See above. ETA, I mean PHOTOSHOP CS3 (not the creative suite, and not the extended version)

Also, experiences with Lightroom? Worth looking into, or, not really needed?

[Edited on January 22, 2008 at 6:11 AM. Reason : ]

1/22/2008 6:09:12 AM

Depends what you do with it, how often, and if you have access to student pricing.

1/22/2008 6:28:49 AM

photo editing, both basic and advanced, every time I take pics (at least a few times a month), no

1/22/2008 6:35:23 AM

Probably, download the free trial first and see what you think and how it runs on your system.

Light room is a really fun tool, but if you're comfortable with photoshop I wouldn't suggest spending money on both.

1/22/2008 6:39:48 AM

I've got PS7 and I love it. Every time I try something else I end up going back because with PS7 I know where everything is. Like the ability to zoom with a mouse wheel as an example. I'd rather not lose an hour trying to figure out how to set up simple things like that when there isn't a perceived benefit from the upgrade... given the way I use the programs at least.

1/22/2008 8:15:32 AM

You can turn mouse wheel zoom back on in CS3 is about 2 seconds.

1/22/2008 8:33:07 AM

PS CS3 is a HUGE upgrade over 7. I think the biggest reason YOU should upgrade though would be to get Adobe Camera Raw (unless you already bought Nikon Capture) and Adobe Bridge. Camera Raw makes editing the nef files so easy and quick, you'll be amazed at shots you can save and just make that little bit better. Bridge has 90% of what's in Lightroom, and Photoshop has the rest under the File > Automate and File > Scripts commands. Just go to Adobe's site and get the 30 day trial. It is over Extended Edition, but if you don't use those extra features, there's no difference. I haven't used anything that's special to Extended edition since I got CS3.

1/22/2008 8:44:36 AM

^^Yeah, for someone who already knows where to look. I can either google all day for answers to that and a million other questions I'd have, or I could just stick with what I know until it is no longer runs on whatever OS is the only one getting the security updates.

[Edited on January 22, 2008 at 8:51 AM. Reason : -]

1/22/2008 8:46:01 AM

^^

1/22/2008 9:27:26 AM

^^ Edit > Preferences > General

1/22/2008 10:00:42 AM

Ok, 1 down 999,999 to go before I'll upgrade

1/22/2008 12:36:02 PM

you mean we're supposed to pay for it?

1/22/2008 1:53:13 PM

Nope, haven't purchased Nikon Capture...so, the RAW editing option is very attractive, as is the HDR (at least, for when I finally get a tripod)

I've heard in a lot of reviews that things are set up differently with CS3...but...I taught myself Photo7, so I figure I can do the same here. I've been contemplating d/ling the trial version, but my HD is getting a little full so I think I need to get that external storage solution set up (so I can take SOME things off here) before I start adding more

1/22/2008 2:53:30 PM

You can easily return to a classic interface if you want to, but I've found the new UI is easier to work with, especially with smaller monitors like a 17" LCD. You can quickly collapse the tool pallets and the tool "bar" only being 1 icon wide certainly is nice. I also like that you can disable menu items so they aren't there. I don't need some of the tools under image>adjust so I can turn them off and not have a large list of things. You can also color code different tools on the menus so you can easily find them.

1/22/2008 2:58:24 PM

yeah I watched the little video...very impressive at a glance!

1/22/2008 3:00:41 PM

I went from CS to CS3, that right there is a huge leap forward. PS7 to CS3 is probably an evolutionary step... heh.

I love it and the tools available at hand are more than enough for any designer, artist, or photographer. If you have academic pricing available, it's a better buy to get the whole CS premium suite than to get just PS.

1/22/2008 3:13:06 PM

nope...no longer a student, so...full price here I come

1/22/2008 3:40:17 PM

If you have someone who can buy it for you at the school store..................

1/22/2008 3:46:45 PM

lol...true...and yet, I don't know any current students that I'd trust with that kind of moolah

ack, why does this hobby have to be so expensive!

1/22/2008 3:53:44 PM

Quote :

"...HDR..."

IMO photomatix is a superior HDR tool. Photoshot does a good job, but it's not the best.

1/22/2008 4:08:35 PM

There's plenty of students around that you can abuse... Err, I mean befriend.

1/22/2008 4:09:07 PM

well...remember I don't live in Raleigh anymore

1/22/2008 4:19:48 PM

Now this would be wrong, but you could always get them to create an account on the bookstore website and place an order for you in their name and have it shipped. The shipping price that's calculated is wrong though, they manually reduce it (the system does it as a % of cost but the software is so light the manager just charges the actual shipping cost instead.)

Anyways, for about 5-6 bucks shipping +219.95 you could get the CS3 design standard suite (photoshop- not extended, illustrator, acrobat pro, and indesign.) If you're having it sent out of state, no sales tax I do believe. Just have to find someone you trust with your credit card number or who will place it on theirs.

Don't do that though. You're not technically allowed to buy software.

1/22/2008 7:06:36 PM

^lol. Yeah, you can't do it (do it) because it would be ethically wrong (do it).

You can always go to your nearest community college and take a class, therefore you can buy student software. I think...

1/22/2008 9:07:56 PM