PE3 a worth while upgrade?

[pardo]

I currently have PE2 and was wondering if it's worth spending the money to get into the new version 3. Is the #3 that much better than the old version.
8)

[Wendy]

Pardo ...

It depends on how you use Elements ... the PSE3 has several new features (take a look at the Video tips section Dave has done a whole section on the features) ... that may help you make up your mind).

Also, if you are a Windows user there is the new Organiser feature ... which people seem to either love or hate :)

Wendy

[pardo]

Why is the new organizer such a concern with people?

[Wendy]

Well the Mac version doesn't have the Organiser but the main complaints I have heard are that it isn't as good as Album was, it slows everything down, you don't get a built in option not to load it and it takes away your choices.

Some people seem to think its brilliant and others don't like it at all, but as I said I'm a Mac user so I have no experience of it.

Mike should be able to give you his views ... he does use it. I don't think that Jodi does.

There have been quite a few discussion on the forum about it ... if you do a quick search you should find some of them ... but in the meantime here is one:

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2003&highlight=disable+organiser

Wendy

[MikeH]

Why is the new organizer such a concern with people?

Organizer is actually a very good tool - providing that you follow some golden rules, use a prescribed workflow and recognise it does some things in a certain way...

Many of the issues on this Forum with Organizer arise because the do's and don'ts aren't spelt out in one place - they are either scattered throughout the help text or not mentioned at all. I have got there by trial and error...

Also, some people were using software like ACDsee or Infranview before PE3 came out and feel that Organizer isn't as flexible or good enough to warrant changing.

What Organizer will do for you is manage your catalogue or database of photos. You can arrange photos into collections, label photos of a similiar theme with "tags", stack variations or different versions of the same photo together, view by date, location etc... lots of really useful ways of managing your pictures.

Organizer also works with photos stored off line, say on a CD or separate hard drive.

OK so the downside...

Once to start using Organizer you absolutely must do everything with your files in PE3 and particularly Organizer. For example, doing any of the following will cause problems:

:arrow: Moving files to a different location not using Photo Browser.
:arrow: Renaming a folders outside of the PE3.
:arrow: Deleting a file outside of PE3.
:arrow: Editing the original file outside of PE3.
:arrow: Changing the name of a file outside of PE3.
:arrow: Changing the file type outside of PE3.

You can't start using Organizer to manage your files and then go into Windows Explorer, ACDsee or whatever and start doing things with files and folders that contain your PE3 images.

I was on the verge of dumping Organizer in favour of ACDsee but I relented... The only function in Organizer that I don't use is Backup. I and several others have experienced problems with it and I don't trust Organizer to run this critical process properly everytime.

Mike

[Jodi Frye]

Nope, i don't use it and have completely turned my back on it. It's control freek software that should never have been integated into the program. I don't get paid to say that.

[Wendy]

See what I mean ... they either love it or hate it :)


Wendy

[Jodi Frye]

Actually, I want to apologize for that thread...obviously the Organizer works for many people and I should not have put it down that way. I've been in a terrible mood and took it out on the software. I don't want to be the cause of people 'not buying' pe3 because it's the best freekin' photo editing software available ! You don't 'have' to use the Organizer area if you don't want to. Again, sorry for the attitude. I need inspiration.

[MikeH]

Jodi,

Be careful the software might come back and get you :lol:

You're right - you don't have to use Organizer if you don't want to and someone who is already into ACDsee or Infranview or similiar may question the value in changing with very good reason.

For anyone starting out Organizer is probably the route to go.

Mike

[pardo]

Wow that was a lot of information.....I have been using Album 2.0 and think that it was good, is the new organizer the same. as far as acdsee and the other program you were talking about,,,, should i look at these instead and do u needto purchase these or are they freeware.

thx to all for your speedy replies, i'm very impressed with this forum.

[imported_admin]

Pardo,
The Organizer feature is new and different from Album. If you want a good preview of Elements 3, check out the First Look at Elements 3 by Scott Kelby...

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/articles/elementsfirstlook.php

You can also access if from the home page. Check out the learning center while you're there!

