Until now, graphics professionals and hobbyists using the new Unix-based Apple operating system have had to run Photoshop by switching into OS 9. With Photoshop 7.0, Adobe goes "native," and the results are spectacular.

In its "carbonized," or native, OS X incarnation, this version rips through complex tasks with impressive dexterity and speed. Built-in multiprocessor support makes running this on a high-end Mac an extraordinary experience.

But you don't have to be a Mac freak to enjoy many of the new features included in this release. Adobe has made photo-editing an easier task on both Windows (Windows 98 and higher) and Apple machines.

To that end, Photoshop 7.0 introduces a handy File Browser, innovative Healing Brush and enhanced tools for producing complex Web content with ease.

File Browser was introduced in Photoshop Elements but is new to Photoshop 7.0. With it, a user can view entire directories of images in a host of sizes and display options. Best of all, it allows creation of a ranking system to quickly sort through multiple versions of the same image.

Even more impressive is the Healing Brush, which cleans up images - wiping away dust, scratches and blemishes - with a single mouse click. Remarkably, this doesn't disturb the image's underlying shading and texture.

When used in conjunction with another new option, the Patch Tool, the Healing Brush enables users to quickly perform complex tasks, such as wiping away only the wrinkles from a portrait of a face.

For Web production, there are improved ways to blend graphics files with backgrounds, produce and manage Web page rollovers, and create animations.

Pre-orders of Photoshop 7.0 will be accepted in mid-March at www.adobe.com, and shipping will begin in April, the company says. The full version is $609 and the upgrade is $149 for both Windows (Pentium III and higher, 128 megabytes of RAM, 280 MB hard disk space) and Mac (Mac OS 9.1, 9.2 or OS X, 128 MB RAM, PowerPC, G3, 320 MB hard disk space).

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