I'm making the change to Photoshop!

[dmurray407]

Well, I can't believe it. I've always been more than happy with PSE and have used it since version 2. I always swore that I didn't really need Photoshop, but in a weak moment, I bought PSCS2 on ebay yesterday (new, unregistered in the box, from a reputable seller). I just ordered Linda's DVD's for Photoshop and downloaded the June Premier stuff for CS2 so I can compare it to the PSE stuff, I ordered a couple of books from Amazon and signed up for NAPP (I'm a big fan of Photoshop Elements User (I have learned so much from that site-hopefully the sister site for Photoshop is just as good!). Does anyone have any other suggestions for me to ease my transition (which I'm sure is going to be painful at times . . .). It's just killing me that I have all the premier content since the beginning for PSE, but never bothered to save anything for PS. Oh well.

Thanks for listening-I just wanted to share with someone!
Deb

[troush]

Wow! Congratulations. Have lots of fun!

-Trish (I don't have any tips - I'm still a PSE user.)

[Wendy]

Hi Deb ...

One of the things that causes the most problems when you switch is that things are in different places in the menus ... that is something that you need to get used to.

So ... I always suggest that once people install Photoshop then they don't open Elements for at least a month :eek: ... that gives you time to learn where things are and in the long run it is much easier that way.

It can be very confusing using two different programs especially when they look very similar :)

Wendy

[dmurray407]

Thanks! Not use Elements for a month . . .hmmm. That might be the hardest part!

[Wendy]

You can do it !! :)

Wendy

[dmurray407]

I just thought of something. I love PSE layer styles-I have tons of them on my computer (and I almost bought a couple of new ones just now). Will these still work in Photoshop? I guess I need to do some homework!
Thanks!
Deb

[Wendy]

Hi Deb ...

Yes they will work ... no problem :)

One of the reasons that there are so many Styles etc available for Elements is that they are made for Photoshop and also work in Elements ...

Wendy

[dmurray407]

Oh, thank you Wendy! I feel like there is so much to learn-but I have a feeling that PS will be the same as PSE in many ways-I just need to get my hands on it!
Deb

[Wendy]

Hi Deb ...

donlt worry about itYou really will be fine with it ... and donlt forget that there are lots of us here who will help you :)

Wendy

[dmrdm]

You'll be fine. I was worried at first myself and after 2-4 weeks, you'll wonder why you were so worried. Make sure you watch Photoshop TV (NAPP TV) and Killer Tips. I've learned alot from them. I also bought several books and worked through them. Some people use more than one program as part of their normal routine, but I deleted all of mine. You'll be fine. HAVE FUN!

[Priss]

You've got the very best at your fingertips, Deb--Wendy's right, you are best NOT to even open Elements (except in an emergency, as you transition). Have you stored your styles in a separate folder, or are they embedded in Elements? You'll want to copy them out of that folder if you have, and then keep a separate folder for all your PSCS2 stuff, then load when you want to use them. The thing I had the hardest time leaving behind in Elements was the cookie cutter tool!

Good luck, and let us know how you do!

[dmurray407]

Yes, I have all my goodies stored in a seperate documents file. A few things I've noticed that I think are missing (which will be why I keep PSE on my computer) are the share photos via email option and the slideshow creator-two things I use a lot! I don't know how Bridge and the Organizer will work together, but I'm assuming once I have stuff saved I will be able to open it in either application. I'm so excited to try this out-I wish my CS2 would come!

[dmurray407]

OK, I have CS2 installed. When I pull up "help" while in CS2 only PSE5, PSE4, PRE2 and PRE3 come up in the option window-no PS. I've installed all the updates, does anyone have any suggestions?

Now that I have it installed, it doesn't seem so scary!
Deb

[Susie Roberts]

Hi Deb,
Another thought. I bought a new laptop which came with Elements 4 installed. As a CS2 user I automatically installed that. (Why go backwards?) But one of the features that elements has over photoshop are the extra shapes. I just copied the file of shapes across to CS2 and now I have the best of both worlds. Enjoy. Kind regards

[Penny]

Muppet - I did the same thing you did with the shapes. I also copied over the shadow styles that Elements has that are preset. Every now and than I use them. CS2 is a great program. So much more can be done with it.

[Susie Roberts]

Great idea Penny. I might do the same.