Back in September of 1998 I wrote a review on Photoshop 5.0. This program had shown a great improvement over the previous versions. Then sometime during the latter part of 1999, Adobe Systems released yet another version of this product, Photoshop 5.5. Already having what I considered a great program in hand, I didn't see an immediate need to try out this new version. But as time rolled on, my curiosity just had to be satisfied. Just what was so great and new about Photoshop 5.5 that warranted users to upgrade to it? What kind of new features were added that would draw an entire new user base for the product? Answering those questions led me to appreciate Photoshop 5.5 more than I had any of the earlier versions of the program.
One of the first things that I learned about Photoshop 5.5 is that Adobe has incorporated another one of their products into it. ImageReady was a stand-alone image optimization and animation program. Although this was a big seller for Adobe Systems, many users were suggesting that it be bundled with Photoshop. Heeding the wants of the users, Adobe decided to put ImageReady in this new version.
Some of the new features that Photoshop 5.5 has include a magic eraser tool, an extract command, an art history brush tool and automated export of multiple images. There is also better support for TIFF, GIF and JPEG file types. A new Auto Contrast feature has been added along with a Save For Web option. Adobe has also added a Background Erase tool to this new version.
To paraphrase from my review of 5.0, what is Photoshop, what does it do and why would anyone want to buy it? Photoshop 5.5 is a program that lets you edit image files, retouch photos and do some image designing. You can also optimize and animate your image files. Anyone from a young student to graphics professionals can easily use this product.
One of the features of Photoshop 5.5 that I found very useful was the LiveView panel. This is a function of the program that produces thumbnail versions of your image. This is used when you need to determine which optimization is better for an image that will be used on the Web. There is a choice of either a 2-up or a 4-up View panel. In the 2-Up view, the optimized image is side by side with the original. This allows you to visually determine if the optimized image is acceptable. The 4-up View panel does the same as the 2-up but has the program generate two additional optimizations to reduce file size.
Photoshop 5.5 has added some incredible masking tools to its already wide range of editing features. The tool that I really liked was the Magic Eraser. This tool lets you erase sections of an image layer, creating a transparency. You can then decide to erase all of the pixels in the layer that are similar to the area you just edited. You can also set the tolerance level to have the Magic Eraser be picky about which areas of the layer can be made transparent. To me, this tool might be even better than the Magnetic Lasso that was introduced in version 5.0. Another new masking tool is Background Erase. This tool acts similar to the Magic Eraser but instead of clicking on the pixels in a layer, you drag the cursor across the selection.
Another great masking tool that Adobe has added is Extract Image. This tool lets you highlight the edges of the object that you want to work with. You then set up the various parameters for what the completed layer will need. You can preview the extraction results at any time during the set-up to determine if the right parameters are being used. When you have completed all of the steps, the Extract Image tool will erase all of the background that you wanted removed from the layer. This creates transparency areas around the object in the layer. With this tool, you don't get the haloing effect that happens by using extraction tools in other graphic editing programs.
As the big push these days is for more powerful, quick loading web graphics, Photoshop has incorporated some great new tools. There is now a way to slice images into sections so that they will load faster on a web page. These slices can also be used for links or parts of a web animation. You can also create some dynamic JavaScript rollovers with the slicing tools. Use the Layer effects to create bevels, inner and outer glows and some dynamic bevels.
Use ImageReady to enhance the images edited or created in Photoshop. Use advanced layer techniques to create some stunning animations and web graphics. Add either horizontal or vertical text and use the transparency and bevels tools to create some professional looking effects.
One of the major advantages of having ImageReady incorporated into Photoshop 5.5 is the animation feature that the program brings with it. You can work with images in Photoshop and immediately jump over to ImageReady to put them into an animation. ImageReady also has layering tools that allow for some advanced image editing.
The system requirements haven't changed from version 5.0. You will need a Pentium PC with 64 MB of RAM. You will also need Windows 95 or 98 and at least 125 MB of free hard drive space. Realistically, around 500 MB of free hard drive space will be necessary for all of the elements and editing steps that Photoshop loads into Virtual Memory. A CD-ROM drive is needed along with a 256-color display adapter. If you want to view the interactive tutorial files, a sound card is also necessary.
With the new tools that Adobe has added to Photoshop, you can now do so much more with image editing than before. Image slicing and magic erasers are tools that keep bringing users back to Photoshop and grab the attention of people looking for something new and exciting.
The list price for Photoshop 5.5 is about $ 650. Check you local software retailer or sales catalog for current pricing. At the time of this writing, Adobe is offering the program for $ 609 though its online store.
For more information on Photoshop 5.5 or any other Adobe Systems product, visit their web site at www.adobe.com.
Copyright © 2000 Bruce E. Von Stiers