PSE 5 vs. PSE 6

[Deb C.]

I posted this in the Beginner Forum but also wanted to post it here because I didn't know if everyone went into all the different forums very often.

I am a beginner in photo editing. I have played with layers in ArcSoft PhotoStudio 5.5 just a little bit.

Anyway, I just bought the bundle of PSE 5 and Premiere Elements 3. I bought it right before I discovered that PSE 6 and Premiere Elements 4 were coming out. I called Adobe and they agreed to send me both upgrades for a small shipping fee.

I have been browsing through some of the postings and have read that there are a couple of things that users don't like in PSE 6.

My question: Should I use PSE 5 or PSE 6?

And what about Premiere Elements? version 3 or 4?

Thanks for your opinions.

[troush]

I haven't found any show stoppers in the trial of PSE 6.0. I really like the quick selection tool. Some people have trouble with the dark background. Have you watched the videos here on the site to see the new look?

-Trish

[gurlzrok]

I never used 5.0. I just upgraded to 6.0 from 4.0. I'm not loving 6.0 so far. I had a lot of trouble getting all the filters that came with the software to work. In the direct installation it seems to have put key plugins in a folder that the software wasn't finding. Took me days and a lot of research to figure out how to correct it.

From my research, there isn't a lot of significant upgrades between 5 and 6 to warrant it, but you'll have to decide if it's worth it for yourself.

Cindy

[Chuck S.]

Deb, I'm a PSE 5 user and don't see enough advantages in PSE 6 to upgrade at the price now in the market. However, in your case, if the shipping fee is truly small (you have to watch that!), I would likely opt for the newer version.

The only significant complaint I've seen logged so far has to do with the readability of the menus due to the dark background. This is a serious issue for those of us whose eyesight has not improved with age, and we're hopeful that Adobe will recognize they messed up in this area and will figure out a fix. The editing tools sound like they're pretty much the same with a few nice additions, and the options for new users have been expanded so you can start slowly and work your way up.

Bottom line: I'd go for the upgrade in your situation.

[Karin Sue]

Deb,

You have to realize that the best program is the one you are familiar with and know how to use. Every upgrade has people venting their frustrations as they learn to cope with the changes.

There seem to be quite a few people who keep multiple versions so that they can go back to the familiar favorite functions that may have been changed or eliminated in later versions. Apparently there is not a problem as long as don't try to run two different versions at the same time.

If I were you I would go with 6 as it is the newest. Hang on to 5 though, just in case. I am happily using PSE2. I will be upgrading to 5 when I get a Wacom tablet bundled with 5 (but I've been planning that since the tablet came with 3, so it may be up to 6 before I finally get it.)

[Chuck S.]

Karin, it's great to see someone still using PSE2! Truth be told, that was my favorite version. For those of us who don't use Organizer, the improvements since PSE 2 have been good but not revolutionary. I could revert to PSE2 and take care of most of my editing needs with little anxiety, especially considering all the free add-ons that were available for that version.

[Deb C.]

Thanks for all your opinions.

Trish, no I haven't been able to watch the videos. I can't get high speed Internet where I live so I couldn't get the videos to load.

Karen, you mentioned that you could have 2 versions on your computer. This may be a silly question, but how does this work? If I load PSE 5 and then I load PSE 6 (I am assuming it was an upgrade that Adobe sent me), will PSE 6 just load "on top of" PSE 5? Or will both full versions be on the computer? (I'm sure you can tell I have a lot to learn!)

Thanks for everyone's help!
Deb

[Michel B]

Thanks for all your opinions.

Trish, no I haven't been able to watch the videos. I can't get high speed Internet where I live so I couldn't get the videos to load.

Karen, you mentioned that you could have 2 versions on your computer. This may be a silly question, but how does this work? If I load PSE 5 and then I load PSE 6 (I am assuming it was an upgrade that Adobe sent me), will PSE 6 just load "on top of" PSE 5? Or will both full versions be on the computer? (I'm sure you can tell I have a lot to learn!)

Thanks for everyone's help!
Deb

You'll have both programs on your computer, you can choose whichever you want; only thing, you cannot open both at the same time. For your question, in your case I would start directly with PSE6, and if the dark background is a problem for you, you could revert to PSE5.

[Linda559]

I am using the trial version of 6 and I'm having a hard time sticking with it. The dark background is not comfortable and I noticed that when you choose a tool, the other nested tools are not available on the options bar.

For instance, if I choose the dodge/burn/sponge tool, I can't switch back and forth on the options bar. If I'm missing something, I'd like someone to point it out to me.

When I tried the trial version of 5, I never went back to v.4 but this time I am forcing myself to use 6 so far during this trial.

I'll buy 6, but it may take longer for me to 'love it' like I do v.5

[lowbone]

I have 5 and like it allot. I bought 6 because as a RAW shooter there is a definite advantage in 6. At first I hated 6 because their didn't seem to be much continuity in the way things were found or done, something that bothers me about Adobe, but the more I use 6 and get used to it and learn it the more I am liking it. If I were in your situation where I would be learning a new system and the difference was only a few bucks for shipping I would definitely go with PSE6. As for the black background, I like it allot. As a former film shooter I had my own darkroom and the black background was what you saw when you had a photo in the enlarger. I think many people in this forum like the dark background. People are reluctant to post when they like something, only when they din't like something. I am seventy-one years old and have no problem reading the darker background.

[Karin Sue]

Deb,

I don't think Adobe has upgrades for elements, just full versions (and a mail in rebate for previous version owners).

It is my understanding that you just install the new one and it will not overwrite the old one. However, if you then decide to uninstall the old one, you might also uninstall some of the shared files the new one needs. Which means you may have to reinstall the new one. Someone who has actually upgraded and used two versions should chime in here with their experiences.

Chuck,

I got Album 2 bundled with Elements. I use and enjoy it. The improvements to it tempt me more than the improvements to Elements Editor. I picked up the hidden power book for PSE2 but have yet to install the goodies. I am hoping they have improved text handling in the later versions of elements. Any image involving much text sends me to PS6.