Photoshop CS2

[Stephanie Brim]

Downloaded the trial. I'm pondering whether or not to buy it. Considering my passion for digital art and web design in addition to photography, the upgrade may be worth my $150. Batch file renaming in Bridge is a nice touch and the ability to edit more than one layer at a time is a VERY nice touch.

It may be a couple of months before I upgrade, but I'll probably do it. I'm still on 7! :D

[jaapv]

Imo far too complicated and too much. At least 60% of the program is aimed at the graphic professional . Elements 3 has everything the average to advanced photographer will ever need. There are simple workarounds for a number of CS actions one might miss.

[GeneW]

It's a personal choice whether or not to upgrade. I liked 7 very much. Eventually I upgraded to CS then CS2 and, for my needs, the upgrades were worthwhile. Lots more 16-bit editing tools, lens distortion corrective filter, additional sharpening methods, the excellent highlight/shadow tool, many many more features ... I think if you're a serious Photoshop user, the upgrade makes sense.

Gene

[Frank Granovski]

I just bought Photoshop Elements 2.0 for $20 off Ebay. (Elements 3.0 was $30.) I could give you the link to the Ebay store, if you wish.

[Stephanie Brim]

I also do print and web graphics, print and web digital art, and Photoshop brushes. I need the real thing, not Elements. :)

PS: I first bought Photoshop in high school with Photoshop 6. I just have to upgrade now, so it isn't that expensive. I remember telling one of my teachers that I bought it...they then informed me that I could have gotten the student version. I haven't regretted it now, though.

[fgianni]

Elements 3 has everything the average to advanced photographer will ever need.

Except the 16bit editing, vital if you shoot raw.

[lubitel]

can you buy an upgrade from PS7 to CS2?

[Stephanie Brim]

Yep. Usually Photoshop upgrades can upgrade from any previous version.

[kaiyen]

I think the upgrade to CS is very much worth it. I am vacillating about upgrading to CS2, myself...but so far have held back.

allan

[GeneW]

For photographers (not graphics artists) prepared to wait a bit, Adobe's new product-in-beta called Lightroom should be out around the end of 2006. It appears to take all the photo-specific stuff from Photoshop CS2, incorporating it into a sleeker, easier-to-use, and less expensive package. At least that's what the marketing droids are promising ...

Gene

[jaapv]

Except the 16bit editing, vital if you shoot raw.


My elements3 has 16-bits capability, which is why I find it far better that PSE2....(but most plug-ins not)

[jlw]

Stephanie, I'm not one for encouraging you to spend more money, but I think you should go to CS2 eventually. Since I'm a graphic design professional, I use all this stuff, and I don't think the alternatives would do everything you want/need. A few key points:

-- As you say, Bridge is very cool. One thing I especially like is that it lets you do such adjustments as cropping non-destructively -- you can preview, render, and export a cropped version of an image, but if you later decide it should have been cropped differently, the untouched original is still there. This saves you from the huge headache of having to archive "scanner original" and multiple "edited" versions of every important image.

-- Each successive version of Photoshop has had more 16-bit tools. You're a film-and-scanner girl (bravo for you!) rather than a digicam person, so you want to be saving your scan files in 16-bit, and the more editing you can do in 16-bit, the better. Again, this avoids big versioning headaches compared to having to keep your original in 16-bit and knock edited versions down to 8-bit every time you want to try something different.

-- Again because you work with scanned films, you have to deal with such problems as dust specks and scratches -- and that means you need the ability to do pinpoint retouching, not just make broad overall adjustments. I'd be very surprised if Photoshop's full array of retouching tools and filters ever makes its way into Lightroom (when and if it appears as something other than a feature-sparse beta; so far, it's the software equivalent of that old '60s stereotype, the great-looking secretary who can't type worth a darn.)

[vsolanoy]

I fully recommend Photoshop CS2. I picked it up late last year for my Mac and although it contains tools for graphic artists, the package offers options that I don't believe are available in the current version of Elements. On in particular is the use of curves, and the other is editing photos using LAB color (use of luminance, versus color channels).

For me, the price between upgrading to Elements (which is still 3 for the Mac) and purchasing CS2 was a difference of $50, it seemed better to go for a tool with a larger featureset, than to restrict myself to tools specific for the "consumer", although Elements 4 is pretty good.

[justins7]

It's definitely worth it for the new lens distortion corrective filter, especially with wide angle lenses and digital photos.

[jaapv]

It's definitely worth it for the new lens distortion corrective filter, especially with wide angle lenses and digital photos.

which the much cheaper Elements3 has as well.....

Just to be clear, the full version is great, get it by all means if you need it, but look at the simpler version or the coming new software if you want to be careful with your money, they might well be as much as you need.

[Patman]

For photographers (not graphics artists) prepared to wait a bit, Adobe's new product-in-beta called Lightroom should be out around the end of 2006. It appears to take all the photo-specific stuff from Photoshop CS2, incorporating it into a sleeker, easier-to-use, and less expensive package. At least that's what the marketing droids are promising ...

