Heres the scoop on Photoshop CS aka PS 8

[sjprg]

http://www.adobe.com/store/products/master.jhtml?id=catPhotoshop
Paul

[lightandlife]

I will wait until PS 9 is released.

[fredlord]

This appears to be Adobe's answer for the update to PS 8. There may not be a PS 9.

Aside from a few functional changes, which seem okay, the main problem seems to be that it only runs on Mac OSX and the later forms of Windows. Only time will tell if it's an improvement. Photoshop updates are usually fairly well done but it remains to be seen if this one is. I've grown accustomed to rejecting every second version of Illustrator so I'm hoping the AI team had nothing to do with the PS team in this case. Oh well, I had to convert to the latest OS eventually in any case.

[CoolToolGuy]

According to the Adobe web site, I'm out of luck. Photoshop CS - the name for Photoshop 8 - requires Windows 2000 or XP. I have Windows ME, and I'm not interested in upgrading my current PC to XP just because of one application.
In addition, the 300D/Digital Rebel is not on the list for RAW support - and the list says if your camera is not on there, the camera is not supported by CS.
So, I'll be looking for Photoshop 7. I'm using Elements, since it came with my Digital Rebel, but I was waiting for the new release of PS to get the RAW support included.
Financially, this may be a bonus, since the price of PS 7 may go down after PS 8 is available.

Have Fun

[robertwgross]

cooltoolguy wrote:
Photoshop CS - the name for Photoshop 8 - requires Windows 2000 or XP. I have Windows ME, and I'm not interested in upgrading my current PC to XP just because of one application.


You may decide to rethink that decision later. Windows ME has got to be one of the worst excuses for a supported operating system that Microsoft has turned out in a while. Of my close friends who do digital photography, almost the only ones with problems that they CANNOT get around are the ones with M.E. (the only exception is running NT).

I'm lucky in a way. When my last computer died suddenly, I fell onto a new system with XP Home installed, and I haven't looked back since then.

---Bob Gross---

[ldivinag]

ditto bob...

ME was a poor excuse to make 98 feel like an upgrade.

unfortunately, it did more damage that good.

now you may be the exception.

dont feel bad. i upgraded (okay bought) a machine because of one game... ;)

if i were you, upgrade to 2000. do a clean install of it.

but hey... if ME works for you and does all you need, just tell us to shut up... :D

[John_T]

Sounds like CS is meant to compete toe to toe with Corel Graphics Suite which has been chewing at Adobe's markets.

[ron chappel]

It doesn't surprise me at all that someone is chewing at PS's markets!!
At the price they charge i STILL wonder why people bother....

[toddb]

I for one will give Adobe a thumbs up for sticking with well supported OSs. I hate trying to make software backwards compatable, there is something that always cheepen the product in someway.

[Dans_D60]

ron chappel wrote:
It doesn't surprise me at all that someone is chewing at PS's markets!!
At the price they charge i STILL wonder why people bother....

I think Adobe is a good deal more concerned with the world economy than competition from Corel. Let’s take a quick at the differences between Corel and Adobe; Adobe estimates sales of $1.2 Billion for 2003. Adobe's stock is hovering around $40 share. On the other hand, Corel receives a life saving investment, from all places Microsoft, for $135 million in late 2000. Corel looks frantically for a buyer. Vector Capital of San Francisco buys Corel for $12.2 million in June 2003. I like Corel applications. In fact I was using Corel Draw back in the late 1980’s and thought vector drawing graphics engines was the way to go. Nevertheless bad corporate decisions with losers like Word Perfect and attempting to compete in the Linux O.S. wars killed this fine company. I now own PS 7 with XP Pro and will certainty upgrade to CS for $169. And, upgrade that O.S! Always surprises me to read how people invest thousands in a camera body and lenses and won’t upgrade the O.S. confusing. Just my 2 cents.

