PS CS2 - To keep or not to keep?!

[Ted]

Hello all!

I've purchased CS2 for a discounted price of < $300...

I currently own PSE 4.

I haven't opened the CS2 and I'm not sure if I want to keep it.

The main factors are:

1. Is Adobe Bridge as intuitive and easy to use as PSE's Organizer? I love the Organizer but not always hearing good things about Adobe Bridge.

2. Is there really a LOT that CS2 offers that I can't/won't get from PSE4?

Please... anybody who has/has had both programs, I'd appreciate input!

Thanks in advance! :)
Ted

[kompressor]

Hello all!

I've purchased CS2 for a discounted price of < $300...

I currently own PSE 4.

I haven't opened the CS2 and I'm not sure if I want to keep it.

The main factors are:

1. Is Adobe Bridge as intuitive and easy to use as PSE's Organizer? I love the Organizer but not always hearing good things about Adobe Bridge.

2. Is there really a LOT that CS2 offers that I can't/won't get from PSE4?

Please... anybody who has/has had both programs, I'd appreciate input!

Thanks in advance! :)
Ted

To me, I would keep it and run both.
As far as bridge goes, on my computer it is far slower then the browser in PSE4.
Also, I have a P4 1.8G processor and 512mb of ram and it is often not enough power to run them both at the same time.

as far as your second question, yes PSCS2 does offer a lot more....
it has a lot more "hidden" options.....ones that you learn after you been using it for a while.
PSE4 has a lot more "automatic" options, which are great, but not fool proof.

as far as learning PSCS2 goes, my girlfriend Hattitudes started in Feb '06 digital scrapbooking and hardly knew how to cut and paste, never mind PSCS2
now she amazes me with her work. It started as Hattitudes telling me how she wanted to do things in PS (she would tell me what kits to bring in, change colors etc) now she can do almost all. (she still needs me to optimise for the web)
believe me, with the right training software or having someone teach you, if Hattitudes can learn PSCS2, anyone can.
It just takes more dedication.
I have been using photoshop for a few years now and you never stop learning new things.
the internet has a wealth of knowledge on photoshop.

hope this helps

[Ted]

Hi Kompressor,

Yes! It helped tremendously! Thanks so much! :)

So, is it possible to use the browser in PSE4 and the features in CS2? In other words, can I somehow open up a photo I see in the browser of PSE4 and edit it with CS2? I didn't think that was possible since it's cross-platform?

I have 2 gigs of RAM so I don't *think* that it would slow down tremendously (keyword: THINK LOL!)... but I don't want to look at photos in the browser of PSE4 and then have to open them up in an entirely different way in CS2 just to edit them?

That probably doesn't make much sense! :)

Thanks for your help, again!

[kompressor]

Hi Kompressor,

Yes! It helped tremendously! Thanks so much! :)

So, is it possible to use the browser in PSE4 and the features in CS2? In other words, can I somehow open up a photo I see in the browser of PSE4 and edit it with CS2? I didn't think that was possible since it's cross-platform?

I have 2 gigs of RAM so I don't *think* that it would slow down tremendously (keyword: THINK LOL!)... but I don't want to look at photos in the browser of PSE4 and then have to open them up in an entirely different way in CS2 just to edit them?

That probably doesn't make much sense! :)

Thanks for your help, again!

makes sense to me :eek: :)
here is what we do.....
In pse 4 browser, find the pic you want to work on.....also have pscs2 open (each one sharing part of your computer window).
then all you have to do is drag the pic from pse4 right into pscs2 and bam!
your all set to go...
If you are putting the pic into a layout in cs2, first make sure you have your blank 12x12" open (or whatever size you wish)
then drag the pic from pse4 into cs2. make sure that your blank page only takes up some of the window, not all of it. now once you can see both your blank and pic you imported at the same time, click on the pic and just drag it into the blank layer and that's it (likely how you do it when doing everything in pse4)

once you install cs2, let me know and I will walk you through the preferences to get the most out of cs2.

ps this system works best if you have dual monitors.....have cs2 open in one monitor, pse 4 organizer in the other.
(I bought a graphics card with dual monitor output, and a 10 dollar second monitor at salvation army, 17" crt)
it is cheap and easy to do

cheers

[debbiel]

In PSE 4 there is an option, in the organizer, to edit in Photoshop. Maybe it would take the picture to CS2.

[Ted]

That'd be awesome! :)

Debbie, where might I find this option? I'm at work now but I'll check upon my return home.

Thanks for answering! :)

[debbiel]

I'm wrong-I'm sorry. When I checked, it is PSE 3 that lets you edit in PS. If you have PSE3, open the program, click on photo browser. If you open a picture here, then go to edit. The last choice is edit in Photoshop.

[Ted]

Darn! That would've been such a good feature for them to keep in PSE4! I wonder why they decided to remove it...

Thanks, just the same. :) I'll look around the Internet and see what others are doing with both...

But the information you all have given me is a huge help! :) Thanks so much!

[debbiel]

I have just been using the Photoshop Filter Effects book by O'Reilly. It has instructions for PS and PSCS2. It is amazing how much is not in PS 7 but is in PSE4. Many of the filters are in PSE 4 but not in PS 7. I guess PSE 4 is newer than PS7. There are a few things in PS 7 that are not in PSE 4 but I don't think there are enough to stop you from using PSE 4.

