In the previous article, we began an in-depth look at the most interesting innovations and improvements introduced in Adobe Photoshop CC 2018 with update 19. The topic turned out to be quite extensive, so we’ll continue it today. Let's note upfront that we won’t be covering absolutely every feature, but will focus on those that are most relevant for web design and image editing—such as working with masks, the Pen tool, creating clean vector drawings, editing on mobile, resizing images, and more.

To avoid confusion as to why certain features might not be available for some users, let us clarify that we are working with Photoshop CC 2018 version 19.1, updated in January (the latest at the time of writing).

A Big Review of Revolutionary Changes and New Features in Photoshop CC 2018. Part 1

So, let's continue…

You can now Share (File → Share) your files with contacts or send them directly to social networks, notebooks, or other apps that support this feature.

Intelligent Upscaling

We often need to resize an image for further use. Sometimes, it's convenient to use a smart object—if we plan to edit the image again. But what if we don't? Let’s recall that many times we find small images online, and when enlarged, they become pixelated, blurry, and lose overall integrity.

In the new Photoshop CC 2018, image enlargement (scaling) works a bit differently.

We opened the same photo in two separate documents. The image is small, so it’s a good candidate for upscaling. We set both to 100% zoom for clarity.

Let's select the top one (Untitled) and go to Image → Image Size, increase the scale to 300%, and for Resampling choose “Preserve Details.” Of course, you could try other options, but this one gives the best result in this case. Click OK.

Now select the bottom image and also go to the resize window, choose 300%, but this time, for Resampling, select “Preserve Details 2.0”. This is the new feature that uses AI and machine learning to intelligently scale images. Click OK.

Now both images have been enlarged by 300%, but with different scaling methods. Compare the results. We highlighted the most noticeable differences in green. The key is that the new AI-based upscaling handles image detail and sharpness far better. The bottom image retained its quality, with minimal artifacts. “Magic?” you ask. We’d say: “Almost.”

If you move the image closer to the nose, the difference in detail becomes even more obvious.

Tip: To easily pan around the image, press and hold H on the keyboard, left-click, and drag the rectangle around. Release H to snap back.

Of course, it’s not easy to see the difference just in screenshots. But try it yourself — the improvement is much clearer. Keep in mind that the detail is only noticeable when the image is displayed at a large size. If it’s scaled down, you won’t notice much difference.

Pen Curvature – Easier Than Ever

The standard Photoshop “Pen” tool was often difficult for many artists and photographers to master—let alone for web designers and beginners who occasionally needed to create a quick vector icon, but found Photoshop overly complex. As a result, many would turn to Illustrator or other apps. But as we mentioned earlier, Adobe aimed to unify essential features for both graphic design and photo editing in one app. That’s what pushes Photoshop CC to the next level.

The Pen tool has now become simpler. More precisely, a new “Curvature Pen Tool” was introduced. Its key benefit is that the path automatically curves or remains straight depending on how and where you place anchor points. There’s no need to adjust handles, press extra keys, or perform complex steps—just click to add points. For finer control, you can still add more anchor points or tweak segments slightly.

Select Pen → Curvature Pen Tool and place the first point on the canvas. Move the cursor and place the second point—the path is straight. Add a third point slightly below and ahead—the path curves automatically.

Need more curve? Just click the line between the first and second points and drag it down. A new smooth curve appears. No handles, no complications—just simple clicks.

We have a ready-made shape—a butterfly (or this could be a scanned sketch or other image). Let’s trace it. Create a new layer, choose the Curvature Pen Tool, and begin placing points from the bottom up. Note that at first, the curve may look odd.

But once we add a seventh point and continue, the contour auto-adjusts. Sure, the top part of the wing may still need tweaking—but overall, these are just “finishing touches.” You can edit the shape by moving points or adding new ones—all using the Curvature Pen Tool.

Close the path and fill the shape. You can always refine it later or adjust the handles as needed.

To create sharp corners and straight lines with the Curvature Pen Tool, double-click a point. You can do this either while drawing or after closing the path.

Then, using the Path Selection Tool and holding Shift, you can select two points to edit them simultaneously.

