Adobe CS5 Master Collection: Changing the design game, as we know it

Photographers, designers and digital artists worldwide collectively rejoice as the 5th version of the Adobe Creative Suite was released on April 12th. The Master Collection features full-version upgrades of the flagship creative tools as well as brand new weapons to add to the discerning graphic designer, video producer or budding photographers arsenal. For the first time, Adobe is also integrating its signature Omniture technology for companies to capture, store and analyse information generated by websites and other sources. This morning Adobe held a product briefing for the new CS5, and proved that the suite certainly has something for everyone to lust over.
More details after the jump

Content Aware Fill


When I first saw this feature released as the sneak peek above and then subsequently again in person during today’s product demo I was floored. Hours of clone stamping and using that damned magic wand / lasso tool is now reduced to 2 clicks and 5 seconds of pure magic. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself. Look good in that photo with your ex? No problem! Content Aware Fill is just the tool for you.
Refine Edge Technology


Ever tried to photoshop Jessica Alba into your graduation picture to appease those aunties who are always wondering when you’re getting married? If like me you are nodding (which I know most of you are) you’ll know selecting all those complex edges and curves are a major pain. Enter Adobe’s new Refine Edge Technology. Every stray hair, tassel and curve will be present and accounted for in your selection and you’ll be “dating” Jessica in no time!
HDR Pr


If you’ve ever seen the surreal high contrast colours of a HDR (High Dynamic Range) photo, you probably thought that it would take hours of tweaking sliders, curves and levels. With the new HDR Pro tool, you don’t even need multiple pictures to make a stunning HDR image. With a simple click and adjustment, you can churn out your very own HDR images like a pro in next to no time!
Adobe Illustrator
It’s not just Photoshop that gets all the love with the release of CS5, the popular tool Adobe Illustrator also has it’s fair share of time saving, jaw dropping new features as well! In the new Illustrator, drawing in 3D (or perspective) is made that much easier by implementing new perspective drawing tools and grid. Drawing vector buildings in 3D was never easier! For more cool features, check out World Wide Design Evangelist Terry White’s Top 5 favourite new features in Illustrator CS5.

It seems like a lot of the new features in Adobe CS5 are centred on making what used to be complex tasks and gigantic workflows, something that can be achieved in 2 or 3 clicks. This “newbie friendly” approach makes CS5 a lot more accessible to those just learning about content creation or digital imaging.
At a RRP of US$3159 (RM10,113) for the Master Collection down to just Photoshop CS5 at US$849 (RM2718) there is a bundle and price for everyone.
For Malaysia, it looks like CS5 will hit our shores around mid-May. Meanwhile, there is an upcoming 30-day trial to get your feet wet and tempt you even further (as if you needed anymore convincing).
For more details regarding CS5, pricing and shipping, you can visit Adobe at: http://www.adobe.com