Latest Version of Photoshop

Adobe launched its latest Photoshop version – Photoshop 2021, back in October of 2020. Like all new software, they have made improvements to stabilize it. The latest patch (22.4.3 [1]) was released on July 20, 2021. In addition to fixing some minor issues with the program, Adobe has also included a wide array of new and some very interesting features in the latest version of Photoshop. This includes one-click selections, easier masking, and unlimited layers – all features devised to delight photography editors.

One of the main features of Photoshop 2021 is the ability to make your own custom brushes. Adobe has also added some popular editing and effect tools including enhanced ability to retouch, remove, and recolor objects. The most popular feature is Photoshop’s new compatibility with the iPad, which allows artists to use a digital pencil or their finger to draw on the tablet.

Interesting Features in Adobe Photoshop 2021

Let’s dive into some of the exciting features in the latest Photoshop version

Neutral Filters

Adobe added a new workspace within Photoshop 2021 that utilizes filters powered by Adobe Sensei. These new filters are made user-friendly through the use of sliders and allow you to change the subject’s expression, age, gaze, and even pose. You’ll find this highly useful feature under the Filters > Neutral Filters option.

Sky Replacement

Photography editors now have the ability to quickly select and replace the sky in photos using this powerful feature. Photoshop 2021 comes with a variety of built-in sky visuals for users to choose from. However, it also allows for the upload of custom sky designs that can be automatically adjusted to suit the photo. This highly beneficial tool can be found under the Edit > Sky Replacement option.

Pattern Preview

This innovative feature allows users to visualize their designs as a pattern directly on their monitor. This eliminates the need for a drawing board or the use of external programs. Users can simply add their design into the pattern preview mode and then see how it looks when applied as a pattern. This feature can be located under the View > Pattern Preview option.

Live Shapes

The latest version of Photoshop has introduced the ability for users to create shapes directly on the canvas. This feature adds the capability to easily and efficiently alter all types of shapes. To use Live Shapes, simply utilize the Shape Tools Group found in the toolbar.

Photoshop Pricing

Photoshop is an essential program for anyone dealing with image editing on a regular basis. Its robust features and tools can be used on computers and iPad for a monthly fee of $20.99.

2015

Photoshop CC 2015 – The latest version of Photoshop is Photoshop CC 2015. This version celebrates Adobe Photoshop's 25th anniversary, though the earliest versions prior to becoming part of Adobe make the Photoshop name 27 years old.

Released in June 2015, Photoshop CC 2015 includes integrated Adobe Stock Marketplace, for easily browsing stock images without leaving the platform, as well as discounted pricing and in-app purchases. Artboards, where users can see multiple designs on one page, such as designs adjusted for different screen sizes or different pages of the same document, were also introduced. A dehaze tool was also added, helpful for working with foggy photos. One layer can now have multiple effects, and layers can now be exported as standalone JPEG, GIF or PNG files. A new preview allows the image to be viewed as it would appear across multiple iOS devices, such as an iPhone. Background blur effects can now appear more realistic by adding noise to match the level in the rest of the image. Camera RAW was also adjusted, including updates to handle files from the most recently released cameras.

While not fully integrated yet, Photoshop added the Design Space (Preview) feature in 2015, which adds an HTML5/CSS/JS layer for web, UX and mobile app design. It's not fully integrated yet, but Photoshop is currently welcoming feedback and it shows a good idea of where the program might be headed on their next update.

2013

Photoshop CC – Photoshop received a slight name change once again when Adobe switched to the Creative Cloud system in 2013. With this version, subscription prices become the only way to purchase obtain the popular software. While the subscription came with some opposition, it also allows users to receive the most recent version right away. Of course, the Creative Cloud comes with Adobe Cloud, which allows users to sync multiple devices and share and save files on the cloud system. Added features in this 14th version of Photoshop include Smart Sharpen, Camera Shake Reduction and Intelligent Up sampling.

2012

Photoshop CS6 – The May 2012 version saw improvements in performance, as well as enhancements to existing tools and 3D editing. Layers and the crop tool received a boost, and new content-aware tools and filters were added.

2013

Photoshop CS5.1 - A year after CS5 was introduced, Photoshop saw some big changes, but not necessarily to the software. 2011 is the year that Adobe switched to a subscription pricing, with users having the option to pay monthly fees instead of paying hundreds for the software outright. That subscription pricing was presented just as an option until Photoshop CC in June 2013. This version, also referred to as 12.1, also allowed the desktop version to communicate with tablet apps.

2010

Photoshop CS5 – Introduced in April 2010, the twelfth version of Photoshop arrived as CS5. Included among the improvements were the content aware fill and puppet warp tools, as well as 64 bit support for Mac OS X. Lens corrections, as well as Camera RAW noise reduction features were also added.

