Most creative professionals know about the powerful Adobe Creative Suite. Recent versions since CS6 have been slowly moved into the cloud with alternate desktop-based applications. This new system charges on a monthly/yearly basis instead of the typical one-time fee.
This is definitely annoying for individuals but it can also be quite useful for larger studios. Especially businesses which have multiple teams needing access to cloud software from many different computers. In this post I hope to outline some of the newer programs and how you can get up-to-speed with Adobe Creative Cloud.
Getting Started
If you are completely new to this idea try skimming through the Adobe FAQ page. Basically the goal has been to move away from a fixed release cycle and instead opt for continuous updates within cloud software. This allows users to download and sync new updates as soon as they’re available.
It’s been created in a way that you can utilize cloud storage for many of the files you would create. But you aren’t limited to storing files in the cloud – actually you could choose to work completely local from your hard drive. The flexibility creates a broader environment to get started with new programs you’ve never tried and to share files with other partners.
Also you don’t need Internet access to work within the cloud programs. Once you install desktop applications like Photoshop Creative Cloud it’s possible to disconnect and still get work done. I would speculate that Adobe does not plan to release any further versions of Creative Suite software, and that Creative Cloud is their new business model for software distribution.
Working in Teams
Since you have access to cloud storage it allows creative professionals to store files on Adobe’s servers. Thus you have access to download them on your laptop, desktop, tablet, or even a random library computer. But this also implies you can share files with other teammates who may be collaborating on the same project.
Team storage space can be purchased with premium membership. Keep this in mind if you run a company which often uses Adobe software. The Creative Cloud is still new but it’s growing rapidly. It has never been easier to work together with people all around the world using shared file storage and software.
Newer Programs
All of the classic favorites have been revamped for the Adobe Creative Cloud. This includes Photoshop, Illustrator, Fireworks, Dreamweaver, Flash, Audition, Premiere Pro, etc. The list of professional software is almost endless!
But the release of Creative Suite 6 also brought about some new projects that have been adapted for Creative Cloud. One such example is Adobe Prelude which works as a video clip organization tool. It helps editors manage clip libraries and further export everything into Premiere Pro.
Adobe Muse is another program for graphics designers who build website interfaces, but don’t know much about HTML/CSS code. You can export full website layouts into code without too much effort.
Many of the newer programs solve menial yet manageable tasks. Adobe seems to be moving into a niche with software to perform one task which can then be imported into different software to finish the job.
Screenwriting & Scripts
Adobe Story is a new program which has it’s debut in the Creative Cloud. Story is a script and screenwriting program for putting together creative works related to film, television, commercials, and other similar mediums.
It is a powerful collaboration tool when writing in groups and working on team projects. You can sync files and even work in unison with other writers. Plus you can export scripts and move them into video editing programs like Premiere Pro or After Effects. This allows editors to piece together animatics or demo videos before adding the finishing polish.
For anyone who has used Final Draft I would say that Adobe Story behaves in a similar manner. But Final Draft has an edge on the industry which Adobe might not be able to break. Thankfully you can import FDX files into Story and convert all the writing into a new document. It is an innovative piece of Adobe that offers more flexibility to creative writers.
Online Web Applications
Although Story may be considered a piece of software by itself, the program is classified as a tool under the Creative Cloud programs list. Perhaps because it is still within infancy that it needs time to grow and develop into a larger program.
But the other tools really do help even though you may not be able to install them like software. Many designers often forget that Typekit is an Adobe product. Also the PhoneGap library to build mobile web applications for Android or iOS. These extra resources can go a long way towards completing a project, and being proud to put your name on the final product.
Related Articles
- The new features of Adobe’s CC software
- Adobe Creative Cloud: Expert tips for beginners
- Creative Cloud and the Budget Conscious Freelancer
- Adobe Creative Cloud: The Pros and Cons
- Unhappy Customers want to Parachute from Adobe’s Creative Cloud
Closing
I have been using Adobe software for a long time and there is a reason it’s the primary tool for creatives. I still prefer my older desktop applications and even older versions of Creative Suite work perfectly fine. I hope this article can provide a brief insight towards the Creative Cloud phenomenon and where it might be heading over the next few years. If you have any questions or further insight please feel free to share in the post discussion area below.