So, if you need to create an icon, badge, or another web design element, the Curvature Pen Tool can save you a lot of time and simplify the process.

Layer Shuffling

Working with layers has never been especially difficult, but whenever plugins, extensions, or workflow enhancements became available, designers always welcomed them. Photoshop CC 2018 also brought changes to the layer system.

Now, when inserting a layer between documents of different sizes, the layer retains its original size. You can also Copy and Paste multiple layers at once, including adjustment layers, smart objects, shapes, images, and more.

Select all the layers and press Ctrl+C, then go to another image and press Ctrl+V. The layer order is preserved—even adjustment layer links remain intact. In other words, you’re not just copying part of an image but entire layers from the Layers panel.

Similarly, you can copy and paste layers within a single document.

Easy Symmetry

Another small but useful new feature allows you to create more symmetrical drawings. This can be helpful in web design too. Sure, geometric shapes can be handled using known methods (we previously mentioned how to draw them correctly), but what if you need something custom? A logo or UI element you can’t just download online?

Creating symmetrical strokes is now built into Photoshop CC 2018. You can create vertical, horizontal, dual-axis, and radial symmetry. This makes it much easier to generate seamless backgrounds and textures.

You can even edit just one part of a drawing—and because symmetry implies mirroring, the reflected areas will update automatically (unless you turn off the symmetry feature first).

Note: Symmetry might not appear in the Brush, Pencil, or Eraser tool settings by default. To enable it, go to Edit → Preferences → Technology Previews and check the box next to Enable Symmetry.

We chose four-way symmetry and used the String Follow Mode to draw an object.

If you want to erase something with the Eraser or touch up with the Brush tool, make sure to check your symmetry settings—enabled or not. You can turn it off to tweak specific parts, or switch to another symmetry mode to add new details. As always, it depends on your creative goals.

Masking Tricks

And finally, one more innovation—considered by some as a “breakthrough” and by others as just a small improvement—greatly simplifies working with images: object selection. How often do you need to isolate an object in a photo or illustration, then transfer or adjust it, maybe use it as a background element or standalone graphic? Selecting objects can be hard—not because of tedious edge refinement or too many fine details, but simply because it takes time. And if you're not skilled at it, it's easier to just find an already transparent PNG.

Adobe decided not only to improve the selection tool, but to make it intelligent—almost like the new scaling features.

Open a photo of a “kitty,” select the Quick Selection Tool, and look at the control panel above: next to the familiar Select and Mask button, there’s a new one: Select Subject. Click it—don’t manually select anything. Then press Ctrl+J (or F2) and your subject will be copied to a new layer.

And what do we see? The kitty was automatically selected quite well. Sure, whiskers and some fur details were missed—but those have low contrast and the AI might not detect them. Still, selection time is reduced—maybe not by half, but definitely by a factor of three. You can always go into Select and Mask to refine the edges and whiskers, then merge the edited layer back in.

In the next example, Select Subject doesn’t perform as well. Why? The colors. The entire image is orange-toned, so the dog blends into the background. In such cases, manual refinement is still necessary.

Another option is to go directly into the Select and Mask workspace, use the Quick Selection Brush Tool from the left, and click Select Subject. It won't affect quality but may suit your workflow better.

Conclusion

These are the key features and improvements in Photoshop CC 2018 version 19.1. Additionally, the Properties panel has been enhanced, mask selection improved, Microsoft Surface Dial support added, integration with Lightroom documents enabled, and file sharing across social networks or contacts (Windows 10) introduced—along with other smaller tweaks.

All of these changes aim not just to blend in, but to make your workflow smoother. We’ve become used to selecting tools intuitively and expecting results. Often, we don’t even remember if a feature was there before—it’s here now, and it works just as we need.

Photoshop has definitely improved and switching to it is becoming essential. The quality of your work will benefit—and you'll get things done faster.

Version 19’s update turned out to be the biggest in Photoshop’s history. You could explore its details for hours. But one thing is clear: Adobe has delivered a powerful, efficient, intuitive, and yes—technologically impressive—user experience.