Dan
http://www.pettusphoto.com

[CoolToolGuy]

I heard all of that chatter about ME when I got this PC, but realistically, it chugs along fine for me, and the cost of upgrading a 3 year old PC can be much higher than the cost of the OS. I learned with a prior PC that when you get the PC you buy all the software you need while it is current and then ride it out. The potential for running into this limitation followed by that limitation can lead to spending as much to upgrade mine as it would cost to buy a new PC, so I'll live with what I've got until I choose to get a new one.
Photoshop 7 will just have to do. Besides, the Digital Rebel is not included in the RAW support for PS CS. So I could use it for my G3, but I would have to get the Adobe plug-in, or another browser, or wait until Adobe adds the Digital Rebelto CS. Ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching.
I'll be patient, and pick up a PS 7 upgrade package when the prices go down. When I'm ready, I'll upgrade the PC, and perhaps the next PS after CS will be out.
Have Fun

[fredlord]

Here is a very nice complete first look at PS/CS. Within this review it states that the new Canon Digital Rebel (300D) is supported within Camera Raw 2.0 function in PS/CS. I can't say if this is true or not but it does add hope to the picture. Let's see what is true and what is rumor.

http://www.outbackphoto.com/workshop/photoshop_corner/essay_22/essay.html

For those who don't wish to upgrade their systems, you will still always be able to do what you do now but any improvements will be lost. That's why I've been studying to make the leap to Mac OSX which is much greater a change than any previous on the Mac. My last major jump was to System 7.0 in the early nineties so I'm not looking forward to it. I could never live without new toys anyway. I have the system, I just wanted to wait.

Michael Reichmann just released his first review of the 300D today as well. He seems to like it within the limits of its cost and targeted audience.

[ron chappel]

Dans_d60 wrote: I now own PS 7 with XP Pro and will certainty upgrade to CS for $169.

Dan
http://www.pettusphoto.com

Ahh then that would explain my horror at photoshop prices...i didn't know there was such a cheap upgrade option available (from a previous version? i guess that's what you meant?)

I was thinking au$ 1000+ for every version! (but even that is way too much for a single outlay)

[Dans_D60]

ron chappel wrote:
Dans_d60 wrote: I now own PS 7 with XP Pro and will certainty upgrade to CS for $169.

Dan
http://www.pettusphoto.com

Ahh then that would explain my horror at photoshop prices...i didn't know there was such a cheap upgrade option available (from a previous version? i guess that's what you meant?)

I was thinking au$ 1000+ for every version! (but even that is way too much for a single outlay)

Yep … Upgrade. Link here to what qualifies as an upgrade: http://www.adobe.com/store/main.jhtml Also, Adobe is following MS and other companies that will require “activation” of this product. No more unlawful copies.
Dan

[evilenglishman]

--

[Dans_D60]

evilenglishman wrote:
Dans_d60 wrote:
Also, Adobe is following MS and other companies that will require “activation” of this product. No more unlawful copies.
Dan


yeah right. give them 3 weeks and it will be fixed, errr cracked. Same with all M$ products that require activation ;)


I’m sure you’re assumption that any attempt to stop stealing computer applications even with activation methods is not going to happen. I’ve been working in the computer filed since 1971 and it still amazes me that pinching software is viewed in this culture as an intellectual challenge and acceptable. Bizarre ethics and, for sure, absolutely no individual integrity. O’ well at least cracking code doesn’t result in more spam!
Dan

[ron chappel]

Dans_d60 wrote:

I’ve been working in the computer filed since 1971 and it still amazes me that pinching software is viewed in this culture as an intellectual challenge and acceptable.
Dan



For me personally it has alot to do with 'justice' .MS for example have made much of my computer life a misery -they just don't deserve my money.It could be argued too that with the business ethics/morals they have,they NEED taking down a peg or three

[Dans_D60]

ron chappel wrote:
Dans_d60 wrote:

I’ve been working in the computer filed since 1971 and it still amazes me that pinching software is viewed in this culture as an intellectual challenge and acceptable.
Dan



For me personally it has alot to do with 'justice' .MS for example have made much of my computer life a misery -they just don't deserve my money.It could be argued too that with the business ethics/morals they have,they NEED taking down a peg or three

One cannot engage in illegal acts in the name of “justice”. Unless, of course, you truly believe in the Chaos Theory? I remember when MS were the “good guys” and the “bad guys” of Digital Research (aka CPM OS) dominated the landscape. Personally, I don’t like MS belligerent and aggressive approach. I don’t have to purchase MS products either. We all have choices. But to justify stealing makes one no better than the ELF who burn down homes in the name of environmental “justice”

[UK_Terry]

I will be upgrading from PS 5.5,

how am i going to learn to use it?
with all the new tools, actions etc will the upgrade come with an Instruction Manual as the full application does?


will Adobe sell the PS8 (CS) Manual seperatly, especially for the "Upgrade" customers?

