CS2 or Elements

[WGK]

I'm trying to determine if an upgrade to CS2 would be beneficial for me. I presently have Elements 4 and am proficient in its use. I'm trying to determine how steep the learning curve is from Elements to CS2 and if an upgrade is worth the cost. Anybody out there who has made the upgrade and your recommendations?

Also where is the best place to purchase CS2.

Thanks for you assistance.

[ScottE]

What do you want to do in Elements that you can't? My main problem with Elements is that it does not have curves and channels. If it had those features it would do nearly everything I need.

[WGK]

Thanks for the reply. I believe you hit the point of my question. Are curves and channels in CS2 that significant that it is worth the upgrade? Thanks.

[pacmktg]

I was making the same decision a short while ago and decided on Elements 5 as they have added channels and curves. It can be had for $69 on an upgrade.

[snedigity]

where to buy?

[viczig]

I currently use Elements 3 and was able to download curves and channels for it for free. Do a Google search.

Vic

[EOSAddict]

I currently use Elements 3 and was able to download curves and channels for it for free. Do a Google search.

Vic

Same here.. with that, unless you are big into post -processing, there is not much your average photog needs that's not in Elements.

Shoot RAW, then you don;t need it at all ;)

[rfreschner]

I upgraded from PSE3 to CS2 mainly because it has better 16 bit support. I don't know if PSE4 or PSE5 improved on it or not.

[DavidEB]

I upgraded to CS2 because of actions. If I have two dozen shots to process, CS2 is much faster just because of the automation.

There are work-arounds for curves and channels in PSE. CS2 history is nice, but undo works almost as well in elements. I guess the other thing CS2 has that's lacking in elements is paths, but I haven't figured out what those are or why I would use them.

[TheSteveMadden]

I upgraded to CS2 because of actions. If I have two dozen shots to process, CS2 is much faster just because of the automation.

There are work-arounds for curves and channels in PSE. CS2 history is nice, but undo works almost as well in elements. I guess the other thing CS2 has that's lacking in elements is paths, but I haven't figured out what those are or why I would use them.


I'll upgrade, too, because of the actions. I have several standard adjustments I make and while practice has made it fairly painless, I long for droplets.

I've decided to wait for CS3 which from the sketchy non-official sources should be out early to mid 2007. No sense paying again for an upgrade since I KNOW I will (have to have the latest). Until then, PSE4 is still useful.

[rfreschner]

I'll upgrade, too, because of the actions.

When I upgraded, I wasn't using PSE enough to care about actions, but I certainly couldn't function without them now.

I long for droplets.

What exactly is a droplet - something you can drag and drop a series of images on and have it perform an action?

[TheSteveMadden]

What exactly is a droplet - something you can drag and drop a series of images on and have it perform an action?

Exactly :)

[ScottE]

I was making the same decision a short while ago and decided on Elements 5 as they have added channels and curves. It can be had for $69 on an upgrade.

Does Elements 5 have real curves and channels? I had understood from my reading that it was only very basic. If they have fully capable curves and channels and didn't lose any of its previous features it should more than meet the needs of many of us.

[PhotosGuy]

Shoot RAW, then you don't need it at all That would be my suggestion, too since I feel the conversion is sort of like working in "16-bit". But there are curves plug-ins available for PS elements. Try this Curves (and Other Goodies) for Photoshop Elements (http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/photoshop-elements-curves.html)

[Permagrin]

That would be my suggestion, too since I feel the conversion is sort of like working in "16-bit". But there are curves plug-ins available for PS elements. Try this Curves (and Other Goodies) for Photoshop Elements (http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/photoshop-elements-curves.html)

That only works for 1-3. Sadly.

[PhotosGuy]

That only works for 1-3. Sadly. Sorry, but I'd guess that someone has an upgraded plug-in... somewhere.

[30D'er]

I hear curves are available in Elements 5, however, the users cannot directly access the curve by clicking and dragging like you can in Canon's digital photo professional, or in CS2. You can only clack and drag the slider.

[dagwell]

I'm trying to determine if an upgrade to CS2 would be beneficial for me. I presently have Elements 4 and am proficient in its use. I'm trying to determine how steep the learning curve is from Elements to CS2 and if an upgrade is worth the cost. Anybody out there who has made the upgrade and your recommendations?

Also where is the best place to purchase CS2.


You could just download the 30 day trial of CS2 from Adobe. See for yourself if it's worth the cost. It wouldn't hurt to have a CS2 book on hand so you can quickly get up to speed before the trial runs out.

There are a few "tricks" to get a low cost version of CS2.

1. Often, Adobe has a $299 upgrade offer from Elements to CS2. It sometimes appears at the bottom of the Elements window.

2. You can buy an unregistered copy of Photoshop 6 on eBay for about $100. Then you qualify for the CS2 upgrade which is about $150.

3. If you qualify, you can purchase an academic edition of CS2. There are some usage restrictions that state the copy can't be used for professional purposes.

Note that CS3 is rumored to be coming out in Spring 2007, so you might want to wait a few more months.