On Adobe Part 2:
Additional functionality.

In the last post I talked about what current functionalities in Photoshop and Illustrator CS2 need to be fixed or updated. In this one, I’ll talk about additional functionality that I think should be added. In the next entry I’ll cover what I think the ultimate versions of Photoshop and Illustrator would be like.

Illustrator CS2:

• Simple resolution-independent bevel-emboss feature like Photoshop.
• CAD packages have curvature-analysis features that would be indispensable to the Illustrator user. One of the most popular kinds of analysis is to use “curvature combs,” or “porcupine analysis,” like this. These combs amplify the curvature of a curve so that you can really see any “wobbles” or curvature-reversals in a spline. This is hugely useful! In Illustrator all I can do is print it out big and look really hard.
• offset (dynamic, visual)
• fillet (radial, dynamic, visual, works with curves)
• a more intuitive mirror
• a more intuitive rotate
• radial pattern object(s)
• linear pattern object(s)
• a trim function like this
• an “airbrush” tool. Basically the same as the current brush tool, just with a gaussian blur automatically applied (real-time if possible)
• The paint bucket tool should create “live paint” objects that do not contain the lines that create them. Using the closed-arrow should allow you to select the filled area as an object, but also it’s parent lines. The behavior should be less like a group, and more like individual objects.
• The swatches palette needs a radical re-design to be more efficient, more consistent, easier to use.
• The main color picker should be identical to Photoshop. It should have a built-in eyedropper like Photoshop as well.
• Illustrator files should have icons rendered on save like Photoshop documents. I often rely on icons to find the file I’m after!
• the middle mouse button (or some other key combination) should reveal a user-custom palette of common tools and functions right under the current location of the mouse.
• Historical drawing tools. Tools should be intelligent, and retain history if so-desired. To me this would be a HUGE productivity boon. For example, an offset of a certain distance should always remain offset at the same distance, even if the parent object is changed.
• Multiple working axis. For example, I should be able to rotate the canvas a given increment, and have the horizontal and vertical snaps be relative to my viewing angle. I should be able to define said angle based on elements on the canvas.
• Complex fills. “fill” should contain many properties, like color, texture, gradient, etc. You should be able to apply multiple layered fills, like the properties of a complex layered shader in Maya or Lightwave. For example, a radial gradient on top of a linear one with multiply mode, and a texture under all of it.
• Brush tool should have pen-pressure driven opacity.
• Selecting or mousing-over objects should highlight them in the tree. Like this.

Photoshop CS2:

• “Filter layers.” I want to be able to apply filters to a whole group of layers without flattening them. In my mind they would be identical to adjustment layers, just with different effects (blur, texture, etc).
• Linked layers. You should be able to duplicate a layer so that it maintains a link with the original. The two layers are identical, but can have different layer effects, locations in the stack, etc.
• Vector objects with intuitive gradient/fill/stroke support. Should act like objects in Illustrator, and appear in the layers palette the same as AI. My design friends sometimes joke that “oh yeah, Photoshop is that program that can’t draw a circle…” And the best I can rebut is “sure it can. It just takes four steps.”
• Native support for something akin to Genuine Fractals. This would recognize vector objects and allow them to remain vector, as well as allowing better scaling of images for huge posters, murals, and billboards.
• Brush tools should be able to snap to paths.
• Simpler, pruned-down filter list. More consistency in interaction with filters. Better organization.
• Nested clipping masks.
• No need for “paths” as a separate construct. They should just appear as vector layers with no stroke or fill.
• Smooth, infinite, anti-aliased zooming.
• More coming soon.