Gene
I think if you look into this a bit further you'll find that it works in conjuntion with CS2!

[dostacos]

I am taking a photoshop class [cs2] and have Elements 3 at home. I find the CS2 is much better. my problem is the upgrade from elements to CS2 is almost as much as CS2 by itself.

I have found a site that will sell a "bundled" version, PS 6 and CS2 together. has anyone bought programs in this manner? it is about the same as the student version, without the hassle of sending copies of your student ID.

I have found one company that will sell the student version with jpegs of the student ID so I may go that direction [student at 2 regionally accredited schools and staff at a teaching hospital]

[T_om]

Just keep in mind the EULA for the .edu versions forbid commercial use. If you ever plan to prep your files for stock, sell stuff you prepared in PS or any other commercial usage, then the .edu version is not what you want.

About the cheapest way to get PSCS2 is to buy an old version and upgrade it. Any version will do. But be careful... sharks swim in the waters of those 'old version' sales on eBay and other sites. Make sure you are buying from a reputable seller 'cause the first thing you may hear from Adobe is "Sorry, that serial number has been pirated and is not eligible for upgrade".

Tom

[dostacos]

"Students and faculty members can use the latest technology to edit and manipulate digital images for advertisements, Web sites, posters, packaging, identity systems, magazines, newspapers, and more. Empowered by exciting new features—including Vanishing Point, Smart Objects, Image Warp, and the Spot Healing Brush—you can achieve professional, extraordinary results on every project. Develop advanced digital imaging skills with the latest version of Photoshop—By integrating Adobe Photoshop CS2 into coursework, faculty members can help students learn and work with the same industry-leading digital imaging tools that creative professionals use every day. Learning advanced digital imaging skills not only prepares students for professional careers, it also inspires them to pursue their creative potential."

quote from this website

http://www.academicsuperstore.com/market/marketdisp.html?PartNo=731442

so it looks like using it for profit is not an issue

[Stephanie Brim]

Actually, it is. That isn't the 'terms of use' for the software, it's just a description.

[allthumbs]

For photographers (not graphics artists) prepared to wait a bit, Adobe's new product-in-beta called Lightroom should be out around the end of 2006. It appears to take all the photo-specific stuff from Photoshop CS2, incorporating it into a sleeker, easier-to-use, and less expensive package. At least that's what the marketing droids are promising ...

Gene

The beta version for Mac is a free download, which expires end of June 2006. I'm so jealous!

http://labs.macromedia.com/technologies/lightroom/

From the FAQ: "It’s not about having every tool in the hardware store. It’s about having a focused set of features that are just right for photography, are intuitive, powerful, and easy to learn. So yes, it’s an image editing tool, and it’s a workflow productivity tool."

[dostacos]

Actually, it is. That isn't the 'terms of use' for the software, it's just a description.
true BUT that is the inducement for buying and I have been all over adobe's website and the only restrictions I have found are for buying, nothing abaout using.

I have tried to find that info and they keep it pretty deep in their terms besides I don't see myself using it for commerical purposes anytime soon :D

[T_om]

so it looks like using it for profit is not an issue


It's an issue. Read the EULA, not some third party sales pitch.

Tom

[dostacos]

Student question [from the ADOBE FAQs]

"I'm very interested in buying the Education version of Adobe Creative Suite, but first I want to know if the software can be used to produce work for paying customers once I am working in the industry, or do I have to buy a different version of Creative Suite once I'm working in the industry?”
Answer

Good news! You can use Adobe Education software (any title!) to produce commercial/professional paid-for work when you leave school, or even while you are in school. In this regard, Adobe does not limit how student software is used. So students can use it to learn and to make money!

(Of course, students must agree to the terms of the End User Licensing Agreement — which appears during installation — just as every software customer must do.)

I just read through the end user agreement and the only thing they say is you cannot SELL the education software [you can sell the regular ones, as long as you give the buyer all the stuff including the codes]

[dostacos]

Just keep in mind the EULA for the .edu versions forbid commercial use. If you ever plan to prep your files for stock, sell stuff you prepared in PS or any other commercial usage, then the .edu version is not what you want.

About the cheapest way to get PSCS2 is to buy an old version and upgrade it. Any version will do. But be careful... sharks swim in the waters of those 'old version' sales on eBay and other sites. Make sure you are buying from a reputable seller 'cause the first thing you may hear from Adobe is "Sorry, that serial number has been pirated and is not eligible for upgrade".

Tom
THIS JUST IN.......

I called ADOBE just now and they no longer forbid commercial use of the EDU software WHOOOOPEEEEEEEEEE

[Stephanie Brim]

Nifty. I never had that option which is why I spent $600 five or six years ago.

