Going 5.0 - a few technical q's

[Simone]

Hi all, I have 4.0 which I began learning in Sept. 06. I'm thinking about 5.0 and Best Buy is having a sale today so I think I'll pick it up.
A few questions for the experts.

- I've heard/read conflicting things about whether add-ins will still work in 5.0. I have several additions such as brushes and effects, purchased from online digi-scrapping stores, which I installed by adding the files to their respective pse4 folders. Sorry to be repeating a question but I wasn't sure about the conclusion from other threads. Should they still work, and if so, I assume I'll need to restore them to their folders after upgrading?

Note: I read an Amazon review today that said that NO add-ins work in 5.0 at all- so this has worried me a bit...

- For the install process, I assume I'll install 5 on top of 4 and an upgrade will occur. OR, would be better to fully uninstall 4.0 manually first myself (w. add/remove software) ? From those who've done it, advice on which is better?

- Any other general technical tips or watch-outs for the upgrade process?
(I know I'll need to explore the feature diffs and can do that on my own, but I mean more like technical watch-outs to help the install go OK?

After 4 months learning 4 and now feeling fairly comfy, I'm a bit nervous!PS. I've got plenty of pc horsepower to run it so that's not an issue. 4.0 runs real nice and fast on my machine. Thanks so so so much! :)

[TonyW]

Upgrade - you won't regret it :) . All add-ins work - in fact more do in PSE5 than do in PSE4. But they do need to be put in different places but it's very easy to do (lots of help on that available in this forum). You can leave PSE4 on your computer - you just can't have PSE4 and 5 running at the same time.

Whoever wrote that Amazon review didn't know what they were talking about :(

Tony

[kimi_boo]

I have been very happy with my upgrade from 4 to 5.

We have a thread just for vers. 5. I would go thru and read some of the post. There is great info in there. :D (where to put things, what to do before you install, ect.)

[Sissy]

Every add-on that I've installed in PSE5 has worked just fine, whether it was from a Photoshop site or a digiscrapping store! Love it. I still have PSE4 installed on my computer, but I'm not sure why. I never really learned 4, as version 5 came out a week after I bought 4.

[Wendy]

Hi Simone ...

There seems to be quite few messages around about addins not working with PSE5 ... just don't know why people should think that at all.

I am wondering if its because the install is slightly different for some things and they then assume that things won't install :)

Do assure you that they do :)

Wendy

[Simone]

Thanks for all the great replies!

Now, a question came to mind based on a few of these replies -- it seems the install of 5 leaves 4 intact (ie you then have two versions on your pc.)

So, is it OK to uninstall 4.0 after 5.0 is up? (I would prefer not to have two full versions of the same s/w package on my pc concurrently, or do they both need to stay there for techn. reasons?)

Thanks again! :)

[graficalicus]

I have yet to find an add-in that worked in earlier versions not work in 5.

I currently have versions 1, 4 & 5 on my system - I use them to test actions on various versions. There is no issue whatsoever having multiple versions - they don't interfere with each other at all.

You can install/uninstall/reinstall any version at any time without fear of losing data in a different version - at least, that has been my experience installing & uninstalling all 5 of them over the years.

If space is at a premium, I'd leave 4 on until 5 is installed - then you can import your catalogs (the app will walk you through it) before deleting 4.

Hope that helps!

[kimi_boo]

If you have any extra filters, layer styles, ect.

You will need to move them before you remove 4.
I forgot about my layer styles and lost everything I had added.

[Wendy]

Hi ...

The only slight snag that has been reported is that sometimes when you unistall an earlier version after installing the new one then Adobe Gamma gets uninstalled too ...

Wendy

[TonyW]

Wendy: I remember that too but PSE5 does come with Adobe Gamma in the goodies folder so I guess it could easily be put back if you do lose it.

In preparation for deinstalling (which I still haven't done) I did copy the whole Elements 4.0 folder onto a CD - just in case I had forgotten to move something over.

Tony

[Wendy]

Hi Tony ...

I think thats why they put it in the goodies folder ... its a lot easier than having to reinstall Elements :)

Wendy

[Ward Grant]

Two quick hits:
If you use the Organizer, open it in Version 4 and do a File>Reconnect All Missing (may not be any) and then a File>Catalog>Recover-just helps straighten up the database before V5 converts it.

Web-based galleries-V5 switches to Flash-based from V4's HTML-based creations. If you have a web-based project created in V4, you can not edit it in V5.

I remember some posts about differences in calendars, but I don't use them and I don't remember what the problem is. (That is why this does not count as Hit #3).

[msbrad]

Go for it!(I'll have company)
Santa brought 5, (not installed ..YET)
but I'll be screaming for help when I get confused..as usual
m

[Simone]

Everyone -- OH THANK YOU THANK YOU for all this GREAT info! WOW. Brill. I've read everything in detail. I am going to print all this out and keep 4.0 intact at least until I've got 5.0 settled down and with all my stuff in it. Also will b/up the 4.0 folders to my EHD before 5.0 goes in just in case. Space isn't really an issue; have a 120g internal and 100g external.

Tomorrow or Friday I bunch up my courage and GO FOR IT!! :)

I can't BELIEVE how helpful this website community is and what I am learning! What FUN :)

[Wendy]

Simone ...

Do let us know how you go on .. and in the meantime we all have our fingers crossed that the install goes well :)

Wendy

[Simone]

OK - success! 5.0 is up and running! I just briefly tinkered with a few images (existing and new) to make sure things seem ok generally, and so far so good. I'm gonna leave 4.0 there for a while as a safeguard.

Best news: My add-ins are in place OK, thanks to the info on these forums!
- my brushes moved over fine (put in same place as 4.0)
- my actions moved over fine (put in location from Wendy's instructions in this thread in the 5.0 forum: "How to Download Extras into Elements 5". (put 'em into ....special effects > photo effects folder and they are ok.)

So now, I get to explore all the new stuff - and on first look, wow, maybe it's just me, but there seems to be alot more in the 'Artwork and Affects" area. I want to sit and play with every single item in every sub area there but it would take decades! So far so good - THANK YOU EVERYONE and THANKS TO THIS FORUM! :)

PS. I immediately noticed the missing "undo/redo" buttons on the top bar (I used those alot) but I expected it after reading all the info on it, so I'll just use ctl-Z or the menu...No biggie, I can adapt!

[TonyW]

Simone: Great news and I'm sure you'll like it. Do check out the Undo History Palette though. Much better than Ctrl-Z, the menu or the old undo/redo buttons - at least it works best for me as you can go back more than one step at a time with one click of the mouse.

Tony

[Wendy]

Hi Simone ...

So glad to hear that you are up and running OK :)

Wendy

[Simone]

Hi Tony, yes yes I do use Undo History! I forgot to mention it, but I love it. But, just me personally, I have to say I ALSO use undo (ctl-z) alot too, if I want to get rid of just the last thing. I try things knowing I can just ctl-z, and my fingers are really quick on it. But, yes, I also use Undo History quite alot as well! Thx and any other tips/input, I'm open to it. :)

Now, I just have to tear myself away to eat and get some sleep tonight and start fresh tomorrow! :)

[msbrad]

I'm happy for you, Simone... Congrats and way to go! Mine is still in the box. Hopefully i can talk Bill into installing it tomorrow after golf. (i'm chicken:o )
then I'm sure to be calling for help and letting y'all know how it went.
m