New features make Photoshop CS a worthwhile upgrade, especially for anyone who works with digital photographs. I really enjoyed the improved File Browser. You can now use the File Browser to locate and organize images. You can perform batch processing on groups of image files without having to open them first. Best of all, you can use flags, keywords, and editable metadata to locate and organize images. The File Browser can be used as a virtual light table for sorting, selecting, and even enlarging images.

I must admit that I am a knowledgeable, but occasional Photoshop user. So what appeals to me are some of the small touches that make working with Photoshop easier. For instance, you can now view histograms as you work, making it easier to make changes. There is a single Crop and Straighten command for fixing images that were not scanned in perfectly straight. Photoshop CS has a one-click way to match colors between images. You can also create text on a path easily.

Heavy-duty users will also find many pleasing additions and improvements. You can now easily customize keyboard shortcuts so that your most used functions are only a click away. Many of Photoshop’s previous limitations have been loosened. You can now work in 16-bit mode when working with layers, text, shapes, and painting. The pixel size limit has increased to 300,000. Best of all you can create up to five levels of nested layers.

Some of Photoshop’s new functionality is great for all types of users. Previous versions needed a separate $99 plug in, but now Photoshop CS supports raw camera data. That makes it easier for both professional and amateur photographers.

If you have more than one camera you can even make customized profiles to correct photos from each camera. A new Photomerge function will stitch together multiple images for panoramic photos. The Color Replacement tool makes correcting red-eye easier and lets you change the color of an object without losing the shading. The PDF Presentation feature lets you create Acrobat slide shows even if you don’t own the Adobe Acrobat writer software. The new Healing Brush and Patch Tool are smart cloning brushes. With a little practice you can use them to remove scratches and other unwanted marks without affecting the details of the original image. Photoshop also tracks your editing history. This makes it easier for groups to work on projects together. It also allows users to revert a complex project to a previous state.

Photoshop is a powerful program. The CS version adds flexibility, organization, and new functionality that actually make the program more powerful yet easier to use. By the way, CS stands for Creative Suite. With this release Adobe has begun a new update, release, and integration strategy. All of the design and layout programs are better integrated and have a Version Cue file version manager that helps track multiple versions of files and makes it easier to share files. These programs have all been released with the “CS” Version moniker. So this new version of Photoshop is called Photoshop CS rather than Photoshop 8.0, while Adobe Illustrator CS replaces Illustrator 11, etc.

From now on all CS products will be upgraded at the same time. This is a wise strategy and a big benefit to users, especially those who use more than one Adobe program. The entire CS standard package can be purchased for $999 or an upgrade price of $549. This suite includes Photoshop CS, Illustrator CS, InDesign CS, and Version Cue. The premium package adds GoLive CS and Acrobat 6.0 Professional for $1,229 or an upgrade price of $749. Photoshop CS alone will set you back $649 for a full version or $169 for an upgrade.

New Photoshop users will find an extensive help menu and plenty of tutorials to help them along. There is also abundance of Photoshop books to help in the learning process. The interesting thing about Photoshop is that there is always something new to learn. After you master basic tasks you will continue to discover deeper functionalities. There are all types of Photoshop users from novice to expert with many levels in between. You can keep on learning seemingly forever, or you can stop whenever you are satisfied with your accomplishments.

Photoshop requires a minimum processor of a Pentium III running Windows XP or Windows 2000 or a Mac G3 or better running OS X. Have at least 192 MB memory….the more memory the better.

Manufacturer: Adobe

Price:  $649 full version, $169 upgrade