LITTLE ROCK — Adobe has been hard at work updating its top programs. Last week, I took a look at its most popular program, the image editor Photoshop. It’s one of many programs that have had a revamp. The new programs can be bought individually, in suites like Creative Suite 5 Design Premium, or all together in the CS5 Master Collection.
There are far too many new features to list here, but I wanted to give a brief rundown of some of the more popular programs for all you creative types out there.
Let’s start with another popular Adobe program, the graphics creator and editor Illustrator.
I can tell you my favorite new tool right away - the Perspective Grid. It places a grid on your document to help you draw images in the correct perspective. The grid even has adjustment dots that let you alter the grid to the perspective you want. Then you just grab one of the drawing or line tools and follow the grid. Once you’re done, just click the grid closed and voila! You have perfect perspective.
I also like the new and enhanced tools that give an even more artistic feel to the program. My favorite is the Bristle Brush library. These tools give a look similar to what you’d get painting with a variety of bristle brushes, from slant-cut brushes to fan brushes to good, old-fashioned pointed paintbrushes.
Illustrator ran stably in both Windows and Mac and makes it even easier to create beautiful, artistic graphics.
Next, we’ll check on the new InDesign, Adobe’s publication creator. I use InDesign frequently, so I was eager to see how it did. I can sum it up pretty easily: I love it.
All those things that annoyed me about previous versions are fixed here. The features “simplified object selection and editing” and “rotating with the selection tool” are great improvements. I love that I can now edit and mark up text right in the program, instead of marking things up in an outside program like Microsoft Word, making the changes, then importing the text into InDesign. Now, the middle man is eliminated. The Layers panel is updated and simplified, which makes it easier to make dynamic pages. If you want dynamic, though, you can utilize the program’s ability to add multimedia clips to documents, like Flash animation or MP3 audio.
Basically, InDesign is justeasier to use. It’s easier to manipulate objects, and to build pages and templates that can be changed quickly later.
Next, I tried out Soundbooth, the audio-editing software. There aren’t as many updates here as with the other programs, but it’s still impressive. They did add a slew of sound effects to enhance your project. That doesn’t seem like much, but couple it with an audio editor that is powerful, intuitive and very easy to use, and you have a program worth a second look.
My biggest problem with Soundbooth is on the Mac platform. I was able to open a file, edit it, save it and close it. The problem came when I tried to open another file. As soon as I did, the program crashed - every single time. It didn’t happen in Windows, just in the Mac version. I haven’t seen a fix for this as of this writing.
Finally, I took a look at Premiere Pro. This program runs fine on the Mac and Windows 64-bit systems. However, it won’t even install on 32-bit systems. Most older computers will be 32-bit. You can find out which you have by searching for System in your start menu’s search box and clicking System under Programs. It will tell you if it’s 32- or 64-bit.
Adobe has added the Mercury Playback Engine to Premiere, which basically speeds up its performance. It also has added more support for videos from digital cameras and “tapeless workflows,” or capturing from streaming cameras.
The only problem with Premiere Pro is that it has a wicked learning curve for those who haven’t used it before. The Windows version worked OK. On the Mac side, I tried to import clips, and for some reason it kept popping the audio off after about a second of playback. I’m sure it’s a setting somewhere. I have yet to find it.
Not every program is perfect yet, but I’ve been very impressed with the vast array of features Adobe has added or enhanced in its software.
The programs are getting easier to use, opening up immense possibilities of creativity.
Whether you buy one program or all of them together, the new Adobe software makes for a worthwhile upgrade.
Melissa L. Jones can be reached via e-mail at mljones72@me.com.
Where it’s @
Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and Soundbooth each require Windows XP or later or Mac OS 10.5.7 or later; 1GB of memory and 2GB of hard drive space (1.6GB for InDesign). Premiere Pro requires a 64-bit Windows system with Vista or later or Mac OS 10.5.7 or later; 2GB of memory and 10GB on the hard drive. Illustrator retails for $599 for the full version or $199 for the upgrade. InDesign retails for $699 for the full version or $199 for the upgrade. Soundbooth retails for $199 for the full version or $99 for the upgrade. Adobe Premiere Pro retails for $799 for the full version or $299 for the upgrade. More information is available at www.adobe.com.
Business, Pages 19 on 06/21/2010