Adobe Systems has released details of new versions of its picture editor, Photoshop Elements 8, and movie-editing software, Premiere Elements 8.

 

September 23, 2009: Adobe Systems has released details of new versions of its picture editor, Photoshop Elements 8, and movie-editing software, Premiere Elements 8.
Both are available for the Windows operating system and Photoshop Elements 8 is also offered for Macintosh PCs. New features in common to both versions include:
– A new Auto-Analyser that automatically analyses and tags the most interesting and highest-quality photos and video footage.
– People Recognition technology, which identifies people in photos, becoming more intelligent over time, as it learns to associate names and people.
– New full-screen previews that display photos and video clips in the slideshow mode directly in the Organiser. Users can also make quick edits to photos or tag video footage while viewing them.
– The ability for users to synch all their media on multiple computers.
Photoshop Elements 8 adds the following new features:
– A Photomerge Exposure function that allows users to merge multiple shots of the same scene – taken with or without a flash – in just a few simple clicks.
– A new Recompose function that leverages Photoshop CS4 technology to provide users with an easy way to automatically resize photos without distorting the most important parts.
– Quick Fix previews that enable users to choose the best color, contrast and lighting adjustments from a series of previews.
– Interactive Online Album templates that allow users to showcase photos and videos together.
– Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac also adds a Smart Brush for adding special effects and Touch-up brushes for common editing tasks, such as whitening teeth or making bright blue skies. The Photomerge Scene Cleaner also provides an easy way to remove unwanted elements, such as tourists or cars, from a series of photos.
New features in Premiere Elements 8 include:
– A Smart Fix control that automatically fixing shaky footage and colour and lighting problems.
– A Smart Trim, which identifies and helps get rid of the least interesting, lowest quality footage.
– A Smart Mix function, which seamlessly balances audio and video elements.
– Motion tracking capabilities that enable users to add graphics, text and effects — such as thought bubbles and motion blur — that will automatically follow a subject within a scene.
Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 and Adobe Premiere Elements 8 software for Windows are available now at www.adobe.com, and will be available soon through Adobe Authorised Resellers. Photoshop Elements 8 is priced at $165, with updates at $125. The combined Photoshop Elements 8 & Premiere Elements 8 package sells for $245 with upgrades selling for $189.