Adobe releases new versions of Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements

Adobe Systems Inc., has announced upgrades for its photo editor software, Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 for Windows and Mac, and its video editor software, Adobe Premiere Elements 8 for Windows.

Photoshop Elements 8 and Premiere Elements 8 for Windows
Photoshop Elements 8 and Premiere Elements 8 for Windows include an Organizer for keeping track of photos and videos, which contain the following new features:

• The new Auto-Analyzer automatically analyzes and tags the most interesting and highest-quality photos and video footage.
• People Recognition identifies people in photos, becoming more intelligent over time, as it learns to associate names and people.
• New full-screen previews display photos and video clips in the slideshow mode directly in the Organizer. Users can also make quick edits to photos or tag video footage while viewing them.
• In addition, users can now synch all their media on multiple computers automatically.

Photoshop Elements 8 for Windows includes new photo editing capabilities:

• Photomerge Exposure creates a perfectly exposed photo that shows every detail by combining multiple shots of the same scene - with or without a flash - in just a few simple clicks.
• Leveraging Photoshop CS4 technology, the new Recompose provides users with an easy way to automatically resize photos without distorting the most important parts.
• Quick Fix previews allow users to visually choose the best color, contrast and lighting adjustments from a series of previews.
• Once photo creations are ready to be shared, Photoshop Elements 8 offers new interactive Online Album templates that can showcase photos and videos together.

Premiere Elements 8 for Windows includes new video editing capabilities:

• Smart Fix ensures that every clip looks its best by automatically fixing shaky footage and color and lighting problems.
• Smart Trim identifies and helps get rid of the least interesting, lowest quality footage.
• Smart Mix seamlessly balances audio elements to give videos professional-quality sound throughout.
• Motion-tracking capabilities give users the power to add graphics, text and effects - such as thought bubbles and motion blur - that will automatically follow a subject within a scene.

Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac

Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac includes many new features:

• For organization, Mac users have full access to all the features in Bridge CS4, which provides quick organization with a custom viewing workspace and full-screen preview with one-click close-ups. Keyword tags and a variety of search options also make it easy to find photos quickly.
• Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac now includes all of the intelligent photo-editing options as the Windows version.

In addition to Photomerge Exposure, Recompose and Quick Fix previews, Mac users will have access to the following new tools:

• Photomerge Scene Cleaner for brushing away unwanted elements, such as tourists or cars, from a series of photos to create the perfect scene.
• The Smart Brush helps apply incredible effects to a specific area of a photo with a single stroke.
• Touch-Up brushes make common editing tasks quick, such as whitening teeth or making bright blue skies.

Pricing and availability
Photoshop Elements 8 for Windows and Premiere Elements 8 for Windows will be available soon for $99.99 each and as a bundle for $149.99. Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac will be available in October for $99.99.

Additional information can be found at Adobe's website. 30-day trial copies are available.