[dostacos]

Nifty. I never had that option which is why I spent $600 five or six years ago.
and it is going to save me from buying a bundled version from an unknown software seller on the internet since both my sons living at the homestead and I are all registered in college I think I can pull off the student eligiblity :D

[T_om]

THIS JUST IN.......

I called ADOBE just now and they no longer forbid commercial use of the EDU software WHOOOOPEEEEEEEEEE


Adobe's confirmation of this is great. This will allow lots more users to enter the ranks in more than just a training environment.

Tom

[Pistach]

I have CS and come from quite a few earlier version. It is a hate/love relation, that I usually do not find around in other users. Many tools work badly, there is a lot of tools I will never use and make confusion, it is terribly slow (on my 2.6Ghz with 4Gb RAM) and there are some trivial tasks that it could automate and it doesn't. E. g. anytime I primt I must make computations. Why cant I say: I will use an A3+ at 250 dpi, I want to fill the sheet please resample consequently? Also I tend to do minimal manipulation all in manual, since they don't declare what they do behind the scenes. One day I will take my time to look at their resampling algorithms. Fortunately so far I always downsampled, which I hope is less critical.
On the other hand I don't see an alternative. Anything else I tried I disliked completely and dropped immediately. So in a way I became fond to the workflow and the associated pains.
Greetings, Pistach
PS I am recovering from a crash. Now I have to reinstall. Adobe make this an ordeal. Do you think it is fair?

[Fedzilla_Bob]

Downloaded the trial. I'm pondering whetherornotto buy it. Considering my passion for digital art and webdesigninaddition to photography, the upgrade may be worth my $150.Batchfilerenaming in Bridge is a nice touch and the ability to editmorethanone layer at a time is a VERY nice touch.

It may be a couple of months before I upgrade, but I'll probably do it. I'm still on 7! :D

Hi -
I know this thread has been out there for a while but I've had sometime to think about comparissons between Photoshop 7 and CS2.

I have had 7 at home for long time now and use cs2 at work. I'magraphicdesigner doing mostly web and digital media with anoccasionalcall to dowork for print (I started in print in '76 - theworld wasvery differentthen).

There are some things I think you will find useful for bothwebandphotographic work- especially for you who are still usinganyversionearlier than CS.

Limitations on the number of layers are gone (as far as I know)- That is unless your hard drive is full.

You might ask who needs more than 99 layers. You would be surprised how quickly you can get there.

Groups can contain groups-
What used to be called layer sets are now groups and these can beusedtomanage and organize sub groups. Why is is this useful? Lets sayyouhavea web layout that is graphic intensive- lots of menus with onandoffstates (never mind why someone would do this- oh, ok clientsdon'tthinktheir sites are cutting edge unless you give them tons ofhighbandwidthgraphics- I prefer css), you can group your menus andtheirvariousstates to organize them for production.

I've used the same technique to organize layers forcommercialretouchingjobs. I can set up different versions in the samefile andsend jpegs forapproval of each set for client review. Thesegetarchived with the jobfor later use.

Layer Comps-
This one is way easier to demonstrate than discuss but I'll try.Letssayyou have an assignment to layout a web site. You are requiredtoshowmenu and header designs, footers, color treatments andtypestylesfor ahome page, secondary levels and forms. Rather thancreatingmultiplefiles you can now have all the versions in one file.

Simply organized the various components in layers and groups.Thenwiththe Layer Comps palette you record the various states of thelayoutbyturning on and off the layers you need to represent yourpagesandmenus.

This can be used in retouching as well.

Smart Sharpening -
I have saved many a soft scan with this and it is far superior to unsharp mask.

Perspective Control- Vanishing Point and Perspective Crop
I'll post a link for these. They work very nicely.
http://www.digitalmediadesigner.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=31711
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/correctinglensdistortion.htm

Things I don't like-

You might have to get a new computer with more RAM and hard drive space- Mac or Windows!

Bridge-
Don't get me wrong, I don't hate it. But I don't like it.Itdoes some very nice things with file batches and connectivitywithstock photo agencies. But it does so very slowly, at least on thedualG5 at the office with 1gig of RAM and tons of drive space. Theprogramseems to look for stuff everywhere before it comes through withthegoods.

Adobe changed some of the little things that they had for years...
That lots of people became accoustomed to using. Things like the way Iuse to link layers or the way you could used key combinationstoalternate between the layers you have on or off. Little thingsforcertain.

Photoshop is now used for Web, print, video, digital mattepaintingandso many more things than it was first designed for. It isbound toseemlike a compromise in some ways.

All in all CS2 is pretty nice. I have reached the point where I prefer CS2.

[Fedzilla_Bob]

I need to figure out why my words are running together. I've edited and doubled checked.

Any other Firefox users having this problem?

Sorry

[Pistach]

I dropped Firefox because it gave me problems. To avoid Microsoft I use Netscape, that also gives me problems, but not to the point there is no workaround
Regards
Pistach