Photoshop is a graphics arts program developed by Adobe. Commercially, it is the most used and vied after product to use for image maker. It is also one of the most well-known software programs in the world. It is currently available in versions for Windows and Mac OS and versions 9.0 and lower can be used with Linux. Official support for other versions were dropped by Adobe years ago.

Over the last few years, Photoshop has gained popularity for Internet graphic design as is bundled with ImageReady to be used for this purpose. The PSD file format, common among Adobe products, can be ported from Photoshop into other programs such as ImageReady, Premiere and Encore DVD. Photoshop CS supports making menus, buttons and adding other effects to DVDs furnished with Encore. Photoshop also uses the PSB for larger file sizes to maintain image quality and integrity.

Since Adobe rebranded most of its software line under the Creative Suite brand, Photoshop now goes by the official name of Photoshop CS2. The Creative Suite brand seeks to bring together Adobe's products so you can seamlessly create and use each program in conjunction with the other for a total multimedia experience.

CS2 includes the following newer features to the Photoshop program:

- The ability to warp images.

- A lens correction filter

- A red-eye reduction tool

- Smarter sharpen and smart guides to use

- Addition of more smudging options

- A redesign to modify layer selection so that you can select more than one layer at a time

The program also allows for JavaScript editing and development. CS2 was designed with several features added to the ability to photo edit digital images uploaded to the computer from a camera. Adobe introduced the raw camera file support to essentially let you edit the "negative" a digital camera takes when it snaps a picture.

While Photoshop is the industry leader in graphic arts, it does have a high price tag which forces many users who can not afford the price to turn elsewhere. Adobe does have trial programs for most of its software that allow users to see the cost is more than worth the benefit of the programs themselves. You can download various trials directly from their web site to see for yourself.

Downloading a free trial of Photoshop will help you on many levels. No matter what your experience is as a graphic artist, nobody wants to dive in headfirst and spend the type of money Adobe asks for a program if you are not sure if it is the right fit. You would not buy a car without test driving it first, the same applies to any version of Photoshop you purchase.

Software trials give you the chance to test out the most used features of a particular program. You can create graphics, edit photos and see what you get out of Photoshop and what it does to enhance your pictures, images and photos. This will give you a general feel for the program as well as let you know your learning curve for figuring out how to use all the features it has to offer.

One of the nice things about trials is that since you already downloaded the program and have it installed, all it takes at the end is entering in your serial number purchased from Adobe's web site to unlock all the features and use it indefinitely. This saves you the time and trouble of going out, purchasing the software on CD or waiting for an installation CD to come via the mail. The day your trial is up or you decide to make a full purchase, you will get immediate use of Photoshop to your heart's content.

In some cases, you may even realize it does not work with your system even though it should, and you do not want to learn this listen the hard way by investing in nonreturnable software. Investing in a trial is a surefire way to maintain your satisfaction and find out if any software program is right for you. When it comes to graphic design, you are only as good as the software you feel comfortable using.

Adobe makes it very easy for you to download a free trial of Photoshop. First, Click on the "try link" on their download page. You will need to sign up for or use your existing Macromedia ID and select the right operating system platform. Make sure, too, to pick the appropriate language download. The main download page will also suggest, based on the download, what other programs you may want to try and download to enhance your experience with Photoshop. It is up to you if you want to download the add-ons, too, but it may be worthwhile to help you see the full picture of what Adobe Photoshop can do for you. This page will let you know the size of the trial and will alert you to the time it will take to download it. Once you are ready, click on the download button and wait for the program to finish making its way to your computer.

Once the download is complete, you will want to install the trial on your system. All you need to do is find the folder you saved the program to, double click on the EXE file, and it will guide you through the steps - like any other program - to install the program on your computer. You will want to restart your computer after installation, and you will be ready to use Adobe Photoshop and see what it can do for you.

Most Adobe trials have a strict thirty day shelf life. After those 30 days, you will have to purchase the program if you want to continue using it. The program itself will lock up, and you will no longer have access to its features. Adobe does offer some of its trial via CD, check out their web site to learn more about Photoshop and their other software.