Photoshop CS6 Review

[artofretouching]

I am not sure why I forgot to mention my Photoshop CS6 Review on this website. Massive brain freeze, but if you haven't seen it yet, please check it out.

I was afraid to actually publish it, but across many forums, this seemed to be viewed as a welcome change from the usual "Awesome Upgrade NOW!" review.

[creativeretouch]

Nice review - and I unfortunately have to say I agree with you …

I like this point:

"Forget about Camera RAW as a separate program, I only get to use while Importing. I want the RAW file to be the very first Layer, with all the Camera RAW options in an Adjustment Layer above it. Yeah, you heard me. Why am I only able to edit that RAW data once? Maybe I want to tweak it later on? I don't see why I shouldn't be able to. Don't forget, the biggest benefit to using a RAW processor, is the ability to have all the various correction options in a single tabbed window, that I can quickly skim across. Photoshop CS6 is made up of various Tools, Palettes, Layers, and whatever else scattered all over the interface. Remember at the beginning, I said I wanted it simpler, not harder, and leave me in control. This would achieve that in a huge way."

Regards, Filip

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http://shotworldwide.com & http://photoapps.info

[RobertAsh]

I have to say I disagree. For me, the improved Crop tool alone is worth the upgrade. Not to mention Content-Aware Patch and Move, Auto-save and Auto-Recovery. And improved Auto-Correction. Improved brush behavior and video are cool, too, though I don't have time to try them.

Regarding that statement:

• Why am I only able to edit that RAW data once? Maybe I want to tweak it later on?

Don't Smart Objects allow that? Or do you mean something different?

The review reminds me of complaints on NikonRumors.com from people don't like the new cameras because they have video. We don't have to use those features we don't like.

What Photoshop does really well is provide a wide range of really good tools for a wide range of users, better than any other program does. The alternative would be a myriad of specialized products for this sub-segment or that one, which would make those different functionality sets a lot harder to use together. It would also make it more expensive for non-specialists.

[creativeretouch]

Robert, particularly the new crop tool is the thing I don't like most. If I will use CS6 I will immediately switch the new behaviour off.

Also other people are complaining about issues coming with this tool:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/fo...?topic=67531.0

I prefer to keep control over my work on my side, I don't like all these automatic improvements which don't give results I would be happy with.

It would be really nice if the background layer would be a RAW layer and you could create adjustment layers above as you do with normal image.

Regards, Filip

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http://shotworldwide.com & http://photoapps.info

[RobertAsh]

Hi Filip,


Regarding the Crop tool issue, that's called a 'bug' In fact, it's a video card bug, not a Photoshop bug, as Eric Kellerman the original poster learned:

• Pete Goddard: This is some kind of issue with the video card I imagine. I get the pattern on my Thinkpad laptop but not on my desktop. A patterned file made on my laptop exhibits normally on the desktop machine or even in CS5 on the laptop. It only seems to be the crop tool rotation too, Image>Image Rotation>Arbitrary does not cause a pattern. Both systems are 64 bit.
• Eric Kellerman: Problem 'explained'!!! Yes, the video card is indeed implicated....

Seems it only affects older video cards. And even bugs like that can get fixed if they affect enough people.

What I love about the new Crop tool is that it works like the Lightroom crop tool, with dynamic borders allowing you to see a darkened image outside so you can see how much I'm cropping and can work faster. That's very helpful when I'm expanding a proposed crop.

Regarding the Auto-correction, there is no way to please everybody. We don't have to use Auto-correction if we want to control the image ourselves. Just like we don't have to use Auto-exposure in our camera. The best manufacturers can do is improve the auto features so they please a larger percentage of their target audiences by giving them a better starting point in most cases. And they do a good job, especially over time.

Regarding the Background layer, what exactly do you mean? I'm not sure I understand.

Strictly speaking, there can't be a RAW background layer by definition. That's physically impossible.

A RAW file is a bit-for-bit dump of the sensor information and is not viewable. It first has to be rendered (i.e., interpreted) by a RAW processor. It's the rendering of the RAW file that we see, it's never the RAW file itself. And it cannot be saved back in its native RAW format, it has to be saved into a different format, an interpreted one (PSD, TIFF, DNG, JPG, etc.).

