What version of photoshop do I need, CS3 or Elaments?

[rackoon]

I found some sites where I can get photoshop for mac at a great price but I'm not sure which version I need to do the graphics on my cab.

Is it true that Elements is the same as CS3 but leaves out animation or something and costs half as much? 

 

[DaveMMR]

I've never worked with Photoshop CS3 (I'm still using 7), but Photoshop Elements is basically a scaled down version of the full Photoshop aimed at photo clean-up/manipulation.  Color selection is simplified, you can't export to CMYK and many tools/plug-ins are either simplified or eliminated entirely.

By the way, it should be pointed out that Photoshop Elements came out with Photoshop 7, so it may not be comparable to CS3 features.  I do not know if they released a new Elements to coincide with the latest Photoshop.  I haven't been keeping up so someone feel free to correct me.

Your best bet would be to download a trial of Photoshop Elements and see if it can do what you need it to do.  Depending on how detailed/complex your CPO would be, it might get the job done.   It's hard to say for certain without knowing exactly what it is you're planning on putting on your CPO.   

[patrickl]

Shouldn't you be using Illustrator or CorelDRAW for the artwork?

[rackoon]

I have black and white images already drawn but I want to add flames around them, color them, and shade them to look better.

[scotthh]

Is it true that Elements is the same as CS3 but leaves out animation or something and costs half as much? 

See Adobe's website. They have a comparison page as well. I believe you are comparing Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended with regular Adobe Photoshop CS3. Elements has a MSRP of $100, regular CS3 $650 and CS3 Extended $1,000. I've never used Elements, so I can't tell you if you'd be happy with it. But I also would have trouble recommending a $650 piece of software for this one use. Some printers, cameras and scanners came with Elements. Perhaps you or a friend have a copy of an older version laying around? Also, if you look at Wikipedia's entry for PS's history, you probably don't need the newest version.

[patrickl]

I don't have Elements either, but I always thought it was more for touching up photo's. Not sure if it's also for drawing

Can't you get it finished in the Photoshop CS3 trial period of 30 days? Or use the trials to see if Elements is enough.

[rackoon]

I found a few websites that sell a photoshop CS3 extended download for 55.00 (I don't think its the trial version)

I'm a really busy guy (work full time and go to school full time). I am in the last six months of getting my masters in education and I would probably be playing around with this software for longer than 30 days. So I would like to simply buy it if I can really get it for 55.00.   

[patrickl]

I guess you are a student, so a student version would be your best option yes. IIRC You do need to send Adobe some proof before you get a key though (which might also take a while).

[scotthh]

If you can really get the student version of Photoshop CS3 Extended for $55, you should jump on it. I searched around, and found the student version for about $300. Just make sure you're downloading it from a reputable source, as you might wind up getting more than you paid for if you're downloading from a shady/illegal source.

[rackoon]

Oh man, you guys are totally bumming me out. BUT I'm glad someone said something before I screwed up my g4 mac.
this is what i was looking at. sorry I don't know how to make direct links.

cheap-software-megastore.com

backupsoftware.org

Are they a scam?

[patrickl]

Well it looks a bit shady. you might get something that works though

registration for cheap-software-megastore.com
Name: Maximus Klein
Company: N/A
Address:
81 City Road
City: London
State: London
Country: GB
Zip: EC1Y 1BL
Tel No: 44 8452802710
Fax No:
Email: softweb1@yandex.ru

A russian e-mail address is probably a hint as to how this guy stays in business selling warez online.

The backupsoftware.org site didn't show any photoshop downloads?

[scotthh]

Are they a scam?

He is selling something that costs $300 anywhere else for $55. If he wasn't stealing it, he'd probably be losing money on every sale. But maybe he makes it up on volume? 

By the way, didn't you mean to post  not as no one is on a soapbox?

[rackoon]

whoops that was softwarebackups.com

So do you guys think it will wreck my computer?

[specfire]

Good lord, you aren't still considering actually paying this guy for that software are you?  If you are willing to run pirated software, why pay someone for it, why not just grab the latest copy off of a Torrent site? 

spec

[torez]

You may need Adobe Illustrator for vector graphics.  You don't need latest version for the stuff you need.
Man, paying $55 does not make this a legal version.  If you are willing to pay and you are a student, check out your options for the whole suite that would include Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.  They should have it available at your local college bookstore.

http://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator/features/

Another major difference between Photoshop and Photoshop Elements is the amount of undo steps one can have during image editing.  That's one of the reasons why full Photoshop costs so much.