Adobe Elements 11 gets a makeover and we preview it

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posted Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at 12:04 AM EDT

 
 

Adobe has given Elements 11 a makeover and taught it a few new tricks. Both Photoshop Elements for photo editing and Premiere Elements for video editing enjoy an easier to read interface with icons that blush with color and buttons big enough to see without reading glasses.

Underneath it all in Photoshop Elements is that Photoshop imaging engine that has always made Elements attractive. To dig into the Photoshop goodness, new Guided Edits include tilt-shift, vignettes and high and low-key options. New filters include Comic, Graphic Novel and Pen & Ink styles, any of which have options to refine the basic look into one you prefer. And you also get your hands on some sophisticated Photoshop masking, too.

Premiere Elements is not to be outdone, though, starting with that same new interface (which the Organizer also enjoys). With new Quick and Expert video editing options, you can quickly draft a movie from clips by dragging titles and transitions onto it -- and even add time shifting slow or fast motion sequences. And you can ice the cake with Filmlooks that add Hollywood-style looks to your video (like Pandora's blue skin effect).

 
The new interface earns some smiles

The Organizer taps into face recognition technology, GPS coordinates and Exif capture times to automatically display People, Places and Events.

We could go on (because we've already been playing with Elements 11 for a few days). Take a look at our full preview of Elements 11. There's lots of screen shots showing off the interface and the new tricks.

Pricing is the same as last year with upgrades from any version at $119.99 for the bundle or $79.99 each. Full versions are $149.99 and $99.99. It's available now at Adobe and shortly on store shelves, the company confirmed.