Adobe Photoshop's new appearance
While in early beta stages, Adobe appears to be working on a new, darker interface for the next version of Photoshop that resembles Pixelmator. In addition to the new appearance (which in beta stage at least, offers an option to revert to the existing platinum appearance), Photoshop will feature new 3D tools, healing brush and red-eye reduction enhancements, and a perspective cropping tool. AppleInsider has more details and screenshots here.
A long-time complaint about the Creative Suite upgrades is the frequency with which the upgrades arrive (every 18 months for the last dozen years or so). I don’t agree with those complaints, but Adobe is doing their best to address the situation. The entire Creative Suite is now on an annual development cycle, with major upgrades occurring in even years, and minor updates in odd years. Creative Suite 5 was a major upgrade released in 2010, and CS 5.5 (a relatively minor update) in 2011. So you can expect another major upgrade about early-to-mid 2012 if they keep with the plan.
While this new schedule is actually more frequent, there is a good reason. Adobe plans to work on major updates for every other release, and use the in between release for fixes and features that can be quickly added to address changes in technology. In addition, Adobe plans to release the upgrades and updates mid-year annually, so we can better plan our purchases.
Adobe has also announced that all major languages will be released at once. This is huge for those outside of North America. In the past, various languages took weeks or even months to catch up.
And now the bad news
Adobe recently announced at their MAX Conference that a new upgrade policy will be in effect moving forward. Along with their Adobe Creative Cloud offering ($50 per month subscription plan for CS applications), users who wish to keep their normal license and upgrade to Creative Suite 6, must already own CS5 or CS5.5. That means users of previous versions will have to pay two upgrade fees in order to get CS6.
For customers who prefer to remain on the current licensing model, we will continue to offer our individual point products and Adobe Creative Suite editions as perpetual licenses. With regards to upgrades, we are changing our policy for perpetual license customers. In order to qualify for upgrade pricing when CS6 releases, customers will need to be on the latest version of our software (either CS5 or CS5.5 editions). If our customers are not yet on those versions, we’re offering a 20% discount through December 31, 2011 which will qualify them for upgrade pricing when we release CS6.
Yeah, that’s not going to go over well with many users!
Well, I guess Adobe doesn’t need any more of my money. I will stick with CS4 and cut further ties with all Adobe products. I can get along just fine without them. I have no intention of supporting these new subscription software models or their price gouging schemes.
Lot of big changes going to be interesting to see how it works out in the end. I think I like the darker interface better from these screenshots.
I would be fine with the upgrade price if we in Australia got the US pricing. It is currently about USD$650 to upgrade from CS4 Design Premium to CS5.5 Design Premium for North America, but for Australia it is AUD$1000+… we have been in the dollar for dollar range for a year or so now which makes that price difference rather annoying.
“from original Photoshop 2.0 not CS2”
B*stards
I’m not happy about paying for yearly upgrades when I usually buy every 2nd year since Version 2.0. The “in between .5” ug are not usually worth the cash. However if there is nothing else serious out there to challenge Ps what choice do I have but to pay the price – extortion though it be.
This is Apple’s chance to give Adobe a few more bruises.
B*stards
The way I read it, you can continue to upgrade every two years with no problem – just as you prefer to do.
CS 5 (released in 2010) and CS5.5 (released in 2011) are available for upgrade to CS6 in 2012. If that is the case, if you upgrade to CS6 but not CS6.5 in 2013, you’ll still be eligible for CS7 in 2014.
For what it’s worth, I tend to take the same approach as you – skipping the .5 upgrades and going with only the full version upgrades. For that reason, the subscription plan simply makes no sense.
B*stards
Photoshop can’t be replaced by Pixelmator for pro designers because it doesn’t support CMYK
Sorry Adobe but nuts to you and your pricing plans which were already bad enough. the entire suite is WAY overpriced for individuals.
Good-bye, Adobe Photoshop. Hello, Pixelmator!