Since the leak of the beta version months ago, many have talked about the new features and potentials of the soon-to-be-released Photoshop CS4. One of the many features that users will certainly have is faster image processing and editing using GPU image processing.

Now you may be wondering what exactly is GPU image processing. It is quite simple, really. A GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is a graphic rendering device that is efficient at manipulating and displaying computer graphics, enabling them to be more effective than the general purpose CPUS for some algorithms. Typically, when you use some filters in Photoshop (e.g. the famous Gaussian Blur) or opening a big file, you have to wait for some time for the filters to be applied or the files to be opened. As the logic follows, the bigger the image you work on, the longer you have to wait. This is because the process runs on the CPU, which is often time intensive.

The new technology from Adobe, the Hydra (or Adobe Image Foundation Toolkit) allows filters to run on the GPU, which is a lot faster, instead of the CPU. Thus if you apply say, the Gaussian Filter blur on an image, the process will be a whole lot faster, even real-time. Say good bye to the progress bar!

Also, the Hydra filters are actually simple text files, so they can be easily be modified or customized. Moreover, since they are easy to learn, you will be getting tons of free Hydra filters. If you don’t believe this, check out the Hydra Gallery at the Adobe Labs that already contains tons of filters. Heck, if you like, you may even write your own filters to share with other designers. Also, best of all, Hydra filters are cross-platform, so no matter if you’re on a Mac or a PC, you will still be able to use them.

Aside from filters, the GPU image processing will also allow you to work with 3D models, which are typically memory and time consuming, quickly and almost instantly. Rotating a canvas or zooming in an image will be a whole lot faster.

So what does this mean? This means that the CS4 promises to be faster, more powerful and more efficient. Hopefully, with the ability to process images faster, designers will spend less time waiting and more time producing.

M.A.H.

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