8795)

[Nikolai]

Adobe released a Bridge CS3 Beta 2, info at robgalbraith.com (http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-8735-8795)

Thanks for the info!

I downloaded, installed and played with it a little.
Bottomline: great improvement!:clap

Feels *much* faster and more responsive
Dual monitor support works as promised (via new Sync Window)
Love the keyboard shortcut for Reject, feature finally became useful
Flat view is awesome, truly great feature!
Larger thumbs (upto 640) can be very useful sometimes
....WTG, Adobe! :thumb

[patch29]

Dual monitor support works as promised (via new Sync Window)
Larger thumbs (upto 640) can be very useful sometimes



I have not had a chance to try it out yet, but those are two features I want to check out. I did a quick check after I installed it and the problems I was having with the loupe seem to be fixed. :thumb

[Brett Mickelson]

This might be a stupid question, but everything I've seen so far indicates that the new Bridge and Camera Raw for CS3 will basically have the same functionality, if not better, than Lightroom. If so, what's the big deal with Lightroom? A lot of serious photographers are saying Lightroom is the new tool to have, but if you are spending money on the whole suite, why would you need it?

[Nikolai]

This might be a stupid question, but everything I've seen so far indicates that the new Bridge and Camera Raw for CS3 will basically have the same functionality, if not better, than Lightroom. If so, what's the big deal with Lightroom? A lot of serious photographers are saying Lightroom is the new tool to have, but if you are spending money on the whole suite, why would you need it?

Adobe definitely "borrowed" some ideas from the Lightroom experience. I can clearly see those ideas making their way into various parts of the CS3.

If the things go the way they are going now, I'm gonna get CS3 and not LR (if there will be any LR left at all after CS3 ships).

Just my two cents...

[jfriend]

Adobe definitely "borrowed" some ideas from the Lightroom experience. I can clearly see those ideas making their way into various parts of the CS3.

If the things go the way they are going now, I'm gonna get CS3 and not LR (if there will be any LR left at all after CS3 ships).

Just my two cents...

It would make logical sense for CS3 to be a superset of Lightroom. They could then have Elements, Lightroom, CS3 as a three tier product line. It does appear to be for sure that all ACR functionality in Lightroom will be in Bridge.

What about the keyword indexing, contact sheet printing and slideshow functionality in Lightroom. Are there any signs that that's going to be in Bridge?

[Anthony]

Adobe definitely "borrowed" some ideas from the Lightroom experience. I can clearly see those ideas making their way into various parts of the CS3.

If the things go the way they are going now, I'm gonna get CS3 and not LR (if there will be any LR left at all after CS3 ships).

Just my two cents...
Interestingly I have made this point in couple of forms I subscribe to and about all anyone can say is that Lightroom is a 'one-stop-shop' - which of course it isn't - certainly in it's current state of progress.

The develop module in Lightroom is great; but there again, the latest iteration of ACR covers most of the features just as well. I would guess that many people use some form of DAM software such as IDImager, etc. which are dedicated to the task and offer much greater sophistication. And even if the print capabilities of Photoshop are insufficient for anybody, then there are some excellent programs around to handle this; I personally use QImage (which is only PC I think) and again, a program which is dedicated to it's task.

It is perfectly feasible to create an efficient workflow using two or three pieces of software such as those noted above, with the added advantage of the flexibility to choose the component parts to suit a particular set of needs.

Anthony.

[ginger_55]

I have downloaded it. I am most impressed with the esthetics of the bridge and am overwhelmed with RAW.

I read about it, first, in Photoshop User magazine, so I have read that article.

Does anyone know of a good book out on CS3, yet. None by Scott Kelby:cry .

ginger (who spends more on books.................than anything, I think, other than actual photo equipment)

[Rhuarc]

Just a question about CS3, does anyone know if Photoshop can use the GPU on a Vista machine? I'm running XP Pro, and int he Preformance tab under Preferences it says that No GPU options are available on Windows XP with Photoshop. Is this just because Windows XP interface doesn't use the GPU and Vista's interface does?

Overall I'm loving the new CS3 Beta. I was trying to decide if Lightroom was something I wanted to try to add to my workflow, but since I have been using this and reading about others experiences with CS3 I've decided to just go this route. Can't wait to see what their final product looks like!!

[El Kiwi]

Sigh... if only it had Lightroom style cropping, it would be perfect. Now that I'm used to the way Lightroom does this, it's difficult to live without it. Otherwise I can do without, I'm much more aware of its limitations since I've started reading Dan Margulis.

