Adobe has launched Photoshop CS5 and Photoshop CS5 Extended, its flagship image editing and compositing programs. Both versions are packed with new features and technology improvements. Photoshop CS5 Extended offers everything in Photoshop CS5, but adds advanced tools for artists working with 3D or motion-based content.

Whenever a new version of an important program comes out, the need for it, depending on the changes, can run the spectrum–from it’s-revolutionary, got-to-have-it-now to ho-hum, I-can-wait-for-the-next-revision. Adobe Photoshop CS5, the latest version that’s sold both individually and as part of Adobe Creative Suite 5, falls between those two extremes ($699 for Standard stand-alone, $1299 for Creative Suite 5 Design Standard; upgrade pricing available).We reviewed a beta.

Among the major updates are features such as Content-Aware Fill, Puppet Warp, and HDR Pro and HDR Toning. There are also new painting effects, a new version of the Camera Raw plug-in, automated lens correction, flexible custom panels, a new workspace switcher, and more.