If you want a background layer that's a rendered RAW file as a which preserves the RAW processing you've already done, that's what a Smart Object does, just open it as a Smart Object. You can double-click on it and adjust your RAW processor settings any time you want.

If you want to work on a file that has minimal processing, just open the file as-is from your RAW processor without adjusting exposure, brightness, or anything else, just zero out all the RAW processor's adjustment sliders and open the file in Photoshop to make your adjustments there.

[creativeretouch]

Originally Posted by RobertAsh

What I love about the new Crop tool is that it works like the Lightroom crop tool, with dynamic borders allowing you to see a darkened image outside so you can see how much I'm cropping and can work faster. That's very helpful when I'm expanding a proposed crop.

Robert, this is exactly (if I understand what you mean) how the crop tool works even in CS3. The border outside of the image is darkened and you can see exactly how much you are cropping.

Regarding the crop tool discussion, the last post by Pete_G says this:
------------
It's not an ATI issue, I have the problem with my Thinkpad laptop and that's got an Nvidia 570M in it. I installed the latest driver, since the original one was quite old, and that reduced the effect but did not remove it.
------------

Originally Posted by RobertAsh

Regarding the Auto-correction, there is no way to please everybody. We don't have to use Auto-correction if we want to control the image ourselves. Just like we don't have to use Auto-exposure in our camera. The best manufacturers can do is improve the auto features so they please a larger percentage of their target audiences by giving them a better starting point in most cases. And they do a good job, especially over time.

In my opinion - the best way is to create something like a "core" version of Photoshop which will keep all important manual functions an speed and something like "modules" for different users (3D module, video module, a lot of automatic tools module to keep some people happy) instead of one huge software package.

Originally Posted by RobertAsh

Regarding the Background layer, what exactly do you mean? I'm not sure I understand.

Strictly speaking, there can't be a RAW background layer by definition. That's physically impossible.

A RAW file is a bit-for-bit dump of the sensor information and is not viewable. It first has to be rendered (i.e., interpreted) by a RAW processor. It's the rendering of the RAW file that we see, it's never the RAW file itself. And it cannot be saved back in its native RAW format, it has to be saved into a different format, an interpreted one (PSD, TIFF, DNG, JPG, etc.).

If you want a background layer that's a rendered RAW file as a which preserves the RAW processing you've already done, that's what a Smart Object does, just open it as a Smart Object. You can double-click on it and adjust your RAW processor settings any time you want.

If you want to work on a file that has minimal processing, just open the file as-is from your RAW processor without adjusting exposure, brightness, or anything else, just zero out all the RAW processor's adjustment sliders and open the file in Photoshop to make your adjustments there.

I mean instead of a smart object you could have Camera RAW & Photoshop in one software (within a "core" version?). If you open a TIFF file, for example, you see the image in the middle of the screen and palettes with background layer on the right hand side. Camera RAW is opening "in the front" of Photoshop and I wish to have it "within" Photoshop. Yes, there could be "RENDER" button too
I am sure, there must be a way how to make it working. If you can see the RAW image within Camera RAW, you should be able to see it within Photoshop too.

Regards, Filip

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http://shotworldwide.com & http://photoapps.info

[ratpat13]

Hi artofretouching,

I think it's a good valid review of CS6, I don't totally agree with all your points but it makes sense from where you coming from. I would just say for anyone reading it that it's a review from very specific point of view and need. As some one who uses it for more then my retouching quite of the upgrades are nice. Particularly when the focus on smaller working details, all the big flash upgrades they made in CS5 were near useless to me, but the workflow upgrades they have made are helpful.

I just wanted to say in your review you were particular annoyed about additions to the menu windows and your desire for a less clutter. You may already know this, but if you don't you may find it useful as I have. In the Edit menu t the bottom there is a "Menu" option right underneath keyboard shortcuts where you can turn off almost any menu item you want. All those annoying filters you never use could be gone.

