Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium

Complete feature list

Design with essential tools
Keep your ideas flowing
Design for today...and tomorrow

Design with essential tools

Express your ideas more easily and efficiently than ever before using the latest versions of the tools designers trust most for all their creative tasks.

Efficient, powerful page design with Adobe InDesign CS3: Finer transparency controls

Adjust transparency and blending modes globally on entire objects, or independently on strokes, fills, and content.; Creative effects

Creative effects

Apply new visual effects, such as inner glow or bevel and emboss, using an interface that's consistent with Adobe® Photoshop® software to specify offset, angle, and other options. Apply effects independently to an object's stroke, fill, and content.

Gradient feathers

Create beautiful effects by applying masks that contain gradients so the objects fade into the background. Customize options such as gradient angles and fade rates, all within Adobe InDesign® CS3 software.

Productivity enhancements

Perform a variety of tasks more efficiently using new and enhanced productivity features, including Multi-file Place, Quick Apply, faster frame fitting, and the visual Pages panel.

XHTML export screenshot
XHTML export

XHTML export

Enable multiformat publishing, including print-to-web workflows, by exporting styled InDesign content as XHTML. Edit the exported content in Adobe Dreamweaver® CS3 software and automatically format it using cascading style sheets.

Professional typographic controls

Compose beautiful typography using professional controls including Paragraph Composer, OpenType® fonts, drop caps, glyphs, and optical kerning and margin alignment.

Comprehensive styles

Create consistent designs and speed up production by saving graphic, text, and frame-level formatting attributes as styles for text, objects, and tables. Efficiently apply and globally update object, paragraph, character, table, and cell styles; organize styles in groups; and share styles with others.

Smart text handling

Control your text with intelligent text-handling features including the ability to import styled text from Microsoft Word files, apply complex text wraps around objects, and comprehensively replace fonts.

Full-featured tables screenshot
Full-featured tables

Full-featured tables

Create richly formatted tables. Import tab-delimited text files and styled Microsoft Word or Excel tables, or build tables in InDesign. Apply a wide variety of formatting options manually or using new table and cell styles.

Robust long-document support

Maintain consistency and streamline the production of long documents using advanced bullets and numbering, running headers and footers, and synchronized master pages.

Reliable prepress and printing

Get accurate, consistent, and reliable results every time you print using sophisticated preview capabilities, exporting reliable Adobe PDF files, and sharing custom presets.

Flexible XML workflows

Use XML rules to dynamically generate documents with formatting and graphics based on imported XML, and apply XSLT style sheets when importing or exporting XML content.

New dimensions in digital imaging with Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended

Quick Selection and Refine Edge tools

Make selections in a snap. Loosely draw on an image area, and the Quick Selection tool automatically completes the selection for you. Then preview and fine-tune your selections with the Refine Edge tool.

Smart Filters

Add, adjust, and remove filters from an image without having to resave the image or start over to preserve quality. Nondestructive Smart Filters allow you to visualize changes without altering pixel data.

Advanced compositing screenshot
Advanced compositing

Advanced compositing

Create more accurate composites by automatically aligning multiple Photoshop layers or images based on similar content. The Auto-align Layers command quickly analyzes details and moves, rotates, or warps layers to align them perfectly, and the Auto-blend Layers command blends the color and shading to create a smooth, editable result.

Enhanced Vanishing Point with 3D support

Edit in perspective on multiple surfaces — even those connected at angles other than 90 degrees — with the enhanced Vanishing Point, which also lets you measure in perspective; wrap graphics, images, and text around multiple planes; and output 2D planes as 3D models.

Better raw-image processing

Process raw images with increased speed and superior conversion quality using the Photoshop Camera Raw plug-in, which now adds support for JPEG and TIFF formats; new tools including Fill Light and Dust Busting; compatibility with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom® software; and support for over 150 camera models.

