Scientific researchers
While advances in digital imaging are bringing newfound benefits to scientific research, new challenges have also arisen. Extracting information from growing volumes of digital images, maintaining an efficient workflow, documenting visuals for regulatory compliance, and communicating your insights and ideas can be difficult. New Adobe® Photoshop® CS4 Extended software offers powerful new tools that help you accurately represent visual data, analyze qualitative image information, and save time by automating common tasks.
Expanded measurement and analysis tools, plus support for 32-bit images, open standards, and MATLAB, are just a few of the features that enable scientific researchers to capture, interpret, and disseminate information more efficiently and effectively.
- Key features for scientific researchers
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Industry-leading color correction
Enjoy dramatically enhanced color correction with reengineered Dodge, Burn, and Sponge tools that now intelligently preserve color and tone details. Make precise adjustments with Brightness/Contrast and Curves controls, the histogram, color channel lines, and a clipping preview.
Improved Count tool
Easily and accurately tally objects or features in scientific images with the Count tool, which eliminates the need to perform manual calculations or rely on visual assessments of changes from image to image. Save even more time by performing multiple counts in a single image. Use separate colors for each count and save your counts in the file.
Quantitative data extraction
Easily calibrate or set the scale of an image, including setting measurements to the scale information in the header of DICOM files. Use selection tools to define and calculate distance, perimeter, area, and many other measurements. Record data points in a Measurement Log and then export the data, including histogram data, to a spreadsheet for further quantitative analysis.
Scale markers
Easily add scale markers to any image or series of images for presentations or publication.
Edit tracking
Automatically track all editing steps within your files with the Edit History log. Export steps to a text file or save them as part of image metadata for easier documentation of your work, file audits, and more.
Revolutionary 3D painting and compositing
Now paint directly on 3D models, wrap 2D images around 3D shapes, convert gradient maps to 3D objects, add depth to layers and text, get print-quality output with the new ray-tracing rendering engine, and enjoy exporting to supported common 3D formats.
32-bit high dynamic range (HDR) support
Combine multiple exposures into a single, 32-bit image that preserves the full range of a scene — from the deepest shadows to the brightest highlights. Image processing and alignment algorithms deliver superior results.
MATLAB support
Pass image data directly between Photoshop Extended and MATLAB with the ability to call Photoshop Extended directly from the MATLAB command line. Visualize results of MATLAB algorithms in the software, and combine MATLAB processing with Photoshop Extended image editing to render, test, and refine algorithms for image processing, analysis, and more.
High-quality output
Create outstanding print- and presentation-quality 2D and 3D composites with a new ray-tracing rendering engine, which also lets you print lenticular 3D images and generate interactive 3D PDF files.
Quick Selection tool
Loosely draw on an image area and the Quick Selection tool automatically completes the selection for you. Then use simple sliders to preview and refine your selection.
3D object animation
Create 3D animations by controlling object movement, camera position, render settings, and cross sections, and even animate textures.
Single-key shortcuts
Edit motion graphics on video layers more efficiently with new single-key shortcuts.
Higher performance on very large images (Windows only)
Work faster with very large images by taking advantage of even more RAM (requires a 64-bit-capable computer with a 64-bit version of Microsoft® Windows® Vista®).
- Software and solutions
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Adobe Creative Suite 4
Do you work with other creative tools? Consider Adobe Creative Suite® 4 software products, which combine Photoshop with other powerful Adobe applications to form complete design environments for print, web, and video workflows.
Photoshop for you
Discover which edition of Photoshop is right for you.
Extend your creativity with plug-ins
Plug-ins add capabilities to Adobe applications, allowing you to be more creative and productive. To automate or customize your production tasks, generate professional effects, or work faster and easier, just plug in!
Developers: Want to create Photoshop plug-ins for scientific and medical imaging? Visit the Adobe Photoshop Developer Center.
- Tutorials and other resources
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Books
Quick Photoshop for Research: A Guide to Digital Imaging, by Jerry Sedgewick
With this step-by-step guide, scientists can use Photoshop to make publication-quality scientific images.
Photoshop for Astrophotographers, by Jerry Lodriguss
This guide offers basic digital correction tips and advanced enhancement techniques for working with astronomical photos in Photoshop.
Community
Photoshop organizations
Find information about third-party professional organizations, e-mail lists, message boards, and more
John Nack on Adobe
Get useful information about Adobe Photoshop, design, photography, and related topics from senior product manager John Nack.