Photoshop CS4 – Just one year after CS3, Photoshop CS4 offered changes to make the system a bit simpler to use. The adjustments and Masks panels were added, along with features like content-aware scaling and layer auto-align. Adobe Bridge was also added to the Creative Suite family this year, for file management across the different CS software, including Photoshop. This version also included Windows Vista 64-bit support.

2007

Photoshop CS3 – Perhaps the biggest change in the 2007 version of Photoshop is a big upgrade in speed. But, the third version in the Creative Suite also included improvements to several existing tools, including vanishing point, brightness, contrast and curves. The quick selection wand was also first introduced in this version. Black and white conversions were also added in CS3, allowing for more control over how the colors convert in a monochrome image.

2005

Photoshop CS2 – The second year with the Creative Suite name, Photoshop numbers dropped back down to 2. But don't let the lower numbers confuse you; Photoshop CS 2.0 is simply the second Photoshop version in the Creative Suite, released in 2005. High Dynamic Range image support was added in this version. The spot healing brush, which is a bit different than the healing brush added in 2002, was added. The vanishing point tool was new to this version, allowing for adjustments in the image's perspective. The red eye tool also arrived, after first being added to the more basic Photoshop Elements program.

2003

Photoshop CS 8.0 – 2003 welcomed the “CS” or Creative Suite abbreviation to the Photoshop name, but this version brought more than just a name change. A real-time histogram was added, along with a better slice tool and commands for shadows, highlights and color matching. The type on a path tool was also added, and Camera RAW updated to the second version. Image support extended to files over two gigabytes, with images up to 300,000 pixels in wither dimension now possible to use on the program. Layers in version 8.0 and above can now be grouped together. And—to prevent piracy and other illegal activities with the program, version 8.0 required a registration and could automatically detect when currency was scanned in.

2002

Photoshop 7.0 – In 2002, Photoshop 7.0 welcomed the addition of a Camera RAW plugin for editing RAW files. The healing brush, a popular tool for editing portraits as well as other types of images, was also introduced this year.

Photoshop 6.0 – The new millennium brought a new user interface to Photoshop 6.0. Layer styles were improved, as well as the possibility of layer slicing. Vector shapes and the liquefy filter were added to this version as well.

1999

Photoshop 5.5 – Keeping up with the growth of the internet, Photoshop 5.5 in 1999 added the “save for web” feature, which compressed images for faster uploads without too much sacrifice in quality. This was also the year that Adobe first packaged the ImageReady software, now discontinued, with Photoshop.

1998

Photoshop 5.0 – Several important features were added in the May 1998 release. The magnetic lasso tool, handy for selecting odd shapes, was a big addition. Prior to Photoshop 5.0, type couldn't be changed, but this version was the first to add type that could be changed later. The history panel, so users could undo more than one step, was also part of this release.

1996

Photoshop 4.0 – Layers were a big introduction for Photoshop. Two years later, in version 4.0, adjustment layers were introduced, which offer possibilities for tweaking the adjustment just by going back to the layer. Actions were also added in the 1996 version, which allows users to save steps and quickly apply them to another image.

1994

Photoshop 3.0 – The autumn 1994 release of Photoshop included a very important update with layers, which makes creating designs and editing images much easier. This version was for both Mac and PCs, and was one of the favorite updates among many graphic designers at the time.

1992

Photoshop 2.5 – Photoshop was actually one of the first few software programs available for both Macintosh and Windows, with the cross platform compatibility appearing first in version 2.5. 16 bit channel support was also added for the November 1992 release.

1991

Photoshop 2.0 – With the first Adobe version quickly gaining in popularity, the second version added path and pen tools, as well as CMYK color and EPS rasterization. This option was released in June of 1991.

1990

Photoshop 1.0 – Creators Thomas and John Knoll presented the software to Adobe in September 1988, and version 1.0 was released in February of 1990, for Macintosh computers only.

Photoshop .87 – Photoshop .87 was the first version with any public availability, though it wasn't actually known as Photoshop. It was distributed with Barneyscan scanners and called “Barneyscan XP”. Around 200 copies were released this way.

1988

Photoshop .07 and .63 – The first version of Photoshop, .07, wasn't released to the public, but the demo version was introduced in January of 1988, with update .63 in October that year.

Photoshop has come a long way from its initial concept as a way to adjust black and white digital files to a full-fledged program used for intense photo editing and graphic design alike. Over the years, Photoshop has added tools and features, improved their interface and become a part of the larger Adobe Creative Cloud family.