Flexible layers

Composite images, text, and effects on hundreds of layers for extraordinarily sophisticated results. Organize layers with up to five levels of nesting, and save them in different combinations as layer comps.

Smart Objects

Perform nondestructive scaling, rotating, and warping of raster and vector graphics with Smart Objects. Even preserve the editability and scalability of vector data from Adobe Illustrator® CS3 software.

3D compositing and texture mapping

Easily render and incorporate rich 3D content into your 2D composites — even edit textures on 3D models and immediately see the results. Import, view, and interact with 3D models created in Adobe Acrobat® 3D software as well as AutoCAD, Maya, and other modeling applications.

Inspired vector graphics creation in Adobe Illustrator CS3

Live Color screenshot
Live Color

Live Color

Explore, apply, and control color variations using the Live Color feature in Illustrator CS3. Live Color lets you select any artwork and interactively edit the colors to see results immediately. Use the Color Guide panel to quickly choose tints, shades, or harmonious color combinations.

Crop Area tool screenshot
Crop Area tool

Crop Area tool

Define crop areas interactively for print or export. Choose preset web ratios or video formats with safe areas, and set crop marks intuitively. Define multiple crop areas and easily move between them as needed.

Improved operating performance

Enjoy more responsive drawing and editing with improved performance in key operations, including faster screen redraw, object moving, panning, scaling, and transformations.

Eraser tool screenshot
Eraser tool

Eraser tool

Quickly remove areas of artwork with the Eraser tool as easily as you erase pixels in Photoshop, and enjoy complete control over the width, shape, and smoothness of the erasure.

Control panel

Discover more options faster and free up screen space by accessing anchor point controls, clipping masks, envelope distortions, and more from the context-sensitive Control panel.

Live Trace screenshot
Live Trace import

Live Trace

Quickly and accurately convert photos, scans, or other bitmap images to editable and scalable vector paths.

Live Paint

Easily paint any closed or partially closed area of your artwork with the Live Paint Bucket, which automatically detects and corrects gaps and lets you interactively select colors from a Swatch palette for faster work.

Path editing

Remove, connect, and split paths — and convert anchor points — using options in the Control panel. Roll the mouse over curve handles to get an enlarged view for easier point selection.

Advanced typography

Easily create and control type with over 100 included OpenType fonts, paragraph and character styles, paragraph composition, underline and strikethrough, transparent effects, and more.

Adobe PDF file creation tools

Create native Adobe PDF files, including multipage PDF files, so clients and others can easily review your artwork using Acrobat or free Adobe Reader® software.

Web and interactive tools

Easily create for the web and mobile devices using vector-based slicing tools, robust integration with Adobe Flash® CS3 Professional software, New Document Profiles for web and mobile designs, the capability to preview mobile content in Adobe Device Central CS3, and more.

Rich interactive content with Adobe Flash CS3 Professional

Adobe-standard interface

Enjoy a new, streamlined interface that emphasizes consistency with other components of Adobe Creative Suite® 3 Design Premium and can be customized to improve workflow and maximize stage space.

Pen tool

Create precise vector illustrations with the new Pen tool inspired by the one in Illustrator, and then manipulate Bezier control points using Illustrator keyboard shortcuts.

Advanced video encoder

Easily import video using a new wizard, and improve video quality and appearance with new encoding options such as deinterlacing, advanced cue point control, and new video component skins.

Shapes as objects

Toggle the object drawing mode to represent shapes as objects for easy visualization, similar to the feature in Illustrator.

Adobe Illustrator import

Import and integrate Illustrator (AI) files, while preserving layers and structure, and then edit them in Flash CS3. Optimize and customize the files during import with advanced options.

Adobe Photoshop import

Import and integrate Photoshop (PSD) files, while preserving layers and structure, and then edit them in Flash CS3. Optimize and customize the files during import with advanced options.

ActionScript development

Leverage the new ActionScript™ 3.0 language and Adobe Flash Player 9 software for structured and intuitive development, streamlined debugging, and high performance. Automatically convert animations to script, apply automatic syntax completion, and leverage prebuilt components.

