Non-destructive Smart Filters
Smart Filters are Photoshop filters that are applied non-destructively, and that remain live and re-editable. To apply a Smart Filter, select one or more layers and choose Filter->Convert for Smart Filters. The selected layer(s) will be converted to a Smart Object, to which you can apply filters non-destructively. Smart Filters appear as parameters under the layer to which they have been applied. Edit the Smart Filter mask to adjust the filters effects on different areas of the image. Note that any filter is treated as a Smart Filter when you apply it to a Smart Object.
Quick Selection Tool
The new Quick Selection Tool creates selections by painting the general area of interest. Photoshop CS3 analyzes the image to complete the selection automatically. To remove pixels from a selection, hold the Opt (Mac)/Alt (Win) key and paint. You'll find the Quick Selection tool in the same slot as the Magic Wand tool in the Tools palette.
Refine Edge
The new Refine Edge feature offers a simple, flexible way to modify the edge of any selection. Available via the Options bar or via the Select menu, the Refine Edge dialog lets you smooth, feather, contract or expand the current selection by using simple slider controls. Experiment with the Radius slider to select irregular or fuzzy edges.
Automatic layer alignment and blending
Using automatic layer alignment and blending, easily combine the best parts of multiple images of the same scene into one "best" image. Simply place multiple, related images on separate layers in one document, and let Photoshop CS3 analyze the contents, moving and rotating the layers so they overlap as precisely as possible. Then use the masking tools to reveal the areas you need from different layers to finalize the elements of the composite image. Automatic layer blending seamlessly blends the color and shading into the final image. The "Auto-Align Layers" and "Auto-Blend Layers" commands are both found in the Edit menu. Note that you must have multiple layers selected simultaneously in the Layers palette before you can apply these commands.
Vanishing Point with multiple, adjustable angle perspective planes
One of the most powerful new features of Photoshop CS2 is now even more flexible. Vanishing Point adjusts brush strokes, healing and cloning as you paint over its perspective planes. In Photoshop CS3, you are no longer restricted to adding planes at 90-degree angles. You can now quickly and easily create multiple planes in any image, connected at any angle. In addition, artwork (for example, a product label pasted from the clipboard) can be wrapped around multiple planes simultaneously. To adjust angles of planes, use the Alt/Option key when dragging on a side point of a plane, or enter a specific angle in the Angle field in the dialog.
Black and White conversion
Advanced black-and-white conversion is now simpler and faster. With the new Black and White adjustment, one button analyzes the image and offers conversion settings. Fine-tune your image with simple sliders that control the conversion of each color. Click and drag any portion of any image to adjust the corresponding tonal range (for example, click and drag on a red car to lighten or darken all red tones). The improved Channel Mixer adjustment includes new black-and-white presets, the ability to save your own settings as presets for reuse later, and the new Total indicator that keeps you informed on the total percentage contribution from all three color channels.
Enhanced Adobe Camera Raw
Camera Raw 4.0 now features Fill Light, Recovery, and Vibrance controls; a parametric tone curve; sophisticated black & white and split toning controls; and more.
