Moving to PSCS3

[ptabbert]

Dilemma time! Adobe is offering Elements users PSCS3 for $299. This is such a good deal that it's hard to pass up but I'm not sure it's the wisest use of my money. I'm not worried about the learning curve because I've learned many, many software programs over the last *** years. Just wanted to get some advice from those who have either made the change or are using CS3. Is it a no-brainer to move up to CS3? Or not? Help!

[winclk]

i was wondering if i should upgrade also. i tried using the coupon code but i got an error saying the code has already been used.

is there another code that i can use?

robin

[Wendy]

Hi ...

I understand that you can phone them and you can get the deal that way too :)

Wendy

[Priss]

I think that the way the new CS3 handles panoramic blends and automates their photomerge---AND the HUGE changes and depth now to CURVES in CS3 ----AND the intricate changes you can make with Camera Raw are more than worth the price at this huge discount. If you are coming from Elements to CS3, YES, you will have some new things to learn, but just wait until you see what ELSE is there in CS that you never had in Elements. If you have the time to dedicate to learning it, the money to spend for it, and Linda's PS videos you'll enjoy having attributes you never dreamed of. Recommend some good basic training manuals for CS3 to soften the blow a bit, and NAPP membership for the basic things--then with Linda's scrapbooking focus, you'll be amazed at how fast you grow and how good you become in short order.

I LOVE the "new" interface in CS3--the way the palettes are organized on fly outs. It's great....I know, use and teach from Elements Versions, 3 4 and 5, and also CS2 and CS3-so I look at photoshop in one version or another about 15 hours a day! Only YOU know how passionate and hooked you are on this passion we share!

(

[ptabbert]

Well, I am definitely the obsessive personality type - about all of my passions! Sounds like it really is a good idea. I was actually looking forward to having something new to learn. Now that I'm retired I find myself looking for mental stimulation! (Of course, some days there's just no stimulating this old brain!) I think I'll go for it and I really do think I'll love it. Thanks for all the information!!

[dmrdm]

I have to agree with Priss. CS 3 is WONDERFUL. I took advantage of this same offer a couple of years ago (for CS 2 at the time) after having received an email from Linda about the offer. I've never looked back.

The RAW changes are to die for. We just got back from vacation and used it on our photos. OMG...we will never not shoot RAW again. (you can use the RAW format on JPG's also).

Note, if you get CS 3, when you register you can select a free item. I selected the free tuts from Lynda.com for 31 days. It was so much fun!

The convert to Smart Object is also wonderful...although I have to remember to use it.

There are just too many good things to even mention.

I was alittle scared of CS 2 the first couple of weeks, but after that I never looked back.

Purchased a few books, did tuts online and have been having a blast. Just got a new CS 3 book last week that I've not had time to play with.

I couldn't pass up the bargin myself because I had been dreaming about the program for years, but just couldn't justify the cost. When the $299 came up, it was just too good to pass up. You won't be disappointed.

[winclk]

well i did it. i just upgraded to photoshop cs3. i had to call adobe because i couldn't get the coupon code to work online. can't wait to receive it.

robin

[Wendy]

Hi Robin ...

Do let us know when it arrives :)

Wendy

[Meisie]

Priss, what is NAPP (you mentioned membership in it) ?

I too hope to upgrade...:)

[Kaysmail]

I am really split down the middle on this, on one hand I do love to learn new software, on the other, I think PSE just does such an incredible job that I am still learning new things to do with it every day. So do I want to spend $300 on a program that will have even more than I have been able to learn on this one? I don't think so, I am having such a good time being amazed at using PSE that I think I'll stick with this for now. But I'll never say never!

[Margules]

I just went to Adobe's website and couldn't find the $299 upgrade deal for PSE 3.0. The price I found was $549. Is there a special place I should be looking and do you know when the offer expires? Thanks for any help. Rachel

[Karin]

I would like to have the upgrade, but if I am not wrong, the offer is only valid in USA?

Living in Europe is nice, but in this case I would love to be living in USA...;)

[Wendy]

Hi ...

If you telephone Adobe then you will be able to buy it that way ... however there have been a couple of reports that not all the customer service staff understand the offer. So if the one you get says it isn;t available then just try again a little later :)

Wendy

[Wendy]

Karin ...

