PE5 user w/ question about cs3

[cjcrawford]

Hi - I hope it's not blasphemy here but I'm thinking about adding cs3 to my toolkit. I like the PE5 interface better but there's always the allure of full 16 bits.

A couple of questions for the many members of the forum who I know also use CS:

How about all those "still sealed" CS3 packages on Ebay for about $330 - are they legit?

I downloaded a 30 day trial copy of CS3 extended from Adobe. What is the "extended" part?

With the trial version, I couldn't open a NEF raw file (unrecognized file type). I assume this is because it doesn't come with ACR in the plug ins. This sound right to anybody?

As usual, thanks for all the great input.

Regards,
Chris

[kImages]

Chris - you are correct- there are lots of us who use both PSE and CS.

I don't know about the ebay boxes, but I got CS3 from Adobe for $300 when they were running an upgrade special about 2 months ago. Given you need to unlock the software with an Adobe code after installation I'd want to make sure i'm buying product from an authorized dealer.

I started with a CS3 download trial version. I was able to open RAW files right away in Bridge. You should be able to get the ACR4.2 download (no cost) from the Adobe Exchange.

I believe the "extended" part is the video capabilities.

[Wendy]

Hi ...

Its very hard to know if they are legit or not ... try checking out their feedback that should help :)

Wendy

[DanielCoffey]

I would STRONGLY advise you not to buy CS3 from places like eBay, even if "still sealed" from high-rated sellers. Read this article about CS2 copies and you'll understand why Photoshop is THE most pirated program in the world today...

http://tonysleep.co.uk/photoshop-cs2-on-ebay

[DMurray407]

Chris, don't buy on ebay! I bought a "new, unopened" CS2 from a buyer with good feedback (over 200 positives, 0 negatives) and it was a "counterfeit". The lady at Adobe scolded me for not buying from an authorized dealer-no one on ebay is authorized. Luclkily, I had paid with Paypal and got my puchase price back but it was a hassle and I did lose all my shipping fees, which included shipping it back to the seller. I found a good deal at the Academic Superstore for not much more than I paid on ebay on CS3 Extended-they accepted my grand daughter's current 1st grade report card as documentation. As for the "extended" part-I've been busy enough learning CS3 so I haven't really looked into the extended features, but they include some video, animation and 3D capabilities. I joined NAPP when I purchased it and a few video tutorials are popping up on the "extended" stuff.
The NAPP/Photoshop User site is much like this one (but you have to join to view the forum) This forum is more laid back and much friendlier, I spend more time here. There are really a lot of similarities between the two programs and I still use my PSE to send phoro mail and make slideshows, among other things.

I'm sure some of the software on ebay is good, but I wouldn't take the chance ever again. I feel fortunate to have gotten my money back-

Deb

[Wendy]

Hi ...

I actually did buy PSE4 from eBay ... the buyer had good feedback it was described as new and unregistered and it was.

No problems at all ...

Wendy

[cjcrawford]

Thanks everybody for the warnings! I'll wait for a deal or keep using the Photoshop7 I have. Maybe PE7 will have 16 bit layers. I've never needed any features that I couldn't do with PE and yes, the problem approach and tool set have a great deal of overlap.

Chris

[Norwester]

If you have any PSE installed on your computer,I think the $299 offer here is still valid. You might check with Adobe to be sure.
https://store1.adobe.com/cfusion/store/index.cfm?store=OLS-US&view=ols_prod&category=/SpecialPages/Photoshop&affiliateID=59949#loc=en_us&rangeUpper=6%2C0%2C65%2C0&HTMLVerRedirect=true&returnURL=%2Fcfusion%2Fstore%2Fhtml%2Findex%2Ecfm% 3Fstore%3DOLS%2DUS%26affiliateID%3D59949%26event%3 DdisplayProduct%26categoryPath%3D%2FSpecialPages%2 FPhotoshop&store=OLS-US&view=ols_prod&category=/SpecialPages/Photoshop&affiliateID=59949&viewName=Adobe%20Store%20%2D%20North%20America&pageNotFound=0

[DanielCoffey]

Are the copies or licences for CS3 (English Language) region-specific?

I am in the UK using WinXP SP2 and due to Adobe pricing policy, the UK purchase price is very unfavourable. Due to the extremely weak dollar at the moment, I am considering buying from Adobe (US) and paying the import duty and customs fees but I don't know if the software is tied to the US region. The current like-for-like full CS3 cost is USD 649.00 or GBP 569.88 (at the current dollar rate, that's equivalent to USD 1168!!!)

Anyone have experience of this?

[Wendy]

Hi Daniel ..

Sadly Adobe dont let you do that ... or I would have done it long ago :D:D

You need a US credit card to pay for it and a US address for the delivery :(

Wendy

[BarbG]

I had been regretting that I didn't buy CS3 2 months ago when that special offer was going around. Thanks Norwester for posting that link to Adobe for buying CS3. I just used it and hopefully I will have it in a week. I now have an order number -- with tax and shipping it comes to $319.90. You've made my day.

[douglas m scott]

Chris,
I received an e-mail from Adobe in October for CS3 Upgrade (199.99)US. If you have a registered copy of PS7 you should be elegible. If you can't find your 24 digit serial number you can download a little program called Belarc Advisor (free) and it will list all of your Adobe products on your computer with full serial numbers. For some reason my copy wasen't registered with Adobe, so I used the 1-800 number from the site below and gave them my full 24 digit serial number to make sure that I qualified for the 199.99 upgrade. It is now installed and registered.
P.S. I'm sure other members also received this e-mail. http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/family/prosolutions/?trackingid=BJXTJ

doug