One of my favorite new features of Photoshop CS4 is by far the new way of handling masks. Personally I use masks quite frequently, so the newly introduced functionality such as fine tuning and feathering edges is quite a productivity and creativity boost.
Some of you might argue that this feature was already introduced back in CS3. Well yes and no. Of course those features were available in previous versions, but now they are not just more accessible via the new “masks” panel, but their values stay editable. So if you decide to change the amount of feather at a later point, you don’t have to recreate the mask. And it comes even better: This also works for vector masks… perfect for all of us using shapes :)
There is just one minor thing you should know: By default Photoshop saves files in some sort of compatibility mode, so that you can still open the file in older versions of Photoshop. However if you turn on that feature, your mask’s values won’t be editable the next time you open the PSD. So if you wanna use this new feature, make sure you uncheck this option when saving your CS4 file. Enjoy :)
38 comments so far
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Rolando M. November 03, 2008 at 08:36 AM
I had not downloaded Photoshop CS4 yet but it looks great, specially because of the new tabbed-interface. Good article Wolfgang.
soho November 03, 2008 at 07:56 PM
I also didn’t try the CS4 version of Photoshop. The new features sound nice on paper: tabbed interface, good usage of gfx card, etc.
The impression of the ars review1 however isn’t that favorable. Everyone has to try for himself if he likes the interface. Anyway, some improvements are welcome.
[1] http://arstechnica.com/reviews/apps/adobe-cs4-review.ars
Wolfgang November 03, 2008 at 08:25 PM
Btw the new tabbed interface is optional. To use the old one, just uncheck “Application Frame” in the “Window” menu.
HFdesign Webdesign November 03, 2008 at 08:49 PM
Thanx for this great tutorial. Haven’t had the time to play around with CS4. Think I need to check it out very soon.
Niels November 03, 2008 at 11:16 PM
I definitely like the new tabs of Photoshop CS4. I can select functions / options quicker then in the previous version. It seems to be a trend that all software is being converted into tabs. (Think also about Office 2007)
Blu Ray November 04, 2008 at 12:41 PM
I worked with feature quite a lot and I can say it’s awesome.
asdf November 04, 2008 at 11:49 PM
sdfasdf
Chris November 05, 2008 at 05:23 AM
Nice article.
Btw.: You can have Tabs without the ugly background, which makes it for example impossible to pick colors behind the photoshop-window
Affordable Web Design November 05, 2008 at 09:45 PM
Wow im excited to use this new version of photoshop
Mike November 06, 2008 at 05:51 AM
I like new PS but UI is abomination! It’s the WORST UI EVER! Whoever designed it should be shot and quartered.
Rob C November 07, 2008 at 09:47 AM
Getting used to the new interface is going to take some time.
It does seem to be design for efficiency though.
CS4 is screaming fast! That much I can attest to.
Noclegi Szczecinek November 08, 2008 at 05:43 PM
Another article from you quite interesting. Have you considered putting all of yours howtos and these tips and trick arts in some form of ebook and release it to public? Im sure that you have even more of them ;)
—http://szczecinekturystyka.pl/
Aktuelle Nachrichten November 09, 2008 at 05:22 PM
Awesome post. I used it and got great results
Hypotheek berekenen November 10, 2008 at 08:49 PM
I also love working with the two new features have been added: Mask Density and Mask Feather.
zakupki November 10, 2008 at 11:22 PM
CS4 really rocks, i use this mask tools too.
Marktforschung November 11, 2008 at 02:22 AM
Your blog is very usefull. Many interesting things.
ebook download November 12, 2008 at 05:02 PM
Thanx for this great tutorial. Haven’t had the time to play around with CS4. Think I need to check it out very soon.
Fotograf Lüneburg November 20, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Ich empfinde die Neuerungen nicht als so entscheidend, um wieder eine neue Version zu rechtfertigen.
hastaligi November 26, 2008 at 11:22 PM
Haven’t had the time to play around with CS4. Think I need to check it out very soon.
Hiking Trails November 26, 2008 at 11:24 PM
it looks great, specially because of the new tabbed-interface.
Paul Green November 30, 2008 at 09:46 PM
Finally, we have tabs! This is particularly good for those of us who use Photoshop and Co. on Linux – using Wine.
When using PS on Linux you have this problem when new windows tend to open underneath all the open windows and you are constantly shuffling windows around in the vain attempt to bring some sort of structure to that unruly app.
Michael December 01, 2008 at 10:58 AM
The tabs are the best thing of PS cs4
Web Design London December 05, 2008 at 01:11 PM
I came looking for CS4 tips and found your wonderful site. I will be back to read it again and I am going to book mark you now so I don’t forget. Keep up the good work.
Weight Loss December 06, 2008 at 05:40 PM
I too have been looking for some creative tutorials for CS4, they are few and far between, perhaps it might be a consideration for your site, to help us struggling with the software.
быстрое порно December 09, 2008 at 01:28 PM
Finally, we have tabs! This is particularly good for those of us who use Photoshop and Co. on Linux – using Wine.
webdesign December 09, 2008 at 05:43 PM
The new mask option looks great!!! Great job
Braile Signs December 09, 2008 at 10:47 PM
Glad to see someone getting to grips with CS4!!!
Alice December 10, 2008 at 06:45 PM
Schaut echt super aus!
Flüge December 12, 2008 at 01:02 PM
I’ve never used masked so often in previous versions, because it was sometimes just nasty for me to handel them. Anyway, in CS4 it’s just easy. They did quite a good job by making it easier to handel.
Italian leather sofas December 15, 2008 at 01:35 PM
Geart post Wolfgang. Still using CS3 :( as our account dep will not upgrade till mid 2009.
Mery Xmas.
Andrew December 17, 2008 at 12:49 AM
As always a very good job. Thank you! :-)
Little caprice December 18, 2008 at 05:55 PM
nice staff for CS4, merry xmas!
Miles December 20, 2008 at 01:52 AM
What’s it got the Gimp does not have for free? Of course you cannot put The Gimp on your resume if you work for others!
South Beach Girls December 21, 2008 at 02:17 AM
Very cool stuff, thanks for sharing.
Myspace Layout Design December 22, 2008 at 04:21 AM
I use Photoshop to design many graphics and layouts. This is really a great tip.
Personal Injury Claims December 22, 2008 at 08:03 PM
Great Photoshop tip! I’ve ben using it since the late 1990s and still can’t fathom everything on there!
Peter December 23, 2008 at 09:54 PM
I just downloaded Photoshop CS4, so far it looks to be a great program. Thanks for sharing.
Chess Openings January 01, 2009 at 12:15 PM
Wow, that’s a very good technique, my I have downloaded the photoshop last morning from my friend’s computer. I think web could be the most important and effective institution for learning photoshop..