Adobe Photoshop facts for kids
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| Original author(s) |
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| Developer(s) | Adobe |
| Initial release | February 19, 1990 |
| Stable release |
25.9
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| Written in | C++ |
| Operating system | Windows 10 (64-Bit) 21H2 and later macOS 11.0 and later iPadOS 16.0 and later Android 9.0 and later |
| Platform | x86-64, ARM64 |
| Available in | 26 languages |
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List of languages
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| Type | Raster graphics editor |
| License | Trialware, SaaS |
Adobe Photoshop is a powerful computer program for editing images. It's known as a raster graphics editor, which means it works with images made of tiny dots called pixels. Adobe, a big software company, makes Photoshop for computers running Windows and macOS.
Two brothers, Thomas and John Knoll, first created Photoshop in 1987. Since then, it has become the most popular tool for professional digital art and editing photos. Because it's so famous, people often use "Photoshop" as a verb, like "to photoshop an image."
Photoshop lets you edit and combine images using different layers. This means you can work on parts of an image separately. It also supports masks, which hide or show parts of a layer, and different color models. Photoshop uses its own special file formats, PSD and PSB, to save all these features.
Besides pixel-based images, Photoshop can also edit text and vector graphics. It can even work with 3D graphics and video clips. You can add more features to Photoshop using "plug-ins." These are small programs made by Adobe or other companies that add new tools.
Photoshop used to have version numbers, like Photoshop 7.0. Then, in 2002, Adobe started calling new versions "CS" (for Creative Suite), like Photoshop CS or CS2. Since 2013, it's been part of "Creative Cloud" and is called "CC," like Photoshop CC. Now, you usually get Photoshop through a monthly or yearly subscription.
Adobe also makes other programs in the "Adobe Photoshop Family." These include Photoshop Elements, Photoshop Lightroom, and Photoshop Express. In 2019, a full version of Photoshop was released for the iPad, and Adobe plans to add even more features to it.
Contents
How Photoshop Started
Photoshop was created in 1987 by brothers Thomas and John Knoll. They sold the rights to Adobe Systems in 1988. Thomas, a student, first wrote a program to show grayscale images on his Macintosh Plus computer. He called it "Display."
His brother John, who worked with special effects, saw the program and suggested making it a full image editing tool. Thomas took a break from his studies to work on it. He first renamed it "ImagePro," but that name was already taken. So, he called it Photoshop.
In the beginning, about 200 copies of Photoshop were given out with a special slide scanner. John then showed the program to engineers at Apple Computer and Adobe. Both companies were impressed. Adobe decided to buy the license to sell Photoshop in September 1988.
Photoshop 1.0 was released on February 19, 1990, only for Macintosh computers. At that time, professional photo editing was very expensive, costing around $300 an hour. Photoshop 1.0 cost $895, which was a lot, but much cheaper than the old way.
In 1993, Photoshop was made available for Microsoft Windows. This helped it reach many more people as Windows computers became very popular. In 1995, Adobe bought all the rights to Photoshop from the Knoll brothers for $34.5 million.
Photoshop Files: PSD and PSB
| Filename extension |
.psd
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| Internet media type |
image/vnd.adobe.photoshop
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| Type code | 8BPS |
| Uniform Type Identifier (UTI) | com.adobe.photoshop-image |
| Developed by | Adobe Inc. |
| Initial release | February 19, 1990 |
| Open format? | no |
Photoshop files usually end with the extension .PSD, which means "Photoshop Document." A PSD file saves an image with all of Photoshop's features. This includes layers, transparency, text, and special color settings.
Unlike simpler image formats like .JPG or .GIF, PSD files keep all your editing options. This means you can go back and change things later. A PSD file can be up to 30,000 pixels wide and tall, and up to two gigabytes in size.
Photoshop can also save files in other formats like TIF, JPEG, and GIF. These files are smaller because they don't keep all the editable features. You need these formats to use images on websites or in print.
For very large projects, Photoshop uses .PSB files, which stands for "Photoshop Big." PSB files can be much larger, up to 300,000 pixels wide and tall, and around 4 exabytes in size.
Because Photoshop is so popular, many other image editing programs can open and use PSD files. These include GIMP, Affinity Photo, and Clip Studio Paint. You can also use PSD files with other Adobe programs like Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Premiere Pro.
Add-on Programs (Plugins)
You can add more features to Photoshop using special programs called Photoshop plugins. Adobe makes some of these, like Adobe Camera Raw. But many others are made by different companies. Some plugins are free, while others you have to buy.
Most plugins work only with Photoshop or similar programs. However, a few can also run on their own. There are different kinds of plugins, such as filters, export tools, and color correction tools.
The most popular plugins are filter plugins. You can find them under the "Filter" menu in Photoshop. These filters can change your image or create new content. Some well-known companies that make plugins include Alien Skin Software and Topaz Labs Software.
Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) is a free plugin from Adobe. It's mainly used to open and edit raw image files from cameras. This lets you make adjustments before bringing the image into Photoshop.
Photoshop's Impact
The words "Photoshop" and "Photoshopped" are often used as verbs. People say "I photoshopped that picture" to mean they edited it using Photoshop or any other image editing program. This happens in many languages, not just English.
Adobe, the company that makes Photoshop, prefers that people use "Photoshop" as a proper name, like "Adobe Photoshop software." They want to protect their brand name from becoming a common word for all image editing.
Photoshop Versions Over Time
Photoshop's early versions had numbers, like 0.63, 0.87, and 1.0. The first commercial version was 0.87, called "Barneyscan XP." Version 1.0 came out in February 1990. Adobe released many versions up to 7.0.1.
In October 2003, version 8.0 was released and was called "Creative Suite" (CS). In February 2013, Adobe gave the original source code for Photoshop 1.0.1 to the Computer History Museum.
Early Versions (Before CS)
- Version 0.63 (1988): This was the first known copy, but it was never released to the public.
- Version 0.87 (1989): The first version sold to the public, called "Barneyscan XP."
Some important features added in these early versions include:
- Filters and color separation.
- Support for paths and CMYK color (version 2.0).
- Layers and tabbed palettes (version 3.0).
- Adjustments, actions, and PNG support (version 4.0).
- Editable text and layer effects (version 5.0).
- "Save For Web" feature (version 5.5).
- Vector shapes and a new look (version 6.0).
- Healing Brush and spell check (version 7.0).
- Camera RAW support (version 7.0.1).
CS Versions (Creative Suite)
CS (version 8)
Photoshop CS came out in October 2003. It made it easier to find, sort, and share files. It also added the Histogram Palette, which shows how colors are spread in an image. The "Match Color" tool was also new, helping images in a series look consistent.
CS2 (version 9)
Photoshop CS2 was released in May 2005. It had new tools like an improved Spot Healing Brush for fixing blemishes and red-eye. A big new feature was "Smart Objects." These let you change the size and shape of images without losing quality.
CS2 also added "non-destructive editing," meaning your original image isn't changed. It could also work with 32-Bit High Dynamic Range (HDR) images, which are great for 3D work. New tools included Vanishing Point and Image Warping.
The File Browser was updated to Adobe Bridge, which helped organize files across different Adobe programs. CS2 also made it easier to create your own custom settings to save time.
CS3 (version 10)
Photoshop CS3 was released in April 2007. It worked faster and more efficiently. It also improved support for Camera RAW files, letting you process images quicker. CS3 could handle over 150 RAW formats.
New features included better Black and White Conversion and a Clone Source palette. It also introduced "Smart Filters," which let you apply effects without permanently changing the image. CS3 Extended added tools for 3D graphics, video editing, and image analysis.
CS4 (version 11)
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Photoshop CS4 came out in October 2008. It made zooming and panning smoother, so you could edit images faster. The program's look was also simpler, with tabs to organize your work.
CS4 had a new 3D engine, allowing you to turn flat images into 3D objects. It also introduced "content-aware scaling," which lets you resize images smartly without distorting important parts. The canvas rotation tool made it easier to edit images from any angle.
CS4 Extended had all the CS4 features plus tools for science, 3D, and video. It was also the first 64-bit version of Photoshop for Windows computers.
CS5 (version 12)
Photoshop CS5 was launched on April 12, 2010. It added exciting new tools like Content-Aware Fill, which can magically remove unwanted objects from an image. Other new tools included Refine Edge, Mixer Brush, and Puppet Warp.
Many new features in CS5 came from user requests, like automatic image straightening. Adobe Mini Bridge was also added for easier file browsing. CS5 Extended included more 3D and video editing features, like a new materials library.
CS6 (version 13)
Photoshop CS6 was released in May 2012. It brought new design tools and a fresh look, focusing on better performance. The Content-Aware tool got updates, including Content-Aware Patch and Content-Aware Move.
CS6 also added a set of tools for video editing. You could adjust colors, exposure, and use layers in videos. After editing, you could export your video in popular formats. A "straighten" tool was added, letting you draw a line to quickly straighten an image.
CS6 allowed background saving, so you could keep working while your file saved. It also had a customizable auto-save feature to prevent losing your work. CS6 was the last version you could buy outright; newer versions require a subscription.
CC Versions (Creative Cloud)
CC (version 14)
Photoshop CC (14.0) was launched on June 18, 2013. This version was only available through a Creative Cloud subscription. Key new features included Smart Sharpen and Camera Shake Reduction, which helps reduce blur from shaky photos.
Later updates to version 14 added Adobe Generator, which helps create plugins, and tools like Perspective Warp and Linked Smart Objects. It also added support for 3D Printing.
