Now that the Adobe CC release has become ubiquitous with over 12 million paid customers, more folks are asking us whether the new versions of the tools in the Creative Cloud can read or save older data/document/project file formats like CS6, CS5.5, CS5, CS4 & CS3…

In fact, since Adobe’s flagship creative toolset CC 2018 is now six major releases past CS6 from 2012 (which they no longer sell), file version compatibility can some­times be an important decision point in moving forward.

In the past, new Adobe product versions have often brought different or expanded file formats to support significant new features – and customers want to know if their existing projects will easily carry forward with them when they upgrade, or if they will be able to save back to older formats for coworkers or clients who may still be running an earlier revision of the programs…

OK then, here’s how it works. Generally, your new CC tools will be able to open and use any and all earlier CS project and data files – including CS3, CS4, CS5, CS5.5, and CS6 files – with no problem or loss of information. In other words, all Adobe software is able to read or import file formats from previous versions of the same program – and it should happen seam­lessly and automatically. The only exception to this is Premiere Pro, where it’s best to open/edit projects in the same versions that created them.

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[UPDATE (Oct. 2017) – The all-new Adobe CC 2018 release has launched and is now available! See what’s new in features and all the differences compared to older versions and CS6.]

Six weeks after its official introduction, Adobe today has rolled out the the new “CC” release, with hundreds of new features and improvements across the product line centering on productivity, performance, and connectivity – see our guide to what’s new in CC…

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[UPDATE (Oct. 2017) – The all-new Adobe CC 2018 release has launched and is now available! See what’s new in features and all the differences compared to older versions and CS6.]

Adobe has just unveiled the new “CC” release to follow CS6 (it’s not CS7) – and one of the upgrade ques­tions people are asking is what’s new, what’s different, what’s changed in CC (Creative Cloud 2013) compared to the previous version?  The company says it “brings together everything you need to create your best work with incredible new versions of our flagship desktop tools, services that take publishing content to the next level, and making it easier than ever for creatives to collaborate and share their work worldwide.”  So our job here is to give you a quick “cheat sheet” on top new features, to help you decide about upgrading…

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= BREAKING NEWS =

We’re coming to you today direct from the MAX Conference, where Adobe has just made a blockbuster announcement.

The next generation of Creative Suite products – sometimes referred to as CS7 or CS-Next – will actually be called “CC” (as in “Photoshop CC“) and from here on out will be available exclusively through the Creative Cloud.  So there will not be a line called “Creative Suite 7.”

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[UPDATE (May 6th) – Major news out: Adobe Unveils New “CC” Release (CS7)…]

Adobe just slipped out a brief sneak peek of the upcoming new version (perhaps CS7?) of its popular InDesign application, “InDesign Sneak Peek: See What’s Coming Next.”  This short preview shows a revamped user interface demoing a new “Generate QR Code” feature.

Based on public information, we’ve previously written on how the next release of InDesign will be a native Cocoa app with full 64-bit support for high performance, and – if it’s been fully rearchitected like the similar changes coming for Flash Pro – then it should be much faster.

There’s also a customizable new user interface with light and dark themes (similar to what Photoshop got in CS6), as well as the long-awaited support for HiDPI displays (like the MacBook Pro Retina).

Finally, there’s now the capability to add and edit QR codes directly in any document, with a new command on the Object menu:

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[UPDATE (May 6th) – The next release is announced! Learn more about new Adobe CC.]

Normally in the weeks before a new version of Creative Suite comes out, we don’t have a very concrete idea of what will be in it…

However this year – thanks to the early upgrades already out for Creative Cloud members, some telling blog posts, several “first look” videos, and a “major reveal” at the recent NAB show – we have already a pretty good picture of some of the major new features that CS7 (let’s call it) will include. Adobe says all of the new products will be included in the Creative Cloud as soon as they’re out.

Here below we’ve compiled some of the key information on what’s new and expected in the upcoming release, and will keep this list up-to-date as we move forward…

Adobe promises much more will be revealed in the presentation on May 6th – so stay tuned!

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[UPDATE (May 6th) – Major news out: Adobe Unveils New “CC” Release (CS7)…]

At their last MAX conference in October 2011, Adobe showed a sneak peak of some exciting work in progress: the prototype of a new Photoshop Image Deblurring feature that takes shaky photos and brings them into focus. The demonstration was impressive and the tech­nology received huge press at the time, but ultimately was said to be too early stage to make it into the final release of Photoshop CS6 last year.  Since that time, our readers have been asking about the status of the unblurring function – and when, where, and how we might see it finally released and available to the public…

Well now, we may finally have the answer.

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[UPDATE (May 6th) – Major news out: Adobe Unveils New “CC” Release (CS7)…]

Based on recent indications from Adobe, we expect a new release of Creative Suite and/or Creative Cloud to be unveiled at their big annual MAX Conference on May 6th, just a few weeks away…

Historically during times like these, the company has set a “grace period” or grandfather offer to provide free upgrades to the next versions for customers buying the older software around the time of new releases – and in fact, such an “Upgrade Assurance promotion” deal was announced for CS6 in March of last year.

However, no such announcement has been forth­coming this year, perhaps due to the advent of Creative Cloud – where all paid members already receive all product updates and upgrades at no additional charge as soon as they are available.

But no matter – you can actually create your own grace period now, whether one officially exists or not.

The key is in awareness of Adobe’s longstanding Software Return/Exchange Policy – whereby you can return your purchase to them within 30 days and they will grant you a full refund, no questions asked. This is possible even if you’ve already opened, installed, activated, and started using your product – and can be done quickly over live online chat with their customer service team.

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[UPDATE – See all of Adobe’s current deals & discounts!]

Looking at Creative Cloud, with its 5-star customer reviews? Adobe has announced new and unprecedented special offer that we have to share with you…

Using a limited-time promotion code, you can now join the Creative Cloud for $29.99 a month for the first year, which is 40% off the regular $49.99 price of an annual membership.

No previous ownership of any Adobe product is necessary, but the price reduction is only available during this very brief window.

This deal comes via the big annual NAB show and is aimed at video professionals — though it’s apparent that anyone interested can use it… It’s valid through April 19, 2013 in North America, and available one-to-a-customer direct from the Adobe Store only:

With a new version of Creative Suite expected soon, one of the key benefits of Creative Cloud is that all members automatically get access to the latest upgrades and new CS features as soon as they are released for no additional cost.

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[UPDATE (May 6th) – Major news out: Adobe Unveils New “CC” Release (CS7)…]

Just in time for the big NAB show, Adobe has given us an enormous window onto what they’re calling an “upcoming version” of their industry-leading Creative Suite professional video tools: Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition, SpeedGrade, Prelude, Media Encoder, Story Plus, and new Adobe Anywhere.

Powerful new features are coming to Adobe’s industry-leading video and audio tools. You’ll soon be able to work even more creatively, seamlessly, and profitably — from script to screen. Here’s an early look at what to expect in the upcoming releases …

See the complete NAB Reveal here.

What’s immediately apparent from the huge list of new features and improvements is that Adobe’s product development teams have been very busy in the twelve months since CS6 came out…

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