Important note:
In order to download the Photoshop CS3 beta, users will need a valid serial number to one of the various Creative Suite 2.0 distributions.
The two interesting things I noticed from that, if it is true.
CS3 is still going to be a universal binary on the mac
HDR support is going to be (re)moved to the more expensive (I'd assume) CS3 Advanced version.
I had read somewhre previously that CS3 would be a universal binary, so this confirms. Good news. I also noticed the bit about the Advanced version and HDR support. Bottom line, unless CS3 Advanced has *much* better support for HDR than CS2 I'll use Photomatix.
I'm happy for the Mac users, but no Linux/Wine support again, it seems, just like the previous CS versions. Looks like we're stuck with Photoshop 7 at best. Boo.
a) If you have an Intel-based Mac, the performance will be astounding. For others, it's just another upgrade with a few new features (one of which is a new interface that keeps palettes out of your way).
b) The beta download will supposedly be free if you own CS2. The price of the "final" version hasn't been announced.
c) HDR = High Dynamic Range (basically combining different exposures to reign in extreme highlight and shadow detail). HDR is only one of several features that will be restricted to the advanced version. Most of the others will be related to animation, 3D, and scientific use.
a) Is there going to be any real substantial difference worth upgrading for?
b) how much?
c) BTW...what is HDR and why is it worth an entire advanced version?
a) If you have an Intel Mac, probably - it'll finally be getting closer to the speed of the PC version and running natively. It'll be interesting to see how much performance is lost switching from Metrowerks to GCC for the compiler. GCC isn't exactly well known for its performance.
b) last time it was $150 to go from CS to CS2
c) it is interesting that they pushed this feature that is such a current photo-fad of the month, into the 'scientific & video advanced user' version. Smells of marketing.
This ability to open Tiff and Jpeg in Raw, does this mean you can work on them in a non destructive manner as you can a RAW file ?
The links (posted above) tell you you can open them and work on them in Raw but are they destructive ? Anyone know ?