[pardo]

So i have read all these posts but have not received a clear answer as to my question of is it worth upgrading to 3.0.

[imported_admin]

Pardo, in a word -- YES. Anyone care to second that?

[RRSignal1]

Pardo,

Yes, go and get PSE3. It is a great program. As you can see
I don't post (I've been hard at work) on several projects.
I agree with Mike on the Organizer side of the program, but I
really put it to work, and so far it's working great. I backup to
an external HD. All is well.
Thanks to all on the forum! I have read and learned a lot.
PSE3 and this forum = One Great Deal...........

Jack

[Wendy]

Why not download the demo version and try it out for 30 days ... that way you can try before you buy :).

Wendy

[Wendy]

Pardo,

Do you use PSA to do PDF slideshows with audio ... the reason I ask is that I have just seem a comment that PSE3 cannot do them.


Wendy

[MikeH]

That's right, you can't add audio to a Simple Slide Show. It won't even add any audio files that are already attached to individual photos.

It's probably that the Simple Slide Show is what it says - a simple show that is small enough in size to email or share easily...

Mike

[pardo]

i use photostory for windows for my slide show and i can add music this way.

[MikeH]

i use photostory for windows for my slide show and i can add music this way.

You can create slide shows in PE3 with music and narrations, they play as either wmv files or VCD. You can also go back and edit them. But there is also an option to create simple slide shows in pdf format - it is these that you can't add any media to.

Mike

[wayne west]

you can upgrade from pse2 to pse3 for only $59.00 online.i have mac. so no organizer problems 4 me. also you might consider this...how much photo equiptment can$59.00 buy? i say jump on pse3 with both feet!! sincity shooter

[rfreschner]

The upgrade is definitely worth the money for the new features in the editor alone. :D

[Jodi Frye]

I got my #3 newsletter today....yay !!!

[MikeH]

I got my #3 newsletter today....yay !!!

Still waiting over here :cry: :x :cry: :x

Mike

[Jodi Frye]

actually, it says # 2 on it...the little adorable girl on the cover.

[MikeH]

actually, it says # 2 on it...the little adorable girl on the cover.

Nope...still waiting for that one :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Mike

[pardo]

Hello me again! Im really thinking about upgrading after all the good news i'm hearing from all of you, Where do i upgrade online and does that mean i can download the program or do the ship to me.

[MikeH]

You can only download the full version now - the upgrade is no longer on the Adobe site to either download or buy as a cd... :(

There are some "goodies" on the cd that you don't get with the download.

Mike

[pardo]

Thx Mike. By the way what do you think of the PSE 3 book by Scott Kelby
for digital photographers.

[MikeH]

I have both of Scott's books for PE3... - "PSE 3 Book For Digital Photographers" and "Down and Dirty Tricks".

They are both excellent. The PSE 3 Book For Digital Photographers is a great introduction to the program, plus it has some cool tutorials. Scott's style of writing makes the book easy work...

I am going to buy his latest book "Photoshop Classic Effects" - it's written for the full Photoshop but most of the techniques can be achieved in Elements.

Oh yes, today I went to his "Down & Dirty" Seminar here in the UK. It was aimed at CS, but a lot of the material can be applied to Elements. A great day that finished too soon..

Mike

[pardo]

Mike good for you on attending the seminar wish i could have been there.
Well i have officially puchased PSE3 today and can't wait to get started. I have had PSE2 for a while but have never used it to its potential, I am so motivated now to learn elements and so glad to have found this forum.

I am leaving for hawaii on Thursday and i cannot wait to begin shooting lots of pictures. I have so many ideas i would like to do with those photos when i get back home.

[MikeH]

I am leaving for hawaii on Thursday and i cannot wait to begin shooting lots of pictures. I have so many ideas i would like to do with those photos when i get back home.

Have a great time and please do share some of your pictures!!

Mike

[rfreschner]

Well i have officially puchased PSE3 today and can't wait to get started. I have had PSE2 for a while but have never used it to its potential, I am so motivated now to learn elements and so glad to have found this forum.

Good for you! I don't think you'll be disappointed. Have a great time in Hawaii and take lots of pictures!