Photoshop-Viz: 04/20/13

Adobe CS7 Release Date & Rumors

Adobe Systems has just changed their announce policy on product releases – We now have word that the Creative Suite release date cycle will follow a 24 month cycle, with possible dot-releases at every 12 months or depending on the products and available updates. So when will Adobe CS6 will be released? See our prediction below.

CS7 – Expected to be released in May 2014.

CS7 Beta – See the Photoshop beta posted on Adobe Labs around February 2014.

CS6 – This is the current version. It become available in May 2012.

CS6 Beta – The Photoshop CS6 beta was posted in March 2012.

CS5.5 – The current version, released in April 2011.

CS5 – Released in April 2010 (18 months after CS4).

CS4 - Released in October 2008 (18 months after CS3).

CS3 – Released April 2007 (24 months after CS2).

CS1 - Released in October 2003.

CS2 – Released in April 2005 (18 months after CS).

CS1 - Released in October 2003.

With Adobe’s new release date cycle announced, it’s now easy to guess when the next release of Creative Suite will be coming out. We are pretty sure CS7 will be out in April 2014. As soon as the rumors begin to appear on the latest new features, we will post them here on uCouponCode.com.

As the Adobe release schedule approaches, it’s good to keep in mind that you can only upgrade to the latest version if your current copy in no more than two versions back (upgrades save up to 60% off the retail price!). If you don’t have a qualifying upgradable version of Adobe Creative Suite CS7 software, then you should try to take advantage of Adobe’s discounted student pricing (tip: If you are not a student, signup for gym access or for a tennis class at your local community college and in most cases this should be enough). The Adobe student versions are the same exact versions as regular editions but discounted from 60% to 80% off the retail price. So for example, Photoshop CS6 Extended is $199 for the student price vs. $999 for the full retail price. Not a bad deal!

As soon as Adobe CS7 is released, we’ll be sure to post all CS7 coupon codes on our Adobe coupons and promotional codes page.

A new version of CS7

A new version of CS7

Version of CS usually comes out every 1-2 years. The new version should be released in around April 2014. This is very long since the release of CS6. There are a few reasons for this, one of the reasons is that Adobe will bring out a 6.5 version and with the release of Creative Cloud, some of the CS7 features have been put forward to those who subscribe with it.

So here my expected release dates and past launch information:
CS7 Rumored Release – Expected to come in April 2014 (Creative Cloud members get the free upgrade).
CS7 Beta – Look out for CS7 public betas available between February and March 2014.
CS6.5 – We will see select versions updated in April 2013.
CS6 – The current version. Announced on April 23, 2012 and began shipping on May 7, 2012.
CS6 beta – Was released in March 2012 on Adobe Labs.
CS5.5 – Released back in April 2011 (12 months after CS5).
CS5 – Released in April 2010 (about 18 months after the release of CS4).
CS4 – Released in October 2008 (about 18 months after CS3).
CS3 – Released in April 2007 (approximately 24 months after CS2).
CS2 – Released in April 2005 (18 months after CS).
CS1 – Introduced in October 2003.
As with any major new release of the CS Suite there will be new features. For CS5-6 it was mainly focused around content aware, for CS6 there was an interface change. I don’t think that there will be much in terms of the interface or even new tools but I think the main focus will be ease of use, cloud storage and sharing capabilities. The reason why I predict this is because Adobe have recently brought out a program called Muse which creates websites without the user putting in any code. It also covers mobile websites and looks to be a great tool to use, you can get hold of this by signing up to the creative cloud.

The Creative Cloud is the next step for Adobe, it is a positive step for publishing, ease of use and storage. It does come at a cost of around £30 p/m but you will have some benefits of using this. One of the benefits of subscribing to this is the free updates for all already purchased programs with Adobe. This will save you money in the long run instead of buying an upgrade for a couple of hundred pounds.
One of the biggest complaints is paying for software as it does not come cheap, this could be a way of budgeting your money whilst getting more features such as the cloud. The cloud system is multi-operational and gives you 20gb of space, this will especially be handy if you mix between computers and portable devices.
Adobe are working on portable programs, a version of Photoshop has been released on iOS (but to be honest its quite disappointing). With the Creative Cloud you will get the digital publishing suite which has some benefits such as; ease of use, no code writing and unlimited uploads to the apple store!
More portable software and functions.
Ease of use/shortcuts.
Less piracy.
Upcoming technology such as Cloud Storage.
1 or 2 new main functions in PS.
Easier payment schemes (eg: monthly)
More functionality between Adobe programs.
Yes! Some important changes are coming to the upgrade policy that you should be aware of. Starting February 28, 2013, Adobe will only be offering upgrades on versions that are no older than one version back, no longer letting you save money by skipping one or two versions between upgrades. So get updated quickly!
Also with all these new updates, it is the start of Adobe’s war against piracy. So do not be surprised if you start seeing more of these schemes in the future!

