I'm thinking of making the jump from DIP to PSE. Just curious what's the biggest differences in PSE vs. the Photoshop CS. Can PSE do everything you'd want to do???? Feedback on the differences (except price Thanks.

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~ Amy, in Colorado
DIP10 user

I just upgraded to PSCS3 from PSE and it is a HUGE difference.
However, it's even more of a leap from DIP. A few years ago I upgraded from DIP to PSE and just now wore out all the features of PSE (hence the upgrade).

In my humble opinion, unless you are a designer, professional photographer or plan on earning some money with PSCS, I'd stick with PSE. On the other hand if you crave a learning experience, or plan to use it some where down the line to earn cash it will be also worth it. I know people who have been using photoshop for years professionally and still have not exhausted all of it's ability.

There are a lot of add-ons available for PSE - both free and paid - that do some of the same things as PSCS. I have PSE 3 and have add-ons to do curves, layer masks, selective coloring, alignment, distribution, some vector shape maniupulation, etc.

Keep in mind that layer styles and brushes for PSCS should also work in PSE and there are a growing number of actions available for PSE that further extend its usefullness.

If I weren't a designer, and had no intentions of using my knowledge down the road I would stick with PSE. Moving from DIP you will be astounded with what available in PSE. If it helps at all, I've been designing with PSE for nearly two years so it's capable of an absolute ton, once you learn it all.

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LaWanna Desjardin,
Owner, Desjardin Digital Designs, featuring regular articles and tutorials.
Contact Me Here


Snag my blinkie!

Ditto the above - I use PSE-3 also, and find it does everything I want. However, I do not design - but I have made some of my own brushes, papers, etc. for my use only. My daughter has PSCS and for me the learning curve (and expense) doesn't warrant me to moving up. I've been thinking about upgrading to PSE-5 - but still just thinking about it. Good luck!

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KATHY
Avatar by Kay Eflin - Nifty Boutique

Thanks Ladies. This was the valuable input I was looking for. I just wanted to be sure that PSE will cover most of what I want to do. I have no intentions of designing etc. THANKS again.

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~ Amy, in Colorado
DIP10 user

Hi everyone! I have the same question, but I am thinking of moving into designing. I don't have that much spare cash (I just invested in three ACDSee programs!) but am seriously considering designing.

I already have PSE but am wondering if I should go ahead and get PSCS now, or wait and get it later? How much more can PSCS do than PE for a designer? Will I really need it now or should I master PSE to its fullest and then upgrade to PSCS? Will I be really inhibited if I don't get PSCS?

Thanks!
Dodie

Dodie,
PSE will give you more control over every aspect of design. More control over brushes, layer styles, custom shapes, organization in the layers palette, text, etc. That said. Like I said though, I used PSE for designing for 2 years so maybe you could save up with your designing dollars like I did and buy PSCS down the road. Just because of the added expense, I would say master PSE first then move on the PSCS and you'll find the learning curve much easier to deal with too.

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LaWanna Desjardin,
Owner, Desjardin Digital Designs, featuring regular articles and tutorials.
Contact Me Here


Snag my blinkie!

Yep, ITA with LaWanna I wish I would have started on PSE to begin with, it would have made the transition to CS much smoother. You will be happy down the road.. not to say you won't pull a few hairs out, but it takes time and patience to learn any program. Also, Adobe used to offer registered PSE users a discount on upgrading (I think they did this twice a year?) to CS so that is another incentive.

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Dani B.

My Gallery!
My little Blog

Thank you for advice that completely answered my questions! I'll do as you both suggest and save my pennies until I have mastered PSE and then upgrade (prefereably when they have a deal going).

Thank you!!

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Scrappin' in Hong Kong!