The Bottom Line
Adobe Photoshop CS3 boasts a number of new or improved features, but perhaps the best news for Mac users is that it now runs native on Intel-based Macs. The user interface is easier to navigate, as well as easier to customize, and overall performance shows a significant boost from previous versions.
Despite all its improvements, Adobe Photoshop CS3 still has a steep learning curve. It’s not an easy program for beginners to learn, nor is it budget-friendly. But if you need industrial-strength image editing tools, you won’t find much better at any price.
Pros
- Runs native on Intel-based Macs.
- Improved user interface, with more customization options.
- Improved performance in both Mac OS X and Windows.
- Nondestructive editing leaves your original image intact.
- Includes Camera RAW 4 plug-in.
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users.
- Some features are difficult to use.
- Selecting objects in low-contrast images can be tricky.
Description
- Mac and Windows versions available
- Available in Standard and Extended editions
- Many third-party plug-ins are available, to add or enhance features
- Nondestructive editing preserves your original images
- Quick Selection and Refine Edge tools streamline the image editing process
- RAW image processing supports more than 150 camera models
- Custom palettes
- Custom menus, shortcuts, and workspaces
- Wide range of support image file formats
Guide Review - Adobe Photoshop CS3
Adobe Photoshop is fast approaching the two-decade mark, but it shows no signs of age. In addition to running native on Intel-based Macs, Photoshop CS3 delivers improved performance in both Mac OS X and Windows. You’ll get the best performance if your system exceeds the minimum system requirements, but even users with lower-end systems will notice significant performance improvements over previous versions.
Adobe also made significant changes to Photoshop’s user interface, including more customization options. Palettes, which provide easy access to the most commonly used features and tools, are now part of docks, which can hold multiple palettes. You can expand and collapse palettes on the fly, a plus if screen real estate is tight or you don’t like a lot of onscreen clutter.
As far as tools, the biggest improvement may be Photoshop CS3’s Quick Selection tool. This tool isn’t new to this version of Photoshop, but its effectiveness has been dramatically improved, although it can still be difficult to select objects in low-contrast images.
The Camera RAW 4 plug-in, which converts RAW images from a variety of digital camera formats, now supports full-screen editing mode, so you can do much, if not all, of your image editing within the plug-in, without tackling the full Photoshop CS3 interface. Camera RAW 4 has a red-eye reduction tool and a basic cloning tool that you can use to perform simple edits and retouches.
Photoshop CS3 is available in two versions. The Extended Edition includes video editing tools as well as 3D compositing, texturing, and processing tools. The Standard Edition is designed for graphic designers, illustrators, and photographers (amateurs, hobbyists, and pros) who are primarily interested in 2D image editing. Both editions offer plenty of reasons for current users to upgrade and for new users to take the plunge.
