Photoshop features wishlist
With Adobe putting in new features in Photoshop every time they launch a new version its actually quite hard to put together a wishlist of features for future releases. I have to say they really seem to listen to feedback from designers…lets hope they check this site out and take some of these on-board!
I will be adding to this list in due time, but here are some of the features Id like to see in future releases:
Editable filter adjustment layers
It would be great if some of the more simpler filters like gausian blur where accessible through a temporary non-destructive adjustment layer, which effected layers below it - much like the current adjustment layers. Obviously this would require a fair amount of processing power, but it would be great!
Advanced eps handling
This is would work much along the lines of how InDesign and Quark work with imported graphics. Rather than rasterising a placed vector graphic to specific dimensions as pixel data and it suffering when resized, it would rasterise a low res version - keeping a link to the placed vector graphic. So it would auto update if you changed the vector file and you would be able to resize it to any size. This would need the option to rasterise it when you where happy with the placed vector graphic. I know you can copy and paste vector artwork from Illustrator or Freehand, but im talking about more complex graphics.
Levels palette overhaul
I think this needs to be bigger in dimensions and more intuitive - possibly offering more colour info feedback. The quick ability to view individual channels would also be very useful.
Advanced scaleable actions
The ability to record an action on an image at a recorded resolution, then play it back on a higher resolution image - with Photoshop scaling the action appropriately to the new image.
Filter overhaul
Although I only use a handful of filters these days it would be nice to see some refinements of the current filters appear in future versions. In particular a much more sophisticated tiled pattern/texture generator would be good to see appear. Also the lighting effects have not been touched for years - the preview/setup is particularly small!
More Actions Options
It would be great to see some more advanced actions options, for instance the ability to pick up file save names from the names of layers or layer sets. This would be great for web development!
Give the Mac version the PC toolbar palette extra!
When you are working in full screen mode on a PC, a little arrow appears in the top of the tool palette that has all the top menu options on, this is not available in the Mac version, meaning you have to come out of full screen mode to execute a command you don’t know the shortcut for!
July 28th, 2005 at 8:48 am
Another addition the the Photoshop wishlist… I hope Adobe are reading this!
A live liquify free transform tool
I would love to see the liquify filter be combined into the free transfom tool, so that you get the distortion mesh over a layer directly on the editable image rather than within a (all be it large) filter window. It would be particularly powerful if it also included benzier transform handles like vector paths to curve the edges of distorted layers, maybe even providing an editable low res version of the distorted layer until you hit apply!
August 26th, 2005 at 8:51 am
Editable Tabs
I know its more the realm of InDesign, but it would be really useful to have editable tabs when editing type, rather than fixed tab measurements - one thats cropped up with a fellow designer (good suggestion Kash!)
March 29th, 2006 at 9:38 am
Advanced EPS handling feedback - CS2
Well, after reviewing Photoshop CS2, it seems that some of my wishes have been granted!! With the introduction of Smart Objects, my wish has been (almost) granted, you can now resize EPS files and layers to your hearts content, thankyou Adobe!
November 13th, 2006 at 7:13 pm
Howabout a variable history brush. One, where we can choose, how far back we want to go, rather than just back to the original image.
November 17th, 2006 at 2:15 pm
Dave - you will be pleased to hear this is possible! Just click on the little grey boxes next to each history step recorded. This will put the little history brush icon in the box. When you use the history brush it will brush in from that history state rather than back to the original (which is the default setting)… hope that helps!
Also you can use the history brush, and click on Edit>Fade to fade off the history brush just applied.