If you read the first part in the series, then you already know that we are taking an indepth (and colorful) look at Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium for Mac.

Originally launched in 2007, CS3 Production Premium is a suite of high end applications focused on creating web ready content. The box version contains all the usual suspects including Photoshop, Flash, Illustrator, Premiere, After Effects and Sound booth.

Adobe CS4

With the upcoming launch of CS4 looming near, we will be comparing it to CS3 to give you a flavor for both. If you can’t wait, you can test out beta versions of Dreamweaver CS4, Fireworks CS4 and Soundbooth CS4 from the Adobe Labs

What is included
The whole package consists of 8 DVDs, (including content, video workshops, etc.), and a complete set of manuals. There’s also a free gift, but we’ll leave that as a surprise.

Installation

The installation was pretty straightforward (and considering part were upgrades & part were fresh installs, that’s pretty good). Although it took nearly 5 hours in total on a 2.33 GHz Apple Macbook Pro (with 2GB memory). Which gives you an idea just how much needs to be installed and gives you enough time to read about 1% of the accompanying manuals.

Updates

The updates (200MB+ downloads?) and patches are both irritating, (expect to see a lot of updaters and dialog boxes). Aside from that everything went as smoothly as imaginable.

First Impressions

CS3 is a collection, and whilst each application can be used on its own, the real power comes from integrated use. Photoshop with Illustrator, Illustrator with Flash…you get the idea.

This is the first time we’ve really felt the benefit of a suite of software, each *piece* is designed to compliment the rest of the set.

In fact, the whole package looks like it has evolved. The User Interface is now far more consistent, streamlining cross-use and creating more efficient products across the board.

So if you are a Photoshop expert, then learning the rest should be fairly intuitive. (Though, it still took us a while to get the hang of a couple of the applications). Clearly Adobe knows that lowering the learning curve is always a good thing.

Icons

There has been a lot of debate about the new icons. We like them, especially when looking at a cluttered OS X dock. They are more functional, easier to use/ remember, and no matter how small they become, they are easy to recognize.

So, What can you do with CS3?

Create video, images, motion graphics and publish to almost any medium (Web, Flash, iPod Video, HD content, Blu-ray discs).

Streamline the entire web and video production process. If its got graphics or motion in it, then CS3 can increase your productivity.

Create presentations, slideshows, pretty much anything you see on the web (as long as you have the necessary creative skills). CS3 supports all major video, standard-definition and HD formats.

In fact, the list is so long there is a whole website dedicated to it.

So, What did we do with it?

We built a portfolio for Uri Martinez, a Catalan artist, painter and sculptor in the north of Spain, as a place to display his uritmetica collection. Uri is one of the most talented underground artists on the street right now. His art takes a variety of forms, from canvas to street art, to sculpture, to video.

We’ll be showcasing some of his work, as well as a few of his friends over the next few articles. So make sure you subscribe.

Next

Next we’ll be taking an indepth look at the first in the package: Adobe Photoshop Professional, more cool art work, and show how to put an online portfolio together. If you haven’t read, part 1 of the series be sure to check it out.

About the Author

This is a guest post by Dan Cushley – a web designer who focuses on usable and competitive websites. This is part 2 in a series reviewing Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium for Mac. To read part 3 of Dan Cushley’s review, click here…