What version of Photoshop does everyone have?

[More Cowbell]

I am looking into buying Photoshop on eBay or some other discount place. Two questions...
1) What version is best for the money? Do I need the latest and greatest or can I do most important things with one of the older ones?
2) Who has the best deal?

Thanks!

[markrvp]

I'm using CS (version 8.0).  CS2 is the latest version. 

Version 7 will still do everything you probably want to do and doesn't require Internet activation with Adobe.

[Mr. Bubblehead]

I bought 6.01 way back when it first came out, upgraded to 7 and have been using it ever since.  It does far more that what I need.

[mahuti]

From a guy that has been working with Photoshop since version 2...

I'd say 6.01 and up are fine.

The only really useful additions since then are

[Crowquill]

I use 7 at home and CS at work. I don't see that CS added much. The text tool was overhauled in 7 and I like using it much better than 6 or lower. Haven't used CS2 yet.

[StormGiant]

You always want to get the best bang for your buck, so it depends on what you end up paying.  If used PS is like used cars, then I'd recommend 7.  Everyone uses PS differently depending on the sector you work in, but general concensus is one of the best guides out there is Photoshop 7 WOW book.  According to reviews, the later CS/CS2 version of this book don't change many if any steps in the tutorials.  So if you know what you're going to do with PS, try to flip through a copy of the book at Borders/library and see if it's covered, then see what the price difference is between versions of PS.

[WwonderLlama]

I've used Photoshop on and off until around version 7.  But I ended up using the Gimp (http://www.gimp.org) for my CP design/layout/artwork/etc.  The main reasons: It's free, I didn't own a copy of Photoshop (never did.. used it for work/school), and it's as functional as Photohop. (at least for what I was using it for)

If the OP isn't already used to using Photoshop, then it might worth giving the GIMP a shot.  Both programs have similar learning curves.  For those who may consider switching from the GIMP to Photoshop, there's definately an acclimatizaion period, but it's not too bad.

I'm not saying the GIMP is a Photoshop Killer(TM), but it's extrodinarily functional and easily up to the task of Control Panel Artwork duty.


For anyone that's interested, here's my CP*:

*Disclaimer: My skills at using Photoshop and the GIMP are about equal.  My CP should not be used as a point of comparison between the two programs.

[BASSOFeeSH]

What about Photoshop Elements?  I know they stripped out some functionality for the home market(and to get the price down to $99 retail or whatever)?  I've not used this version, but it's another option to think about.

[Mr. Bubblehead]

What about Photoshop Elements?  I know they stripped out some functionality for the home market(and to get the price down to $99 retail or whatever)?  I've not used this version, but it's another option to think about.

I haven't used Elements in a loooong time, it came bundled with a camera or scanner I bought several years back.  One thing I seem to remember is that it wouldn't let you "undo" more than one step.  Also I think things like snapshots and layers were limited (my memory is quite fuzzy so I may be wrong about all this).

[hnugz]

for those of you using photoshop/gimp, are you just designing the graphics or are you making the layout as well?  ive been messing with photoshop but it seems difficult to get everything lined up correctly.  maybe theres an option for a grid somewhere that i missed...

[markrvp]

I use Photoshop for the design and the layout.  One nice feature of Photoshop is that it can import Illustrator files (like you find at localarcade.com).  On AI imports, though, you typically need to adjust the shadow levels to get the right color; it shifts for some reason.

PS makes a very nice grid.  There are two steps.  First go to VIES-SHOW-GRID.  Then in preferences you can set up the grid to make a line however you want.  In my example below (click to enlarge or save to your computer for full-size) you would enter a value of grid every 1 inch with 8 subdivisions to have a 1 inch grid with smaller lines at every 1/8 inch.

[More Cowbell]

Great input! Now, where is the best place to get software at deep, deep, deep, deep, deep, deeeeeep discounts? 

[hypernova]

you could always go the "high speed discount" route.

yup...the "five finger discount" has evolved into the technology age.

I DON'T CONDONE STEALING!

Do as i say, not as i do!

[Pandemonium]

I use CS 2 but only as I make skins for ef2 and half life 2, yes it is expensive to buy the new all singing and dancing version , for most people version 7 is all they need.

[Mr. Bubblehead]

for those of you using photoshop/gimp, are you just designing the graphics or are you making the layout as well?  ive been messing with photoshop but it seems difficult to get everything lined up correctly.  maybe theres an option for a grid somewhere that i missed...

It's all about the guides.  You can set horizontal/vertical guides anywhere on the image, then snap to them.

In case anyone is wondering, my workflow goes like this:  I usually do cabinet/CP design in AutoCAD, then print it to the appropriate scale to a PDF file, then import that into Photoshop.    Yes, I realize that it's kind of bass ackwards and old school, but then again so am I.  It works for me and all that really matters is the end result.

[Kremmit]

I'm using 5.0.

But then, I don't Photoshop much.

[mahuti]

I don't know which lower versions have it... in CS 1 & 2 I often use the Transform menu option to position elements. If you choose transform, then you can input the pixel position where you would like the item placed.

One other helpful hint... you can use the layer > layer style > stroke option to add pixel borders around your items.

