Consumer photo- and video-editing suites Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements have been updated by Adobe to version 12, adding new “guided edits” and a new technology called “auto smart tone” that in both programs learns the users usual edits and creates a preset out of them. Unlike the company’s “Creative Cloud” software, both Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements have remained standalone product sold on DVDs with “perpetual” licenses. Both programs have also added other features unique to each package.
Photoshop Elements 12 ($100) now offers a feature called “content-aware move” that allows users to select and move elements of a photo (such as people) and filling in the “missing” background behind them. The program also features a new straighten tool, a selection of picture frames, trendy filters for photos, quick effects, full 64-bit support for the Mac (resulting in substantive speed increase, particularly on machines with lots of RAM), and the ability to correct animal “red-eye” rather than just humans.
Premiere Elements 12 ($100) also offers the auto smart tone feature, filters for video, a new motion-tracking feature (allowing dynamic text and graphics to be added to video), and a basic sound-effect library that can be added. Both programs now offer “guided edits” that show newcomers how to use the various features of the two programs. The two programs can be purchased in a bundle from Adobe for $150. Upgrading customers get 20 percent off the price, making each individual program $80 or the bundle for $120.