[dmrdm]

Once you open PS CS2 and start using it, you'll be scared for a little while, but you'll never go back once you start dinking with it.

I missed the ICONS at first,(the save button, the undo button, all of that stuff in the toolbar) but you learn how to use the shortcuts. I never miss them or even think about them anymore.

[Ted]

Thanks for responding, dmrdm!

Hmm, I hadn't heard about the lack of icons in the toolbar. I guess I assumed the overall layout was the same as PSE 4.

Learn something new! :)

Thanks!

[shazzt]

Well I'm very jealous Ted - if I could get it for $300 I would buy it! But it is around $2000 here - so I guess I will sticking with Elements! Yes - I would keep them both :-)

[Ted]

OMG! $2000?!?! I can only imagine what that is in US$! :)

I may keep them both. I'm going to do more research on the Adobe Bridge. :) I'm even reading that I should consider getting the CS 2 Suite! Ack!!! That would be $389... so about $100 more for Illustrator, Bridge, Photoshop, etc. etc. etc. :-/

So much to learn! :P

[shazzt]

Well in $US it is cheaper for you - one of my dollars only buys 62cents US - sigh......that is part of the reason for the high cost here.

[scrappistaci]

Hands down, ps cs2 is the best. I started with it - and like what kommpressor said about hattitudes, at first you cant do anything, but now can do everything! I haven't broken down to buy it yet, I still use my school's version that I hook up to via the web. It is extremely slow to upload a decent pic there! I have been using different trial versions of different software and they all STINK! I can't do anything. I think all the shortcut buttons they use are terrible!

I see it like this - it is more time invested at the startup to learn the program. In the long run - you will be able to do anything though! Keep the software - you will love it!

[cindyi]

Hey Ted.. I also am running both Elements 4 and CS2. I like the organizer WAY better. You CAN be browsing stuff in the Elements organizer and then edit them in CS2. I just right click on the item, and then a menu pops up -- I scroll down to the "edit with photoshop" option (keyboard shortcut - control-H). CS2 doesn't even need to be opened -- it will open for you. I use this a LOT because I find the Bridge really slows down my cpu.

[Emma]

Ctrl-H in Organizer is Edit with Photoshop (Edit>Edit With Photoshop; Edit>Standard Edit will open it in PSE)

I personally prefer Bridge, I've never had any speed issues with it.

I use pSE to scrap faster, I use PS when I want to really get creative and get all the control. I would never, ever give up PS.

Dual monitors helps a lot, but if you Alt-Tab you can toggle any open windows in Windows, making the process faster. When I work on my laptop I use this feature a lot. Even when I'm on my PC I still do that since I usually have more than one graphcis program open along with my web editor and screen capture software while writing classes, which I'd need a NASA work station to see all at once (oh, how I covet that...just think of all the radiation exposure, BWAHAHAHAHAHA!)

Enjoy the PS, you'll be thankful. Have to at least try it. Or you could just sell the Shazz for a bargain price!

[Ted]

Thanks for all the input, ladies!

Oddly, when I right-click on a picture in the Organizer I don't see a "Edit with Photoshop" option.. is that because I don't have PS installed? I'm guessing that is why it doesn't show up as an option. Once I install PS, will it show up as an option? I've never heard of software changing like that when another application is installed? I would figure it would show up but maybe just "greyed out"...???

I may just end up keeping PS CS2... I just don't want to spend $300 and find myself never using the program! I know once I unwrap the box, I've invested in it and I'm stuck with it.. that is my main apprehension! :(

[scrappistaci]

Hey Ted, did you open it? Hmm, you must have - no post for a couple days! Still playing in ps cs2? hahaha!

[Ted]

Hi Stacey,

*laugh* Yep, I've opened it... and having fun. I purchased the Total Training DVD on it... and having fun with that as well. :) Deke McClelland (the presenter) is great... he has some humor and relaxed tone. He includes personal photos and makes more of a connection. I'm pleased.

I was foolish and bought a 2nd monitor... so now I can watch the DVD and try the stuff on my first monitor. It's crazy! :)

[kompressor]

Hi Stacey,

*laugh* Yep, I've opened it... and having fun. I purchased the Total Training DVD on it... and having fun with that as well. :) Deke McClelland (the presenter) is great... he has some humor and relaxed tone. He includes personal photos and makes more of a connection. I'm pleased.

I was foolish and bought a 2nd monitor... so now I can watch the DVD and try the stuff on my first monitor. It's crazy! :)
that's great ted!
having dual monitor setup is the only way to really learn tutorials.
you can read from one and do the work in photoshop on the main monitor....
any questions let me know

randy

[scrappistaci]

Ted - I am so jealous! PS2, dual monitors, and tutorials! Great setup! I still use the school version, logging into their system. Talk about slow! Enjoy your new toys! I can't wait to see what you create with it!

[Ted]

Stacey, are you a teacher or a student? If so, Adobe offers CONSIDERABLE discounts for their products (ex. Elements for like $70 and CS2 for under $300).

Only problem is: You can't upgrade them by purchasing the upgrades. You'll have to buy them all over again. Other than that, a pretty good deal! :)

PM me if you have questions. :)

I can't wait to see what I create with them, also!

I'm actually considering going for my ACE... *crossing fingers*. I don't know if I will succeed, but maybe something for which I can strive?! :)

Take care!
Ted