BlackBerry Theme Studio 5.0

Nope, you didn’t read the heading wrong. RIM has so graciously given us an updated/replacement theme development tool! The new Theme Studio 5.0 replaces the current Plazmic theme developer [that we've all grown oh-so fond of using] and can now incorporate Adobe Photoshop files. Here is a list of the enhanced features straight from the BlackBerry site:

New and Enhanced in BlackBerry Theme Studio v5.0
Create themes for the latest BlackBerry Smartphones: Create themes for BlackBerry Storm 9550, and the BlackBerry Bold 9700

New and enhanced Theme Creation Features

• Ringtones – Add ringtones to themes for BlackBerry smartphones running BlackBerry Device Software 5.0
• Screen Transitions – Add screen transitions to themes for BlackBerry smartphones running BlackBerry Device Software 5.0 including Zooming, Sliding, Wiping and Fading.
• 5.0 Today Themes – Create Today themes for BlackBerry smartphones running BlackBerry Device Software  5.0
• Enhanced Theme Customization capabilities – Customize icon overlays and underlays, Theme search fields, folder icons and choice boxes. Also, edit the properties of multi-line entries such as message lists, call logs and contact lists and have two-line text on Touch devices such as the BlackBerry Storm 9500.
• Enhanced Storm 9500 themes – Theme landscape homescreens, left and right icons on the status bar,  two line text labels, incoming call screens
• 3rd party Applications – Users can embed the animated icons and strings for Third Party applications  directly within their theme.

Workflow enhancements

• New Quick Start Screen – an easy way to select the device you want to make a theme for, work on an existing file, access learning resources or visit the Theme Studio community
• Preview, Install and Manage Themes on BlackBerry – Easily install or preview your themes on a BlackBerry with a few easy clicks. Also delete themes from your device right from within the BlackBerry Theme Builder.
• Improved compatibility with Adobe Photoshop – Import Adobe Photoshop (.PSD) files directly into BlackBerry Theme Studio
• Improved Zooming – New Photoshop-style zooming shortcut
• Improved color dithering – Colors more accurately represent how they will appear on the BlackBerry
• SVG Tiny 1.1 – Create SVG Tiny 1.1 files with BlackBerry Composer.

[via BlackBerry.com]

Be on the lookout in the coming days for newly updated themes, such as:

• iVista 2
• Transitions
• Blueberry Pie & Strawberry Cake

This is a very exciting day! Thank you RIM and thank you to all my supporters.

Photos from Inside the Theme Studio 5.0

Below are a few photos of the new features inside the Theme Studio. New transition effects, hover selectors, and more!