re: Running two versions of PSE

[Bayla]

I'm heading towards thinking about getting PSE5 (I always err on the side of caution - I'm waiting for the demo version first:))

My question is as follows: if I have PSE3 & PSE5 both on the computer does that mean I'll have two identical catalogues & if I work on a photo in PSE3 & save can I then open up the same photo in PSE5 and see the changes?

Also, were there any glitches with PSE4 that have been corrected in PSE5? (like the flying Cookie Cutter tool in PSE3)

Bayla

[TonyW]

Bayla: You can choose to convert your catalogs or not. I chose not so I have a new PSE5 catalog. If you use the photodownloader as I do you get the choice of which catalog to put it in (in my case 3, 4 or 5). Anything you do in PSE3 or 4 can be opened in PSE5 (but not neccesarily the other way round as there are some new PSE5 layer types that won't be recognized by earlier versions)

As for glitches in previous versions - the ones I know about seem to have been fixed although I don't remember all of them. For me the most important one that has been fixed is the color replacement tool that didn't work in PSE4. Not sure what the flying cookie cutter was but if it's the jumping off the screen thing in maximize mode then that got fixed in 4 and 5. Have run into a couple of minor bugs with 5 but nothing significant yet.

Tony

[nkeevers]

Is there some advantage of keeping PE4 and PE5 on the computer? Because I usually don't keep an old version. It just bogs down my computer and takes up space (not that I don't have lots of space). Maybe til I get used to PE5 and the kinks are worked out I'd keep PE4 but just wondering...

[Bayla]

Norma,

My main reason would be to be able to keep things like Grant's tools & other things that run with PSE3 but not always with later versions (I don't have 4 but remember that this was an issue) I can't manage without Grant's tools!!

Bayla

[Benny Pedersen]

I have three versions 'Elements': 2, 3, 4 along with two
'photoshop not Elements': PS7 and CS2 - all 5 versions is
installed on the same pc without problems.

Since I don't use curves, I don't need Elements version 5, so if you
have version 3 or 4, you wont need more.

Benny

[msbrad]

Wow Benny, I'm glad to know they all fit on the same computer!
I kept 3 on after upgrading to 4, then when I was more comfortable with it, I removed 3.
Glad to know the color replacement problem was not just me.
I don't even remember the cookie cutter problem from 3.
m

[TonyW]

Since I don't use curves, I don't need Elements version 5, so if you
have version 3 or 4, you wont need more.

Benny

Not quite true - there's much much more to Elements 5 than curves - in fact curves are one of the least impressive of the new features at least in my limited initial experience. IMHO, if you have a choice and need the space, keep 3 and 5 and get rid of 4

Tony

[tbrannon]

If anyone isn't ready to upgrade to Ver. 5.0 yet I just seen this post on a scrapbooking site. (I don't have 4 so sersiouly considering going to 5 but thought I'd share if someone was intretested......

Here's the post......
Someone on DSP gave us this link for a free curves filter that works with PSE4:
http://free.pages.at/easyfilter/curves.html

It seems to work - but I am terrible at curves adjustments so I need some time to have a play.
Also, there is an interesting review here http://www.easyelements.com/photoshop-elements-5.html that might help you decide. I'm sticking with version 4 for the moment. I was really hoping for text handling improvements but haven't seen any mention of those as yet....that would have been a definate upgrade for me.

[TonyW]

Also, there is an interesting review here http://www.easyelements.com/photoshop-elements-5.html that might help you decide.

I wouldn't trust that review :( . Seems to have been written without actually trying PSE5. They missed a lot of the really good stuff.

Tony

[tbrannon]

Thanks Tony, that was part of that post, I hadn't checked it out. Actually didn't even intend to post that part...opps. Thanks for letting us know.

Sorry about that guys and gals.

[Renech]

Not quite true - there's much much more to Elements 5 than curves - in fact curves are one of the least impressive of the new features at least in my limited initial experience. IMHO, if you have a choice and need the space, keep 3 and 5 and get rid of 4

I have 4, with the added free Curves, and Grant's tools. I love the curves adjustment, but I'm concerned about 5.0 curves being all pre-sets. Where's the fun in that. ;)

I'm probably going to get 5 anyway, and just keep both for a while and see which one I like more.

[Benny Pedersen]

I have 4, with the added free Curves, and Grant's tools. I love the curves adjustment, but I'm concerned about 5.0 curves being all pre-sets. Where's the fun in that. ;)

I'm probably going to get 5 anyway, and just keep both for a while and see which one I like more.

I don't like preset either.
- Modify the default stuff:
The stuff in the 'Styles and Effect' palette is actions which have an apple thumbnail. If an Effect seems to create layers and then Flatten, then I can't see how they did it, and I can't fine tune either - so I just load those into PS7 and remove the last flatten command and then save to Elements...

Hmm; I think I will get Elements 5 anyway :D

Benny
PS. I found a video tutorial on the Elements CD in the folder goodies.

[Shari]

Bayla, thanks for asking that question. I'm trying to get all the information I can - Bayla what do you use of Grants Tools other than curves? I feel I still have so much to learn here - but I guess I can learn on v 5 just as easily as v3.
Shari

[Wendy]

Hi Shari ...

Grant's Tools ... probably the most used one is Layer Masks. That creates a full layer mask for you .. Another much used ones is Transform Selection ... that lets you make changes to a selection.

Others that are well used (PSE3 only) are ..

Channel Mixer ... great for B&W conversions
Guides ... those are lines that you can place on images and are great for lining things up.

Wendy

[Shari]

Wow - thanks Wendy - I am going to have to experiment. But will they be available in v 5? Today I was just thinking. I have a binder about 3" thick with notes that I have taken or printed from this forum. I am assuming that all these techniques will still be useable in PSE5. I hope so because right now I feel - should I be spending time on this will I need it in 5?
Shari

[TonyW]

Shari: Grant's tools work fine in PSE5 - including Guides (which I don't recall worked in PSE4). Channel Mixer only worked in PSE3 but PSE5 comes with a Channel Mixer for B&W conversions which works well. You certainly aren't wasting time learning techniques as all of them will work in PSE5 - the only catch is that PSE5 comes with a bunch of new stuff to play with :) .

Tony

[Shari]

Thanks Tony. Makes me want to go for 5. Actually I did try to order PSE5 and Barbara Brundages book from Amazon Canada. They do not have either in stock yet. Did you download your version? I don't really like to do that. I like to have the disc. But I did download Proshow Gold because that was the only way it was available and when I was having those problems with my computer last winter when I told Proshow I might lose everything they said they would be happy to send me another download when everything was fixed. Is that what would happen with PSE5 if something went wrong? Or when will it be out in the stores - anyone know? Thanks.
Shari

[Bayla]

Shari,

Sorry to not have answered your question above....have been somewhat preoccupied....

In Grant's tools I use the Layer Mask, the Guide Lines, the thing that lets you transform selections and am just starting to experiment with the Channels Mixer & Curves....

Bayla