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The new version adds several new tools, some of which have come from the full, pro version of Photoshop. These include expanded 16-bit editing and basic Camera Raw support for non-destructive photo editing with support for the Digital Negative format to ensure that raw images are stored in a file format that will remain accessible..

New Elements tools include the Magic Extractor that lets users extract one image out of a photo and easily drag and drop it into another photo, as well as a Magic Selection Brush, Skin Tone Adjustment and Auto Red Eye Removal designed to make it easy to correct common photography problems. The new Magic Selection Brush, for example, quickly selects specific parts of a photo for easy colour, lighting, and contrast adjustments.

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File Browser has been updated to the new Adobe Bridge for Elements to improve photo browsing. It includes a full-screen mode, which doubles as a slideshow, and supports metadata searches for all photos taken with a flash, with a certain shutter speed or f-stop, or by the camera make and model. Smart search filters can also be created for commonly-searched files or stored as reusable Collections.

Like Apple's more basic iPhoto software, Elements has integrated Adobe Photoshop Services for ordering Kodak prints and hardbound photo books and provides a variety of printing options, including contact sheets and customised picture package layouts.

Bryan Lamkin, senior VP of Digital Imaging and Digital Video Products at Adobe said that people are now doing far more with photography than they ever did with traditional cameras.

'With so much freedom to capture any moment at any time, our customers need software that allows them to edit and share this unique content from any device, quickly, easily and in ways that are truly all their own,' he said.

Photoshop Elements 4 costs £57.57 (inc. VAT; £45.82 to upgrade from a previous Mac version of Elements, Adobe Photoshop LE or Adobe PhotoDeluxe). For more information go to www.adobe.co.uk/products.