Introducing Adobe Creative Suite 7

Over the next two months, Adobe plans a number of additional relases and updates for CreativeCloud apps and the debut of CS7 features for Creative Suite 6 cloud subscribers. Last week, an Adobe blog referred to the new Illustrator CS6 file packager. That is an early example of the planned integration of CS7 features, offered in advance exclusively to Creative Cloud subscribers. There's more where that came from, for Illustrator and other apps, Adobe says. New CS7 features that will be incorporated into Dreamweaver Creative Cloud subscriptions are also planned for release soon, and others are on the horizon.

While Creative Cloud subscribers will get early access to some new features planned for CS7, they will not get the entire slate of new CS7 features before CS7's release. In light of Adobe's new yearly upgrade cycle for all Creative Suite apps, CS7 is expected to be released sometime during the first half of 2013. At that time all users, whether they are subscribers to Creative Cloud or holders of traditional perpetual licenses, will get the same upgrade. "Subscribers will get a piece of CS7 beforehand, but they won't get the whole of CS7 until CS7 is released," Morris said.

So here our expected release dates and past launch information:

CS7.5 Rumored Release- Expected to come in Mid 2015

CS7 Rumored Release – Expected to come in April 2014

CS7 Beta – Look out for CS7 public betas available between February and March 2014.

CS6.5 – We will see select versions updated in April 2013 (Photoshop is usually excluded).

CS6 – The current version. Announced on April, 2012 and began shipping on May 7, 2012.

CS6 beta – Was released in March 2012 on Adobe Labs.

CS5.5 – Released back in April 2011 (12 months after CS5).

CS5 – Released in April 2010 (about 18 months after the release of CS4).

CS4 – Released in October 2008 (about 18 months after CS3).

CS3 – Released in April 2007 (approximately 24 months after CS2).

CS2 – Released in April 2005 (18 months after CS).

CS1 – Introduced in October 2003.

Some important changes aae coming to the upgrade policy that you should be aware of. Starting January 1, 2013, Adobe will only be offering upgrades on versions that are no older than one version back, no longer letting you save money by skipping one or two versions between upgrades. Learn more about the changes.

As soon as Adobe CS7 is released and shipping, we plan on updating all of our adobe coupon codes and promotions so be sure to come back for the hottest deals on your Adobe software!

When Will Adobe CS7 – or CS6.5 – Be Released?

Six months ago today, Adobe released Creative Suite 6… While that wasn’t long ago, this is usually around the time customers start asking when the next release might be coming out, and what new features and improvements will be included in it. We’ve covered this topic before for CS6, ahead of its original launch date, so let’s take a look at the future…

What should we expect going forward? Will the next version out be CS7, and when will that be? Or will we instead see a mid-cycle release like CS6.5 available first? Fortunately Adobe has already answered all these questions, and in fact they answered them last year.

Back when CS5.5 began shipping in May 2011, the company for the very first time shared a great deal of information about their future Creative Suite product release schedule. Previously the cycle had been for a new version of the CS software coming every 18 months or so. But beginning with CS5.5, Adobe rolled out a new plan in response to accelerating creative needs:

This launch marks a major change to Adobe’s product release strategy for Creative Suite, the industry-leading design and development software for virtually every creative workflow across print, video, mobile and online media. Adobe now plans to have milestone Creative Suite product introductions at 24-month intervals and – starting with Creative Suite 5.5 – significant mid-cycle releases designed to keep the worldwide creative community ahead of the latest advances in content authoring.

And further to that:

Adobe plays an important role here, and we have realized that our historical 18-month release cycles are not going to be sufficient to address these rapidly-evolving trends. So Adobe decided to ship major milestone releases of Adobe Creative Suite software approximately every two years, with mid-cycle releases that incorporate the most critical features customers need in the interim years. The first mid-cycle release is Creative Suite 5.5, and it addresses these challenges.

So add it up and what does it mean, how does the future look? It means we might expect Adobe CS7 to be released in the spring of 2014, with an interim CS6.5 release coming out in between, probably in May of 2013… As with CS5.5, we may not see all Creative Suite applications upgraded for CS6.5 – for example, there wasn’t a CS5.5 version for Photoshop or Illustrator.

[UPDATE (Spring 2013) – Now confirmed: Next Release of Creative Suite to Launch May 6th.]

Here is what the big picture looks like – and see further below for new product features that are expected:

CS Release Date

Creative Suite 3 Spring 2007

Creative Suite 4 Fall 2008

Creative Suite 5 Spring 2010

Creative Suite 5.5 May 2011

Creative Suite 6 May 2012

Creative Suite 6.5 Mid-2013 (est.)

Creative Suite 7 Mid-2014 (est.)

