[UPDATE (May 6th, 2013) – Major news out: Adobe Unveils New “CC” Release (CS7)…]
Six months ago today, Adobe released Creative Suite 6… While that wasn’t long ago, this is usually around the time customers start asking when the next release might be coming out, and what new features and improvements will be included in it. We’ve covered this topic before for CS6, ahead of its original launch date, so let’s take a look at the future…
What should we expect going forward? Will the next version out be CS7, and when will that be? Or will we instead see a mid-cycle release like CS6.5 available first? Fortunately Adobe has already answered all these questions, and in fact they answered them last year.
Back when CS5.5 began shipping in May 2011, the company for the very first time shared a great deal of information about their future Creative Suite product release schedule. Previously the cycle had been for a new version of the CS software coming every 18 months or so. But beginning with CS5.5, Adobe rolled out a new plan in response to accelerating creative needs:
This launch marks a major change to Adobe’s product release strategy for Creative Suite, the industry-leading design and development software for virtually every creative workflow across print, video, mobile and online media. Adobe now plans to have milestone Creative Suite product introductions at 24-month intervals and – starting with Creative Suite 5.5 – significant mid-cycle releases designed to keep the worldwide creative community ahead of the latest advances in content authoring.
And further to that:
Adobe plays an important role here, and we have realized that our historical 18-month release cycles are not going to be sufficient to address these rapidly-evolving trends. So Adobe decided to ship major milestone releases of Adobe Creative Suite software approximately every two years, with mid-cycle releases that incorporate the most critical features customers need in the interim years. The first mid-cycle release is Creative Suite 5.5, and it addresses these challenges.
So add it up and what does it mean, how does the future look? It means we might expect Adobe CS7 to be released in the spring of 2014, with an interim CS6.5 release coming out in between, probably in May of 2013… As with CS5.5, we may not see all Creative Suite applications upgraded for CS6.5 – for example, there wasn’t a CS5.5 version for Photoshop or Illustrator.
[UPDATE (May 6th) – The next release is announced! Learn more about new Adobe CC.]
Here is what the big picture looks like – and see further below for new product features that are expected:
| CS Release | Date |
|---|---|
| Creative Suite 3 | Spring 2007 |
| Creative Suite 4 | Fall 2008 |
| Creative Suite 5 | Spring 2010 |
| Creative Suite 5.5 | May 2011 |
| Creative Suite 6 | May 2012 |
| Creative Suite 6.5 | Mid-2013 (est.) |
| Creative Suite 7 | Mid-2014 (est.) |
| Creative Suite 7.5 | Mid-2015 (est.) |
Any beta versions of CS6.5 or CS7 applications should be anticipated 1-2 months ahead of their final releases.
[UPDATE – Wondering about LR5? See: When Is Adobe Lightroom 5 Coming Out?]
What New Features Will Be In Adobe CS6.5 – or CS7?
We actually know some of the new product features that will be in the next formal release of Creative Suite… We know this because of the Creative Cloud, where some of these additions since CS6 have already been released early to Cloud members.
Here are some we expect would be included in the next version (click each for more details):
- Photoshop: Copy CSS support, Image Deblurring, Conditional Actions, plus lots more.
- Illustrator: Package Files and “Unembed” Images functions, Links Panel enhancements.
- InDesign: Retina Display and native 64-bit/Cocoa support with dark UI, plus QR Codes.
- Dreamweaver: Improved HTML5 support, new CSS Designer tools, better FTP transfers.
- Flash Professional: 64-bit architecture, native cocoa, faster, more reliable, + new UI.
- Premiere Pro: Too many to list – see the “NAB Reveal” sneak peek videos.
- After Effects: Incredible new “Refine Edge” Rotoscoping and much, much more.
- Audition: Sound Remover, Preview Editor, Native 64-Bit Performance, Favorites Panel.
- Prelude, SpeedGrade, Media Encoder: See the first looks.
