Adobe Announces Version 13 of Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements
Adobe has announced Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements 13. The user-friendliness of these consumer titles in particular has been greatly improved, according to Adobe, with, for example, more examples for effects and more step-by-step explanations for various actions.
Adobe stated during a private webcast last week that the company’s improvements in version 13 mainly relied on consumer feedback. “More technology, in a user-friendly way,” the US spokesperson for Adobe summed up. For example, the behavior of consumers was studied to see which operations were performed the most, but also to determine which operations were experienced as difficult.
The crop tool now shows four suggestions
An example of this is making a crop. This appears to be the most commonly used action in Photoshop Elements, but the tool has remained unchanged for years. From version 13, the software now comes up with suggestions, based on an analysis of the image and the ‘rule of thirds’ as a starting point. Four cut-outs are then presented, after which the user can choose one. It is also possible to adjust such a suggested cropping slightly.
Furthermore, Adobe has expanded the number of ‘guided edits’. These are operations that require several steps and are therefore quickly experienced as complicated by less experienced users. The user is then guided through all menus and settings via a step-by-step plan, leaving sufficient room for creativity because the power of effects and settings can be determined. The effects of filters are also better represented, with a visual preview and multiple variations per effect.
Merging elements from different photos, photomerge, has been further improved (but not flawless).
Merging elements from multiple photos has also been further improved. During the demonstration, a person from a first photo was quite simply selected and then pasted into another photo. That way it is easier to perfect a group photo, although the question is how often someone will make such a creation. The rough edges around the pasted person are fairly easy to edit with a ‘hide’ and ‘reveal brush’.
Finally, Photoshop Elements 13 now includes a Facebook template. You can use a single photo for both your profile and background photo. You will have to add them yourself in two steps, because the Facebook api does not allow Adobe to do this all at once.
New is the possibility to create a Facebook template based on a photo
Adobe’s video editing software has also been updated. For example, it is now even easier to stabilize a video to prevent camera shake and motion blur. Adobe stated that it mainly focused on the increasing number of videos made with a smartphone. They also demonstrated an overlay function in which a title was placed over a scene, the content of which consisted of another scene, including an effect that then completely switches to the second scene. Furthermore, a function has been added where you can share a video with others by means of a link that is only visible to the invitees.
The prices have remained the same as the previous editions. That means that Adobe Premiere or Photoshop Elements 13 will be available separately for 99 euros, or in a bundle with both titles for 149 euros.