Creative Suite 7.5 Mid-2015 (est.)

Any beta versions of CS6.5 or CS7 applications should be anticipated 1-2 months ahead of their final releases.

[UPDATE – Wondering about LR5? See: When Is Adobe Lightroom 5 Coming Out?]

What New Features Will Be In Adobe CS6.5 – or CS7?

We actually know some of the new product features that will be in the next formal release of Creative Suite… We know this because of the Creative Cloud, where some of these additions since CS6 have already been released early to Cloud members.

Here are some we expect would be included in the next version (click each for more details):

Photoshop: Copy CSS support, Image Deblurring, Conditional Actions, plus lots more.

Illustrator: Package Files and “Unembed” Images functions, Links Panel enhancements.

Dreamweaver: Improved HTML5 support, new CSS Designer tools, better FTP transfers.

InDesign: Retina Display and native 64-bit support plus dark interface (customizable).

Flash Professional: 64-bit architecture, native cocoa, faster, more reliable, + new UI.

Premiere Pro: Too many to list – see the “NAB Reveal” sneak peek videos!

After Effects: Incredible new “Refine Edge” Rotoscoping and much, much more.

Audition: Sound Remover, Preview Editor, Native 64-Bit Performance, Favorites Panel.

Prelude, SpeedGrade, Media Encoder: See the first looks.

Inclusion into the suite editions of new Acrobat XI Pro, which is already in the Cloud.

Stay tuned as we will keep this list updated going forward…

In addition, by 2013 all major Adobe tools should natively support the new MacBook Retina and HiDPI displays, for which Adobe says free updates will be coming for all current users before the next release. The list includes Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro and Lightroom. InDesign is more uncertain… Adobe says it’s its most complex software product, so InDesign support for Mac Retina may not be available until the next major release is shipping. The same goes for Flash Pro. Meanwhile, other applications like After Effects are said to be already compatible with Retina displays.

If you would like early access (now) to some of the new features listed above, consider checking out the Creative Cloud via either a free membership or paid subscription… Adobe says Cloud members will always have the latest versions available to use, which in a nutshell means that all product upgrades are included in the program.

[UPDATE (Spring 2013) – Now confirmed: Next Version of Creative Suite Comes on May 6th.]

Wondering which path is best for you? Don’t miss:

Creative Suite vs. Creative Cloud – Which Should You Choose?

Wondering why Cloud subscribers get exclusive updates that CS6 doesn’t? See:

Why Creative Cloud Gets Free Upgrades but Adobe CS6 Doesn’t

Give your input before it ships – what would you like to see in CS6.5 or CS7? Share your thoughts in the comments below or at Adobe’s official feature request “wishlist”…

Adobe Confirms Release Cycle for Creative Suite; CS6 Out Mid-2012

Adobe has publicly confirmed what they’ve been hinting for a while now: a new annual release schedule for the Creative Suite – with milestone releases in even years, and mid-cycle releases in odd years. The shift comes as the technology world turns faster from the previous cycles of 18-24 months historically.

Adobe didn’t actually say what future CS versions would be named or called – but for the sake of simplicity, let’s presume they continue with the established trend…

This means after CS5 in 2010, and CS5.5 in 2011, we could reasonably expect CS6 to be coming out in 2012, CS6.5 in 2013, CS7 in 2014, and so on.

They also gave guidance on “when” during each year, the expected timing for the launches… What’s more (and importantly), Adobe Photoshop will be getting a significant upgrade in CS6, after relatively minor updates for CS5.5.

Read on below for the specific details from the recent conference call and subsequent question and answer session… Or just read the full transcript.

Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen

… We successfully launched Creative Suite 5.5, an update to the CS5 product family. The release features enhancements for mobile content and application creation, new innovations for HTML5 and Flash authoring, and amazing new features and productivity improvements in our video authoring solutions.

CS5.5 is the first release in our transition to an annual release cycle, enabling us to deliver content creation innovations to our customers more frequently in response to the rapidly evolving marketplace.

Looking forward, expect this type of innovation to continue. We intend to ship the next milestone release of Creative Suite in 2012, and it will include an updated version of Photoshop.

Okay – that’s very good to know, helps reduce on the guessing – but when exactly next year will CS6 (or whatever the next major version of Creative Suite is called) be planned?

Question

As far as the annual release cycles for CS, should we expect that the timing is going to be kind of consistent during one time of the year – like we’ll see CS every year in the April-May timeframe, or will it be kind of variable each year?

Adobe CEO

With annual releases, we’re still very focused right now on 5.5 and … continuing to drive through that cycle until we release the next version. But I think it is fair to say that when we go to an annual release, the cadence will be about the same quarter because that’s what really enables us even with enterprises to get to be far more of an annual release cycle and have maintenance be a more meaningful part of the business.

