Phosphors

Want an overview of new Photoshop CS6 features, with links to detailed descriptions and third-party tutorials?

Check out Photoshop CS6 Help.

Tutorial Builder lets you quickly create tutorials that interact directly with Photoshop CS6 tools and commands. Your audience can view steps and control related Photoshop features either within the application itself, or from iPad tablets. (Tablet-based tutorials free up valuable screen real estate for images and workspaces.)

Watch an overview video and download Tutorial Builder.

By now, you’ve likely seen the many big-ticket improvements in Photoshop CS6, from video, to 3D, to seamless image recomposing and beyond. But did you know that CS6 includes over sixty “Just Do It!” features?

These so-called JDI’s cover a range of small, yet key enhancements that Photoshop users have long clamored for. To complete common tasks quicker, give this overview a look.

For a soup-to-nuts walkthrough of every big feature in Photoshop CS6 Beta, check out this one-hour conversation with Senior Product Manager Zorana Gee:

http://bit.ly/PsCS6_beta

In this Ask A CS Pro session, Zorana not only provides detailed tips, but also addresses common questions from the large live audience. Dozens more questions are covered in the interactive Chat pod.

Photoshop CS6 Beta seamlessly integrates 3D into Photoshop workflows you’re already familiar with. If you’d like to do more 3D work but have been waiting for more intuitive tools, give the beta a try.

Then check out this set of 3D video tutorials from expert Daniel Presedo.

Want to get a head start on the next generation of digital imaging?

First, download the Photoshop CS6 Beta.

Then, check out the following tutorials to discover the revolutionary new features:

• iceflowstudios.com provides 12 videos that look in-depth at major improvements.

• video2brain.com devotes 30 full minutes to trainer Tim Grey’s top 10 new features.

• photoshopcafe.com presents a readable walkthrough of all the key features, plus five videos on their favorites.

• gavtrain.com includes a video overview of top features, and an in-depth look at the Content-Aware Move tool.

• modestudio.us looks at the new photographic toning presets in this video.

• TipSquirrel.com introduces the new 3D workflow in Photoshop Extended.

• Lynda.com provides free, comprehensive instruction on all the big new features.

• photoshopuser.com combines a collection of key tutorials in their CS6 Beta Launch Center.

• John Derry creates the Milky Way Galaxy with the new particle tip for the Airbrush tool.

• colortrails.com describes their favorite features for photographers.

In response to customer concerns, Adobe has improved upgrade options for CS3 and CS4 customers. While subscription plans offer some big benefits for future versions, a lot of users don’t want to make that leap just yet. So you’ll be able to purchase a standard upgrade until the end of the year.

John Nack’s excellent post lays out all the options.

When you want to change the color of objects in an image, you might first reach for Photoshop’s Color Replacement tool. But that’s not always the best approach. For more effective and flexible alternatives, check out these techniques:

• Dave Cross compares two approaches to color replacement
• Deke McClelland targets and tweaks a specific color range
• Photoshop Help walks through all the alternative approaches

Google sometimes favors older CS4 content simply because it’s been around longer. If that’s not what you want, just add “CS5″ to any search, and bingo–the new stuff appears.

If you prefer the direct route, here are links to key CS5 pages:

Photoshop Help main page

A rundown of all the new CS5 features

Many miss the old Picture Package feature from Photoshop CS3 and earlier. But did you know there are several ways to create packages in current Adobe apps?

Photoshop legend Michael Salinero provides several options, including a clever technique that uses Smart Objects to create flexible package layouts.