The newest update to the Adobe Creative Cloud is rich with changes and covers many programs, but we’re going to keep it relevant to our focus and talk about all of the changes to CC’s video applications. Don’t worry though, even though we are going to talk only about Premiere Pro and After Effects, there is still plenty to talk about.
Here at Videomaker, when there is a new update, we convert right away. If there are growing pains from the change, we’ll feel them for you so you can bypass the discomfort. Prior to working for Videomaker I, much like many of you, feared updates. Until I had a good argument for why the update was necessary, I just didn't do it. Why submit yourself to having to relearn how to use your tool when how it currently works suits your work just fine? I support that thought, but thankfully Adobe has made their updates far less shocking to the user than they were back in the Creative Suite days.
Okay okay, I’ll get off my soapbox. Let's talk about what to expect with the newest update and why you may or may not want to install it. And if you’re thinking of changing from another platform, we’re going to explain it how it works so you can choose for yourself.
Premiere Pro CC 17
With Premiere, there are subtle but strong new updates like new VR support that will Auto-detect if VR media is monoscopic, stereoscopic and others. You are able to add a metadata flag that tells video players, like on YouTube or Facebook to recognize the media as 360 content. Plus, you’ll see refined Lumetri color tools like new color pickers and support for HDR10 metadata workflows.
Another helpful update is the visual keyboard shortcut mapping. This gives you new ways to customize the keyboard. And now with new live text templates, you can directly edit the text within a graphic, taking away the need to work directly inside After Effects. Plus, they can be used without requiring an After Effects license. Just Install a trial version or in render-only/non-royalty-bearing mode, and they will work.
And now with new live text templates, you can directly edit the text within a graphic, taking away the need to work directly inside After Effects.
Premiere now supports native export of QT DNxHD / DNxHR. Adobe has also improved audio effects including adaptive noise reduction, dynamics processing, parametric equalizer, automatic click remover, studio reverb, analog delay, chorus/flanger, dehummer, guitar suite, phaser, single band compressor, tube modeled compressor, vocal enhancer and multi-band compressor.
There is only one major flaw that we experienced during this review, and it was resolved during the review process. We experienced that when copying text from within the tilter using the keyboard shortcut command-C, the program would error and crash. We found that as long as we didn't do that specific command, we were ok. We were pleased that it was corrected before we completed this review.
After Effects CC17
After Effects has some new updates that have some real usefulness but don't change the feel of the program. There is now a collaborative post-production workflow for team projects in with real-time updating, version control and conflict resolution. However, it’s only for Creative Cloud teams and enterprise customers.
After Effects can also now extrude text and shape layers from inside After Effects using Cinema 4D technology. New updates also mean you can use Character Animator scenes from After Effects via Dynamic Link, and lastly, there is now support for native export of Avid DNxHD/HR codec QuickTime files. Overall, being able to use live text templates and Character Animator via Dynamic Link are our favorite updates.
Marketplace
There are many video editing programs out there that compete with all or part of the Creative Cloud. Here, we’re going to talk a bit about Apple’s Final Cut Pro X and Avid Media Composer 8.
If you’re a Mac user and want to have a robust editor that is affordable, there is nothing that competes with Final Cut Pro X at its price point. To buy Final Cut Pro X and get free updates costs only $300. That equates to 10 months of Premiere Pro at its cheapest price.
Avid Media Composer 8 is a great option and has been around for a long time. Avid is known for a speedy workflow, but can sometimes suffer from being too rigid. Media Composer 8 can be either leased, like with Premiere Pro CC17, or it can be bought like Final Cut Pro X. Avid is $75 versus $30 for Adobe on the month to month payment option, though you can get an annual contract for either and save some money. Lastly, if you want to buy Media Composer outright, it’s $1,300. There is no buy option for Premiere Pro CC17, but for that money you can lease Premiere Pro for a little over 43 months or about three and a half years.
Final Thoughts and Recommendation
Adobe now offers updates throughout the year rather than all at once, giving editors an easier time adapting to the changes. Although you can’t buy it outright, the monthly costs are minimal compared to the money you can make with their tools. Adobe Creative Cloud 17 updates are worth the upgrade, and we’d recommend doing the update or jumping in for the first time.
Adobe
www.adobe.com
PRICE:
All Apps: $50 per month
All Apps + Adobe Stock: $80 per month
STRENGTHS:
- Ongoing updates
WEAKNESSES:
- No perpetual licences
SUMMARY:
This update to Adobe Creative Cloud is rich with improvements, yet it doesn't change the feeling of each program. The monthly cost of CC 17 is warranted due to the scope of what is offered. Its ready to go and is still forward facing into the future.
RECOMMENDED USERS:
- Everyone
Tech Specs:
Minimum Requirements:
Windows
- Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon 64 processor
- Microsoft Windows 7 with Service Pack 1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10
- 2 GB of RAM (8 GB recommended)
- 2.6 GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on removable flash storage devices)
- 1024 x 768 display (1280 x 800 recommended) with 32-bit video card; supports HiDPI display
- Adobe® Flash® Player 10 software required to export SWF files
MacOS
- Multicore Intel processor
- macOS 10.10, 10.11, or 10.12
- 2 GB of RAM (8 GB recommended)
- 2.5 GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on a volume that uses a case-sensitive file system or on removable flash storage devices)
- 1024 x 768 display (1280 x 800 recommended) with 32-bit video card; supports Retina display
- Optional: To use GPU Performance, your Mac should have a minimum of 1024 MB of VRAM (2 GB recommended), and your computer must support OpenGL version 4.0 or greater.
- Supported machines
iMac 4K
iMac 5K
MacBook Pro Retina
Mac Pro connected to a HiDPI monitor
Mac mini connected to a HiDPI monitor
- Adobe® Flash® Player 10 software required to export SWF files.
Chris Monlux loves editing. He is also Videomaker’s Multimedia Editor.
