Adobe Creative Suite 5 Master Collection
By Howard Berenbon
Master Collection 5 from Adobe Systems is an incredible collection of must-have multi-media productivity software in one box. It’s all the software a graphics designer, illustrator, photographer, commercial artist, publisher, Website creator, video and audio producer will ever need to succeed. My review begins with an overview of the collection, following indepth product reviews in the coming months. After being invited to participate in their CS4 press preview, I was asked to begin my coverage with a review of Adobe Acrobat 9. When CS5 was introduced, I was happy to have the opportunity to review the newest version. So, here you will find an overview of Master Collections Creative Suite 5, and then within the coming months more detailed reviews of the indiviual tools that make up the collection.
Just when I thought CS4 was perfect, Adobe introduced Creative Suite 5 with more improved features and improvements. This collection integrates several sophisticated multi-media software tools for use by talented professionals to create print, video, audio and Website publishing for commercial and artistic applications. Adobe does offer several of the programs combined in suites, like Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Flash and Fireworks because not every designer has the expertise in all the fields. However, the Master Collection is for any creative designer who wants to do it all, and of course, has the expertise to work these sophisticated programs. For example, an amazing improvement in Photoshop CS5 is its ability to rebuild a background when an object is moved or removed. In this case, they moved a horse grazing in a field, and the background behind the horse was reconstructed, and I might say perfectly. And, that's amazing! Also, you have access to ever increasing titles of video tutorials, from basic skills to experts, all available free to anyone on Adobe TV online. Of course, Adobe has excellent online support and you can visit Adobe Support Center, Adobe Exchange or Adobe Online Forums from within the collection. It's also important to note that Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects require a 64-bit operating system to run.
Below you’ll find a description of the tools in Master Collection 5.
Adobe Photoshop® CS5 Extended
CS5 is the latest version of Photoshop, the best and most popular photo manipulation program ever available. Used for manipulating photographs for print and online publishing (use with InDesign and Dreamweaver). Includes lots of tools to do just about anything with a photograph. Also allows you to edit motion graphics for video.
Adobe InDesign® CS5
Adobe InDesign® CS5 is sophisticated publishing program for print and online typesetting. Use to create any type of document, for any printed or online application with text and graphics.
Adobe Illustrator® CS5
This is the best and most well known drawing program for graphic artists and designers. It’s used along with InDesign and Photoshop.
Adobe Acrobat 9® Pro
Adobe Acrobat Pro is used to publish documents with text and graphics is a special graphics format called PDF for used in print and online applications. Text files and graphics (photos and art work) can be combined into one large file and sent over the Internet. Also used to create online forms. The PDF format has become an industry standard for sharing documents online.
Adobe Flash® Catalyst™ CS5
A new interaction design tool used to transform Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Fireworks artwork into expressive, fully interactive projects without writing code.
Adobe Flash CS5 Professional
A program for designing efficient 2D and 3D animated graphics for online publishing.
Adobe Flash Builder™ 4
A development tool designed to help developers build cross-platform rich Internet applications (RIAs) and content using the open source Flex framework.
Adobe Dreamweaver® CS5
One of the best and most widely used Website design tools. It’s very popular because it helps the designer produce professional looking Websites with very efficient memory usage so your pages will load faster.
Adobe Fireworks® CS5
Fireworks is Website photo manipulation program similar to Photoshop, but with less features. Very easy to use, and also includes lots of tools to create any type of photo effect.
Adobe Contribute CS5
A Website management program that allows several users to quickly access and change or add Website content.
Adobe Premiere Pro CS5
A sophisticated video production program that lets save your completed project to DVD. You can capture, edit, and deliver video online to any device. 64-bit operating system required.
Adobe After Effects CS5
Used to create motion graphics and special visual effects. 64-bit operating system required.
Adobe Soundbooth CS5
SoundBooth is an audio program that allows you to create and modify audio, customize music, add sound effects and more.
Adobe OnLocation CS5
OnLocation allows you to shoot and record video direct to disk and monitor while you’re recording.
Adobe Encore CS5
Encore is used to create DVDs and high-definition Blu-ray Discs, compatible with Adobe Flash Player
Adobe Bridge CS5
Adobe Bridge allows you to easily organize, browse, locate, and view your creative assets.
Adobe Device Central CS5
Software simplifies the production of innovative content for mobile phones and consumer electronics devices
Adobe Dynamic Link
Integrates with new Adobe CS Live online services
This software allows you to work faster by eliminating intermediate rendering when you make changes to creative assets.
Here's What's New and Improved in CS5
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Adobe Creative Suite 5 Master Collection for Windows sells for $2450.99, which is a bargain if you purchased all the programs individually, it would add up to $6987. The Mac version is a little more at $2594.99. If you are now using CS4, you can upgrade to the newest improvements for just $899 with free shipping. This collection will run on any multi-media computer with an Intel® Pentium® 4 or AMD Athlon® 64 processor (Intel Core™2 Duo or AMD Phenom® II recommended) or faster processor running Windows 7 / Vista / XP with 2 GB RAM, 24.3 GB of hard disk space for installation, 1,280 x 900 screen resolution and a DVD burner for video creation. 64-bit edition of Vista or Windows 7 required for Premiere Pro and After Effects. Also available for the Mac with a Multicore Intel processor, Mac OS X v10.5.7–10.6.3, 2 GB RAM, 26.3 GB of hard disk space for installation, 1,280 x 900 screen resolution and a DVD burner for video creation. For more information, or to order, visit Amazon.com.
Full Versions & Upgrades
Adobe Master Collection 5 Windows 7 / Vista / XP - $2450.99
Adobe Master Collection 5 Mac - $2594.99
Adobe Creative Suite 5 Master Collection Upgrade from CS4 Windows 7 / Vista / XP - $899.
Adobe Creative Suite 5 Master Collection Upgrade from CS4 MAC - $855.99
Software Companies Mentioned
Adobe Systems Incorporated
345 Park Ave
San Jose, CA 95110-2704
URL adobe.com
800-833-6687
