Version history[edit]
This section needs expansion with: more info on pre-CS versions. You can help by adding to
it. (September 2019)
Older versions[edit]
Photoshop's naming scheme was initially based on version numbers, from version 0.07 (codename "Bond"; double-oh-seven),
through version 0.87 (codename "Seurat" which was the first commercial version, sold as "Barneyscan XP"), version 1.0
(February 1990) all the way to version 7.0.1. Adobe published 7 major and many minor versions before the October 2003
introduction of version 8.0 which brought with it the Creative Suite branding.
Notable milestone features would be: Filters, Colour Separation, Virtual Memory (1.0), Paths, CMYK color (2.0), 16-bits-per-
channel support, availability on Microsoft Windows (2.5), Layers, tabbed Palettes (3.0), Adjustments, Actions, Freeform
Transform, PNG support (4.0), Editable Type, Magnetic Lasso and Pen, Freeform Pen, Multiple Undo, Layer Effects (5.0),
Save For Web (5.5), Vector Shapes, revised User Interface (6.0), Vector Text, Healing Brush, Spell Check (7.0), Camera
RAW (7.0.1).
In February 2013 Adobe donated the source code of the 1990 1.0.1 version of Photoshop to the Computer History
Museum.[40][41]
CS[edit]
The first Photoshop CS was commercially released in October 2003 as the eighth major version of Photoshop. Photoshop CS
increased user control with a reworked file browser augmenting search versatility, sorting and sharing capabilities and the
Histogram Palette which monitors changes in the image as they are made to the document. Match Color was also introduced
in CS, which reads color data to achieve a uniform expression throughout a series of pictures.[42]
CS2[edit]
Photoshop CS2, released in May 2005, expanded on its predecessor with a new set of tools and features. It included an
upgraded Spot Healing Brush, which is mainly used for handling common photographic problems such as blemishes, red-eye,
noise, blurring and lens distortion. One of the most significant inclusions in CS2 was the implementation of Smart Objects,
which allows users to scale and transform images and vector illustrations without losing image quality, as well as create linked
duplicates of embedded graphics so that a single edit updates across multiple iterations.[43]
Adobe responded to feedback from the professional media industry by implementing non-destructive editing as well as the
producing and modifying of 32-Bit High Dynamic Range (HDR) images, which are optimal for 3D rendering and advanced
compositing. FireWire Previews could also be viewed on a monitor via a direct export feature.[43]
Photoshop CS2 brought the Vanishing Point and Image Warping tools.[43] Vanishing Point makes tedious graphic and photo
retouching endeavors much simpler by letting users clone, paint and transform image objects while maintaining visual
perspective. Image Warping makes it easy to digitally distort an image into a shape by choosing on-demand presets or by
dragging control points.[43]
The File Browser was upgraded to Adobe Bridge, which functioned as a hub for productivity, imagery and creativity, providing
multi-view file browsing and smooth cross-product integration across Adobe Creative Suite 2 software.[43] Adobe Bridge also
provided access to Adobe Stock Photos, a new stock photography service that offered users one-stop shopping across five
elite stock image providers to deliver high-quality, royalty-free images for layout and design.
Camera Raw version 3.0 was a new addition in CS2, and it allowed settings for multiple raw files to be modified
simultaneously. In addition, processing multiple raw files to other formats including JPEG, TIFF, DNG or PSD, could be done
in the background without executing Photoshop itself.[43]
Photoshop CS2 brought a streamlined interface, making it easier to access features for specific instances. In CS2 users were
also given the ability to create their own custom presets, which was meant to save time and increase productivity.[43]
CS2 activation servers' shutdown: In January 2013, Adobe Photoshop CS2 (9.0), with some other CS2 products, was
released with an official serial number, due to the technical glitch in Adobe's CS2 activation servers (see Creative Suite 1 and
2).
CS3[edit]
Smart Objects display filters without altering the original image (here on Mac OS X)
CS3 improves on features from previous versions of Photoshop and introduces new tools. One of the most significant is the
streamlined interface which allows increased performance, speed, and efficiency. There is also improved support for Camera
RAW files which allow users to process images with higher speed and conversion quality. CS3 supports over 150 RAW
formats as well as JPEG, TIFF and PDF.[44] Enhancements were made to the Black and White Conversion, Brightness and
Contrast Adjustment and Vanishing Point Module tools. The Black and White adjustment option improves control over manual
grayscale conversions with a dialog box similar to that of Channel Mixer. There is more control over print options and better
management with Adobe Bridge. The Clone Source palette is introduced, adding more options to the clone stamp tool. Other
features include the nondestructive Smart Filters, optimizing graphics for mobile devices,[45] Fill Light and Dust Busting
tools.[44] Compositing is assisted with Photoshop's new Quick Selection and Refine Edge tools and improved image
stitching technology.[46]
CS3 Extended includes everything in CS3 and additional features. There are tools for 3D graphic file formats, video
enhancement and animation, and comprehensive image measurement and analysis tools with DICOM file support.[47] The 3D
graphic formats allow 3D content to be incorporated into 2D compositions. As for video editing, CS3 supports layers and video
formatting so users can edit video files per frame.[44]
CS3 and CS3 Extended were released in April 2007 to the United States and Canada. They were also made available
through Adobe's online store and Adobe Authorized Resellers. Both CS3 and CS3 Extended are offered as either a stand-
alone application or feature of Adobe Creative Suite. Both products are compatible with Intel-based Macs and PowerPCs,
supporting Windows XP and Windows Vista.[44] CS3 is the first release of Photoshop that will run natively on Macs with Intel
processors: previous versions can only run through the translation layer Rosetta, and will not run at all on Macs running Mac
OS X 10.7 or later.
