New Adobe Photoshop Understands 3D
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Randall S. Newton, April 2, 2007
 Adobe
this week introduced an upgrade to the Photoshop product line,
including a new version that supports the use of 3D models.
Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended takes the existing feature set and
adds tools and capabilities that allow users to composite 3D
information into existing 2D imagery.
By itself, the product supports a limited number of 3D
formats. The true utility of using 3D in Photoshop requires the
help of Adobe Acrobat 3D, to do import/export with virtually all
CAD products.
This new wrinkle on Photoshop is not some sneak attack on the
3D CAD industry. “We have no desire to turn Photoshop into a 3D
modeling program,” says Ashley Manning Still, Adobe Senior
Product Manager. “Our goal is to make 3D content accessible in
Photoshop.”
Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended can create animations from 3D
models.
Photoshop CS3 Extended supports a limited number of 3D
formats directly: U3D, Collada, KMZ, OBJ, and 3DS. In addition,
it can export in AutoCAD DXF and Autodesk DWF using its
Vanishing Point tool.
As users become adept at working with 3D models in Photoshop
CS Extended, they will probably find reasons to round-trip 3D
models between applications, using Acrobat 3D as the go-between.
Other features specific to Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended:
- Motion graphics and video layers
- Vanishing point utilities
- Ruler and count tools
- MATLAB support
- Image stack processing
- DICOM Support
- Software Development Kit (separate download)
Photoshop CS3 Extended for both Windows and Macintosh is
expected to ship in late April 2007. The full retail price in
the US will be $999; existing Photoshop users who want to
upgrade to the 3D product can do so for $349; owners from
Photoshop 7 and later are eligible (quite a show of generosity
from Adobe to reach back that far for upgrade rights).
The
full article is available for a fee at CADCAMNet.
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