Today at Adobe MAX, Adobe rolled out its biggest update to Creative Cloud yet, unleashing four brand new products namely Adobe XD CC, Adobe Dimension CC, Character Animator CC and the all-new Lightroom CC.
Wait, what? Lightroom? Doesn’t that already exist? Well, yes. And no.
The long-standing imaging software of choice for photographers–Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC for the desktop still stands. Understandably, there’s a huge number of pro photographers, amateurs and enthusiasts who depend on Lightroom for editing and organising photos.
But this is now known as Lightroom Classic. Adobe has assured that the much-loved desktop app, now bearing a new name, will still be developed and enhanced for some time to come. The classic version continues to focus on a more traditional desktop workflow with local storage and file/folder control.
Lightroom Classic features an enhanced Embedded Preview workflow that lets you scroll large sets of photos to select a subset of images significantly faster than before.
Other new features include new editing capabilities like a new Color Range and Luminance Masking functionality.
The all-new Lightroom CC
What’s different, and all-new though, is Adobe Lightroom CC, a complete cloud-based photography service. The new Lightroom is made for the mobile-centric and digital photography world.
It’s targeted at both professionals and enthusiasts, and built from ground up to fulfill demands of the mobile, always-on lifestyle.
Being “cloud-based everything” means photographers can access all their photos, libraries and settings any time, anywhere on any device. It also enables editing, organising, storing and sharing photos over the web and via mobile.
The great thing is, Lightroom CC allows you to make edits on one device, and have the changes synchronised everywhere.
The new app also makes organising photo collections easier with features like searchable keywords. These keywords are applied automatically and intelligently, by the way, without manually tagging. Powered by Adobe Sensei, of course.
The Lightroom CC solution also gives users free backup cloud storage for safe and secure backup of full resolution photos, and that includes raw files.
It’s also super easy to share photos directly via social media, and to create custom web galleries that can be shared via a link.
Integration with the new Adobe Portfolio also lets photographers share their work effortlessly.
Lightroom CC is available for iOS, Android and the web.
On iOS, Lightroom CC boasts built-in search functionality powered by Sensei, keyword support, hierarchical album support, an enhanced iPad app layour and iOS 11 Files support.
Android shares the same features as iOS, with the addition of tablet support and a local adjustments brush.
Meanwhile on the web, Lightroom CC has the ability to create and manage a public gallery page as well as integration with Adobe Portfolio.
Availability, plans and pricing
There are three photography plans available:
Creative Cloud Photography Plan with 1TB includes Lightroom CC, Lightroom for mobile and web, Photoshop CC, Adobe Spark with premium features, Adobe Portfolio, and 1TB of cloud storage. Retails for USD19.99/month; but for existing Creative Cloud Photography customers get it for USD14.99/month for the first year.
Creative Cloud Photography Plan with 20GB storage includes Lightroom CC, Lightroom for mobile and web, Lightroom Classic, Photoshop CC, Adobe Spark with premium features, Adobe Portfolio, and 20GB of storage. The plan remains at USD9.99/month.
All-new Lightroom CC plan includes Lightroom CC, Lightroom for mobile and web, Adobe Spark with premium features, Adobe Portfolio, and 1TB of cloud storage. All for USD9.99/month.
If you don’t need a desktop photography solution, the Lightroom Mobile plan for iOS and Android is available with 100GB (USD4.99/month).
For more information on Creative Cloud plans, visit www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html.
Stay updated @ Adobe MAX
Adobe MAX 2017 conference takes place at The Venetian, Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada from 18-20 October 2017.
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Disclaimer: I’m an invited guest at Adobe MAX. Conference tickets, travel and accommodation are sponsored by Adobe. My opinions are my own.
