Software


Here’s What’s New in Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements 2018

October 4, 2017

By Greg Scoblete

Adobe has always had a straightforward theme when it comes to its Elements products: take the sophistication and intelligence that’s baked into its higher-end tools and distill them so they’re a bit more approachable.

With Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements 2018, the trend continues with a slew of new features that take what would be painstaking edits (moving open eyes from one face to another) and making them simple.

Oh, and if you’re wondering, Adobe is casting aside its traditional version numbers for Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements and is now labeling updates with the year.

Here’s what’s new in Photoshop Elements:

  • an auto-curate feature that selects photos from a shoot based on image quality, faces and subject matter
  • a revamped slideshow tool that combines the auto-curated images into a one-click slideshow (you’ll retain the ability to edit it as well)
  • eight new guided edits including the ability to swap backgrounds, create double exposures, add overlay effects, create water color-style images
  • a simplified auto selection tool
  • a feature that automatically copies open eyes from a subject and blend them into an identical image where the subject’s eyes are closed

And here’s what you can expect from Premiere Elements:

  • a new candid moments feature that automatically isolates interesting still frames from video
  • a smart trim tool that automatically trims out scenes it deems unfit for your video
  • create bounce-back effects for video and fix wide-angle distortion in action cam footage
  • a new tool to make short clips for social media, complete with static or animated text

Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements bundled together will cost $150 ($120 to upgrade older versions). Standalone versions of either program will set you back $100 (or $80 if you’re upgrading).