Adobe Photoshop CS6 for Windows (Student & Teacher Edition)

Adobe Photoshop CS6 for Windows is the industry-standard tool for professional digital image editing. Greatly expanded for this CS6 version, the software's tool set now includes a Content-Aware Patch, which lets you pick a sample area to be used to fix problem areas, with sophisticated pixel blending to keep everything looking natural.

Photoshop uses a powerful layer-based approach for image editing. Using layers allows you to make adjustments to images without modifying aspects of an original. You can modify layer opacity and order, aiding in compositing tasks. Photoshop keeps track of each change you make to an image, allowing you to undo actions with ease. With CS6 you can now search layers, and use layers to modify vector graphics (adding gradients, for instance) in the same ways you use layers with photographic imagery.

Image editing is now accelerated by the Mercury Graphics Engine, which leverages technology from the playback engine that drives the video-editing application Premiere Pro. The Mercury Graphics Engine of Photoshop CS6 powers the blur gallery, the crop tool, and the Lighting Effects Gallery. Other performance enhancements include background saving, which allows you to continue working while large files are being saved, and auto-recovery, which automatically saves your work every 10 minutes to safeguard it against any system crashes.

Of course Photoshop CS6 includes all the familiar features that you've come to expect from this ubiquitous program, including HDR image creation, color-correction tools, support for a broad range of file types including RAW images, and compositing. Tightly integrated with Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop is a must-have program for any serious photographer, designer, or digital artist.