[colourbox]

This might be a stupid question, but everything I've seen so far indicates that the new Bridge and Camera Raw for CS3 will basically have the same functionality, if not better, than Lightroom. If so, what's the big deal with Lightroom? A lot of serious photographers are saying Lightroom is the new tool to have, but if you are spending money on the whole suite, why would you need it?

My take on it is that it fills a market void for Adobe. If you don't want to spend $600 on Photoshop, what do you buy? Elements isn't quite enough. Aperture, LightZone, Nikon Capture, and other competitors exist in the middle. Adobe probably decided that they should have a presence in the middle, too. I'm glad Lightroom exists, but I might stick with CS3 too since I need it anyway.

On the higher end, even those with Photoshop may prefer the streamlining of three programs into Lightroom, and if a pro makes enough money from their work, streamlining daily tasks for $199 could pay for itself very quickly. There are plenty of threads on this board talking about picking up all kinds of gear that cost much more than $199 (bodies, lenses, flashes). For that crowd, $199 (or even the regular $299) is an easier decision.

[wxwax]

Having asked the same question, my take is that Lightroom is a logistics tool.

If you have lots of shots to process, it's easier to use Lightroom to wrangle them than it is Photoshop.

I, however, have relatively few keepers. So I can't see a need for it.

[Rhuarc]

Having asked the same question, my take is that Lightroom is a logistics tool.

If you have lots of shots to process, it's easier to use Lightroom to wrangle them than it is Photoshop.

I, however, have relatively few keepers. So I can't see a need for it.

Plus many people already have dedicated DAM systems such as IVMP or IdImager that are much more flexible and robust that Lightroom's DAM features. I don't think Lightroom has heirarchal (sp?) keywords or anything. So for me it will still be easier to use my DAM program and CS3 ACR.

[ginger_55]

Book for CS3 Beta: I ordered from Amazon, yesterday, and received, today, an inexpensive little book called "Photoshop CS3 Beta" (first look) by Ben Long.
Glancing through it, I have learned some of the obvious things already. Most of you would not need this book, I am sure, but for people like me, it looks to be a very important tool. Only 114 pages, but lots of info for the likes of me.

Just thought I would share that. I can't do a review on the book, as I don't "read" these books, I use them as needed. Just glancing at the part on the "new" Curves, I have learned things to use right there.

It is something like 13.00, well worth it, IMO. Unless, of course, you don't need this kind of thing.

ginger

[ginger_55]

how does one know that it is installed correctly?? I think I installed it, AFTER installing CS3, but I don't know.
What would I look for? What does it do so that I could look to see if it does that, or any other suggestions?

Plus, the screen on the RAW part, it is too big for my 19" monitor. I cannot find any way to adjust the size. Does anyone have a suggestion?
What happens is that the bottom of the screen is below my thing on the bottom of my computer with Start and everything on it, so I have to maneuver the RAW screen around dramatically, after my work on it is finished, so I can move the photo into photoshop.

Does anyone understand these questions? Does anyone have a suggestion, or suggestions?

ginger

[jfriend]

Plus, the screen on the RAW part, it is too big for my 19" monitor. I cannot find any way to adjust the size. Does anyone have a suggestion?
What happens is that the bottom of the screen is below my thing on the bottom of my computer with Start and everything on it, so I have to maneuver the RAW screen around dramatically, after my work on it is finished, so I can move the photo into photoshop.ginger
What screen resolution is your video card set to? You can right click on your desktop, choose properties and select the Settings tab to see your current screen resolution.

ACR requires at least 1024 x 768 screen resolution.

[ginger_55]

Thanks, John. I don't know what a video card is, but I followed your instructions by rt clicking on the desk top.

My screen resolution was/is set to 1024 X 768. The color quality was set to the highest at 32 bit. And the dpi was set to "normal" at 96dpi.

I raised the screen resolution to 1280 X 720, and that did not work out, so I put it back where it had been at 1024 X 768.

What would you suggest I set those numbers to? I thought it was better to ask then to mess it up totally.

Thanks, ginger

on the plus side, I think that update is downloaded and installed, it is just the size of that screen that is not right.

I have a relatively new 19" LCD monitor.

[kres]

This might be a stupid question, but everything I've seen so far indicates that the new Bridge and Camera Raw for CS3 will basically have the same functionality, if not better, than Lightroom. If so, what's the big deal with Lightroom? A lot of serious photographers are saying Lightroom is the new tool to have, but if you are spending money on the whole suite, why would you need it?
Well, here is my take on it...

I've been running the PSE-5 / Lightroom combo - and it works well for what I do. Sometimes I have the time to really pour myself into 1 or 2 photo's, but most times I need the ability to organize and "triage" 100-200 photo's in a shoot.

