Photoshop: Understanding Photoshop CS3 Extended

For years, Adobe has heard the pleas of researchers, scientists, and other highly specialized users of Photoshop to include features that fulfill their needs. Finally, Adobe has been able to provide the tools these specialists need. But rather than just adding them into Photoshop CS3 and making everyone pay the costs for developing these features that few will use, Adobe packaged them as a separate, higher-priced version of the software. “Let those who need the new features subsidize their costs!” was the decision. And, in my opinion, it was a fine decision. As I explain, these extended features don’t really have a place in the workflow of most Photoshop users. That doesn’t mean that if you do have Photoshop CS3 Extended that you’ll never use any of these features! (“How do I know which version I have?” Watch as Photoshop starts to see which splash screen appears. Take a look at the difference in Figure.) Even if you didn’t specifically purchase the Extended version (it might have been part of a package deal), you might someday decide to work with 32-bit, high dynamic range images. Or you might find a need to calculate a height or a distance using the measuring tools in Vanishing Point. But unless you actually work directly in one of the target fields for the features of Photoshop CS3 Extended, you’re not likely to miss the additional capabilities at all. Another clue that you’re working in Photoshop CS3 Extended is that you can see the Analysis menu, which holds commands related to working with the new measuring capabilities