Adobe announced that Creative Suite 4, its bundle of professional creative applications including Photoshop CS4, InDesign CS4, and Illustrator CS4, is now shipping. (For a look at what's new in this massive revision, see "Adobe Announces Vast Creative Suite 4 [1]," 2008-09-23. I also wrote about some of the smaller improvements to the suite in my latest Seattle Times column: "Adobe's big, new Creative Suite helpful in many ways [2]," 2008-10-11.) I would imagine that graphic designers, video producers, and publishers of all stripes are submitting requisition forms to their bosses.

When I say "massive," I don't just mean the number of features rolled into the applications; there are a lot of applications offered in six different bundled configurations. Here's the rundown:

• The Design Premium includes InDesign CS4, Photoshop CS4 Extended, Illustrator CS4, Flash CS4 Professional, Dreamweaver CS4, Fireworks CS4, and Acrobat 9 Pro for $1,799 new. (Upgrade pricing varies [3].)
• The Design Standard includes InDesign CS4, Photoshop CS4, Illustrator CS4, and Acrobat 9 Pro for $1,399 new. (Upgrade pricing varies [4].)
• The Web Premium includes Dreamweaver CS4, Flash CS4 Professional, Photoshop CS4 Extended, Illustrator CS4, Fireworks CS4, Acrobat 9 Pro, Soundbooth CS4, and Contribute CS4 for $1,699 new. (Upgrade pricing varies [5].)
• The Web Standard includes Dreamweaver CS4, Flash CS4 Professional, Fireworks CS4, and Contribute CS4 for $999 new. (Upgrade pricing varies [6].)
• The Production Premium includes Photoshop CS4 Extended, Illustrator CS4, Flash CS4 Professional, After Effects CS4, Premiere Pro CS4, Soundbooth CS4, OnLocation CS4, and Encore CS4 for $1,699 new. (Upgrade pricing varies [7].)
• The Master Collection includes everything (except Photoshop CS4, since Photoshop CS4 Extended is part of the lineup) for $2,499 new. (Upgrade pricing varies [8].)

Each suite also includes Bridge CS4, Device Central CS4, and Version Cue CS4; the Production Premium and Master Collection also include Dynamic Link.

Additionally, each major application is available for purchase without buying a suite.

[1]: http://db.tidbits.com/article/9782
[2]: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008254170_ptmacc11.html
[3]: http://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite/design/upgrade/?promoid=DRHWP
[4]: http://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite/designstandard/upgrade/?promoid=DRHWM
[5]: http://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite/web/upgrade/
[6]: http://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite/webstandard/upgrade/
[7]: http://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite/production/upgrade/
[8]: http://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite/mastercollection/upgrade/

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