Adobe CS6 Revamps Premiere Pro Workspace, Revs Up After Effects

FCP X remains controversial, though Apple has taken steps to put some key missing features back in place. And that means Adobe will get more attention than usual at NAB, as editors try to figure out their next move, platform-wise. Compositors and VFX artists will already be scoping out Adobe's booth to see what's new in After Effects, and Adobe has given that program a serious overhaul under the hood that should translate into a substantial increase in speed on the desktop as the software uses a sophisticated new caching system to eliminate redundancy when it comes to rendering. (Scroll down to read more about this release of After Effects.) But attention has clearly been lavished on Premiere Pro — Adobe's NLE has gotten a forward-looking redesign, broader native support for professional camera formats, and a smoother, speedier workflow inside the app itself. And, with the inclusion of SpeedGrade among the Creative Suite products, Premiere editors now have the option of manipulating clips with a high-end color correction tool rather than the simpler three-way color-corrector included in the application.

What Adobe hasn't announced yet is exact dates and pricing for the new versions — "the first half of 2012" is all the company is willing to say right now. Stay tuned.

The first thing you'll notice when opening Premiere Pro CS6 for the first time is the new default workspace. As Premiere Pro Product Manager Al Mooney explained it to us, the emphasis in this design iteration is "more video, less UI." read more...