Adobe yesterday announced their new Photoshop Elements 8 image editing and Premiere Elements 8 video editing software, which both include a number of new additions and improvements. Available in either a box set or individually, the new software features so-called smart tools with built-in intelligence, to automate workflow and simplify picture and movie editing.
Photoshop Elements 8
Photoshop Elements 8 (PSE8) is the consumer version of Adobe’s CS4 pro-suite heavyweight and now features a new Photomerge Exposure function, that enables you to achieve better lighting in your images by merging multiple shots of the same scene. Another feature, Quick Fix, allows you to select your favorite version of a photo from a series of automatically adjusted previews – altered with different color, contrast and lighting settings.
This new version also features an impressive Recompose tool that can automagically bring people or objects closer together in a shot, making for much simpler image resizing (hit the gallery below for a screenshot).
Premiere Elements 8
The updates in Premiere Elements 8 (PRE8) focus heavily on automation, including new options such as Smart Fix that help you improve shaky video capture, as well as problems with lighting and color. This new version also includes a Smart Trim feature for cutting dull footage, Smart Mix for balancing audio elements, as well as Motion Tracking capabilities for the easy addition of graphics, text and effects, that can automatically follow a subject within a scene.
The new Elements 8 software is available now from Adobe.com, with the Photoshop Elements / Premiere Elements bundle (image above) retailing for $149.99 (currently $119.99 after $30 mail-in rebate). If you so desire, Adobe’s Photoshop.com Plus membership can be purchased at the same time for $30 (save $20) for the first year, getting you 20GB of online storage and downloadable in-software tutorials.
Premiere Elements 8 by itself is ready to go too, retailing for $99.99 ($79.99 after rebate).
Photoshop Elements 8 for PC is also available now for $99.99 ($79.99 after rebate), while the Mac version is available on pre-order for the same price with shipping scheduled for October.
Press Release 1
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.
Press Release 2
Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 and Premiere Elements 8 Available Now With Smart Tools for Editing Magic
New Versions of Consumer Photo- and Video-Editing Software Offer Built-in Intelligence for Auto-Analysis of Photos, Motion Tracking in Videos and More to Create Impressive Digital Memories
September 23, 2009 12:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time
SAN JOSE, Calif.–(EON: Enhanced Online News)–Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced two highly anticipated new versions of its picture editor and movie-editing software: Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 8 and Adobe Premiere® Elements 8 for Windows. Available together as a single retail package or as standalone products, the software equips users with two powerful yet easy-to-use products for all their photo and video needs. In addition, Adobe released Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac® providing users with new capabilities to make amazing photos with ease.Photoshop Elements 8 and Premiere Elements 8 customers now have access to smart tools with built-in intelligence that bring their picture and movie editing to new heights. With Photoshop Elements 8, Adobe makes cutting-edge innovation accessible to consumers who want to do more with their photos. Premiere Elements 8 unveils new smart and automatic tools that take the work out of video editing, allowing users to quickly and easily create impressive movies.
Photoshop Elements 8 & Premiere Elements 8 Bundle (Windows) Offers Customers a Feature-Rich Organizer to Unite Photos and Videos
The new Auto-Analyzer automatically analyzes and tags the most interesting and highest-quality photos and video footage.
People Recognition identifies people in photos, becoming more intelligent over time, as it learns to associate names and people.
New full-screen previews display photos and video clips in the slideshow mode directly in the Organizer. Users can also make quick edits to photos or tag video footage while viewing them.
In addition, users can now synch all their media on multiple computers automatically.
Photoshop Elements 8 (Windows): Intelligent Technology to Create Extraordinary PhotosPhotomerge® Exposure creates a perfectly lit photo that shows every detail by combining multiple shots of the same scene – with or without a flash – in just a few simple clicks.
Leveraging Photoshop CS4 technology, the new Recompose provides users with an easy way to automatically resize photos without distorting the most important parts.
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.
Premiere Elements 8 (Windows): Automated Options Make Incredible MoviesSmart Fix ensures that every clip looks its best by automatically fixing shaky footage and color and lighting problems.
Smart Trim identifies and helps get rid of the least interesting, lowest quality footage.
Smart Mix seamlessly balances audio elements to give videos professional-quality sound throughout.
Motion-tracking capabilities give users the power to add graphics, text and effects – such as thought bubbles and motion blur – that will automatically follow a subject within a scene.
Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac: Powerful New Tools for Quick and Easy Organization, Photo Editing and Exciting EffectsFor organization, Mac users have full access to all the features in Bridge CS4, 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, Mac users will have access to the following new tools:
Photomerge 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 apply incredible effects to a specific area of a photo with a single stroke.
Touch-Up brushes make common editing tasks quick, such as whitening teeth or making bright blue skies.
Quote:Doug Mack, vice president of hosted and consumer solutions for Adobe
“We want our customers to feel confident that they can achieve professional results with their photos and videos, without having to do any of the heavy lifting. With Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements we’ve incorporated smart tools with built-in intelligence. We pushed the limits of our software, so that anyone can create impressive digital memories and have fun in the process.”
Pricing and Availability
Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 & Adobe Premiere Elements 8 software for Windows is available now at www.adobe.com, and will be available soon at retail outlets such as Amazon.com, Costco.com, Best Buy, Office Depot and Office Max.
The bundle is available for US$149.99, and users can purchase Plus from within the product for US$49.99/year. Plus is available in the U.S. only. Both Photoshop Elements 8 and Premiere Elements software for Windows are available separately for US$99.99.
Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac® will be available for US$99.99 in Oct. 2009.
For free 30-day trials of the products, please visit www.adobe.com/downloads.
Helpful links:Photoshop Elements 8 (Windows): www.adobe.com/go/photoshopelements
Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac: www.adobe.com/go/photoshopelmac
Premiere Elements 8: www.adobe.com/go/premiereelements
Free Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements training videos on Adobe TV: http://tv.adobe.com
About Adobe Systems IncorporatedAdobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information – anytime, anywhere and through any medium. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.
Sources:
Adobe (Photoshop Elements 8 Press Release) and Businesswire (Elements 8 Box Set Press Release)