Major Adobe Elements 2023 update blurs line between photo and video editing
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Adobe has launched Photoshop Elements 2023 and Premiere Elements 2023introduces a whole host of simple, streamlined editing effects to bring images and movies to life.
In a massive update to both programs, it’s subscription-free Photo editor and video editor for Windows and Mac are further infused with the power of Adobe Sensei, the company’s ubiquitous AI.
The company says its goal is to make video and photo manipulation more efficient, regardless of the user’s skill level.
What’s new in Photoshop Elements 2023 and Premiere Elements 2023?
Like with Photoshop and Premiere ProArtificial intelligence is deep within the latest editions of the Elements family. Adobe clearly believes AI is the key to making their toolstack accessible to everyone.
Converting static images into moving photos is one of the most striking examples of AI-at-work in the new Photoshop Elements 2023.
During a virtual press conference attended by TechRadar Pro, Adobe showed how adding motion features to still images is a simple process. If you select Sky or Background, Adobe Sensei automatically adds the appropriate effect. But by manually selecting an area, users can set the travel speed and direction. AI does the rest. In Adobe’s example, it took less than a minute to mimic a flowing waterfall in a static image. Results can be exported in MP4 or social media friendly GIFs.
Guided Edits have long been part of Adobe Elements software, effectively guiding users who want to make simple edits to their media. In the 2023 edition, a new guided edit allows users to add “natural and realistic” see-through overlays to add depth to images. It’s not as impressive as creating the effect in Photoshop, but it certainly seems simpler.
For those looking to create dramatic images, new patterns, backgrounds, and even skies can also be added seemingly easily.
Adobe continues its efforts to bridge the gap between photo editing and video editing – last seen introducing image manipulation for videos in lightroom and Lightroom classic.
In Premiere Elements 2023, one of the best alternatives to Premiere Pro, the rollout of artistic effects continues to blur the distinction between editing photos and videos. These are essentially filters inspired by legendary artists, artworks, and art styles. This effect was already a core feature of Photoshop Elements and can now be applied to user videos.
And again, Adobe emphasizes how simple this process can be. Users just need to add a video, select an effect and let the artificial intelligence manage the output. New music samples have also been added from the Adobe Stock library.
But it’s the under-the-hood improvements that are likely to grab the attention of many. Lighter than previous iterations, Adobe says installations are now 35% faster and programs launch 50% faster. with full Apple M1 support, the company estimates performance gains of up to 70% on Macs.
Adobe also announced the launch of a three-way connected experience. By releasing web and mobile apps for iOS and Android – both currently in beta – users can watch and share media on their phones, or make basic edits and effects from their browser. These also include a free 2 GB cloud storage for photos and videos.
“We believe that everyone should be able to create anything he or she imagines. With Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements, anyone can bring their creative visions to life in new ways with AI-powered editing, hands-on learning content, and the flexibility to enjoy their creative content from anywhere,” said Ashley Still, Senior Vice President, Digital Media Marketing, Strategy & Global Partnerships at Adobe.
Adobe Premiere Elements 2023 and Photoshop Elements 2023 are now available. The company has confirmed there will be no change to existing pricing plans, meaning individual programs will cost $99.99 / £86.56 or $79.99 / £70.91 to upgrade. The Adobe Elements bundle costs $149.99 / £130.36; the upgrade costs $119.99 / £107.41