Question

As you move to more of an annual cycle, will we see a condensation of when the languages roll out?

Adobe CEO

Yes, so as we did with CS5 itself, we are moving to a more consistent release schedule where all major languages are released at the same time. The reality is, we’re in a global world and so the day we announced the product, the interest – whether it’s in North America, whether it’s in another part of the world – is consistent. So yes, expect to see us do simultaneous releases of all major languages moving forward.

So, since CS5 came out in spring 2010, and CS5.5 in spring 2011 – basically this signals we’re looking at CS6 being launched in the spring of 2012, in English and other major languages at once. Here’s how the big picture looks:

CS Release	Date
Creative Suite 3	Spring 2007
Creative Suite 4	Fall 2008
Creative Suite 5	Spring 2010
Creative Suite 5.5	May 2011
Creative Suite 6	Mid-2012 (est.)
Creative Suite 6.5	Mid-2013 (est.)
Creative Suite 7	Mid-2014 (est.)
Creative Suite 7.5	Mid-2015 (est.)

But what’s this about a new release of Photoshop, features for the next version – what’s going to be in Photoshop CS6?

Adobe CEO

And I think people are looking forward … to the next release as well, because there’s a significant anticipation that’s being built up for all the cool things that we can do in imaging with Photoshop – and there’s a lot of exciting stuff underway.

[UPDATE (October 12th) – See the new "sneak peek" videos of Photoshop Image Deblurring and InDesign Liquid Layout from Adobe MAX 2011, plus many more for other products...]

Bottom line, knowing the future release schedule takes a lot of uncertainty out of the process… There’s always another release coming at some point, but now we know when. Historically, there have been folks who have held off buying Adobe software because they weren’t sure if that next version was “right around the corner” – where they would feel sheepish if they purchased just before that event. But now, knowing the release windows, you know what to expect – and can make an educated and informed purchase. We commend Adobe for changing their policy and making this information more public.

Listen to the entire conference call here, or read the transcript for more details.

Adobe Confirms Release Cycle for Creative Suite; CS6 Out Mid-2012

See what’s next in Adobe Photoshop

See what’s next in Adobe Photoshop on December 11

Adobe released a new video teaser on some of the upcoming future updates to Photoshop. To learn more, you can register for this event on December 11, 2012:
future updates to Adobe Photoshop See whats next in Adobe Photoshop on December 11

Adobe Set to Release CS7; CEO Says, “Don’t Even Try”

Adobe Set to Release CS7; CEO Says, “Don’t Even Try”

With Photoshop CS6 quickly approaching its first birthday, Adobe decided to ramp up efforts to release the next generation of its Creative Suite software.
photoshopcs6_557x200

CS6 brought a wealth of new features to the table that, more often than not, took the editing out of editing. Among them was the Content Aware Patch that could fill in a portion of the photo that wasn’t there originally. Say your landscape is marred by an unsavory boulder, you can send it back to the depths from whence it came with the Content Aware Patch which could replace it with the rest of the grassy knoll, if you like.

Rumors have abounded about what Adobe would work into CS7. There have been wish lists and hit lists for features that many wanted added and killed in the next iteration. Internal memos leaked to us have shed an interesting light on what Adobe’s engineers have been creating.

According to one document, CEO Nila Kanjalali was referring to “self-proclaimed iPhone self-portraitists” when she said “Don’t even try.” That is to say that CS7 will do all the work they wouldn’t know how to do in the first place. According to another document, CS7 will feature the word “EDIT” in large, friendly letters next to the photo imported to the library. Ms. Kanjalali said that what happens next would be considered “magic by their standards”.

Users have the option to disable this simplified feature, but will then be faced by something akin to the cockpit on the Space Shuttle Endeavor. Ms. Kanjalali could not be reached for comment, but a senior executive did disclose that Adobe is seeking to “maximize the editing experience by providing users with every editing option possible”.

The EDIT button, it seems, is a ruse to keep would-be Instagram photogs at bay. Actual photographers will rejoice in what is known as the “flight deck”, the full set of editing options. Rife with sliders, buttons, brushes, and filters, the “flight deck” is an editor’s paradise.

I was granted early access to a beta version of CS7, and I speak for some when I say, “I have no idea what’s going on.” I have been a photographer for roughly five years now, and I haven’t seen something this complicated since AP Calculus in high school. After several failed attempts at navigating the flight deck, I found myself backtracking to the nifty EDIT button that made otherwise garbage photos rather pretty to behold.

The unfortunate result of using the nifty “EDIT” button is that each image is watermarked with a small, yet clear “edited” at the bottom right of the image. It’s unclear exactly which audience CS7 is geared for as it seems only Adobe engineers can navigate the program.

Although, according to one document, the lead engineer said, “We’ve made a huge mistake.”