[artofretouching]

Well RatPat13, you got me on that one. I did NOT know that Menu option was there. I was all excited until I discovered it was not as usefull as it could have been. For example, I can delete all the items under the "Analysis" or "3D" pull downs, but the words "Analysis" and "3D" still remain. As I still have to ignore the main header anyway, anything under it (visible, or not) is irrelevant.

Sadly, the big Unclutter I was looking for was the Tool Palette, and that "Menu" does not have that as an option.

But thank you for the heads up. New stuff to learn every day.

[andrewrodney]

Originally Posted by creativeretouch

I am sure, there must be a way how to make it working. If you can see the RAW image within Camera RAW, you should be able to see it within Photoshop too.

You have to render raw data to become RGB pixels like the TIFF you mention. Just like you have to render (RIP) a PDF into Photoshop before you can edit it. The data is just vastly different. Photoshop is pixel editor. You need pixels and if they are not rendered yet, well Photoshop simply can’t do anything with said data.

[creativeretouch]

Originally Posted by andrewrodney

You have to render raw data to become RGB pixels like the TIFF you mention. Just like you have to render (RIP) a PDF into Photoshop before you can edit it. The data is just vastly different. Photoshop is pixel editor. You need pixels and if they are not rendered yet, well Photoshop simply can’t do anything with said data.

I understand that, but I mean there must be a way how to create one workspace instead two. For example you could have a layer group with Camera RAW data (background layer + adjustments layers ) on the bottom and rendered pixel layer on the top of this group. It means you will not open a Camera RAW from a smart layer object but you will render a new pixel layer on the top of this Camera RAW layer group. Then you can switch off or delete old rendered pixel layer. The new rendered pixel layer will stay on the top of the Camera RAW layer group and you will be able to create new adjustments layers for this new pixel layer.

Regards, Filip

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http://shotworldwide.com & http://photoapps.info

[artofretouching]

I would think that the "Base RAW Layer" can display a pixel preview, just like it does for Camera RAW. It can stay that way until you Flatten the file. Then it could render the desired raw, then apply the layers above it, and ultimately flatten it.

With that said, I am not suggesting you can clone on that layer, or any other pixel based functions. You could, however, adjust global sharpening and other RAW based functions. You would need to work with adjustment layers and masks for all the other stuff. While this may be a new concept, it does not mean it can not be done with some ingenuity.

There certainly is huge value in making the attempt.

[creativeretouch]

Exactly, completely new "Photoshop Core Version" with the most important tools and adjustment layers only. No 3D, no Video - they could be added as a separate modules.

Regards, Filip

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http://shotworldwide.com & http://photoapps.info

[artofretouching]

Yeah, I had suggested that. Kind of like that QuickBooks does for different industries. Then you have the accountant version that has everything.

If you think about it, they could charge like $30 over the base price for each addon. But don't forget, Cable satalite TV are still fighting tooth and nail against the "Ala Carte" way of doing things. Why charge $20/mo when they can charge $80/mo for what is ultimately the same thing to the end user?

[andrewrodney]

Originally Posted by creativeretouch

I understand that, but I mean there must be a way how to create one workspace instead two. For example you could have a layer group with Camera RAW data (background layer + adjustments layers ) on the bottom and rendered pixel layer on the top of this group.

Given the resources, anything is possible. It could be possible that Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator could all be one big honking app. Now keep in mind that with a raw converter, new cameras are coming out all the time meaning new raw proprietary formats. Much easier to update ACR for new support compared to having to do this on the entire Photoshop application. Currently you can embed the raw as a smart object with rendered layers as well. But if you want to edit, you end up in ACR, then back again. The controls, but more importantly the entire engine that ACR uses to build RGB pixels is vastly different from the engine you use to edit existing RGB pixels. And I’d submit, as wonderful as ACR is, if you’re serious about working with raw, Lightroom has a number of compelling advantages outside the raw processing engine which is the same in both products (Virtual copies, unlimited history, etc).

[artofretouching]

Oh, well, of course I agree with you that professionally, we would be working in Lightroom, Capture One, or similar anyway. I guess part of the trick would be the ability to import (and interpret) that sidecar data on the way in. But of course, all this is wishful thinking anyway, as Adobe is likely busy working on their next "Magnetic" tool. I certainly wouldn't want to disturb them.