CC 2014 (version 15)
Photoshop CC 2014 (15.0) was released on June 18, 2014. It improved content-aware tools and added two new blur tools: spin blur and path blur. A new focus mask feature let users select parts of an image based on what's in focus.
CC 2015 (version 16 and 17)
Photoshop CC 2015 was released on June 15, 2015. Adobe added Adobe Stock, a library of stock images. It also allowed more than one layer style, so you could have multiple shadows on a single layer.
The look of Photoshop was updated for a cleaner feel. Users could also perform tasks using gestures on touch-enabled devices like Microsoft Surface Pro. CC 2015 also marked Photoshop's 25th anniversary!
CC 2017 (version 18)
Photoshop CC 2017 was released on November 2, 2016. It introduced a new template selector for new documents and a search bar to find tools and help articles. It also added support for SVG OpenType fonts. A small update in December 2016 added support for the MacBook Pro Touch Bar.
CC 2018 (version 19)
Photoshop CC 2018 (version 19) was released on October 18, 2017. It completely changed how brushes are organized, letting you save more settings per brush and put them into folders. It also added brush stroke smoothing and over 1000 new brushes.
A new Curvature Pen tool was added for easier path creation. Other updates included access to Lightroom photos, support for Variable fonts, and improved selection tools.
CC 2019 (version 20)
Photoshop CC 2019 was released on October 15, 2018. This version no longer supported 32-bit Windows. It introduced a new Frame Tool to create placeholders for images. It also added a multiple undo mode and live blend mode previews for faster editing.
Other additions included a Color Wheel, easier proportional transforming, and the ability to see longer layer names.
2020 (version 21)
Photoshop 2020 was released on November 4, 2019. Version 21 brought many new features, like an Object Selection tool for easier selections. It also improved the Content-Aware Fill and added animated GIF support.
Users could now easily turn smart objects into layers and adjust 32-bit layers. Presets became easier to use and organize. The February 2020 update improved GPU-based lens blur and made workflows smoother.
Version 21 was also the first to release a version for the iPad. This allowed users to save cloud documents and work on them across Windows, Mac, and iPad.
2021 (version 22)
Version 22.0.0 was released in October 2020. This version saw several updates throughout 2021. Version 22.3 was the first macOS release to run natively on Apple silicon chips. Version 22.5.1 was the last to include a large set of Pantone color books.
2022 (version 23)
Version 23.0 was released in October 2021. This version included a smaller set of Pantone color books. It also introduced "Content Credentials (Beta)," which captures editing information with the file to show its history.
2023 (version 24)
Version 24.0 was released in October 2022. This was the first version without built-in support for Pantone colors. Now, you need a separate paid subscription to access Pantone colors.
2024 (version 25)
Version 25.0 was released in September 2023. This version added "Generative Fill" and "Generative Expand" for commercial use. These are AI-powered features that can add or expand content in your images.
Adobe Photoshop Family
The Adobe Photoshop family is a group of programs and services made by Adobe for professional image editing. These tools help with pixel manipulation, organizing images, and photo retouching.
Current Programs
- Bridge: An image organizer that helps manage your digital files. It works with other Adobe apps but doesn't edit images itself.
- DNG Converter: A tool to change DNG files into other image formats.
- Elements Organizer: Used to organize photos and video projects for Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements.
- Fresco: A mobile drawing and painting app for iOS devices, especially iPad with Apple Pencil.
- Photoshop Lightroom: Software for organizing and editing images, part of the Creative Cloud subscription.
- Lightroom Classic: The desktop version of Lightroom that works offline.
- Photoshop Camera: An app for easily taking and sharing photos with your phone camera.
- Photoshop Elements: A simpler version of Photoshop for photographers and hobbyists. It has most of the main features but is easier to use. It's available for Windows and macOS as a one-time purchase.
- Photoshop Express: A free mobile app for editing photos and making collages on phones and tablets. You can also get it for Windows computers.
- Photoshop Fix: A mobile app for retouching photos. You can send your edited images to the desktop version of Photoshop for more work.
- Photoshop Mix: A mobile app for tablets and touchscreens, similar to Photoshop Touch. It includes layers, selection tools, and filters.
- Photoshop Sketch: A drawing and painting app for mobile devices. You can export your sketches to Photoshop or share them on Bēhance.
Programs No Longer Available
- ActiveShare: A photo-sharing platform that was replaced by Photoshop Album.
- Fireworks: An image editor for web designers that could create interactive content and animations. It was replaced by other tools.
- ImageReady: Another image editor for web designers, discontinued in favor of Fireworks.
- Photoshop Album: A program to import, organize, and edit digital photos. It was replaced by Photoshop Elements.
- Photoshop Limited Edition (LE): A simpler graphics editor for beginners, replaced by Photoshop Elements.
- Preview CC: An app for previewing mobile designs.
See also
In Spanish: Adobe Photoshop para niños
- Creative Cloud controversy
- Comparison of raster graphics editors
- Image editing
