The designers, digital photographers and illustrators across the world can rejoice as Photoshop CC introduced its latest version 20.0 in October, which packs a bundle of new exciting features. Photoshop is now more convenient for design purposes, owing to the new changes and improvements. Adobe claims this release is a fully new built of tools and not just an old application with newly added features. Many tools have been reworked or recoded to make them work better now and in the future. There are both small and big updates; some of the updates even target the already existing tools. There are a lot of changes and improvements which has improved the Photoshop experience and simplified the life of users. Let’s dive straight into the top features of the Photoshop CC 2019.

1. You can continue to go back in history stares with Command/Control + Z

Like zillions of other software, Photoshop also used the command or control + Z to go one step back in history. The similar combination allowed users to return to the original state of the work done. However, things have changed now. In the latest version, the company has introduced the new multiple-undo mode, which is enabled by default. You would need to use the following key combinations to undo, redo and toggle last state:

Undo: Moves one step back in the undo chain. Use the shortcut keys: Control + Z (Win) / Command + Z (Mac).
Redo: Moves one step forward. Use the shortcut keys: Shift + Control + Z (Win) / Shift + Command + Z (Mac).
Toggle Last State: Works the same as in the legacy undo mode. Use the shortcut keys: Control + Alt + Z (Win) / Command + Option + Z (Mac).

2. Proportional transform is now default

Until now, every single time you have to scale an object up or down, you had to hold down the shift key while dragging a corner handle of your object. In this way, you could transform the object’s size, while keeping its proportions. However, this was not the most user-friendly way of performing the task. By updating to Photoshop CC 2019, you would no longer need to hold down any keys to scale your object or image up and down. Using the shift key now enables un-proportional transform.

3. Ability to lock your workspace

It is recommended that you normally work with a customized workspace, and when you are working with a customized workspace you are probably using some floating panels. These floating panels are either connected to each other or are separate from each other, but close in space. A lot of times you may accidentally drag out a panel from a bar because you slightly missed the button or fly-out. With the PS 2019, you can now lock your workspace elements in place.

To access this option, choose Window > Workspace > Lock Workspace

4. Auto-commit changes

Whenever you crop, transform or place in Photoshop, you had to actively commit. However, you won’t have to do it anymore. Now you can simply click outside of the object’s boundaries and your changes are committed. Neither you need to hit the ‘Enter’ key nor you need to go all the way up to the options bar and manually commit your changes. This will be a great blessing to the editors and will surely save a lot of time and efforts.

5. Live preview of blend modes via mouse hover

The most recent update of the Photoshop CC 2019 comes with the ability to see changes in blending modes in real time. It has been quite a while since Adobe introduced live preview for fonts and this recent update was surely long due.

Even though it looks easy, it was very tedious in the past to commit to a blending mode, then open the fly-out menu again, commit to another one. Also, it was difficult to compare two blending modes, as you needed to go into the menu again, select your blending mode, commit, and so on. It was a tedious process and needed a way around. This is the most welcoming change in Photoshop 2019 and would be much appreciated by the users.

Besides these top new features and changes the other notable updates include:

Content-Aware Fill

Photoshop CC’s latest version comes with an updated Content-Aware Fill feature which now includes new controls for selecting source information as well as adapting content based on rotation, scale and mirroring. This helps to create a better match when filling in areas of a photograph.

Paint summary options

The Radial and Mandala Paint symmetries have been fully integrated into the symmetry options for painting in Photoshop CC 2019. Mirroring and repeating paint strokes around your desired axis is very easy to do now; access the new color wheel in Photoshop CC.

New Frame Tool

The new Frame tool enables quick “clipping” of content to a shape. You can place images, drag and drop from the OS or other applications such as Lightroom or, use the Libraries panel to quickly add a photo within a rectangle, ellipse, or any shape converted to a frame. This comes in very handy, particularly while designing newsletters and similar designs in Photoshop.

The CC 2019 release now requires macOS X 10.12 Sierra or higher. If you’re not running the latest macOS yet, then you can get a free upgrade from Apple to the latest version of macOS 10.14 Mojave. On PC, Windows 10 (version 1703 or higher) will work for most Creative Cloud applications. But note that Windows 7 is no longer supported for the CC. For more Photoshop hacks feel free to talk to our experts. They would be happy to know your design requirements.

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