Frame-based timeline

Quickly add motion to your creations using the easy-to-use, highly controllable, frame-based timeline inspired by traditional animation principles such as keyframing and tweening.

Shape primatives

Easily create pie wedges, round off rectangle corners, define an inner circle radius, and do much more. Visually adjust shape properties on the stage. And create custom shapes with the included JavaScript API.

Standards-based websites with Adobe Dreamweaver CS3

CSS layouts

Easily incorporate CSS with one of the new CSS layouts. Extensive comments in each template explain the layout, accelerating learning for beginning and intermediate designers, and each can be customized as needed for your project.

CSS management

Easily move CSS code from inline to head, from head to external sheet, from document to document, and between external sheets. Cleaning up existing CSS in older pages has never been easier.

Spry framework for Ajax

Visually design, develop, and deploy dynamic user interfaces using the Spry framework for Ajax. Add interactivity, speed, and usability while reducing page refreshes.

Browser Compatibility Check

Save time and help ensure a consistent experience across browsers and operating systems with the new Browser Compatibility Check. Generate reports that identify CSS-related issues in a variety of browsers, without needing to launch the browsers.

CSS Advisor website

Find fast solutions to browser-specific CSS issues with the new CSS Advisor website, an online community featuring a wealth of user-contributed solutions and insight.

Adobe Photoshop integration

Copy and paste directly from Photoshop CS3 Extended into Dreamweaver CS3 to leverage assets from your prototype directly into your finished project.

Support for leading technologies

Take advantage of support for leading web development technologies, including HTML, XHTML, CSS, XML, JavaScript, Ajax, PHP, ColdFusion®, ASP, ASP.NET, and JSP.

Integrated coding environment

Organize and accelerate your coding with code collapse, color coding, line numbering, and a coding toolbar with comment/uncomment and code snippets. Apply code hints for HTML and server languages.

Extended Dreamweaver community

Enjoy all the benefits of the extensive Dreamweaver community, including the online Designer and Developer centers, training and seminars, developer certification programs, user forums, and over 1,000 downloadable extensions available in the Dreamweaver Exchange.

PDF file creation and collaboration with Acrobat 9 Pro

Enjoy tight integration with Creative Suite 3 software

Rely on tight integration between Adobe® Acrobat® 9 Pro software and design components of Adobe Creative Suite® 3, including Adobe InDesign® CS3, Illustrator® CS3, Photoshop® CS3 Extended, and Flash® CS3 Professional. For example, synchronize color and transparency flattener settings between Acrobat and Creative Suite 3 design components, or embed and smoothly play back content created with Flash in PDF files.

Prepare high-end Adobe PDF files

Produce consistent Adobe PDF files from InDesign CS3, Illustrator CS3, Photoshop CS3 Extended, and Acrobat 9 Pro using shared PDF presets. Create custom PDF presets in any of these applications and then access them from the other applications for predictable, reliable results.

Package documents in dynamic PDF Portfolios New!

Assemble layouts, drawings, images, video, audio, and other files into a single dynamic PDF Portfolio with files preserved in their original formats or as PDF files. Customize the PDF Portfolio interface using professionally designed templates and interactive navigation based on Flash technology. Add your own brand elements, define the sequence in which documents are presented, and include descriptions of each document.

Embed content created in Adobe Flash New!

Enrich your PDF documents with embedded video, audio, and widgets created in Flash that are natively viewable with Adobe Acrobat 9 and Adobe Reader® 9 software. Combine the security and convenience of portable Adobe PDF files with the rich appeal of high-impact media.

Easily create, manage, and analyze forms New!

Generate sophisticated PDF forms easily, thanks to an enhanced form creation wizard. Automatically locate form fields in static PDF documents and convert them to dynamic, interactive XML fields that can be filled out by anyone using Adobe Reader. The resulting data can be automatically captured and consolidated into a spreadsheet. And new Acrobat.com services provide an easy-to-access hub to distribute and manage forms more securely and to collect and analyze form data.

