Thread: Photoshop CS4

The interface is vastly improved in Photoshop CS4. When you open more than one image, each of the images gets displayed as a tab. Switching between images is also easy now and can be done through by clicking on individual tabs. If you want to rearrange the tab position as per the requirement or usage, just drag the tab and place it wherever you want.

In Photoshop CS3. you could import 3D objects created by other applications. Where CS4 scores over its predecessor is that now itis possible to create 3D objects and even manipulate them.

Adobe has also enhanced the color range feature. In the Color Range window, there's a 'llew option called 'Localized Color Clusters'. When you click on'any one color of the image, Photoshop takes the shade of a very small area around the point you clicked. This makes for a very precise color selection.



Photoshop CS4 introduces a new feature, 'Masks' panel. that creates and modifies pixel based layer masks and vector bases masks. It has also included new dynamic features like Density and Feather, as well a new 'Invert' option. You can even use the 'Del' key now to delete masks.

Other tools that have seen makeovers are the Dodge, Burn and Sponge tools. The earlier versions provided either too white or dark shades over objects such as the skin of a person. To overcome this, Adobe has added a new option called 'Protect Tones'.

Now, while modifying the skin of a person, select the option 'Protect Tones', which lets you apply a closer-to-real skin color.

Another related change is with the keys used to modify brush size. Earlier versions, used bracket keys for making brush size smaller or bigger. In CS4. the process takes lesser time as you just need to press Alt + right mouse click and drag to reduce or enlarge.