Adobe Photoshop CS5 Extended

Adobe Photoshop CS5 Extended is the new release of the specialized version of Photoshop targeted towards some specific fields that require advanced digital imagery including architecture and engineering, science, healthcare, film, and video.

Pros: New Content-Aware feature can almost magically remove unwanted objects from a scene; enhanced edge-selection controls allow easier and more accurate creation of masks and selections of intricate elements; new HDR capabilities available for enhancing photographic quality; new painting tools provide more flexibility and creative control; new Puppet Warp capability allows precise repositioning or warping of a selected part of an image; native 64-bit support for Mac and Windows enhances performance; includes over 30 additional features requested directly by the Photoshop community.

Cons: No substantial AEC-specific improvements; no increase in the number of 3D file formats supported, which remain limited to 3DS, OBJ, COLLADA, KMZ, and U3D; 3D navigation tools do not automatically maintain the verticality needed for buildings models, which makes them somewhat difficult to use; limited functionality and interface compared to other specialized applications that are available for model-based visualizations.