Compare Versions: Photoshop CS5 and Photoshop CS5 Extended

It’s a question that’s been around a while, yet we still see it asked a lot… What is the version comparison difference between Adobe Photoshop CS5 and Photoshop CS5 Extended? The Extended version is Adobe’s top-of-the-line Photoshop product, and they have one PDF file on their site comparing the editions and feature differences, but it’s oddly named and not obvious to find.

The short answer is that Photoshop Extended contains everything the standard version does, plus powerful tools that let you create and edit three-dimensional imagery and motion-based content, as well as support for technical image analysis, measurement, and editing. The top additions are:

• 3D extrusions – Easily explore new creative directions: Create 3D logos and artwork with Adobe Repoussé technology – the automatic inflation of 2D art. Twist, rotate, extrude, bevel, and inflate these designs, and then apply rich materials like chrome, glass, and cork.
• Advanced 3D editing capabilities – Push your creative boundaries with powerful 3D editing tools — even paint directly on 3D objects. Add 3D objects to your designs and create amazing composites. Illuminate your scene with real lighting, and animate your objects.
• Motion content editing – Paint, add text, and clone over multiple frames of an imported video sequence using your favorite Photoshop tools.
• Image analysis – Use measurement and counting tools to extract quantitative information from images. Record and export data for further analysis. Import DICOM files as frames or as a volume to directly analyze and edit your image data.

Photoshop CS5 Extended is used by professionals in many fields, including film and video, graphic and web design that includes 3D and motion, manufacturing and product design, medicine and science, and architecture and construction.

What’s New for CS5 in Photoshop Extended?

Here’s a list of the new features in Photoshop CS5 Extended which are not included in the regular version of Photoshop CS5:

• Adobe Repoussé technology for creating 3D extrusions
• Shadow catcher for easy shadow creation
• 3D materials library and picker
• Overlays for materials and mesh boundaries
• Depth of field for 3D
• Enhanced ray tracer with progressive rendering
• Image-based light source (use 32-bit HDR) to accurately light your scenes
• Animate lights with image-based lights to reflect realistic light transitions
• Context-sensitive widget for easy control of objects, cameras, meshes, and lights
• 3D merging and scene compositing improvements
• 3D workflow improvements
• Preferences that allow for the customization of 3D features

Which Version do the Trials, Suites, and Student Editions Contain?

There is only one trial available for Adobe Photoshop – and it’s the Extended edition… You get to try out all of the features for 30 days, and then decide which version you want to keep at the time of purchase.

The Student & Teacher Edition is similarly also always Photoshop CS5 Extended. It is not possible to purchase an education version of the standard Photoshop. On the flip side, you’re getting up to 80% off its normal price.

In the CS5 suites, four out of five of them (Master Collection, Design Premium, Web Premium, and Production Premium) contain Photoshop CS5 Extended. Only Design Standard contains the regular Photoshop.

See the full system requirements for both versions of Photo­shop, including tested and recommended graphics cards.

Demo of Photoshop CS5 Extended