Adobe announces Elements 7.0

[ricklepage]

Adobe tonight announced Elements 7.0, for Windows (XP and Vista). It's still more than a month out, but we've posted a couple of free quick-hit videos and data sheets over on the Photoshop Elements Techniques Learning Center (http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/learningcenter/).

We'll have some more in the coming weeks, but I just wanted to let folks know.

You can also find more info on the Photoshop Elements home page (http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshopelwin/?promoid=BPDEM).

The Mac remains at Version 6.0 for now.

Rick

[riversidema]

Thanks for the info.

[Inspeqtor]

Rick,

Thank you for posting this info for us. I just watched the videos, and as usual, Mike did a superb job!
I really like the new features coming out in version 7!

Mike, if you see this, were you a beta tester?

[kevq]

Rick,
thanks for the link. 7 looks good to me,
Kev.

[martin10018]

Do they charge for this so-called "update"? They must be kidding!

Free access to photoshop.com is only available in the US. The mapping features are still not available in Europe. Who would pay 80 € for 2 new functions and probably new bugs. I think they owe me a free bug fix release...

[Tina_B]

I have been waiting for a new version of elements. I did not get excited over version 6 but 7 has sparked some interest. The new tools look kind of neat. When the price is right I will probably buy this version. Some good changes.
Tina B

[Goddess_of_Go]

I watched the videos in the learning center. It looks like there are some nice features in the new version.

Being a Mac user, I'll just have to wait. But I can see how Windows users might upgrade for this especially if they want to adjust the darkness of the interface.

Terri

[elwoodsusanm]

Does anyone know what difference there will be in Premier 7? I only have Premier 3 and PSE 5 at the moment. Will I be able to live without 7:eek::D

[chestnutmare]

Great job on the videos Mike! I am already mentally collecting my photos for the scene cleaner tool.:D I think Adobe has added some nice features into version 7 that I am really looking forward to playing with. Can't wait......

[Wendy]

I suspect thats lots of people will want upgrade as I think the adjustable interface will be very popular :)

Wendy

[MazG]

I'm looking forward to seeing more of the actions player and finding out exactly what it does and whether it will run actions that currently don't work in Elements 6 for whatever reason.

I guess it still won't run actions that have a step that uses a function not available in Elements, but hopefully it will address the problem of multiple actions in one file as well as making life much easier when trying to install them.

[mattyboy]

Yeah I'm not sure if I'm impressed enough with the new features to go rushing out straight away to buy a copy. Still, of what I've seen so far, the Smart Brush looks like a good idea for painting in photographic adjustments, I wonder how effective it is.
I'm sure a lot of people will be happy with the adjustable workspace brightness option in the the preferences. I look forward to reading more about it!

[Jeff Perry]

I find it curious that in the first overview video, the announcer describes the first new enhancement as the return of the undo and redo buttons at the top of the page. My version pf PSE6 has them there all the time, what's up with that?

Adjustable brightness of the interface hopefully will satisfy those who object to the dark face of PSE6.

Running actions is one small step (although drilling down thru several steps to find them is a chore), but it would have been even better with a way to record them, or script them.

Not much else to speak of, perhaps there is more they are not telling us yet.

Jeff

[hfgerena]

Well;

What can I say, I'm a BIG fan of PSE, but I don't feel motivated to jump to this version, I think I'm gonna save my money for LR2 and wait 'til PSE8. I'm very happy with PSE6. Yes, I'll wait.

[Sepiana]

Rick, thanks for this info and Mike, thanks for the videos.

I've PE4 and having been looking forward to upgrading. I didn't do it with PE6, because I couldn't stand the dark interface.. Now, the idea that it can be adjusted sounds very appealing; the Smart Brush and the Scene Cleaner seem like winners to me.

I'm just going to wait and see, before I text Santa Claus.:)

[mrod]

I find it curious that in the first overview video, the announcer describes the first new enhancement as the return of the undo and redo buttons at the top of the page. My version pf PSE6 has them there all the time, what's up with that?
Jeff

Hmm...so does "the announcer." That's a solid point right there, Jeff. I spaced on that one for sure. I'll see what I can do about getting a new video up with that corrected. Sorry about that, guys. I can only blame the late hour at which is was recorded. :o



Running actions is one small step (although drilling down thru several steps to find them is a chore), but it would have been even better with a way to record them, or script them.

