Important info on using PhotoShop via Cloud monthly subscription

Lisa -

These two questions in Tim Grey's daily column highlight something about using the PhotoShop via the Creative Cloud (monthly subscription) that I know was new information to me and is probably new info to many others, although many techies may be aware of it.  Good info to disseminate via the blog.

Gary

Today's Question

In your Ask Tim Grey eNewsletter [on Tuesday, July 29th] you discussed Focus Area selection. I have Photoshop CC 14.2.1 and my PS shows "up to date".  But under Select there is no Focus Area showing, even in gray. Any idea why I don't have the Select > Focus Area? Tim's Answer: You do indeed have the latest version of Photoshop CC, but that is not the latest version of Photoshop. It seems there is a bit of confusion related to Adobe's latest updates for applications included in the Creative Cloud subscription. The initial release of Adobe's Creative Cloud applications were referenced as the "CC" version of the application, without any other version number indication. This is similar to the "CS" version of applications when Adobe launched the Creative Suite. Just as the Creative Suite version of applications reflected a new version with a number appended to the "CS", such as "CS2", the Creative Cloud applications have now received an updated version number of sorts. The only difference is that this new version numbering approach involves a year rather than a version number. So, while you have the latest version of Photoshop CC, you don't have the latest version of Photoshop CC 2014. Or, more to the point, you have not yet installed the 2014 release of Photoshop CC. Admittedly this change is a little confusing in the context of a Creative Cloud subscription. Up to this point, to update your Photoshop CC installation you would simply update via the Creative Cloud application. When you did so, your existing Photoshop CC installation would be updated to the latest version. Now, with the 2014 release, instead of a simple update you will have a completely new version of Photoshop installed alongside your prior version. So, for example, you will end up with a 2014 release of Photoshop CC along with the previous version of Photoshop CC. Once you have successfully installed and configured the 2014 release of Photoshop CC, you can uninstall the prior version of Photoshop CC. And once you do install Photoshop CC (2014) you will have full access to all of the latest features, including the Focus Area selection command that is new with this latest release of Photoshop. And then the follow up question to the first one......... Today's Question Somehow I thought that updates from the Adobe Creative Cloud would be automatic. I have Photoshop version 14.2.1 x64. Is that the latest? If not, what do I do to update? Tim's Answer: I realize this is to some extent a repeat of yesterday's question, but it has become clear to me that enough photographers are confused about the latest Adobe Creative Cloud updates that I should expand upon my previous answers on the subject. Up to this point, it is true that the updates to applications included in an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription have been automatic, on account of the Creative Cloud application informing you of updates. That has changed a little with the new 2014 release of applications in the Creative Cloud. In effect, updates up to this point can be thought of as "minor" updates, in which the existing installation on your computer would be updated to the latest version if you chose to install the update. The new 2014 release of the Adobe Creative Cloud applications represent a "major" update. This causes a couple of issues. First, you won't receive an "upgrade" notification, because technically the update isn't an upgrade to an existing version but rather is a completely new version. Second, if you install the new "update" you will actually be installing an additional copy of the application. So, for example, if you install the latest 2014 release of Photoshop CC you will then have both the original Photoshop CC application installed, as well as the new 2014 release of Photoshop CC. In other words, at that point you will have two versions of Photoshop CC installed, even though you might have assumed that an update to Photoshop CC would simply update your existing installation. To install the latest version of Photoshop CC (the 2014 release) you need to use the Creative Cloud application. Within the Creative Cloud application you can access the Apps tab, and locate the specific application (such as Photoshop CC) that you want to install. Once you have installed the 2014 release of Photoshop CC and have confirmed that everything is working properly, you can uninstall the original Photoshop CC installation if you'd like.