PSE3 or PS7 for Mac: which is better?

[leadstory]

I am getting the new dream imac 20" with 2GB RAM and 250GB HD. I have worked with PS5.5 for a few years (used version, I can't upgrade). I'm not a pro by any means, but I enjoy features that iphoto doesn't give me. The apple rep (or maybe it was the salesman at the computer store) said he thought PSE3 was more powerful than 5.5. I use it mostly for maintaining my mother's website, she is an artist. I am thinking of getting photoshop7, because the new CS2 is just 2 expensive! Any suggestions or comments from anyone who has worked on both PSE3 and PS7? Thanks. I am new to this forum and really enjoy it. :)

[Wendy]

Hi ...

Oh that is a hard choice ... probably on balance I would go for PS7 because your are already used to using Photoshop.

It really depends if you use some of the more advanced features ... Elements has no Pen tool, Curves, Masks, Channel mixer, Colour Balance, Guides ... some you can add on like curves, masks but others it is not possible to ..

Why not download the demo version of PSE3 and see what you think ... you will have 30 days in which to assess it :)


Wendy

[leadstory]

Thanks Wendy, Where would I find this 30 day free preview download? I will wait a few days until my new computer arrives. Hopefully they are telling the truth about the arrival time! :)

[Wendy]

hi there ...

Here is the link to the tryout:

http://softwareupdates.adobe.com/updates/detail.jsp?cid=2675

Oh you will love the new iMac ... do let us know when it arrives.

Wendy

[Carbone]

PSE3 has many tools which can be simulated in PS7, however, one thing which it has and that is missing in PS7 is the RAW Converter. If you shoot in RAW with your digital camera, PSE3 will have this over PS7.

I'm a Photoshop Elements user who has migrated over to Photoshop and I would not go back :)

Ray

[leadstory]

Hi thanks for the response. So, Ray, are you saying that PS7 doesn't convert RAW? Not a problem now, but maybe in the future. You said you have migrated to PS or PSE? What about the new PSE4 for macs that I have heard may be coming...any idea what it willl have that PSE3 does not? I know I can use my PS5.5 in classic mode on OS10.4, but it will be a hassle to switch back and forth, and there is the possibility I won't be able to save for the web in the classic mode. That would be a disappointment. :(

[leadstory]

PS Wendy, thanks for the link info! :D

[Wendy]

Hi there ...

None of us know what PSE4 for the Mac will have ... but I suspect that it will be very similar to PSE4 for Windows ..

If you did move to PS7 then you have the option at anytime in the future to take the upgrade ... it carries forward to any future versions. Whereas with Elements they simply reduce the price of the new version by about $20 but only for the first few weeks ... after that you have to pay the full price ...

Just a thought ...

Wendy

[Carbone]

are you saying that PS7 doesn't convert RAW? Not a problem now, but maybe in the future.

Yes, exactly. Photoshop 7 lacked (out of the box) the ability to convert RAW. Later, Adobe offered a RAW plugin, at a price. But, when Photoshop CS came out, Adobe removed the RAW plug-in because it was now free with Photoshop CS.

Unless you have a very powerful Mac, runnig processor intensive application in Classic isn't a good thing. You're better to boot under OS 9. But, as you probably know, every Mac sold after June 2003 (or something close to) has been removed the possibility of booting in OS 9.

I migrated from Photoshop Elements 2 to Photoshop 7 (Windows), and when I got my first Mac (last year), I contacted Adobe to get a cross-grade (upgrade and crossing platform) to Photoshop CS for Mac. I got it at the price of the upgrade. Very nice of Adobe :)

Ray

[Karin Sue]

I read in a recent post that it is common for elements 3 to be bundled with Waacom tablets, and various scanners, etc.

If you are at all interested in any of these you might want to go with PS7 since otherwise you may end up with 2 copies of PSE3.

A lot of people who post seem to be happy with the combination of both elements and full photoshop, choosing which one to use based on the task at hand.

[GaryK]

Ray

What ya hangin' with us for?? Must be the stimulating converstaion :wink: :wink: :lol: :lol: and our boundless energy.

Whatever the reason..glad you are.

[Carbone]

Gary,

The world of Photoshop users (full Photoshop) is made of sharks with very long teeth and a daily need blood. I was hanging on the Photoshop Forums at Adobe's and realized people there were not helping each others but rather showing how big their egos are. It was not uncommon for someone to ask a question and get dozens of stupid comments but, of course, not one single solution. It was worst on Windows than on Mac, but still, not very pleasant on both versions.

I'm not a pro, so I don't have this big ego thing, nor a very well developed artistic side. I didn't feel at home there.

But, because I like helping, I find showing stuff is the best way to learn something myself, I decided to come back to PSE's forums. Especially here, at PET, there's a nice community of very kind people, full of fun and always ready to help each other :-)

Ray

[Wendy]

Gary ...

You want to visit those forums occasionally ... its sad. Beginners ask a question and the stock answers are:

Do a forum search
Look it up in the manual

No friendly help for new folks .... A quick visit there makes you realise just how good this forum is :)


Wendy

[Carbone]

And Wendy put it very politely, I shall add :)

Ray

[Wendy]

Ray ...

I would not repeat some of thing they say ... too awful !!

Wendy

[leadstory]

Hello Friendly Folks,
...speaking of free PSE3 with wacom tablets or scanners, have any of you scanned your slides or negatives to your computer and do you have a recommendation for a transparency scanner that does a pro job for an amateur price? Thanks :)

[Carbone]

A friend of mine bought a CanoScan 8400 from Canon. It does a really good job at scanning negatives, I was really amazed. It has a dust removal feature (software) and it did wonder.

If you're looking for a dedicated slides and negatives scanner, then Minolta makes good ones. I have an Dual Scan Dimage II (no dust removal, though) and it's very very sharp. I got it at a demo price, but it sure is not a bargain at regular price.

Ray

[GaryK]

Ray

I was just teasing. Like I said ...glad you are hanging with us.

Wendy

I know when I got it good.
To be honest, I'm not much for most forums for various reasons. I think I spent about a week lurking here before I registered, and signed up for the newsletter. The atmosphere here is increadible. If the whole world was like this place ..think of how nice it would be. :lol:

[Wendy]

Gary ...

Oh I do agree with that ... if only :)


Wendy

[Carbone]

Who wants the position of PET ambassador to Photoshop forum ? ;-)

Ray
P.S. I DON'T !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Wendy]

Ray ...


Not me !!


Wendy

[leadstory]

Does being ambassador mean you have to be diplomatic? Or can you be surly like they are? Guess its best not to waste my time being surly over there. Too many nice people here. :)

[CarolLHB]

Wendy,
You'd get my vote! :wink:

[Wendy]

Carol ...

No way !! ... I wouldn't be diplomatic enough!! I would love to be the moderator of that forum ... all the thread would get blanked out!!


Wendy

[Carbone]

I bet we would witness the return of the French "guillotine" (head chopping appliance") :-D

Ray

[Wendy]

Ray ...


Now what a good idea :)


Wendy