PSP, PS, PE, more? info, opinions/

[Leea]

I've been reading some threads and have questions:
first, PSP is Paint Shop Pro, PE is Photoshop Elements, understand that (I think)...if PS is Photoshop, what is PSCS2? is there a 3?
I have PE3 which I'm signed up to take the Beginners Class.
I have PSP8, just took the class in January.
For PSP, I've read reviews online, and most versions get a wide range of reviews, so I'm asking for opinions here :)

I like PSP8, but there are a few things about it:
1. lines across the work area, that show up sometimes and won't go away (seems to be something with selection tool, but the finished layout doesn't show the lines).
2. I'd like to see the active layer as a picture of what I'm working on (I can re-name the layer so I know what it is)

So for PSP users, what would I gain by hunting down and buying PSPX? or buying PSPX1 or 2?
recommendations for a particular version? What are some of your favorite things about your software edition?

If you use Photoshop Elements, any recommendations for a version (got PE3 free with my Wacom Tablet) so if I like PE, would I gain anything moving up to a newer version?

Many reviews i've read have said that PE is very similar to Photoshop...what is the biggest thing that those of you who use Photoshop find that you really use a lot that might not be in PE versions?

...got a birthday coming up, so would like opinions and recommendations in case I ask for software upgrade :)
Leea

[Tina]

Photoshop has several different versions. The lastest 3 being creative Suite 1, Creative Suite 2, and Creative Suite 3, so PSCS, PSCS2, PSCS3 are all photoshop.

PSE -and all numbers behind it like PSE6- are Photoshop Elements. The lighterweight version of Photoshop.

I don't know anything about PSP, so I'll let someone else answer that ;)

[shazzt]

I got Photoshop CS3 a week ago but up until then I was an Elements user. It is a very powerful program that does almost everything you need it to for scrapbooking (and in some cases a lot better than CS3 IMHO). It is also far less expensive. Version 3 is fine but you might find some of the features of later versions (especially the ability to draw a text box for journalling) useful. You can download free trial versions of all of the programs from the company web sites. They last for a month and give you an idea of whether you like the program or not.

[Tina]

Oh, I agree with Sharon, I used PSE for a good while myself.

[sammdc]

I have used all 3 I started off in PSP used it for 7 yrs and loved it then switched to PSE4 and found it coped a million times better with the file sizes and demands of scrapbooking and then moved on to PS which I totally love the additional text features and drop shadows

[debbers]

I like PSP8, but there are a few things about it:
1. lines across the work area, that show up sometimes and won't go away (seems to be something with selection tool, but the finished layout doesn't show the lines).
2. I'd like to see the active layer as a picture of what I'm working on (I can re-name the layer so I know what it is)

So for PSP users, what would I gain by hunting down and buying PSPX? or buying PSPX1 or 2?
recommendations for a particular version? What are some of your favorite things about your software edition?

The lines in PSP used to plague me, too. They're a cross between a screen redraw artifact and a PSP screen artifact. I have *never* seen one in PSP X. I've also never upgraded past PSP X. I consider PSP 9 and PSP X the most stable versions they ever released, plus, they have a HUGE feature-rich set of tools. [There are some new things in XI and X2, but I forget what they are ... and they just never tempted me enough after reading some people's trouble with those newer versions.]

I don't understand what you mean by seeing the active layer and renaming it. Any layer can be turned on or off with the eye in the layer palette, and any layer can be renamed by just double clicking on the name in the layers palette. You'll find that's how Photoshop works, and I'd image Photoshop Elements would, too.

I don't think Photoshop Elements would get you anything that PSP can't do, in fact, there are several things PSP will do which PSE just can't do, even the most recent version.

I'm familiar with both PhotoshopCS2 and PSP ... and I use them both. Photoshop was a huge learning curve after using PSP for years.

The BEST way to make this kind of decision is to go download the 30-day demos and try them. Give them a huge working out. Don't try to do them all at the same time, or you won't have enough time to properly focus on a good evaluation.

It all comes down to what fits your needs, your style, and in Photoshop CS2/3's case, your budget, because that's a hefty price difference.

:)

deb

[Leea]

What I meant about re-naming is that I know I can re-name the layers to identify them, but it looks like newer versions of PSP actually show a small picture of what's on the layer (if I remember correctly)....if raster layer three has a rose on it, the rose shows in a small photo in the layers palette (if so, is this automatic?) Seems like it'd be faster to work with instead of stopping to rename the layers or hunt through them for the layer with the rose on it.

I've read that the newer PSP versions have a pick tool (instead of using the deform tool)... is that a significant improvement?

[debbers]

I think the pick and deform do essentially the same thing, but I've been on the pick end of things for several years, in PSP X.

And it's been so long since I had a version of PSP that didn't show thumbnails that I can't even remember when they were introduced. But I think they should be in PSP 8, check your File/Preferences, Look under General preferences, and then click on palettes. Look for the Layers palette settings there, and adjust your thumbnail.

I *swear* this was in PSP 7, I used it for several years - and completely ignored 8, I hated it so badly. :)

Let me know if you can find your thumbnails!

deb

[Leea]

I looked through the general preferences, and did a search. I know I can move the cursor over the layers palette and a thumbnail will temporarily pop-up, but it's iffy at times..sometimes I have to move the cursor over the area several times before it gets the right spot to pop up the image. I thought I read somewhere that the newer versions show the thumbnail all the time? So far, I can only find where it's temporary thumbnail view. I'll check some more.
Thanks :)

[debbers]

Maybe it was new in PSP 9, Leea, I used it for several years before I moved on to version X.

I'd look for a closeout bargain on a PSP X from eBay or a discounter somewhere, if I were you. :)

deb