When first presented with Photoshop CS4, it’s apparent that Adobe has been hard at work making radical modifications to its interface. However, exactly how does it help promote better application and use of the software?

It seems that Photoshop CS4 has made such changes to fundamentally make the software and its functions more accessible to a range of user levels. Tools and applications have been made extremely obvious in their fly-out palettes, in the panels area to the right of the work area. A great example is the Adjustments palette. The original source of these related effects, such as Levels, Hue/Saturation and Photo Filter, was hidden away in a drop-down option set at the foot of the Layers palette. A recognisable, large icon now represents each of these options. Previous means of access to options is still available, though.

Adjustments can still be applied in an editable layer capacity in the Layers palette, but likewise live fine-tuning of effects can now be made to each option within the actual palettes. A time-saving and comprehensive function, for sure. New editions within this palette are a range of tool presets, which again make the application of effects even more manageable. All other palette options coincide with this manageable approach.

Make the most of masks: The Mask palette is another noticeable interface edition, allowing users to control and build more precise masks more intuitively. Users can control Density and Feather amounts through slidebars, and define with Refine options

Photoshop CS4 has not only taken big steps in providing accessible creative functions, but also the means to organise your toolsets and palettes efficiently. This makes for a more organised workflow and, in turn, optimum productivity. The palettes themselves can be detached, rearranged, regrouped and floating in any correlation that you wish, anywhere in the workspace. This means they can be discreet and accessible all in an instant to suit a multitude of users.

Potent palettes: Never before has Photoshop been so concerned with clear and concise creativity, demonstrated through its dynamic effects-related palettes

Those of you who source from a variety of open images in previous Photoshop editions, especially when working in graphic and manipulation projects, will certainly appreciate Photoshop CS4’s new tabbed document system. The behaviour of this operation eradicates the need to constantly visit and revisit the Window option to switch between documents. Users can now alternate instantly in a coherent fashion by clicking in the titled image tab.

The top option bar still presents specific option sets when selecting individual tools from the toolbar, but now it also includes a streamline and consistent option set. These are useful in enhancing users’ capability to scrutinise imagery. Included is a View Extras icon, allowing you to select and apply Grids, Rulers and Guides, useful when laying out compositional elements. You can also specify Zoom Levels and operate Hand, Zoom and Hand Rotate tool options to define on-screen orientation and placement of documents.

Arrange Documents is an option that is as inventive as it is practical. Here, users can select from a range of novel layouts for opened documents. For instance, the New Window option in Windows>Arrange permits live comparisons while working on images. In this option set, you’ll also find the new home for Screen Mode options, which include Standard Screen Mode, Full Screen Mode with Menu Bar and Full Screen Mode.

Users will also discover the new Workspace-related drop-down menu. These are noticeably extensive in comparison to CS3’s similar set. Users will be able to select from presets that relate to other specific project setups. This intuitive option allows users to once more declutter and streamline their palettes and workspace, allowing more time to get creating. Included in the option set are Color and Tone, Painting, Proofing and Web, among others. What’s New in CS4 is another helpful selection, highlighting all new tool and filters throughout your CS4 option sets.