PSE 3.0 Info

[aam1234]

Hi, I have few questions about PSE 3.0, if I may

1- Does it have the channel mixer. This is very important to me, as many people say it's a good way to convert to B&W (I'm dying to know a simple and effective conversion).

2- Are the documentation good and worth buying, or a download purchase from the net is good enough.

3- Many people are complaining about the other utilities that come with it. So can you install just PSE 3.0 and ignore the other programs.

Appreciate any advice. Thanks.

[ejwebb]

1- Does it have the channel mixer. This is very important to me, as many people say it's a good way to convert to B&W (I'm dying to know a simple and effective conversion).


There are many methods to convert to black and white - most of which work with PSE 3. I think I have info on the one you are referring to and have used it successfully with PSE 3 - it allows you to adjust tone and saturation on each individual channel within a layer to modify the look of the entire image. I can provide a link after I get home tonight. Additionally, there are free utilities available that can be downloaded and added to PSE 3 for such tools as Curves and Masks which further increase its functionality. I even have a free plugin that provides numerous filters including b&w that also allows you to choose film types and speeds to get different grain and contrast. I'll provide those links later as well.

2- Are the documentation good and worth buying, or a download purchase from the net is good enough.


The documentation in the box sucks but the tutorials and help files are good. I would have no problem buying the download - make sure you keep proof of purchase and burn it to a cd for future use. I also gained a wealth of knowledge from the PSE forum on Adobe's website and the Elements Users website and forum run by Scott Kelby. There are lot's of great books, too - I have a few of them, including Scott Kelby's and Richard Lynch's. Honestly, I have learned the most from the forums and online help and simple experimentation.

3- Many people are complaining about the other utilities that come with it. So can you install just PSE 3.0 and ignore the other programs.


What utilities are you referring to? I did a standard install and got the Editor and the Organizer, both of which are great tools and warrant few complaints. Sure, there are quirks with any program that people complain about but most are not that big a deal. For the money, you can't beat PSE 3 - RAW converter, Organizer, Editor. I suppose if you want to install only the Editor you can since they are separate .exe files but why would you want to?

[aam1234]

Hi EJ, thanks and I must say, you've always been helpful to me. Thanks.

To be honest, the conversion to B&W is the major attraction for me. Hence the question about the channel mixer.

[ejwebb]

No problem.

Here are the free tool sites - Shipley's tools and Earthbound Light tools add the Channel Mixer as well as Curves and Layer Masks:

http://member.melbpc.org.au/~pshipley/Download.htm (http://member.melbpc.org.au/%7Epshipley/Download.htm)

http://www.earthboundlight.com/phot...nts-curves.html (http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/photoshop-elements-curves.html)
http://www.earthboundlight.com/phot...management.html

PSE 3 forums and information:

http://www.adobeforums.com/cgi-bin/webx?14@249.rJNgaKbUpNU^43@.eeb4f8b
http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/
http://www.arraich.com/elements/psE_intro.htm

Great free PS plugin for b&w conversion and other filters:

http://www.optikvervelabs.com/

[aam1234]

Thank you very much EJ.

[aam1234]

Didn't want to start a new thread so thought of reviving this one.

Would like to know what was your experience for moving from PSE 2.0 to 3.0. Did you find the upgrade worthwhile, and what are the things you like in the new version.

Read Adobe site and took the tutorial, but still, personal and first hand experience is more informative.

So what do you think about the upgrade to 3.0

Thanks

I bet EJ is saying "you haven't upgraded already!" :D

[ejwebb]

Actually, unless you are shooting RAW and need the converter or plan to use the organizer, there is not a lot of reason to upgrade. I did back when there were some real deals - $45 after rebates - and before Rawshooter Essentials was out. Not sure I would bother with upgrading now, though. Although, I made the big jump and went with CS2 recently...

[rfreschner]

I upgraded from PSE2 to PSE3 and thought it was well worth it. Of course, I also use Adobe Album to organize my images so having a tighter integration between the two was a real plus. Like ej though, I also have made the big jump to CS2 now. However, I still use the Organizer.