Archive notice: This article was originally published on October 20, 2017. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
It is that time again—the Creative Cloud is receiving its big autumn update, which Adobe has just presented at the Adobe Max Conference. You can now download the updates through your Creative Cloud app.
The New Features at a Glance
We have already compiled an overview of the features for After Effects, Premiere Pro, Character Animator and Audition here—the VR/360 tools and the many new workflow possibilities are especially interesting. Here we summarise what else the October update offers in addition to the video and audio tools.
Dimension CC
Previously known as “Project Felix“, Adobe has released a new tool that enables fast product and packaging shots, mock-ups and 3D visualisations. Dimension CC is aimed primarily at designers who do not have extensive expertise in 3D computer graphics. Its functions include…
- Drag & drop processes for combining 3D models (OBJ) and photos. Lighting, camera, perspective and other parameters are adjusted automatically.
- Material editing controls for offset, rotation and tiling options.
- PBR materials can be captured with Adobe Capture CC via smartphone and used in Dimension.
- V-Ray from Chaosgroup is used as the rendering engine for Dimension CC.
You can find more information about the new tool here.
Photoshop CC
- The Curvature Pen tool has now also made it into Photoshop. It allows you to draw more precise lines. You can find a preview of the Pen tool here.
- Brushes! – Stroke smoothing, a revised Brush panel, performance improvements and more than 1,400 new brushes come with the update!
- Symmetrical drawing is a new feature that lets you draw with the Brush, Pencil and Eraser in different symmetry types. Activate the tool under Preferences > Technology Previews > Enable Paint Symmetry.
- 360° panoramas can now be edited and exported in Photoshop. You can also move around in a spherical preview.
- For path lines you can finally set the pixel width and colour!
Go to the complete feature overview here.
Ligthroom CC & Classic CC
The tried-and-tested Lightroom now has a new name: “Lightroom Classic CC”. The name change was not without reason, because alongside the familiar desktop version, Adobe now also offers a cloud-based “Lightroom CC” that moves editing and backing up footage to the cloud. To forestall all questions and confusion, Adobe also released a short video series. You can find more information about the new Lightroom version here.
Illustrator CC
- Tidied-up interface with the new “Property Panel”. This means Illustrator displays the necessary panels when a tool or object is selected!
- Puppet Warp from Photoshop has now also found its way into Illustrator, allowing you to deform the respective object after selecting anchor points.
- Artboards can now be selected in multiples and arranged more easily with alignment tools. In addition, the number has increased to 1,000 possible artboards per project.
- OpenType SVG support for different font types and variable font parameters such as weight, width and slant.
Other CC Updates
Apart from the innovations mentioned, further features and changes have appeared for several Creative Cloud tools. More than 30 functions, for example, are equipped with Adobe Sensei, which is used for Stock search, Morph Cut in Premiere, font search in Type-Kit or the Curvature Pen tool in Photoshop. In addition, Adobe Bridge has received an Output Workspace as well as interface improvements. You can find more information about Adobe’s October update here.
Prices & Availability
Meanwhile, Creative Cloud prices have not changed. The complete CC subscription is available from the equivalent of €42 per month; students pay €17. Go to the price overview here.
