Today I upgraded my trusty old Photoshop CS into CS2.

After initial installation (took forever) the interface popped up. Very sleek, the first thing you notice is smooth icons and well rounded tabs. Looking under the hood, I found the menu has changed a lot - CS had a lot of options CS2 has a lot more options.

As with any review - negatives or quirks first. I am sure after a while I will get used to it.

Font Preview in Drop down menu -
At last photoshop caught up with the rest of the software world. But unfortunately the font is preview with a static ‘Sample’ word. It would have been much cooler and usefull if it actually previews the word (if there is an active selection). For example, if I select “Bombay” and want to preview different fonts - I still have to cycle through all the fonts in my system, the new font preview features doesnt lead a helping hand, it just previews the words “Sample” not “Bombay”

Layers -
Linking layers are gone! I almost panicked, but found that now you can control or shift select layers and ‘click’ on Link button to link’em together. Hmm… I am not sure that was a good idea, I usally run my mouse over the link layer area to link or unlink the layers - now I have to select each layer and press a button.

Talking of layer selection, it loses focus pretty quick, I am not sure what triggers it - but if I have an active layer and do something - my layer selection is gone! I have to manually re-select it again after getting “No Layer selected” warning.

Status Bar -
The status bar is gone - so the whole interface looks unframed. The status bar is now sticking under the open image. Not sure I like that either.

Bridge -
This feature is much touted as a rocket powered File Browser. I never liked File Browser - so I was hoping this one is fast - but alas - no! its still bloated, slow unlike my superfast ACDSee 3.0 (not the new version - but 4-5 year old version)

Adobe Raw -
There is a marked improvement in ACR - now it has curves! Awesome!

Vanishing Point -
Another well touted feature - it does work - but its applications are limited, and I am not sure of its usefullness. How many times do you have to paint or clone in flat prespective - I have never done it, but i guess it would save some time if the need arises.

Animation!
Photoshop treads into ImageReady territory with Animation pallette. I havent played with it yet - so I donno what it actually does different from IR.

Next, I will play with ‘Smart Layers’ and update the review.

As far as I can tell, this is not a revolutionary upgrade - but worth the $149 for its new media orientation. Now it recognizes the need of graphic design in video, digital photography and special effects domain, and tries to meet their needs. A step in the right way.