Should I upgrade to CS4 from CS2?

[Ted]

Hi all,

I'm able to upgrade to CS4 for a reasonable amount of money... using a teacher's website to purchase the software.

Just wondering if it's worth it... seeing as I already have CS2? I would especially appreciate hearing from those people who had CS2 and have CS4 and if they feel it's worth the upgrade.

Thanks much! :)

[Kathleen]

Hi, Ted!

I have CS3, and downloaded the trial version of CS4 and used it for 30 days. Although it is always cool to have the latest toys, I couldn't justify the $200 upgrade. I'm sure others who have made the jump from CS2 to CS4 will chime in, but I guess I would ask, what do you WANT to do that CS2 doesn't allow? Also, it can't hurt to download the trial from Adobe's web site and give it a whirl.

[Ted]

Hi Kathleen,

Thanks so much for answering!

Well, that's a good question about what I want to do that CS2 doesn't allow? I guess I don't know! LOL! I'm not sure what's available and perhaps I need to follow your advice and download the trial.

As you said, it's always fun to have the latest toys. :)

Perhaps I should go to the Adobe site and check their forums as well...to see others' views.

[debilou]

I would download the CS4 trial and give it a whirl...

There is a feature you can turn on in CS4 that will HIGHLIGHT all the differences in each drop down menu. It's in Windows > workspace > what's new (granted in the differences between CS 3 and 4 - but you'll get the drift...

Some of the differences I like between cs2 and 4 are

You can open up a .jpg or .tiff file as if it were shot in Camera Raw..

You now have more flexiblity in camera raw - they added more options - a gradient brush and an adjustment brush... wonderful tools..

And, in the sliders you now can adjust Vibrance/Saturation - really pumps up the colors.

In photoshop... you now have an adjustment and a masks panel.. so you can make "non destructive" changes to your images... These are very powerful tools to help you make your images just snap...

Just every version just seems to make things get to be a little bit easier to make your images look even better than the version before...

But, those are my favorite bells and whistles so far... - But note, I've only been using it less than a month... (But, been taking lessons the entire time while I've had it.)..

[JenJeninGA]

So far I don't like CS4. But I did really like what I gained from CS2 up to CS3.. so coming from CS2 it might be worth it. I wish I didn't have to upgrade but changing from pc to mac so had no choice.

[Ted]

Debilou and JenJen, thanks for answering!

Hmm, I've never really understood the entire "RAW" system, so I mostly deal with .JPGs, .GIFs, etc.

Perhaps I'll just stay with CS2... the site from where I purchase software has PS CS4 extended for $300 and while that's a very good price, I can't justify spending it if there aren't enormous differences. CS2 probably does what I want.

That, and I have close to a dozen books on CS2 so I have my own resource library! :)

[debilou]

Unless you have a "REAL" reason to upgrade... I'd stay with what you have..

I had to upgrade... because I moved to a MAC... so no option for me...