Sadly Adobe never do offers in Europe ... however if you contact then then they do an upgrade from Elements to Photoshop. Not a great reduction but its better than nothing :)

Wendy

[Margules]

Thanks for your help Wendy. I'll try Adobe by telephone. Rachel

[winclk]

i joined napp yesterday. didn't sign up for the forum yet. been too busy looking around the site. it is an amazing site. i have been watching photoshoptv. great show. just moves too fast for me to keep up. i have also looked at some of the tutorials (the ones you have to read). i thought pse5 was a great program but cs3 is overwelming in what it can do. i just hope my imagination kicks in soon so i can take advantage of cs3.

[Wendy]

Hi ...

Don't worry about it ... you will soon get used to it :)

Wendy

[muriel]

I am like Kaysmail there is still so much to learn in CS2 but reading what youall are saying about CS3 is about to push me over the line. I generally try and update everyother update. I am wanting to switch to Raw so maybe this time I should bite.LOL Thanks for all your input on why it is such an improvement.

[jodee]

W inclk,

If you have joined NAPP there is a NAPP HELP that is really super. You might want to try it, you can go into it and there is a short video on anything in CS3 that you might want to know about.

[muriel]

Well I jumped today! Right into CS3. I called Adobe and their shipping rates are a little high so went to Office Depot and they had the upgrades. I watched a movie on Adobe and they showed the new tool bars. That did the final selling right there. I get so much on my screen I can't work. This should help. I was going to get a bigger screen but got a new camera instead. Now to load and play.
I signed up for Linda's class on Adobe but never got any information on how to get to it or anything. I thought it didn't go through so I tried to register but it says I am registered. Soo I have to find the information. Any one have it?

[dmrdm]

CONGRATS on CS3. YOU'll LOVE IT!!!

I got mine shortly after it came out, so I can't remember everything exactly. But when I registered CS3, (help>registration), after you registered they offered you a selection of gifts. I seleted the free 31 day training. I'm pretty sure after I selected Lynda.com, I received an email from Lynda. I believe it gave me the info I needed to log on and possibly told me how long from free subscription was good for. It's been along time, hopefully I've remembered it correctly.

Don't know if that helps in anyway or not.

[muriel]

I chose the same site. Adobe gave me a and activation key but Lynda refuses it. I will have to get back to Adobe and see what is up. That is a great source I can hardly waite. I watched the videos that came with CS3 and my head worked on them all night......LOL

[dmrdm]

Well, hopefully Lynda is just asleep and you'll be able to get in soon. Say, I wanted to mention that Adobe is putting on the following on-line seminar:

Advanced Scrapbooking with Photoshop CS3
11/13/2007
11:00 AM US/Pacific

I don't know if you have been getting the email from Adobe about these or not. Maybe you've already signed up. They just had an Elements one the other day. Linda also mentions the events also from time to time in her newsletters. I'm thinking she is teaching this one if I remember correctly. I signed up for in in early Sept, so I can't remember everything that far back. After they air, they do become available in a week on the Adobe site.

There are so many tuts on the Lynda site. I was glued to it the whole month! Being the free subscription, you don't get the photo files they mention, but I enjoyed it just the same. I kept a notebook handly and took a lot of notes.

HAVE FUN.

[Dot]

I absolutely love CS3 and it really didn't take long to get used to it. Elements is great and I used it for years but everything seems easier for me in CS3.

[dmrdm]

Agree with you DOT!!! You hear all the hype about it and intially it worries you, but I was very comfortable with it after a couple of weeks. There are so many free resources and books for learning on it also, so that is also very helpful. Learning is fun.

I used PSP, but had gotten free copies of Elements over the years with scanners/cameras, etc. So had both on my computer. Started with PSP when it was shareware and worked my way up to PSP X...and the swtich wasn't hard at all.

I'm hooked....until death do we part!

[muriel]

WOW!!! I got into Lynda ( need a capital O not a 0)
I have just started with the one on one series. This is just too much. I wish I had know about these sites years ago. I did get a lot out of DSP but Linda's Videos and lynda.com site are taking things to a whole new leverl!!! Just a little excited LOL.
I did sign up for Linda's Scrapbook class and it says I am signed up but I have never gotten anymore information on how to get one to watch it...

[Dot]

They usually send you that info in an email after you register.

[dmrdm]

Glad to hear that you got on Muriel. Yes, there is a ton of stuff. You'll never get through all of the applicable stuff in 30 days, but it is fun trying!

Glad you signed up for the Adobe class. You get an email giving you all of the information. When you get in make sure you do the test via the link they give you, so you're all ready to go when the time comes.

If you don't get one in a day, I'd say sign up again "just in case". Other than the last Elements class I took, they also call up the day before as a reminder for the class also.

Have fun!