Photoshop is a very complex and multi-layered application full of a ton of features, but even with all of those capabilities, there is still a lot of room for new features. This great video discusses 16 features that one pro would like to see added to the program.
Coming to you from Unmesh Dinda with PiXimperfect, this interesting video features him discussing 16 features he would like to see added to Photoshop. Personally, I have been very happy to see the rise of several Photoshop alternatives in the past few years if for nothing more than the fact that they have quickened innovation from the Adobe side, producing noticeable results, such as the release of automatic sky replacement and AI-powered editing that looks to enable new creative opportunities and reduce the time it takes to get a finished photo. Still, there is plenty of room for new features to be added, and Dinda takes a particular focus on more pragmatic ideas that would make the day-to-day work of professionals who spend a lot of time in the application easier and more efficent. Check out the video above for Dinda's full thoughts and share what you would like to see added to Photoshop in the comments.
The only feature I'd want is the elimination of that annoying Creative Cloud interface that you're forced to use at gunpoint to update and access Photoshop and Lightroom (and any other Adobe app). That thing crashed and burned so bad on me I couldn't do anything. Dumped it all (no mean feat) and cancelled my subscription. I have to say it's rough hitting the ground running getting up to speed and through the teething pains with apps like Affinity Photo and Darktable, but that CC interface really pissed me the fuck off.
This is not going to be popular with most people, since it is a complex thing, but.... if photoshop wants to become the most powerful tool for the job, it needs:
Node-based editing. Layer-based editing is limited, and primitive. Node-based is what we use in compositing software in VFX/CGI, and it is the best, most powerful, non-destructive, and flexible way of working.
It's not quite as user-friendly as layer-based, but having the option to switch to node-based would be THE SHIT.
"Camera Raw" and "Liquify" as Adjustment Layers
Something like shared or connected layer masks - if you change layer on one layer the mask on another layer changes accordingly
You can technically use Camera Raw as an adjustment layer with smart layers. Not quite the same but close enough.
not the same as it is possible to edit smart layer at separate window only without context
How about a feature where current features actually work? The Select Subject function causes my Windows 10 machine to hardware crash...100% of the time, as in the equivalent of turning off the power switch. It's not just me; It has been a documented problem since the feature came out last year.
Add the ability to buy the products instead of just “low” monthly payments for the rest of your life.
This is one that should be fixed asap. When saving you are presented with a huge list of file types that are never used. In the Preference panel, you should be able to delete or add the formats you want to save. I only use 3...jpg, tiff and psd. It would speed up the workflow significantly.