If the upgrade is as the previews suggest "A Major one"
http://www.outbackphoto.com/workshop/photoshop_corner/essay_22/essay.html

then i will need a new Manual, my PS 5.5 Instruction Manual will be well out of date. and no use at all.

[robekert]

Terry,
I upgraded to PS7. Came with a thick manual. I think PS CS will too.
Rob

[openspace]

CorelDraw and Adobe Illustrator are direct competitors in the vector graphics markets. But when it comes to digital photography, no one has successfully challenged Photoshop.

Why does Adobe charge so much? Because they can. It is a professional software package designed for the professional photographer. It is not designed or priced for the amateur enthusiast. Photoshop Elements is.

And speaking as a technical consultant to the business world, $649.00 is (believe it or not) bargain basement pricing for any kind of quality professional level software. Professional level software has always been exponentially more expensive than home versions. But then again, when you own a business, you can also write off the price on your taxes.

[evilenglishman]

--

[Belmondo]

I never cease to marvel at how a thread that starts up with a discussion of Adobe’s latest Photoshop upgrade ends up with someone venting about operating systems. It’s evidently a subject that’s always in the back of some peoples’ minds, and like religious zealots, they feel a sacred duty to evangelize wherever two or more people are gathered.

evilenglishman’s tirade about the Macintosh is typical. Clearly there’s something about the Macintosh he finds so compelling that he is moved to berating the Windows operating system and, by inference, its users. Maybe he had a life-changing experience with a purple iMac.

There are people just as outspoken with the opposite viewpoint. If you ask them, they will tell you with absolute confidence that Steve Jobs is the anti-Christ. Some won’t even wait for you to ask---they’ll freely volunteer that important bit of information. (check their websites)

Point is: this is a photography discussion. It’s not politics, religion, and it absolutely isn’t computers.

However, if it matters, I’m a Republican, Catholic, and I use Windows, but bought an iMac for my 94-year old mother.

Would a right-thinking person buy a computer for his mother that was made by the Anti-Christ?

Some will tell you: A Windows user might.

[design crusader]

Of course tools are a personal topic; camera brand preference, to film brand preference, etc. There are professional grade camera bodies (1Ds) and professional grade lenses (L glass).

Do forum readers want advice from professionals, or those who have a high level of experience, expertise, and artists who have developed, enhanced and contributed to their craft?

Well, there are brands of computers that have become the tools of professionals -- their preferences for their industry -- SGI workstations, AVID, NT, and many others. For database development, business applications, and other mainstream applications, MS (PC) is the dominent brand, due to many reasons. In professional design (industrial, video, music, film, graphic, print, interactivity, and animation) and professional photography, many prefer the Macintosh (Apple) brand as their tool of choice, because of its interface, ease of use, and most importantly -- in reference to this forum -- its ability to correctly manage and display color from input to output.

Of course this is not a venue for a battle of the computer paltforms, but in the same way that an experienced photographer can express an opinion about lens brands, camera brands, camera bag brands, flash brands, printer brands, techniques, and tips, then a professional photographer should be able to advise (or vent as it were) about computer platforms (brands).

[Dans_D60]

belmondo wrote:
I never cease to marvel at how a thread that starts up with a discussion of Adobe’s latest Photoshop upgrade ends up with someone venting about operating systems. It’s evidently a subject that’s always in the back of some peoples’ minds, and like religious zealots, they feel a sacred duty to evangelize wherever two or more people are gathered.