CS4[edit]
CS4 features smoother panning and zooming, allowing faster image editing at a high magnification. The interface is more
simplified with its tab-based interface[48] making it cleaner to work with. Photoshop CS4 features a new 3D engine allowing the
conversion of gradient maps to 3D objects, adding depth to layers and text, and getting print-quality output with the new ray-
tracing rendering engine. It supports common 3D formats; the new Adjustment and Mask Panels; Content-aware scaling
(seam carving[49]); Fluid Canvas Rotation and File display options.[50] The Content-aware scaling allows users to intelligently
size and scale images, and the Canvas Rotation tool makes it easier to rotate and edit images from any angle.[48]
Adobe released Photoshop CS4 Extended, which has the features of Adobe Photoshop CS4, plus capabilities for scientific
imaging, 3D, motion graphics, accurate image analysis and high-end film and video users. The faster 3D engine allows users
to paint directly on 3D models, wrap 2D images around 3D shapes and animate 3D objects.[48] As the successor to Photoshop
CS3, Photoshop CS4 is the first x64 edition of Photoshop on consumer computers for Windows.[51] The color correction tool
has also been improved significantly.[48]
CS4 and CS4 Extended were released on October 15, 2008. They were also made available through Adobe's online store
and Adobe Authorized Resellers. Both CS4 and CS4 Extended are offered as either a stand-alone application or feature of
Adobe Creative Suite. Both products are compatible with Intel-based Mac OS X and PowerPCs, supporting Windows
XP and Windows Vista.[48]
CS5[edit]
A 2D landscape designed in Adobe Photoshop CS5 Extended
Photoshop CS5 was launched on April 12, 2010.[52] In a video posted on its official Facebook page, the development team
revealed the new technologies under development, including three-dimensional brushes and warping tools.[53]
In May 2011, Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 (CS5.5) was released, with new versions of some of the applications. Its version of
Photoshop, 12.1, is identical to the concurrently released update for Photoshop CS5, version 12.0.4, except for support for the
new subscription pricing that was introduced with CS5.5.[54]
CS5 introduces new tools such as the Content-Aware Fill, Refine Edge, Mixer Brush, Bristle Tips and Puppet Warp. The
community also had a hand in the additions made to CS5 as 30 new features and improvements were included by request.
These include automatic image straightening, the Rule-of-Thirds cropping tool, color pickup, and saving a 16-bit image as
a JPEG. Another feature includes the Adobe Mini Bridge, which allows for efficient file browsing and management.[55]
CS5 Extended includes everything in CS5 plus features in 3D and video editing. A new materials library was added, providing
more options such as Chrome, Glass, and Cork. The new Shadow Catcher tool can be used to further enhance 3D objects.
For motion graphics, the tools can be applied to over more than one frame in a video sequence.[55]
CS5 and CS5 Extended were made available through Adobe's online store, Adobe Authorized Resellers and Adobe direct
sales. Both CS5 and CS5 Extended are offered as either a stand-alone application or a feature of Adobe Creative Suite 5.