Jeff

My hunch on this one is...don't hold your breath. I don't have any inside info on this, but some things have to stay sacred to Ps, and I wouldn't be surprised if recording actions is one of them. Perhaps a good question to ask is, would the average Elements user be interested in recording their own actions, or would the average Elements user be most likely to play actions, either built in or obtained from another source? I don't know the answer to that, but it would be an interesting question to ask to a wide cross-section of Elements users.



Not much else to speak of, perhaps there is more they are not telling us yet.

Jeff

Those 3 videos were meant to be a sneak peak. PET wanted them short and to the point. There are a few more features within each area (Organizer, Editor, and the online component) and there are plans to cover much of that in the future. Time prohibited covering everything this time around. However, I don't believe there are any big unknown features that haven't yet been revealed.

Mike

[Inspeqtor]

I find it curious that in the first overview video, the announcer describes the first new enhancement as the return of the undo and redo buttons at the top of the page. My version pf PSE6 has them there all the time, what's up with that?
Jeff

Hmm...so does "the announcer." That's a solid point right there, Jeff. I spaced on that one for sure. I'll see what I can do about getting a new video up with that corrected. Sorry about that, guys. I can only blame the late hour at which is was recorded. :o
Mike

I thought of that when I watched the video myself. Those buttons were removed in PSE5 then returned in PSE6 after many people complained.

Mike must have had a 'senior' moment! :D

[mrod]

I thought of that when I watched the video myself. Those buttons were removed in PSE5 then returned in PSE6 after many people complained.

Mike must have had a 'senior' moment! :D

Boy, if it's startin' now, I'm in big trouble! ;)

Mike

[Jeff Perry]

Mike, thanks for the response (and of course the preview video(s), it really was well done).

As for actions, judging for the many of the users on this forum who are constantly craving more from their apps, and the work-a-rounds that many people provide, I suspect that Adobe will hear the call; once you've given us the taste of actions, and people will want to create their own.

I guess from what I have seen thus far, this new version, at least to me it looks more like a "point release", e.g., a ver. 6.5, than a true 7. Ver. 5 to 6 seemed more like a true full version upgrade, with it's major change in interface, guided edit, etc. But this one...? Not sure if it meets the test. Will it merit a $100 upgrade cost.

I just hope it is more stable and they have fixed all the annoying bugs.

Now for the real questions, what can you tell us about the next release of CS3. `;-)

Thanks

Jeff

[Jeff Perry]

Almost forgot, I haven't explored this Photoshop.com Plus/Basic thing yet, and was wondering if this is the future Photoshop Express? The slideshow video reference/demonstrates the Photoshop.com, but cleraly it is a Photoshop Express webpage in the browser. Is this where Adobe is headed with Express?

Thanks

Jeff

[TonyW]

Be interested to hear more about the "action player" . Is this just another way to get at .atn files rather than getting at them via Effects? Or is this something different. And have they made it a bit easier to load new ones than it was in PSE6 with its atn, png, xmp and db3 files tucked away in hidden folders. Not holding my breath but a little button that says "Load New Action" or better yet "Load new Action Set" would be a nice addition :)

There's another review just appeared in PCMag that has a bit more info:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2328799,00.asp

Tony

[mrod]

but cleraly it is a Photoshop Express webpage in the browser. Is this where Adobe is headed with Express?

Thanks

Jeff

That is my understanding. The website you see in the video is actually a beta version of photoshop.com, but it's basically the same as Express. The actual photoshop.com is currently still under development.

Regarding actions, I tend to agree with you, especially as it pertains to those who frequent the forums here, as the skill level tends to be more advanced. But I bet there's a lot of Elements users (and even newsletter subscribers) who don't frequent the web site much, if at all. Again, just a guess.



I just hope it is more stable and they have fixed all the annoying bugs.

Me too. A bit hard to discern that at this point, but hopefully they'll be worked by the time it ships. But, of course, this is software, so I'm sure people will find something.

Regarding upgrading, I suspect there are those who will want to, and those who will choose not to. I think a lot of it may depend on which version a person is upgrading from.

Now for the real questions, what can you tell us about the next release of CS3. `;-)

Ah, the million-dollar question. I only know the rumors that everyone has seen floating around out there...;)

Mike

[bobmielke]

Why is it that Adobe's Upgrade price is more than the retail price for Version 6.0? I'm tired of playing the upgrade game for a few crumbs added to an already good piece of software.