- Inclusion into the suite editions of new Acrobat XI Pro, which is already in the Cloud.
- Stay tuned as we will keep this list updated going forward…
In addition, by 2013 all major Adobe tools should natively support the new MacBook Retina and HiDPI displays, for which Adobe says free updates will be coming for all current users before the next release. The list includes Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro and Lightroom. InDesign is more uncertain… Adobe says it’s its most complex software product, so InDesign support for Mac Retina may not be available until the next major release is shipping. The same goes for Flash Pro. Meanwhile, other applications like After Effects are said to be already compatible with Retina displays.
If you would like early access (now) to some of the new features listed above, consider checking out the Creative Cloud via either a free membership or paid subscription… Adobe says Cloud members will always have the latest versions available to use, which in a nutshell means that all product upgrades are included in the program.
Wondering which path is best for you? Don’t miss:
Creative Suite vs. Creative Cloud – Which Should You Choose?
Wondering why Cloud subscribers get exclusive updates that CS6 doesn’t? See:
Why Creative Cloud Gets Free Upgrades but Adobe CS6 Doesn’t
Give your input before it ships – what would you like to see in CS6.5 or CS7? Share your thoughts in the comments below or at Adobe’s official feature request “wishlist”…
See Also
- Download free Adobe books (choose over 30 titles)
- What are the differences between Adobe CC vs. CS6?
- The 10 most common myths about Creative Cloud
- How to save 60% with the Adobe education editions
- Free Adobe CS6 Tutorials – 30 hours of video training
- Creative Cloud team and group licensing available
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i honestly don’t think there’s gonna be a cs6.5 release
@ Konrad
I also don’t think there will be a CS6.5, I think there will be CS7 but they will wait as the Cloud members get updates as soon as they are ready – so Adobe can wait a while, as I think Adobe wants everyone to become Cloud members. Just what I think!
The problem with cloud applications is you need a stable and fast Internet connection — ours is somewhat fast but not stable — would really hack me off to be in the middle of a project and have the Internet quit on me — it’s bad enough when I’m in the middle of posting something on Facebook to a friend.
Thank you for your comment Anne, but that is simply not true here… The Creative Cloud CS6 applications do not run over the Internet, they are installed on your computer as normal – please see the following:
The 10 Most Common Myths About Adobe’s Creative Cloud
In answer to the question, what would you like to see in CS6.5 or CS7? I have a mere 88 feature requests for Premiere Pro: Adobe Premiere Pro CS6.5 Wish List.
The length of my list may indicate that I don’t like Premiere, but I like it a lot. I’m just picky and like any professional editor, I spend many, many hours editing.
To name a specific feature request for Premiere: background rendering. Adobe seems to assume that everyone has a system that runs fast enough to play back all native footage and effects smoothly at full resolution. That is certainly not the case, especially with all the Macs out there with unsupported GPUs. But even if everyone did have the latest and greatest system, there would still be great benefits to background rendering, especially combined with smart rendering. I got into detail in my post: Why Adobe Premiere Pro Needs Background Rendering
When will Adobe announce CS7, as I really don’t think there will be a CS6.5?
There is hardly anything online about the Announcement Date!
@ Anne Peterson – from what I’ve read, apps will run locally.
Update:
Find out more details when exactly this next release will be available:
Adobe CS7? Next Release of Creative Suite to Come Out May 6th
@ Anne Peterson
Adobe Creative Cloud doesn’t really work like that. You can work just as well without an Internet connection, however it needs internet access once a month or so to check the validity of your subscription.
Yes, absolutely correct – for more about that, see the Common Cloud Myths link posted just above.
Will Adobe CS7 Creative Suite be available to purchase the suite like always? I always buy the Design Premium suite, I have CS6 Design & Web Premium and I was just wondering if we will still be able to purchase the next generation as a licensed copy or will we have to buy the Cloud membership? Thanks and hope to get some feedback.
