Adobe announces Photoshop Elements 8

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Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 packaging. Rendering provided by Adobe Systems Inc.

Adobe announces Photoshop Elements 8
By Mike Tomkins
(Wednesday, September 23, 2009 - 00:04 EDT)

Adobe Systems Inc. has today announced a new release of its popular consumer imaging application Photoshop Elements.

Available for both Mac and Windows computers, Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 has quite a range of new features - some shared across both platforms, and some specific to one or other operating system. Both Windows and Mac users get the new Photomerge Exposure and Recompose tools, as well as a one-click Quick Fix adjustment function. Photomerge Exposure takes two images of different exposures - for example, one with foreground subjects exposed properly with flash, and another with a longer shutter speed to capture a nighttime cityscape in the background - and then combines them into a single frame, either automatically or manually. The Recompose tool allows images to be rescaled without distorting the main subjects, by selectively discarding areas of lesser subject detail. The Quick Fix function allows variables such as color, contrast and lighting to be intuitively adjusted by selecting the best result from a range of adjustment previews.

For Windows users, there's also a new Auto Analyzer function which automatically groups and tags photos and videos based on certain attributes. Images are grouped as high, medium or low quality, and grouping / tagging is based on analysis of variables such as the number of faces in the scene, contrast, lighting, objects, etc. Also new to the Windows version is a People Recognition function which uses face recognition to automatically tag photos with their subjects' names, if the subject has previously been tagged in another photo. There's also an Auto Syncing function which aims to keep photo and video libraries automatically synced between multiple machines. Finally, there's support for the upcoming Windows 8 operating system.

For Mac users, there's a new full-screen preview mode, plus several quick-fix shortcut functions that allow correction of common image defects such as teeth whitening, making skies bluer, etc. A new Smart Brush function simultaneously selects an area of the image and applies one of over fifty effects to the selected area, all with a single stroke of the mouse. Also new to the Mac version is a Soften Surfaces function which retains edge detail while softening surfaces of similar tonality. Finally a Scene Cleaner function allows multiple photos to be merged while discarding elements that changed position - great for removing the tourists milling around a castle courtyard, for example.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 ships this Fall, priced at US$100 for either the Mac or Windows versions. Windows users can also opt for a bundle with the simultaneously announced Windows-only Adobe Premiere Elements 8 for $150. Finally, a Plus version of the bundle is limited to Windows users in the US market, and offers ten times the online storage space (20GB), plus a variety of downloadable artwork, templates, movie themes, special effects and tutorials for $180.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 for Windows

Full screen mode

Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 for Windows. Screenshot provided by Adobe Systems Inc.

Tag cloud

Online album

People recognition

Photomerge exposure (auto)

Photomerge exposure (manual)

Recompose

Smart tag

Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac

Bridge

Photomerge exposure (auto)

Photomerge exposure (manual)

Photomerge scene cleaner

Quick fix touchup (blue skies)

Quick fix touchup (whiten teeth)

Recompose

Smart brush

Original Source 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.

* Source: The NPD Group/Retail Tracking Service (April 2002 to March 2009) based on units sold (North America only).

About Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information – anytime, anywhere and through any medium. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.

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© 2009 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All rights reserved. Adobe, the Adobe logo, Photoshop and Photomerge are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. Windows is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Mac and iPhoto are trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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