With alot of practice, a lot of study, and a lot of reading I've been able to get my shot ratio to about 7 out of 10. That means a LOT of photo's that could will work if given a small tweak. After that I'm comparing and choosing. That means a lot more time in something like LR.

Using Scott Kelby's PSE-5 book, I've been able to do most of what CS2 could do for me. It's frustrating not to have access to CMYK - but I can usually suffer through RGB and get it right.

LR is a real boon to my productivity, and more then enough tool for 80% of my work. PSE covers another 10% - and I'm left contemplating that last 10% I could get from Photoshop CS2. (Usually watching advanced selection crops and LAB and CMYK color corrections on tricky frames get's me drooling...)

That's the nitch it fills for me. Now, I'm quickly pushing the limits of what PSE is doing for, especially since I've starting to work with photo restoration. But since I already had a copy of PSE-5, I just couldn't justify full blown Photoshop.

I've got an old copy of Photoshop 6 - so I'm sure that Adobe will woo me to the upgrade dark side soon. But from a Mac point of view, LR was a boon after suffering under Apature. I love going portable with the Mac now that I've got LR - I can do really quick "in front of the client" corrections that left this little MacBook beggin' for mercy under Apature. Adobe really dropped LR into a good nitch, IMHO.

Giving their Beta users (under and OPEN Beta no less!!!) a $100 discount really has also made me happy with them. I think they did a great job with this program, all around.

[Rhuarc]

The one photoshop/bridge plugin that I use that basically emulates lightroom is RapidFixer (http://www.damuseful.com/pages/rapidfixer.html). This is a plugin that adds Camera Raw controls to Bridge. So you can quickly and easily preform various tweaks from Bridge. Then anything further you need to do you can open the shot in ACR. For me this takes the place of Lightroom. Since I already have a DAM, the only real thing I would get out of LR is the quick tweaks to files. This program fills that void for me without having one more program to worry about.

[ginger_55]

Side by side w magnifier....................oh, heavenly days!!!! ginger

[ginger_55]

As an upgrade from CS2, what do you all think we are looking at as far as cost once this comes out for "sale" and "real".

ginger (need to put that money aside)

After three extra hours on the computer, I think I figured that out.
I might have figured out how to make that screen fit, but am not sure.
Will update this if it works. There is an adjustment on my monitor.

That did not work!!! Just did a number on another screen.

[BenA2]

I don't think Lightroom has heirarchal (sp?) keywords or anything.
Actually, unlike the beta releases, LR v1.0 does have hierarchal keywording. As far as keywording goes, LR can do everything Bridge 1.0 can do and more. Although, I'm sure the ultimate capability in Bridge 2.0 will match LR.

[MichaelKirk]

I have an envelope full of savings $$ that I am just waiting to spend on CS3.
Any updated news on the actual release dtate for CS3?

Michael



Actually, unlike the beta releases, LR v1.0 does have hierarchal keywording. As far as keywording goes, LR can do everything Bridge 1.0 can do and more. Although, I'm sure the ultimate capability in Bridge 2.0 will match LR.

[erich6]

Side by side w magnifier....................oh, heavenly days!!!! ginger

How do you do this?

[erich6]

Preview in Bridge doesn't seem to work for me. No image shows up. Anyone else having this problem? ACR works just fine.

Erich

[Nikolai]

Preview in Bridge doesn't seem to work for me. No image shows up. Anyone else having this problem? ACR works just fine.

Erich

2d version of the Bridge does have this problem - preview does not work upon load UNTIL you move the slider and change its size ever so small. Once it's done, it will work until the app terminates.

HTH

[ginger_55]

I love the photoshop................and I would love the Bridge. I am going to have to go back to CS2, I guess, and wait for the release of the official upgrade.
The Bridge is deteriorating every day. Been fighting it all night. I still love working with it, especially that magnifying glass thingy, but it shuts down constantly. Tells me to get rid of the word scripts in files that aren't there.
Told me something else tonight. Too tired to worry about it.
It is great, my Bridge just has major bugs.
On the other hand, in the Photoshop, that quick selection tool: god's gift!!

ginger

[Andy]

If you have any trouble de-installing CS3 beta, and installing the final version of CS3, you might check here:

http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2007/04/23/run-the-adobecs3clean-script-before-installing-cs3

[dogwood]

If you have any trouble de-installing CS3 beta, and installing the final version of CS3, you might check here:

http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2007/04/23/run-the-adobecs3clean-script-before-installing-cs3

Handy link, Andy... but... even after manually deleting registry and other files in Windows, plus running the clean script-- still can't get Bridge to work properly. It actually worked in the beta version (with a couple of start up errors... but it worked!).