[bmcguirk]

Looks like some cool new features! I think I'll stick with 6 for now, though. I'm kind of an "even version" upgrader. :)

[Barbara Brundage]

Why is it that Adobe's Upgrade price is more than the retail price for Version 6.0?

The upgrade for just PSE is $79, but you have to scroll down to the bottom of the page to see it, since they are pushing the PSE+photoshop.com Plus membership.

[Wendy]

Umm ... thats a little naughty !! :)

Wendy

[TonyW]

And the small print says that the premium membership has an annual fee ($50 a year??) - if that just buys 20GB of back-up storage vs 5GB with the free membership I guess I'd have to consider how much 15GB of extra storage is worth although the idea of automated back-up of the Organizer on-line from anywhere I happen to be is an attractive one.

Tony

[smith]

I just watched the video on the new PSE7. I have PSE4 and am really happy with it. I am probably operating in the dark ages. I know I am when all the quick time tutorials are in the updated version. Anyway, I hesitated to upgrade to version 6 and I am hesitant to upgrade to 7 as well. I don't want to start over and figure out all the bugs etc. to make the new version work. Am I wise or is it time to upgrade?
smith

[carter.home]

So, the photoshop.com with tutorials, templates and online backup and I am sure much more. does this replace photoshopelementsusers.com? Kind of pricey to subscribe to both.

[TonyW]

I just watched the video on the new PSE7. I have PSE4 and am really happy with it. I am probably operating in the dark ages. I know I am when all the quick time tutorials are in the updated version. Anyway, I hesitated to upgrade to version 6 and I am hesitant to upgrade to 7 as well. I don't want to start over and figure out all the bugs etc. to make the new version work. Am I wise or is it time to upgrade?
smith

I can't speak for bugs although I would hope that it would be pretty clean (and I don't really have any problems with PSE6) but IMHO PSE4 was the worst version of all (and I have had all of them since the original PSE1). Used to be that my favorite was PSE3 but PSE6 has taken over my top of the list - remains to be seen if PSE7 can outdo it :)

Tony

[Wendy]

I totally agree with Tony ... PSE4, in my opinion, was the worst version of all.

Wendy

[mrod]

So, the photoshop.com with tutorials, templates and online backup and I am sure much more. does this replace photoshopelementsusers.com? Kind of pricey to subscribe to both.

No. photoshopelementsuser.com is NOT Adobe. It's totally different. When someone purchases Elements 7, they will receive a basic membership to photoshop.com, the details of which I dont have in front of me right now.

Subscribing to the PET newsletter is a completely different thing and not at all tied to whether or not someone purchases Elements 7 (or 6, or 5, etc.)

Mike

[Linda559]

I'm still using v. 5 never could get into v 6. I have pre-ordered v. 7 and I'm real excited to try it.

I ordered version 7 without the subscription to photoshop.com

I paid the $79.99 upgrade fee. I will keep my subscriptions to The Photoshop Elements Techniques website and Scrappers Guide. I don't need storage space.

[smith]

I totally agree with Tony ... PSE4, in my opinion, was the worst version of all.

Wendy

I had no idea PSE4 was the worst. Should I get the upgrade for version 7 or buy the whole version? I have never done this before.
Thanks,
smith

[Carl Lesesne]

Hello Rick-I found out about PSE 7 Beta via PC World . My PSE 5 was killed by Vista SP1. I cannot print in color and some of the edictors' options do not work. I put in for a notice when PSE 7 is released. I will probably download a trial version first. Thanks for the information.Adobe should offer support for a previous released program one year after a new copy is released.

[Carl Lesesne]

Hello Smith-Upgrade means a previous owner purchases a new release at a discount because he/she owned a previous copy. I am convinced that you should get an upgrade because it is a full copy at a discount.

[smith]

Hello Smith-Upgrade means a previous owner purchases a new release at a discount because he/she owned a previous copy. I am convinced that you should get an upgrade because it is a full copy at a discount.

