After a couple of months of use I thought it was about time to post some thoughts on the new Creative Suite CS3. The version I bought was the Design Standard version, which includes InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Bridge.

As an average user, I use a lot of the features of the Creative Suite, but I have not yet had any use for many of the new features of these applications. So as an average user the only change I am really noticing is the new user interface, and that is big.

From the first time I used Photoshop I would hate the way the screen looked with windows floating everywhere, and overlapping my workspace. The problems only got worse when resizing the application window, or opening new palettes (now called panels).

The new user interface is a huge improvement and fixes many of these problems. Now all the panels can be docked into sidebars on the left or right side of the screen. When docked they can either be expanded to show their usual options, or minimized to just an icon, or icon with text. When the panels are minimized you simply have to click on the icon and the panel slides out and allows you to select your options, then you can slide it back.

A simple design, but it makes the world of difference.

So far I am happy with the update, and excited to keep finding new tools to use in the future. The interface alone makes the upgrade worthwhile, so everything else is a bonus for me right now.