Converting PC to Mac

[MarkRoderick]

I have all my photos in PE 4 for Windows. Is there a comparable Adobe product for the Mac and, if so, can I easily move/convert my photos? Although I would have expected this to be a common question, my search of the forum didn't turn up anything.

Thanks.

[Byron Gale]

PE4 exists for Mac, but there is no "Organizer". Mac users will be along, shortly, to tell you about the alternatives.

[sweetandsour]

I have PSE 4.0 Mac. It comes with Adobe Bridge, which essentially works like the File Browser in PSE 3.0 Mac - except better, IMO :)

A jpg in Windows is a jpg in Mac - so no worries about conversion or anything of the sort.

[Wendy]

Hi Mark ...

I use iPhoto, which you should already have on your Mac ... :)

I also use iPhoto Buddy which lets me manage multiple libraries quickly and easily. I tend to start a couple of new libraries each year and also have libraries for special occasions etc ... rather as you would have paper photo albums. Some people like to have all their images in one large library but I much prefer smaller ones ... and they are easier to backup as well.

Then for my layered creations, scrapbooking kits, clip art etc I have a filing system of folders on my hard disk.

Bridge is a sort of souped up file browser which has all sorts of neat little features but for me it can't replace something like iPhoto :) and iPhoto integrates perfectly with iDVD and iMovies so you can create DVD slides shows very easily ...

Here is the link to iPhoto Buddy:

http://www.iphotobuddy.com/

Hope some of this helps :)

Wendy
EDIT ... Sorry I can't help with the conversion

[RonH]

Remember that the photo file formats are completely interchangeable. Like Wendy I use iPhoto and iLibrary Manger. What ever you do remember to backup and archive regardless of the format and program you are using.

[Carbone]

Contrary to Wendy and Ron, I don't use any library manager, it makes for simple management having all under the same library. iPhoto can support 250,000 pictures.. so before I reach that level, I still have... 225,000 more photos to import ;)

iPhoto works like the Organizer, in certain ways :

Keywords in iPhoto are like Tags in the Organizer
Albums and Smart Albums are like Collection in the Organizer
iPhoto does offer creation like Calendar, Birthday Cards, etc.
You can do simple touchups in iPhoto like you can in the Organizer.

However, contrary to the Organizer, iPhoto integrates with all the other iLife products (iMovie, iDVD, Garage Band, etc.) and many other Mac software uses is too (Print Shop, PulpMotion, etc.)

Hope this helps :)

Ray

[RonH]

Ray makes an excellent point. The only reason I use multiple libraries is I have my personal library, my work library, my special projects for friends library. That way I can keep my personal stuff just that. Flexibility is the key. Once you go Mac you never go bac.

[MarkRoderick]

Thank you very much for the replies. If I understand what you're saying:

1) iPhoto, which is built into the Mac, is a very capable program for storing and organizing photos

2) there is a Mac version of Adobe PSE, but some people prefer iPhoto

3) there is no issue with file compatibility, because a .jpg is still a .jpg, so I can just transfer the files from my PC to my Mac

One thing I'm not clear on. Suppose I buy the Adobe product for the Mac and transfer my photos. Will all the tags I've created on my PC transfer over, or will I have to start organizing all over again?

Thanks again for all the expert help.

[ME100FINN]

Mark,

1 - yes, you will not miss the Organizer one bit - iPhoto is excellent!
2- PSE does not compare to iPhoto as an editor. iPhoto will do basic stuff, but PSE is the real powerhorse with advanced editing.
3 - correct - jpg is universal
4 - make sure you "write to file" the keywords on all of your photos using the organizer - those keywords will then be recognized by iPhoto and you can keep your current keywords!! You may have to do some slight organizing to your liking, but nothing major.

[Wendy]

Hi Mark ...

I really like iPhoto as a way of organising my images but I wouldn't use it for editing them ... Elements is by far the best software for that :)

Wendy

[Carbone]

I wouldn't be so fast as to discard iPhoto for quick editing. It even has a feature PSE still lacks : colour temperature adjustment!

http://homepage.mac.com/carbmac/captures/iPhoto218.jpg

In this example, I created a small vignette with blurred edges, in a matter of seconds. Not bad.. :)

Granted, it's not good for every situation, but when you only need a quick exposure compensation or colour temperature adjustment (pictures shot without a flash, indoor for example), it's quite helpful!

Ray