Easily collaborate using synchronized document views New!

Quickly get on the same page — and to an exact location — with a client or colleague by synching your view of a PDF file with theirs. Simply send an e-mail invitation to collaborate live and attach the PDF file or upload it to Acrobat.com. Then, when the other reviewer logs in, zero in on the content that needs attention. Using built-in chat or a quick phone call for discussion as you move through your synced view of the document, identify and resolve issues quickly.

Set up shared PDF reviews easily on Acrobat.com New!

Eliminate the technical complexities of shared PDF reviews and enable people outside your firewall to participate more easily by using complimentary services on Acrobat.com to manage your shared document reviews. An enhanced distribution wizard and Tracker simplify setup and tracking. Identify the status of the reviews, send reminders, and receive alerts when reviewers complete tasks. Then efficiently view consolidated feedback in the Tracker.

Create in PDF/A or PDF/X

Create documents in PDF/A, the ISO standard for long-term archiving of electronic documents, or PDF/X, an ideal format for high-quality professional printing.

Keep your ideas flowing

Slip into the creative zone and stay there thanks to tight integration and shared features that make it easy to switch between tasks.

New ways to work with native file formats: Photoshop files in Flash

Import or copy and paste Photoshop files into Flash CS3 projects, preserving the layer structure of the original source image.; SWF and FLV files from Photoshop

Export SWF and FLV files from Photoshop CS3 Extended.; Photoshop files in Dreamweaver

Copy and paste native Photoshop files into Dreamweaver, preserving layers, to leverage assets from your prototype in your final project.; Illustrator artwork in Flash

Import native Illustrator files into Flash, or copy and paste artwork from Illustrator into Flash with paths, anchor points, gradients, clipping masks, and symbols intact. Layers, groups, and object names are also preserved.; Symbols for Flash

Use Symbols in Illustrator to animate repeated objects while keeping file sizes small. Preserve symbol object properties when you take the artwork into Flash for further editing.; Integration between Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign

Open native Photoshop files in Illustrator and native Illustrator files in Photoshop, and bring both native formats into InDesign layouts.; Adobe PDF in Illustrator and InDesign

Open and edit Adobe PDF files in Illustrator, and place multipage Adobe PDF files in InDesign layouts. Export multipage Adobe PDF files from InDesign or Illustrator with layers intact, and share them with clients to present multiple design variations.
Shared features and services: Unified design environment

Work efficiently in an interface that's common across many components of the software. New self-adjusting panels dock conveniently out of your way when not in use, and pop out when you need them.; Customizable workspaces

Customize menu commands, tools, panels, and keyboard shortcuts in Design Premium components so the features you use most are always at your fingertips. Even save and share workspaces.; Consistent color

Synchronize color settings to view the color in your designs more consistently and to preserve CMYK values across Photoshop Extended, Illustrator, InDesign, and Acrobat.; Shared PDF presets

Use built-in Adobe PDF export presets — or create custom presets — in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign to generate consistent Adobe PDF files for electronic review or final output.; Adobe Stock Photos service*

Browse and purchase royalty-free stock photos from a wide range of leading image libraries from within Design Premium. Search more than one million images from over 25 agencies, and narrow results quickly with easy-to-use advanced search features.; Real-time, interactive web conferences with Acrobat Connect*

Use Adobe Bridge or Acrobat 8 Professional to launch Acrobat Connect™, the web-based conferencing system for real-time, interactive meetings such as design reviews. For a low monthly fee, host online conferences in a meeting room that you set up once and is readily available.; Advanced workgroup file management with Adobe Version Cue CS3

Use Adobe Version Cue® CS3 to manage file handling within creative teams. Track multiple versions, prevent overwriting, find the files you need quickly, conduct browser-based Adobe PDF reviews, and control access to files on a project-by-project basis.; Adobe Help Center