Hi Wesley, nice to see you again. That’s a great question but we can’t say because we don’t know the answer… Adobe has not yet announced any pricing or upgrade options for the next release, but we do anticipate finding out more about those details on May 6th – so stay tuned.
One thing we can say is that thus far, the Creative Cloud is growing very fast and has exceeded all industry projections:
Adobe Says Creative Cloud Passes 2.5 Million Members, Big News Soon
@ Dax
Even with a good computer it’s really slow… And you need to render every 10S so yes a smart background rendering would be nice !
What about Fireworks ?
Hey there Iano, we haven’t seen anything yet on what’s new for Fireworks, but will be sure to post it here if/when we hear.
I’m a little annoyed, because some people say that Fireworks is dead or is intended to die. It is true that there are many bugs in the CS6 version, but as I had trained as a web designer / ux designer with this fabulous program, it would hurt.
In addition, it is less expensive than buying Photoshop.
Well the only chatter we’ve heard about Fireworks is from user speculation only. There is no news at all from Adobe about anything like that.
We know there are a lot of fans of Fireworks out there, so frankly we would be surprised if any of that actually happened.
The best place to give your feedback about Fireworks or any CS tool is directly to the Adobe tech team themselves.
Will we get upgrade prices on the 6th of May to tell us what to expect to pay, and when we will be able to purchase the new Adobe software? Thanks.
Yes Wesley, we do expect that – it’s shaping up to be a big announcement with details on what’s new in the next version, plus we anticipate hearing about product pricing and availability.
You can find out more by tuning into the free live webcast here.
да CS7, мы ожидаем (ADOBE CS Seven)
So… if I own a version of CS6 Production Premium and CS6.5 might come out, am I eligible for a free update? Or will it cost me?
Thanks!
Greetings Christoph,
Traditionally, Adobe’s major feature upgrades (like CS4 to CS5, or CS5.5 to CS6) have never been free. For example, here’s the current upgrade pricing to CS6 from prior releases.
However, that said, the model is now changing with the Creative Cloud, which came out a year ago with CS6… If you have the Cloud, then you get all new versions included at no additional charge with your membership.
Hi, do you guys at protools think adobe will release a perpetual-licensed version for the next generation of creative tools CS7?
Thanx and am looking forward to hearing from you!
Hey there, for that question please see our response above to Wesley.
There’s also more discussion about that topic on our newer CS7 post here.
Adobe Creative Suite – is now part of Creative Cloud
While Adobe Creative Suite® 6 products will continue to be available for purchase, Adobe has no plans for future releases of Creative Suite or other CS products.
Creative Cloud – Any CC application for $9.99/month if you join by 7/31/2013. Regularly $19.99.
Yes, that is all true Mike – see our latest coverage here:
Adobe Unveils New “CC” Release (CS7) Exclusively in Creative Cloud
I was wondering why the special to upgrade from CS6 to Creative Cloud for $19.99 is not available in my country, which is South Africa… I will upgrade if I can get that price for the first year.
Well, we checked out Adobe’s Special Offers Page for Africa, and you’re right – the $19.99 offer is not available in your region; the pricing is $29.99 for upgrades to CC from CS3, CS4, CS5, and CS6.
Not sure why it’s different, but Adobe’s offers do tend to vary from country to country… and not all specials are available in all geographies. Sorry about that!
I think there must be beta versions swimming around somewhere.
I recieve a lot of logos in my job. Twice in the last month I’ve gotten a “The file was generated by a newer version of Illustrator and cannot be opened” message on my Windows CS6 machine.
Looking at the file with notepad I see an “Adobe Illustrator(R) 17.0″…
Hi Philip, thanks for stopping by. Yes, the new Illustrator CC is version 17 and came out in June, succeeding last year’s CS6 which was version 16…
It’s called “CC” rather than CS7 because these applications are available exclusively via the Creative Cloud.
You can read more details about CC here.
If you’re just interested in what’s new, then here are all of the feature differences between CS6 vs. CC.