Adobe today announced the latest version of its most popular image editing software, Photoshop Elements 8, available immediately for Windows with a Mac version coming in October. The new version offers increasing automation, social-media friendly features, and high-end features found on CS4. One of the headline features is Photomerge Exposure, which lets users merge multiple versions of the same scene shot at different exposures to create a wider exposure range, kind of a modified HDR that expands the possibilities when shooting auto-bracketed exposures. Recompose, a key feature borrowed from CS4, lets users resize images and change the aspect ratio without distorting the important areas of the image.
People Recognition tags people in photos and learns to associate names and faces, part of Elements 8’s enhanced organizer and media management toolset. When the Mac version is released next month, it will include options that synch with iPhoto and will provide access to Adobe Bridge CS4 features for quick organizatin and full-screen previews, as well as all of the image editing features in the Windows version.
Both the Mac and Windows versions of Photoshop Elements 8 will cost $99.99. The Windows version is available now, while Mac users will have to wait until October.
For details, read the Adobe Systems press release:
Adobe Releases Photoshop Elements 8 for Windows and Mac
Intelligent Technology and Ease of Use Delivers the Power to Do More with Photos
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Sept. 23, 2009 —Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced Adobe®Photoshop®Elements 8 software available for Windows® and Mac, providing automated and intelligent photo-editing technology across both platforms. With the newest version of the No. 1 selling consumer photo-editing software,* Adobe continues to make cutting-edge innovation accessible to users who want powerful yet easy-to-use tools to tell compelling stories with their photos.
“With nearly 20 years of Photoshop innovation under our belt, we are able to leverage industry-leading technology that the professionals use and make it accessible to our Elements customers,” said Doug Mack, vice president and general manager of Consumer and Hosted Solutions at Adobe. “We’ve simplified the editing process, without taking away any of the power, and incorporated smart tools with built-in intelligence to bring once difficult tasks, within reach of everyone.”
Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 for Windows
With the enhanced Organizer, Windows users of Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 can easily manage media and find photo and video clips even faster than before. The new Auto-Analyzer automatically analyzes and tags media so users can quickly find the most interesting and highest quality content and People Recognition identifies people in photos, becoming more intelligent over time, as it learns to associate names and faces. Also, consumers can now automatically synch all their media across multiple computers.
Photoshop Elements 8 brings editing capabilities and simplicity to a new level. With Adobe Photomerge® Exposure, users can simply merge multiple shots of the same scene, with and without a flash, together to create a perfectly lit photo that shows every detail. Leveraging Photoshop CS4 technology, the new Recompose provides users with an easy way to automatically resize photos without distorting the most important parts. Additionally, Quick Fix previews allow users to visually choose the best color, contrast and lighting adjustments from a series of previews. Once photo creations are ready to be shared, Photoshop Elements 8 offers new interactive Online Album templates that can showcase photos and videos together.
For even more creative possibilities, Windows users have the option to purchase Plus. Additional benefits include 20GB of storage for automatic online backup and sharing (up to 15,000 photos or four hours of DVD-quality video), as well as regular deliveries of tutorials, tips and tricks, seasonal artwork and interactive online templates sent directly to the desktop software. Photos and videos can also be accessed anywhere with an Internet connection at Photoshop.com.
Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac
Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac is the perfect complement to iPhoto® for consumers who want to go beyond the basics and tell amazing stories with their photos. The software is loaded with new options to make extraordinary photos with ease. For media management, Mac users have access to all the features in Adobe Bridge CS4 software, which provides quick organization with a custom viewing workspace and full-screen preview with one-click close-ups. Keyword tags and a variety of search options also make it easy to find photos quickly.
Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac now includes all of the intelligent photo-editing options as the Windows version. In addition to Photomerge Exposure, Recompose and Quick Fix previews, Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac features Scene Cleaner for brushing away unwanted elements, such as tourists or cars, from a series of photos to create the perfect scene. The Smart Brush helps users apply incredible effects to a specific area of a photo with a single stroke and Touch-Up brushes make common editing tasks quick, such as whitening teeth or making bright blue skies. When creations are ready to be shared with family and friends, users can display their photos on the Web with gallery templates or personal Web pages, by e-mail and on CD or DVD.
Pricing and Availability
Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 (Windows) is available now at www.adobe.com, and Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac will be available in Oct. 2009. Both products will be available soon at retail outlets such as Amazon.com, Apple (Mac only), Costco.com (Windows only), Best Buy, Office Depot and Office Max.
Photoshop Elements 8 (Windows) is available for US$99.99, and users can purchase Plus from within the product for US$49.99/year. Plus is available to Windows customers in the U.S. only. Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac will be available for US$99.99.
Information about other language versions, as well as pricing, upgrade and support policies for other countries is available at www.adobe.com/go/photoshopelements. For free training videos on Photoshop Elements, visit Adobe TV at http://tv.adobe.com.