I only use Photoshop for layout when I design web sites...

When I do print work, I usually use Illustrator however.

[RayB]

I am stuck using CS. Every time I have upgraded, it was only due to the forces of nature. Such as people I work with saving PSD files in versions that my old version couldn't open. So I was forced to upgrade.

For example, I had to upgrade to CS because in 7 the layer sets would get trashed. But other than that CS doesn't have much of anything that I care about that 7 couldn't do. In fact CS is SLOOOOW! Even after doubling my RAM, it's still damn slow doing simple things like CROP. In 7 it was fast!

Before 7 I used 5. And again there's wasn't that much in 7 that was better than 5.

It really pisses me off when performance SLOWS rather than improves. Know what else they MESSED up? Used to be I could right-click on my image, and ONLY the layers that had graphics under the cursor would show up in the list. I could easily find and select a layer graphic this way. Now what does it do? Even if the area is blank under your cursor, the entire layer list shows up in the right-click. Ridiculous. No way to figure out what layer you want other than by trial and error or memorizing the layer names.

Another thing they messed up: Undo in CS no longer works sequentially. used to be I could hit CTRL-Z over and over and it would "step back" through the history. Now it just goes back and forth between the last two entries inthe history.

I just LOVE it when they make changes that SLOW DOWN my productivity.
:-/

Now Adobe owns Macromedia. I hate to see what they will do to my precious Flash.

[WwonderLlama]

for those of you using photoshop/gimp, are you just designing the graphics or are you making the layout as well?  ive been messing with photoshop but it seems difficult to get everything lined up correctly.  maybe theres an option for a grid somewhere that i missed...

I used the GIMP for layout as well as design. 

In GIMP, you go to View->Grid, then View->Snap to Grid.

[australianarcade.com]

I'm a graphic artist (Photoshop comes in handy).

I've been using photoshop since v2 (I currently have Photoshop v5-CS2 installed).

I'm using all of them to create the artwork for my cab

[mahuti]

The entire layer list shouldn't show up in the list. Usually, the layer SETS show up in the list, but not all of the layers. CS2 has a nice feature in that it shows if the layer you're clickin on is in a layer set though.

The undo does work as you described, but you can do the same thing as the old method with the history command. I don't know about the PC, but the command on a Mac is command-shift-z (maybe ctrl-shift-z on a pc) you can step forward and back through the history.

[Dartful Dodger]

I use an xtra for Director that imports Photoshop layers as individual objects saving their transparencies and coordinates, but the xtra only works with 7's effects.

The graphics guy here has CS2 and he uses all the latest bells and whistles in it.  WHEN the client asks for a simple text or color change it's usually easier and faster for me to recreate it in 7 than to have him edit his own work.

When he sees the final product he gets pist that I edited his original art.  I think that's the real reason I don't upgrade.   I'm a programmer using an outdated art product to recreate something done in the latest version by the company's "artist".

Photoshop 6 was buggy on my machine so I'm voting for 7.

[MYX]

I have been using PS since v3. right now I am using CS (can't afford CS 2 due to a certain arcade machine I am building). CS in my oppinion is the best version yet (not having tied CS2).
For those who say there in not a significant difference between CS & 7, I have to dissagree.
The image browser upgrade alone is worth the upgrade. Nested layer sets are another great thing to have as well.

As far as discounts, There is a place (website coming soon) that has version 7 for like $60. I put in a call to a friend that bought it and is using it. I will post the web address when I hear from him.

[Frosty]

From a guy that has been working with Photoshop since version 2...

I think I can dig up my old Photoshop 2.0 floppy disks that worked great with my Mac Quadra 660 AV.

[More Cowbell]

From a guy that has been working with Photoshop since version 2...

I think I can dig up my old Photoshop 2.0 floppy disks that worked great with my Mac Quadra 660 AV.

In the box was there just a roll of tape and some scissors?

[mahuti]

tape and scissors could do better than photoshop 2.

[pmc]

tape and scissors could do better than photoshop 2.

Be fair now! 

Photoshop 1.0 was, in it's day, the best piece of software I'd ever seen. Hats off to the Knoll brothers!

Then again, I remember going right to 3.0. I don't remember 2.0. Maybe it really was worse than tape and scissors?

I use 7.0 now (and on a PC nowadays). I never used Elements because it's missing "Curves" which is a tool I use more than any other. Will probably be forced to go CS just for the RAW support.

-pmc

[mahuti]

I used to shoot PMTs (remember those) and as far as I'm concerned, most of the stuff that Photoshop 2 could do, was better suited for paste-up or darkroom.

Today though... much different story. Still, a lot of the younger folks could do with some analog lessons.

[krick]

I still have a sealed copy of Photoshop 3 I picked up about 6 years ago at a flea market for $20.  I had intended to use it to get the "upgrade price" on a new copy of Photoshop but I never got around to it.

I wonder if it would sell on ebay....

[emdkay]

photoshop 7.   anything else would be uncivilized 

speaking of really old versions, there's a computer shop around here that still has nhl '93 on the shelf for ~$20.  it's like steping back into time.