If I get PS7, will it automatically transfer all my present fonts, brushes, shapes, layer styles etc.? If not, how do I get all of those into the upgraded 7 version?
smith

[elwoodsusanm]

Why does it appear to cost more here in the UK that USA? If we are working on almost 2 $ to the £ it doesn't match up to what Adobe are charging us Brits!:(

[chestnutmare]

Got an email from Costco here and they have Elements for preorder:
$99.99 after $30 rebate for the full Elements7/Premiere7 package
$69.99 after $20 rebate for the Premiere 7
$79.99 for the Elements 7

http://www.costco.com/Common/Search.aspx?Dx=mode+matchallpartial&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&N=5000043&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&Ntk=Text_Search&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1〈=en-US&D=Photoshop0826&search=Photoshop0826&Ntt=Photoshop0826&topnav=&cm_mmc=BCEmail_334-_-BANNER-_-1-_-AdobeSoftware (http://www.costco.com/Common/Search.aspx?Dx=mode+matchallpartial&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&N=5000043&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&Ntk=Text_Search&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price%7C1%7C%7CP_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&D=Photoshop0826&search=Photoshop0826&Ntt=Photoshop0826&topnav=&cm_mmc=BCEmail_334-_-BANNER-_-1-_-AdobeSoftware)

You need to be a member or know someone that is to get this price.

(I need to figure out how people make their links so small-I'll have to check with Ned)

[websi]

I have PSE 5 and enjoy the 'goodies' from Panos and Jodi and others. . . which I am assuming are not going to work with PSE 7. That being said, does anyone know if BOTH PSE5 and PSE7 could run without having to 'uninstall' PSE5? I'm wondering if I could use PSE7 and still keep all my work with the organizer in PSE5 and etc.

As for the photoshop.com membership, I don't need the storage but wonder about the "videos" and all. . . be nice if we could have a sample. How will they differ from those in our Subscriber area? Maybe it's 'more to come' and I'll be patient.

[mrod]

Hey everyone, just wanted to let you know that the gaffe in the Overview video of Elements 7 has been corrected. :)

Thanks for your understanding.

Mike

[ricklepage]

... I'm wondering if I could use PSE7 and still keep all my work with the organizer in PSE5 and etc.

You should be able to. I'm running Versions 4, 5, 6 and the 7 beta on my setup, and all coexist ok.

As for the photoshop.com membership, I don't need the storage but wonder about the "videos" and all. . . be nice if we could have a sample. How will they differ from those in our Subscriber area? Maybe it's 'more to come' and I'll be patient.

They're still working all that out, although the Plus membership gets you new content as it gets added to Photoshop.com. The Basic plan is just that: very basic.

[mikecox]

I'm really surprised I haven't seen posts expressing frustration over the cost of yet another upgrade! :(

It seems to me that I just paid for the upgrad to v6; and have just begun to get used to it!

Of course I will study the video and, of course, I will probably take the financial hit to upgrade to v7. But when does it stop?

What ever happened to v.nn upgrades, that didn't nickel/dime us into the poor house?

Now I know how addicts feel about their suppliers! :rolleyes:

[shanwick]

Why does it appear to cost more here in the UK that USA? If we are working on almost 2 $ to the £ it doesn't match up to what Adobe are charging us Brits!:(

Didn't you know that us Brits get screwed by everyone as we are an easy touch - never complain, riot or actually do anything about the problem. That wouldn't be British.

Just look at what we pay for cars, fuel, software, playstations et all compared with most other people.

[Wendy]

David ..

:eek: should you even be mentioning it :D:D:D

But how true it is !!

Wendy

[Ric Cisson]

Wendy, I don't envy you one bit. I was in Korea a few years ago, and it was an eye opener even then, paying about $2 (US) per liter for fuel, that equaled close to $8.00 (US)/gal. It was cheaper in Japan, but still, what a shock!:eek: So, I do not complain too much about pricing, for a product I know I will receive value from.;)

[ricklepage]

I'm really surprised I haven't seen posts expressing frustration over the cost of yet another upgrade! :(

It seems to me that I just paid for the upgrad to v6; and have just begun to get used to it!

Of course I will study the video and, of course, I will probably take the financial hit to upgrade to v7. But when does it stop?

I would imagine that Adobe feels that Elements is inexpensive enough - and that they're adding enough features to the program - that it's easier to offer rebates and cut rates ($79 seems to be the magic number) than it is to have an additional 'upgrade' rate.

