I'm really very new to digital csrapping, but bought Adobe Photoshop Elements a _long_ time ago - as it doesn't have a version on it, I am asuming it is the original! My husband has investigeated upgrading to PSE4 (latest version) which ill cost around 70 USD.
My question is - does anyone know if it is worth upgrading? Most of the things I have found in tutorials and so on so far, I can already do with my version, though they are sometimes hidden away in a completely different menu!
Thanks to anyone who may be able to help me!

you should be able to see the version if you have the program open and go to the Help menu at the top and if there is an About choice, click that.

are you running XP? if you are I believe the version number should be in the add remove programs also...?

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most people who have PSE 1 can't see a version unless they go to Help>Info or something like that

If you like it, use it! For upgrading I usually recommend either do it now while you still aren't attached enough to the old version to not wanna use the new, or wait until you are aching for features you see others using in layouts/tutorials that your version doesn't have!

Often upgrading just for the heck of it causes frustration to just go back to the old version. You gotta either not know the old version better, or really want something in the new one!

That said, PSE 4 is great, some new text features that scrappers really love.

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Emma the Pal
GALLERY Web Page

I have noticed another nice feature about PSE 4.0 ~~ it is compatible with a LOT more brushes out there! You can download a BUNCH of free brushes here at SBB, and lots of kit designers are including brushes in their kits.

while I could only use a few with PSE 2.0, I can use many, many more with my PSE 4.0!

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Lisa, Mom to Nora & Lily
My gallery

that's very true!

PSE 2 can only use brushes made in PSE 2 or PS 7 and lower
PSE 3 can use brushes in PSE 3 or lower and PC CS and lower
PSE 4 can use brushes in PSE 4 or lower and PS CS 2 and lower

So whatever the current cross version of PS, PSE can use those brushes. They're not backwards compatible at all!

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Emma the Pal
GALLERY Web Page

PSE 1 doesn't show its version number and it doesn't have a circular marquee tool, but all the other versions do! Very important tool! That is what lead me to upgrade to PSE 3 when it came out. Also PSE 4 has the fonts listed in the font itself so you can see it in the window (all previous versions don't), and I hear the extract tools are great to use. I would definately upgrade now!

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I always welcome cc of my LOs!! My work is like me- in progress!

My Gallery

I've used PSE 1&2 for as long as I can remember and just recently upgraded to PSE4 and absolutely love it. Some people will cringe.. but just the addition of the photo organization (album) is well worth it to me. It was really the best money I spent this holiday.

If you are on the fence, download the trial version off of Adobe's site. If you do decide to buy it comparison shop with the local brick and mortar stores.

Many thanks for all people's help - I have downloaded the trial version - and love it (the cicular marquee tool, the fonts, the fun "cookie cutter", all the fun standard shapes for proucing mats and funky shaped photos). Something tells me I have found my birthday present (which is quite nice timing as my tiral runs out just after my birthday!).
I have got frustrated at not being able to find things in the same place as in PSE1, but as I have only been playing for a short time, hopefully I will learn all the new shortcuts soon!