Photoshop CS3 New Feature Tips
December 28th, 2006 Filed in: Reviews, Tricks & Tips Jump to comments
After a long wait, Adobe has finally released a beta version of Photoshop CS3. There are numbers of changes and new features. CS3 is now available as a Universal Binary for Intel-based Mac computers and Windows computers. Get a beta version of Photoshop CS3 and have fun with the following tips:
Interface
One of the obvious changes in Photoshop CS3 is the palette interface. Now you can dock, collapse or expand toolbar palettes to save workspace.
Smart Filter
CS3 now allows you to apply Smart Filters, so your Smart Object remained non-destructive and re-editable. To apply Smart Filter, select one or more layers, go to Filter > Convert for Smart Filters. Then apply any filter as you want. You can edit the Smart Filter mask to adjust the filter’s effects or simply toggle it on/off.
Refine Edge
One click button, it allows you easily to feather, contract, and expand your selection. It provides preview in various modes (quick mask, on white, on black background, etc.), so you know exactly how your selection will turn out.
Auto Bend Layers
Auto-Bend Layers allows you to seamlessly bend related images together. Below are two photos I took at New York City, side by side.
Put them together in separate layer, overlapping each other.
Select both layers, go to Edit > Auto-Bend Layers. Photoshop will do the magic and bend the layers you selected together. It even fixes the lighting and color for you, so your image bends seamlessly.
Auto Align Layers
Here I will show you how to create a panoramic image (combined from several images) in just couple of steps:
1. Collect several related images on separate layers.
2. Go to Edit > Auto-Align Layers. Photoshop will automatically analyze the contents, moving and rotating the layers so they overlap as precisely as possible.
3. Then apply Edit > Auto-Bend Layers again to bend the image together.
Black and White Conversion
The image below shows the result of the default Image > Ajustment > Desaturate conversion. Notice the red text is barely visible on blue or green background.
With the new Image > Ajustment > Black and White conversion, you can control the level of each color. For example, you can eyedropper on the red text, then use the slider to increase or decrease the level of the red color.
More…
CS3 also improved, changed or added some other tools such as: Bridge, Device Central (mobile), Camera Raw, Vanishing Point, and more. For more details on CS3 new features and release notes, please visit Adobe Labs.
January 2nd, 2007 at 5:55 am
I have to congratulate you with this website. I like your work, I need more practice to start showcasing stuff like you do.
CS3 looks awesome, I’m really looking forward to the new interface. After Effects interface change was all for the best, I hope this will be to.
December 29th, 2006 at 10:37 pm
Looks good. Someone said the design looked ‘noobish’. If you mean it doesn’t look as hard to use, you’re right :P
December 29th, 2006 at 10:04 pm
Looks nice
December 29th, 2006 at 10:45 am
For some reason I like Photoshop CS2 Better. I dont know what about the new interface, but it kinda looks to me a bit noobish. I still perfer using CS2.
I did like though the new options that are in CS3, very usefull and good for beginnger and pros.
December 29th, 2006 at 8:38 am
The new CS3 interface is wicked. Thanks for the tips nick.
December 29th, 2006 at 8:27 am
I find the smart filters option very useful, can’t wait to see the final release, thanks for the tips :).
December 29th, 2006 at 4:40 am
The new interface looks great ;)
December 28th, 2006 at 4:10 pm
The auto align layers seems really useful, I love to take pictures like that you took at new work and, and trying to rotate and rezise a bit to match the other photo it takes a lot of precision.
Nice post, and I did’t say anything but congratulations for your site, I love it :)
And i’m using some of your free icons (credited, even tho I guess I’m not using more than 10)
Keep up your awesome work :)