Access product help for any component of Design Premium in one convenient floating window. Search and bookmark topics, and access expert support and Adobe online resources.
Visual media management in Adobe Bridge CS3: Centralized access to shared features and services

Use Bridge as your productivity hub: Bridge provides access to Version Cue, Adobe Stock Photos, Acrobat Connect, and other shared features.; Faster browsing

Open Bridge and display thumbnails, perform searches, and filter results faster thanks to improved performance.; Broader file format support

Preview and play back FLV and SWF files as well as image sequences.; Nondestructive image adjustments

Apply nondestructive adjustments to JPEG and TIFF images just like camera raw images. Apply those adjustments to groups of images, and convert them to different formats as desired.; Customizable workspace

View and manage images more efficiently in a redesigned interface that you can customize to your liking and save for reuse.; Image comparison features

Compare multiple images in the Preview panel, and use the new Loupe tool to zoom in on images for a better view.; Image stacking

Group related images in collapsible stacks, and apply a new Reject rating that hides undesirable images from view but doesn't delete them.; Enhanced slide shows

Pan and zoom images in while viewing them in slide show mode, and apply transitions such as dissolves and fades between images.; Improved support for XMP metadata

View swatch names and groups in Illustrator and InDesign files, and enjoy better support for metadata scripting.; Bridge Home

Visit Bridge Home, a destination area that offers up-to-date tips and resources for making the most of Creative Suite 3 Design Premium. Watch video tutorials, learn efficient workflow techniques, get inspired by leading designers' podcasts, and more.

Design for today...and tomorrow

Equip yourself to excel in your work today — and tackle new challenges tomorrow — in print, web and interactive, and mobile design.

Adobe PDF print workflows: Tighter Acrobat 8 Professional integration

Enjoy enhanced integration between Acrobat 8 Professional and other components of Design Premium, including synchronized color settings, transparency flattener presets, and more robust support for XMP metadata.; Powerful JDF workflows

Automatically convert InDesign files to Adobe PDF and preflight and validate them against the targeted output intent (including number of pages, page size, and more) using enhanced JDF workflows.; Support for PDF/X standard

Create reliable, press-ready layouts using ISO- and ANSI-standard PDF/X, including PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3, PDF/X-4 (draft), and PDF/A.; Streamlined print production

Preflight Adobe PDF files in Acrobat 8 Professional and fix problems before they get to press. Automatically correct hairlines, downsample image resolution, flatten transparency, and more.
Cross-media publishing: XHTML from InDesign to Dreamweaver

Export styled InDesign content as XHTML with links to GIF graphics and JPEG images. Then import the XHTML content into Dreamweaver and automatically format it with cascading style sheets.; Flexible XML workflows in InDesign

Use XML rules to dynamically generate documents with formatting and graphics based on imported XML, and apply XSLT style sheets when importing or exporting XML content.; Design and code views in Dreamweaver

Lay out web pages using a visual design view and then switch to code view to learn how code is put together, and to clean up or edit it.; Authoring of rich Adobe PDF files in InDesign

Produce rich Adobe PDF documents by embedding movie and sound files; interactive buttons to play movies or turn pages; as well as hyperlinks, bookmarks, and more.
Web, interactive, and mobile content creation: ActionScript 3.0 development

Save time with the new ActionScript 3.0 language, featuring improved performance, increased flexibility, and more intuitive and structured development.; User interface components

User interface components in Flash

Create interactive content with new, lightweight, easily skinnable interface components or ActionScript 3.0. Use the drawing tools to visually modify the look and feel of components— no coding required.

*Online services, including, but not limited to, Adobe Stock Photos and Acrobat® Connect™, may not be available in all countries, languages, and currencies. Availability of services is subject to change. Use of online services is governed by terms and conditions of a separate agreement and may be subject to additional fees.