Adobe Photoshop 2021 Training Update –
Whats New?
Find out whats new in this Adobe Photoshop 2021 Training Update post. This latest update of Photoshop offers so many cool new features that we have rewritten our Introduction to Photoshop Course adding the new content as and where necessary. We will definitely be adding the Sky Replacement Tool to our Photoshop for Photographers Training.
So what has changed in this latest version?
Fundamentally there are four main new features in the update – which are…………………………
Photoshop 2021 Update – New Features
The major new features in the update are Sky Replacement, the new Discover Panel, Neural Filters and Refine Edge Selections some of these will be included in the Photoshop Course Overview update or in one of the customised Photoshop workshops. Today we will start off by taking a brief look at some of these new features in Photoshop.
Photoshop Neural Filters – what are they?
Pretty much you could describe neural filters as digital cosmetic retouching on steroids. Why? Because they are extremely powerful and easy to use. These are a collective of filters powered by Adobe’s new baby – the AI or Artificial Intelligence and as you might guess are available from the Photoshop Filter Menu. They comprise of a number of different effects /overlays and tools which let you do some extreme editing. However the real power comes into the fore with images such as portraits and photos with faces. Neural filters can actually change facial expression, change facial emotion such as love /hate just with the drag of a slider although some of these are only available under Beta Filters.
If only real life were that simple – I digress.
Neural Filters are activated by going to Filters >Neural Filters which brings up the following box
This will surround the face with a blue square.
To activate the sliders click the icon next to ‘Skin Smoothing’ and adjust the sliders.
Enhance the subjects face
Once you’ve made your choice from the Neural Filters Options box you can go ahead and adjust the sliders to improve the skin smoothing which include blur and smoothness. Make sure to drag the slider at the top of the box to activate the filters.
Beta Sliders
As well as the Skin Smoothing Filter there is also a second button the left hand side giving you access to Adobe’s Beta Filters.
Photoshop Pattern Preview
Another very cool new feature is the Photoshop Pattern Preview feature. For anyone working with repeat patterns in Photoshop the new Pattern Preview is excellent. This lets you view your pattern in real time so you can see the end result. It’s easy to access – simply open any of your pattern design in Photoshop. This is probably the end of using Outset commands to create repeat patterns. Thankfully.
Quick Note – this is used with smart objects, you can find the preview by going to the View menu >Pattern Preview.
Create a Pattern Preview
Open the Pattern Preview from the View menu
Add any objects to the pattern including brush stokes, shapes etc
Apply any transformations such as rotate, move, warp or perspective to the shape
Zoom in and out of the Preview (Con /+ Con /- or Com /+ Com /-) to view your pattern changes
Once you’re happy with the result simply add the pattern to the pattern panel by clicking the + button at the bottom
Smart Object Reset
Smart Objects haven’t been forgotten either. Photoshop now gives you the option to return any Smart Object to base by recognising transformations and warps.
Online Photoshop Training Information
Neural Filters are included in both the Onsite and Online Photoshop Training Courses. The Online Photoshop Training can be run on Zoom, Teams, Google and Webex or video conferencing software of you choice. We are also running our onsite Photoshop Training Courses although these are subject to Government Guidance during the pandemic.
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You can find out more about Photoshop software content, download a trial version or research the payment options here at Adobe
