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Adobe has announced new versions of its Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements photo and video editing suites for the Windows platform. The new versions of both apps pack in the features and enhancements, but the clear standout is the new Photoshop.com integration.
Both Photoshop and Premiere Elements now offer automatic syncing and backup of your images and videos through the new Photoshop.com service. Photoshop.com is essentially Photoshop Express, combined with the new Elements desktop software.
When you fire up either Elements app for the first time, you'll be given an option to sign up for a free Photoshop.com account (there's also a pay version with more storage space). Once Elements has your account info, using the new features is dead simple -- just select the folder you want to back up away you go. All backup and syncing operations are handled in the background -- no need to wait or pause what you're doing.
If you make some changes using the online editor at Photoshop.com, the next time you open the desktop software it'll update to match your changes. And don't worry, it wont overwrite anything on your local drive, any changes will stacked with the original, much the way Photoshop Lightroom works.
For those not interested in the new online features, fear not, both apps have plenty of new features on the desktop side as well. Of course, Elements continues Adobe's flagrant disregard for the UI conventions of Windows (or any other platform), but so long as you can get past that, the new versions have some very nice new tools.
Photoshop Elements now offers a very slick Scene Cleaner feature, which builds on the Photomerge tool that debuted in the last version of Elements.
Where Photomerge was designed to combine several images to find the best overall composite (handy for group shots where Grandma closed her eyes), Scene Cleaner works in the opposite direction, taking several photos and allowing you simply brush away unwanted subjects, such as tourists cluttering up your image of the Eiffel Tower.
Also new is the Smart Brush, which makes it easy to apply pre-set effects as a mask without having to understand that that's what you're doing. More advanced users can then move in and change and manipulate the mask and effects. But even at the default settings the Smart Brush is one of the easiest ways you'll find to selectively touch up an image.
There's also a new set of "Quick Fix" tools designed to make it easier to do common retouching tasks like whitening teeth, brightening blue skies, enhancing sunsets or softened skin while retaining nice sharp edges and details.
On the video editing side the new Adobe Premiere Elements now supports AVCHD video, which should be welcome news for hi-def camera wielding auteurs.
The software also features a new InstantMovie tool that can create professional-looking effects through a simple drag and drop theming tool. There's also a new "green screen" tool that makes it easy to merge video or superimpose your subject on top of another scene, without needing sophisticated video editing skills.
Once you've got your video looking the way you want it, Premiere can burn it off to DVD or Blu-ray and offers publishing options for just about any screen size -- from mobile phones to HDTV. There's also an option to upload your movie directly to YouTube.
Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements will be available toward the end of September and will cost $100 each. There will be bundle available with both apps for $150.
The new Photoshop.com service is tiered. At the bottom level there's the Photoshop Express account, which hasn't change, you'll still get 5 gigs of storage for free. Up from that is the Basic Membership which you can signup for through either Elements app. Basic is still free and offers the same 5 gig storage limit, but gives you access to the automatic backup features as well as tutorials and some additional themes.
Also available is the Photoshop.com Plus membership, which will set you back $50, but bumps the storage to 20 gigs and offers a steady stream of updated themes, video tutorials, hints, trick and ideas.
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