Performance
I am running Photoshop CS4 Extended on a 15” Macbook Pro 2.0 Intel Core Duo with 2G RAM. While it definitely is not the newest computer on the market, it does the job. I was concerned about how efficiently it would run this program, but to my surprise it runs CS4 more efficiently than it ran CS3! I have not had any hiccups, freezes, or crashes since I installed this version and that in itself is a huge testament to the folks at Adobe, who are constantly improving things!
Camera raw is loaded with even more powerful and non destructive features. Vibrancy, spot removal, filters, and white balance are just some of the improvements.
Value
If you’re a filmmaker who’s thinking of buying Photoshop CS4 Extended by itself and have never owned a previous version of Photoshop, then $999 is a pricey purchase. For people like this who want the best bang for their buck, you should consider going straight to the Production Premium package (which I explain more about at the end of the Value Section).
Now, if you have any of the Photoshop CS series (CS – CS3), the upgrade is only $349. (If you’re a student, the price is far cheaper than this!) As such, for the amount of improvements that come into play, Photoshop CS4 Extended is an amazing value. (However, if you’ve got the CS3 Production Premium package, it’s only $599 to upgrade to the entire CS4 Production Premium package, so, again, I would recommend looking at doing this, rather than just upgrading Photoshop.)
If you are doing 3D animation, then Photoshop CS4 and its massive improvements in this area a must. If you are a professional photographer or graphic designer, then Photoshop CS4 and its significant improvements to these areas are also a must.
Content aware scalability is one of the most effective and creative features of CS4. It's easy to use, and is the best solution if you need to rescale a photo without losing any information.
If you are looking for film and video solutions, then, as I mentioned before, you don’t need to be buying Photoshop CS4 by itself, but as part of the CS4: Production Premium package. (If you don’t own one of the past production suites, it’s only $700 more to get CS4: Production Premium, which includes Photoshop CS4 Extended, as well as EVERYTHING you need for filmmaking— with the only exception being a designated 3D software like Lightwave. If you own a previous Adobe Production suite, it’s only $250 more to upgrade to the entire CS4: Production Premium than it is to just get the upgrade for Photoshop!) To read more about the amazing value Adobe brings to the table in the CS4: Production Premium package, go to our full review of it in this issue.
Final Comments Even though most of the biggest changes are in the area of 3D, Adobe made improvements in all the right places. There is something for everyone here, no matter what your visual art field is. Now more than ever, Adobe is catering this product to the film and video industry. With the continually stronger integration Photoshop CS4 Extended has in the new CS4: Production Premium, the abilities that a microbudget filmmaker can have are without limit.
Ease
of Use
9.0
Depth
of Options
9.0
Performance
10.0
Value
9.0
Overall Score
9.3
Justin Pugh is a freelance editor and documentary filmmaker who lives in Orlando, Florida. A graduate of Full Sail's Film Production program, his credits range from involvement in the Florida Film Festival to editing feature length documentaries. Outside of moving pictures, he engages his passion for still photography.