I'm not trying to be an apologist for Adobe; I completely understand the frustration people feel with 'yet another $80' [and more outside the US]. That said, I know plenty of people who've stuck with Version 4 or 5 because it works well enough for them, and that the new features aren't worth the price of an upgrade. That's the way that I would evaluate it.

Adobe has pretty much shipped a new version of Elements every year for the past four years, and I would imagine - with no inside knowledge - that they will continue to improve the product in a similar manner. Whether it makes sense for you is something you have to decide, but you have the power - you can buy the upgrade or not.

[rrogers44]

I am hoping 7 fixes the issues with tags, albums and stacks that cropped up in 6. What I loved about 5, was I could search for a tag and see just pics that fit that tag, not all the pics in any stack that contain at least one pic with that tag. Also, if you tag a pic as an album, it gives tags every pic in that stack with that album. Some people claimed that 6 was designed to work that way.

Definitely limited the usefulness of stacks, tags, and albums for me in the organizer.

Anyone have any insight into if these will be different in 7? This quote gives me hope: "Pinpoint your search - Complex searches are quick and easy with the power of keyword tags. Instantly find photos that show only Jack, but not Jack and Jill, for instance."

Thanks,

Rich

[Wendy]

Hi ...

I really think that the upgrade to PSE7 is worth it ... but once PSE7 is released then there should be a demo version available pretty soon afterwards so you can then try before you buy :)

However my vote on this one would be yes :)

Wendy

[Bayla]

Well I just upgraded from PSE3 to PSE6....I'm still getting used to the new features with version 6 and am very happy with it, even the dark interface. I occasionally slip back to using 3 for certain things. I have no intention of upgrading to version 7....in fact it crossed my mind that the way to go would possibly be to put away the upgrade money into an interest paying account and in about 3 years down the line splash out on the latest version of Photoshop instead (CSX)!:)

Bayla

[TonyW]

....in fact it crossed my mind that the way to go would possibly be to put away the upgrade money into an interest paying account and in about 3 years down the line splash out on the latest version of Photoshop instead (CSX)!:)

Bayla

Wow! I knew interest rates in the UK were higher but hadn't realised they were that high :D. I will immediately be transfering all my savings to a UK account :D

Tony

[elwoodsusanm]

At the risk of sounding stupid:o what can CS3 do that Elements doesn't? I know it does more , but what exactly?:)

[TonyW]

Sue: That's a tough question to give a simple answer to but basically it does more things that an advanced user would want and for many of the same things that it does it gives a lot more options to tweak. It all comes down to what specifically you want to do - I do however see a lot of Photoshop users who never do anything with it that you can't do in Elements. Best way would be to download a CS3 trial and see for yourself what it has to offer for what you want to do.

There is a comparison of CS2 with PSE5 here:

http://www.pictureline.com/newsletter/article.php?id=288

For CS3 vs PSE6/7 you could add some more things on both sides - and with the add-ins that are available for Elements you can add a few more ticks on the Elements side (and as it was written by Adobe it's maybe a bit biased towards Photoshop :)) but generally it's a reasonable assessment.

Tony

[debh945]

I have PSE6 and purchased CS3 (about 3 months before CS4 came out UGHH!). I have written actions that seem to work in PSE4-6 and work in the effects area of PSE7 but not the "guided edit" area. (Hummie is testing the actions for me in PSE7). The problem is, I don't know what commands are available in the guided edit area so it is impossible to write an action for it unless I buy it (which I refuse to do). And I could just keep emailing the "tweaks" back and forth to testers but it would be so much easier if there was a list somewhere of commands that will work in the guided edit area or information for action writers so they can make PSE7 compatible actions that will work in that area. I get that I can group several actions into a set for the guided area and that the "stops" will not work as they do in other versions or in the effects palette, but beyond that I am clueless. Do you think that Adobe (or anyone else knowledgeable in this area) would compile this information for action writers? Or do you think it is a conspiracy to keep us from writing actions for PSE? Every version has a different set of "rules" for thumbs, installation, etc. and I find it necessary to package the same .atn file with several different thumbs and instructions! It is very frustrating. If anyone can provide a link to help me write these, I would be very grateful!

[Symbyo dream]

Photoshop Elements 7 is a powerful contender. The program's new online components permit you to do more from within a familiar interface, and its new tools alone make it worth the upgrade.