Hey Tom:

You’re absolutely right. It’s certainly not uncommon with any of these bulletin boards to wander off when something strikes a “nerve”. So back to Photoshop CS. I just plunked down $549 and purchased the Adobe Creative Suite Upgrade that includes PS CS and InDesign CS along with several other Adobe products. I just completed a 12-month calendar project with InDesign and it is wonderful. Much better than Quark in every aspect. Should arrive sometime in November….hopefully….
Dan
http://www.pettusphoto.com

[design crusader]

Hey Tom:

You’re absolutely right. It’s certainly not uncommon with any of these bulletin boards to wander off when something strikes a “nerve”. So back to Photoshop CS. I just plunked down $549 and purchased the Adobe Creative Suite Upgrade that includes PS CS and InDesign CS along with several other Adobe products. I just completed a 12-month calendar project with InDesign and it is wonderful. Much better than Quark in every aspect. Should arrive sometime in November….hopefully….
Dan
http://www.pettusphoto.com


Are you wandering off topic about which is better, Quark or InDesign? Or are you just expressing your opinion about a DTP brand?

[UK_Terry]

robekert wrote:
Terry,
I upgraded to PS7. Came with a thick manual. I think PS CS will too.
Rob

Thanks for that Info, i hope you are correct as CS looks more like a different program, rather than just an upgrade.

[Dans_D60]

Are you wandering off topic about which is better, Quark or InDesign? Or are you just expressing your opinion about a DTP brand?


OK … wandering again! Guilty as charged. Nonetheless, I was adding my ‘two-cents’ on a more complete upgrade package offer from Adobe. I think we are all aware that processing digital images with applications like Photoshop sometimes is not enough. Depending on the final destination for these images, other applications may be necessary. Several very good programs exist to accomplish these tasks like Qimage for printing and ImageReady for Web work, etc. Placing images in text-based page-layout work like brochures, calendars, books, etc. requires a page design application like Quark, PageMaker, InDesign, or others. My comment was targeted at those who may decide to upgrade to PS CS. According to the Adobe site, the entire upgrade suite that includes InDesign only requires a previous version of PS. Normally InDesign alone sells for $699. I’ll stop wandering now …. Dan

[evilenglishman]

--

[danphoto1]

I will proably upgrade but I am not in any hurry. i still have to learn more on PS7. Some of the new features do look intersting and handy. I hope that this supports the 10D raw files.


DA

[Belmondo]

evilenglishman wrote:
FYI I use a PC[/b] so you are waaay off line with your comments about me and my opinions. I have a lot of expreience with both systems.
I used to use a Mac for over 12 years professionaly. Personally, I find the hardware reliable and very good quality but a bit expensive.

I was recently in a position to use both at the same time and the PC out performed the Mac in nearly everything.
So please understand that my comments were based on working knowledge - i wasn't just blowing hot air.

Evilenglishman:
It would appear we have more in common than you might be thinking.

I was a Macintosh user almost from day one. I lived in Silicon Valley and had a number of clients who worked at Apple including a member of the original development team. Thanks to him, I owned a 128K Mac on which I cut my computing baby teeth. I then owned a 512K Mac, a Mac Plus, a Mac II, and just about everything else they made up through an 8500 with an aftermarket G3 card in it. I loved my Macs and thoroughly enjoyed engaging in the Mac vs. Windows debate with whoever would listen.

Unfortunately, the business I was in gradually migrated to Windows as the defacto industry standard, and for several years I maintained both---Windows for work, and Mac for personal use. In fact, I was a Photoshop owner/user long before the Windows version ever became available.

Anyway, like so many others (including possibly you), I woke up one day and realized I was spending an obscene amount of money trying to stay current on both platforms. Moreover, almost every program I had been using for years on the Mac was now available for Windows, so I saw no further reason to stick with the Apple brand.

That was about 4 years ago, and I've been reasonably happy with Windows, but there are times I go to the Apple corner of the computer store and feel a certain wistfulness when I see all those beautiful, innovative, expensive computers. Within the last year or two, I bought an iMac for my wife, and another one for my mother. I bought the 10.2 upgrade for both of them and I’m trying to stay somewhat up-to-date on developments at Apple---you never know when conditions might just cause the pendulum to swing the other way again.

So please don’t be offended by my comments. In reading back over what I said, I can see now why you might be somewhat put off. To be sure, I could have picked my words a little more carefully. I was really only commenting on the irony that a discussion on a Pagemaker upgrade had devolved into a comparison .of operating systems.

Friends?

[evilenglishman]

--