We’re not sure when Adobe Creative Suite 4 will actually arrive, but now that beta releases, reviews, and even rumors are starting to clog the internet pipelines, we’re starting to get a clearer picture of what the programs will be like.
Try it
Adobe has just announced that the newest versions of several Creative Suite titles, namely, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, and Soundbooth, can now be downloaded for a test run.
There’s a catch. If you’re not currently using the CS3 versions of Dreamweaver and Fireworks, the trial period for these programs will end within 48 hours. Otherwise you can request serial numbers to use them during Adobe’s prerelease period.
As for Soundbooth, the same rules apply except that you can use the serial number of any CS3 product. That is, “including but limited to Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, etc.”
If you’re curious about what these CS4 versions have in store but don’t or can’t try them for yourself, CNET has a brief rundown of new features. For example, Fireworks “finally resembles those of other applications in the Creative Suite” and “features compatibility with Adobe’s AIR, Flash, and Flex Builder as well as HTML”.
Here are more in-depth reviews of the three programs:
- TUAW Review: Dreamweaver CS4 beta (TUAW)
- First Look: Dreamweaver CS4 beta (Macworld)
- First Look: Fireworks CS4 Beta (Macworld)
- First Look: Soundbooth CS4 Beta (Macworld)
Widgetize it
John Nack says that CS4 applications will be extended with “lightweight, cross-platform, network-aware widgets…via SWF panels (palettes) created in Adobe Flash or Flex.”
It seems inevitable to employ widgets in this day and age, whether you’re a desktop app or a web app. And Flash is really taking center stage in Adobe’s pursuits.
Abuse it
Nack also shoots down rumors that the next Photoshop will be released this October 1st, and that it’s not really called “CS4”. But since the CS4 moniker is already plastered all over place, we might as well shrug our shoulders on that one.
But the rest of TG Daily’s report on GPU acceleration support for CS4 programs seems real enough. Clearly, Adobe is continuously looking for ways to harness hardware power and push the capabilities of its graphics programs, regardless of rumors.
Originally posted on May 29, 2008 @ 7:20 pm