Both products are compatible with Intel-based Mac OS X and Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.[56]
CS6[edit]
Photoshop CS6, released in May 2012, added new creative design tools and provided a redesigned interface[57] with a focus
on enhanced performance. New features have been added to the Content-Aware tool such as the Content-Aware Patch and
Content-Aware Move.[58]
Adobe Photoshop CS6 brought a suite of tools for video editing. Color and exposure adjustments, as well as layers, are
among a few things that are featured in this new editor. Upon completion of editing, the user is presented with a handful of
options of exporting into a few popular formats.[59]
CS6 brings the "straighten" tool to Photoshop, where a user simply draws a line anywhere on an image, and the canvas will
reorient itself so that the line drawn becomes horizontal, and adjusts the media accordingly. This was created with the
intention that users will draw a line parallel to a plane in the image, and reorient the image to that plane to more easily achieve
certain perspectives.[59]
CS6 allows background saving, which means that while another document is compiling and archiving itself, it is possible to
simultaneously edit an image. CS6 also features a customizable auto-save feature, preventing any work from being lost.[59]
With version 13.1.3, Adobe dropped support for Windows XP (including Windows XP Professional x64 Edition); thus, the last
version that works on Windows XP is 13.0.1. Adobe also announced that CS6 will be the last suite sold with perpetual
licenses in favor of the new Creative Cloud subscriptions, though they will continue to provide OS compatibility support as well
as bug fixes and security updates as necessary.[60]
Starting January 9, 2017, CS6 is no longer available for purchase, making a Creative Cloud license the only purchase option
going forward.[61]
CC[edit]
Photoshop CC (14.0) was launched on June 18, 2013. As the next major version after CS6, it is only available as part of
a Creative Cloud subscription. Major features in this version include All-new Smart Sharpen, Intelligent Upsampling, and
Camera Shake Reduction for reducing blur caused by camera shake. Editable Rounded Rectangles and an update to Adobe
Camera Raw (8.0) were also included.[62]
Since the initial launch, Adobe has released two additional feature-bearing updates. The first, version 14.1, was launched on
September 9, 2013. The major features in this version were Adobe Generator, a Node.js-based platform for creating plug-ins
for Photoshop. Photoshop 14.1 shipped with two plug-ins, one to automatically generate image assets based on an extension
in the layer name, and another to automatically generate assets for Adobe Edge Reflow.[63]
Version 14.2 was released on January 15, 2014. Major features include Perspective Warp, Linked Smart Objects, and 3D
Printing support.[64]
CC 2014[edit]
Photoshop CC 2014 (15.0) was released on June 18, 2014. CC 2014 features improvements to content-aware tools, two new
blur tools (spin blur and path blur) and a new focus mask feature that enables the user to select parts of an image based on
whether they are in focus or not. Other minor improvements have been made, including speed increases for certain tasks.[65][66]
CC 2015[edit]
Photoshop CC 2015 was released on June 15, 2015. Adobe added various creative features including Adobe Stock, which is
a library of custom stock images. It also includes and have the ability to have more than one layer style.[67] For example, in the
older versions of Photoshop, only one shadow could be used for a layer but in CC 2015, up to ten are available. Other minor
features like Export As, which is a form of the Save For Web in CC 2014 were also added. The updated UI as of November
30, 2015 delivers a cleaner and more consistent look throughout Photoshop, and the user can quickly perform common tasks
using a new set of gestures on touch-enabled devices like Microsoft Surface Pro.[68] CC 2015 also marks the 25th anniversary
of Photoshop.[69]
CC 2017[edit]
Photoshop CC 2017 was released on November 2, 2016. It introduced a new template selector when creating new
documents, the ability to search for tools, panels and help articles for Photoshop, support for SVG OpenType fonts and other
small improvements. In December 2016, a minor update was released to include support for the MacBook Pro Touch Bar.
CC 2018[edit]
Photoshop CC 2018 was released on October 18, 2017. It featured an overhaul to the brush organization system, allowing for
more properties (such as color and opacity) to be saved per-brush and for brushes to be categorized in folders and sub-
folders. It also added brush stroke smoothing, and over 1000 brushes created by Kyle T. Webster (following Adobe's
acquisition of his website, KyleBrush.com[70]). A Curvature Pen tool, similar to the one in Illustrator, was added, allowing for
faster creation of Bézier paths. Other additions were Lightroom Photo access, Variable font support, select subject, copy-
paste layers, enhanced tooltips, 360 panorama and HEIF support, PNG compression, increased maximum zoom level,
symmetry mode, algorithm improvements to Face-aware and selection tools, color and luminance range masking, improved
image resizing, and performance improvements to file opening, filters, and brush strokes.[71]
CC 2019[edit]
Photoshop CC 2019 was released on October 15, 2018. Beginning with Photoshop CC 2019 (version 20.0), the 32-bit version
of Windows is no longer supported. This version Introduced whole new features including a new tool called Frame Tool to
create placeholder frames for images. It also added New Content-Aware Fill, Multiple undo mode, auto-commitment, prevent
accidental panel moves with lock work-space. Live blend mode previews are added, allowing for faster scrolling over different
blend mode options in the layers panel. Other additions were Color Wheel, Transform proportionally without Shift key,
Distribute spacing like in Illustrator, ability to see longer layer names, match font with Japanese fonts, flip document view,
scale UI to font, reference point hidden by default, new compositing engine, which provides a more modern compositing
architecture is added which is easier to optimize on all platforms.
Photoshop Mix[edit]
This section needs
expansion. You can help
by adding to it. (June 2012)
Photoshop Mix is an application designed as a replacement for Photoshop Touch specifically for tablets and touchscreen
devices. It includes many of the features of the personal computer version, including layers, selection tools, adjustments, and
filters. Edited files could be synced with Adobe Creative Cloud. Photoshop Mix is available on iOS and Android. It has 2
siblings, Photoshop Fix (a Photo Correction app), and Photoshop Sketch (a light drawing tool). All require iOS 9.0 or later.
Android versions could be installed on any Android handset (4.0 and up) and tablets (3.1 and up).[72]
