[Figure 1.22] Organize your palettes in a single folder to assist you with your workflow.

Another way that you might like to customize your workflow is by placing all of your palettes into one large folder so they are not split up into sections. Figure 1.22 shows a progression from a maximized palette being repositioned within a series of palette stacks. That series is then reorganized into one large palette. Whichever way you prefer for your workflow, CS4 has the most customizable interface ever. Now let’s take a look at the menus.

[Figure 1.23] Photoshop menus.

[Figure 1.24] The Edit menu with Content-Aware Scale circled.

Menus

You can also access Photoshop’s commands in the drop-down menus. The term “menu” refers to cascading text menus along the top left side of the interface, as shown in Figure 1.23. Within each one of these menus are submenus that give you access to deeper commands within the program. Let’s take a look at the new commands added. In the File menu, Share My Screen allows you to share your desktop remotely with up to three people, which is great for sharing Photoshop techniques live with others over the Internet.

The Edit menu has a new feature called Content-Aware Scale (see Figure 1.24). This feature will transform the size of any photo but not affect or distort important aspects of the photograph. We will cover this feature in a later chapter.

[Figure 1.25] The Image menu.

[Figure 1.26] The Image Mode options.

In the Image menu, you’ll find Auto Tone, Auto Contrast, and Auto Color (see Figure 1.25). These features are fairly self-explanatory and are a quick way to optimize photos that will be used on the Web.

Also new in the Image menu is the capability to apply a color space that allows for a higher dynamic range (see Figure 1.26). In CS4, you can edit files with a 32-bit channel color space.

[Figure 1.27] The Vibrance option is a new feature in CS4.

[Figure 1.28] The 3D Layers menu.

In the Adjustments submenu (choose Image > Adjustments), there is one new color alteration called Vibrance (see Figure 1.27), which is a more controlled version of Hue/Saturation. Vibrance will focus on altering the saturation in the middle gray areas of your image.

The 3D layers have received a significant facelift from their predecessor. If the use of 3D content is part of your workflow, the 3D Layers menu displays the new advancements in CS4 Extended (see Figure 1.28). Not only are you given default primitive shapes to experiment with, but you can also create 3D objects in another program and import them into a special layer called 3D Layers. In addition, you can edit their textures, add lights, and then move them around as if you’re still in another 3D application. You will be introduced to 3D content in depth in Chapter 3, “Integrating 3D Concepts with Photography.” You might also like to take a look at my latest book The Art of Poser and Photoshop that will take you deeper into the world of 3D in CS4 Extended.