Adobe Premiere Pro gets major facelift

24 June 2021

Adobe has unveiled a major new update and refresh to video editing software Premiere Pro, with a public beta available for testing from today.

The update to Premiere Pro's import and export functions, plus header bar, reflects 30 years of growth since the industry-standard video editor debuted back in 1991. Adobe says the current and changing needs of users are reflected in the updates, whilst also not forcing people to completely relearn their timeline editing skills.

Premiere Pro's import and export workflow has been overhauled. Image: Adobe.

At the heart of the update are new import and export functions - reflecting the reality that there are now are now a much greater number of video platforms, channels, formats, cameras and inputs than ever before.

"We want Premiere Pro to become a more intuitive, yet powerful editing tool that is ready to meet the demands of tomorrow while also helping creators meet the demands of today of delivering high-quality content at quick turnarounds and optimizing content for multiple social platforms," says Adobe.

Options to choose export preset, export destinations, access output settings in the export mode in Premiere Pro Beta. (Source: Adobe) — Options to choose export preset, export destinations, access output settings in the export mode. (Source: Adobe)

The new Import Mode has been streamlined, focusing on what Adobe believes social video creators and editors want to prioritise. And while the ability to simply import through the finder or media browser is still an option, dialog boxes have been removed to streamline the entire process.

The new Export Mode has been designed to make it easier to export multiple files, and puts the focus on the destination of the content. Users can now quickly choose a particular media format, or the social media platform where they want to publish (such as YouTube), use a selection of automatic settings to render it, preview it before publishing, and directly upload their video in Premiere when ready.

The new header bar will be a common design element across the Creative Cloud applications to help users orient themselves more easily within different creative workflows. (Source: Adobe) — The new header bar will be a common design element across the Creative Cloud applications. (Source: Adobe)

In addition, a new header bar that collates the Import, Edit, and Export functionality has been added. A task-specific workspace dropdown menu is accessible directly through the header as well. Adobe says the header bar will be a universal design element across the Creative Cloud applications.

Despite the interface changes, Adobe says it is conscious of not shaking things up too greatly, confirming that the changes will be rolled out on a 'timeline'.

Choose media from multiple locations in import mode in Premiere Pro Beta. (Source: Adobe) — Users can now choose media from multiple locations in import mode. (Source: Adobe)

"We’ll be rolling out these new experiences on a timeline starting with public Beta to ensure that our customers can provide feedback, explore the changes and continue to use Premiere Pro to its fullest potential," says the company.

"These changes are additive and not replacement to current workflows. We understand how big of a role muscle-memory plays and we don’t want to disrupt your flow in any way".

You can download the new beta of Adobe Premiere Pro CC now.