Adobe released major upgrades to its two consumer-oriented “Elements” programs — the image-editing program Photoshop Elements, and the video-editing program Premiere Elements, now both at version 13. In addition, both programs now feature a new help and instruction portal called Elements Live that offers various tips, tricks and tutorials on using the programs. Both programs boast several new features.
A significant theme of the Photoshop Elements upgrade is to improve workflow speed and help resources. In addition to additional “guided” options, the software features tools that directly address customer requests, such as now to easily make coordinated Facebook profile and cover photos. The Photomerge tool, frequently used to combine the best portions of a series of photos into one idealized image, has also been improved.
There is also an Intelligent Crop tool that uses face detection and photo composition to suggest a better cropping, and variations on effects that allow users up to 50 options to add alongside a standard effect, such as sepia tone. The Refine Selection brush and the ability to customize images with text and graphics has also been improved for easier use.
Premiere Elements 13’s major update is the improved image stabilization, aimed at videos shot with smartphones or other mobile devices. Users can now quickly mark Favorite Moments and allow the program itself to assemble them into a movie. Another option, Video Story, also offers automatic composition of a movie, analyzing clips and applying themes, music and transitions to rapidly create a sharable video for special occasions.
The program can also do slideshows using images, and now offers more Guided Edits for things like titles creation and adding certain effects to videos. The Elements Live portal, available on both programs, offers both additional help resources as well as a gallery of submitted projects made using the programs.
Adobe continues to sell the consumer-pitched Elements programs as standalone apps, outside of its Creative Cloud subscription-based service. The programs, available for Mac and Windows, are sold for $100 each, or can be purchased together in a bundle for $150 directly Adobe’s website. Previous-version users can upgrade for $80 for a single program, or $120 for both.
