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tavilach · Jun 16, 2005, 01:20 PM

I've been wanting Photoshop for a long, long time, but the academic price of $299 is pretty steep.

I always though that buying the upgrade, and an old version of Photoshop, would cost just as much. Today, though, I saw some old versions, like 4.0, going for really cheap...and the upgrade going for $50.

If I bought these two, would I need to install the older one, or would I just use the license key from the older one to install the "upgrade"? I just want a clean version of Photoshop installed on my system, and not random clutter from an older version.

Randman · Jun 16, 2005, 01:21 PM

Photoshop Elements.

Download is US$79, disc version is $10 more.

Unless you're a professional, it'll have everything you need and more.

tavilach · Jun 16, 2005, 01:27 PM

I've certainly investigated Elements. To my knowledge, it doesn't do vectors. I need vectors.

Furthermore, I really want to learn how to use the advanced features of Photoshop. I can't very well do that with Elements.

Randman · Jun 16, 2005, 01:36 PM

You'll get far more out of PS Elements than you will with an outdated version of PS, but whatever.

MaxPower2k3 · Jun 16, 2005, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by Randman

You'll get far more out of PS Elements than you will with an outdated version of PS, but whatever.

i think he's talking about buying an old copy of PS and upgrading it to the newest version. i haven't tried it, but I don't see why it wouldn't work, as long as the upgrade version allows you to upgrade from a version that old

tavilach · Jun 16, 2005, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by MaxPower2k3

i think he's talking about buying an old copy of PS and upgrading it to the newest version. i haven't tried it, but I don't see why it wouldn't work, as long as the upgrade version allows you to upgrade from a version that old

It says any version.

My question is: Would I need to install the older version, or just use its license key to install the new one clean?

Millennium · Jun 16, 2005, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by tavilach

I've certainly investigated Elements. To my knowledge, it doesn't do vectors. I need vectors.

Neither does Photoshop; Elements and Photoshop are bitmap-based image editors. If vectors are what you need, then you need either Freehand or Illustrator.

tavilach · Jun 16, 2005, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by Millennium

Neither does Photoshop; Elements and Photoshop are bitmap-based image editors. If vectors are what you need, then you need either Freehand or Illustrator.

Photoshop is bitmap-based, but it has basic vector tools, and I'm sure many graphic artists employ these tools. Right?

CaptainHaddock · Jun 16, 2005, 03:18 PM

I use Photoshop's vector tools every day. It's the easiest way to make low-resolution drafts that can be turned into high-resolution artwork later. It's also good, if you plan on exporting printable artwork as PDF, to use as many vector shapes as possible.

Tavilach, your upgrade plan should work. The upgrade disc will probably ask you to insert your older disc for confirmation. You might want to confirm exactly which versions you can upgrade from.

tavilach · Jun 16, 2005, 03:39 PM

CaptainHaddock, what will happen when the next version of Photoshop comes out? Will I always be needing to keep that copy of Photoshop 5 or 6 around to begin the install process? That sounds a little annoying, but I guess I'll deal

.

ph0ust · Jun 16, 2005, 03:43 PM

tavilach, i am really interested to see if this works for you. please report back after trying it if you wouldn't mind. i always thought that the upgrades were specific as to what previous versions of ps were allowed.

i assume you are planning the upgrade to ps cs2 correct?

tavilach · Jun 16, 2005, 03:47 PM

Well, it says "Any Version," so I assume any version works. To be safe, I think I'm going to go with 5.5 or higher. Yes, CS2.

ph0ust · Jun 16, 2005, 04:15 PM

right on. are you doing this soon? i have ps cs for windows and am deciding if i want to give it up to upgrade to cs2 for mac (would lose the windows version entirely). ideally, i would keep it and get cs2 for mac as well.

please report back on how it works. thanks!

MacMan4000 · Jun 16, 2005, 04:24 PM

Be an Uber-nerd and use Gimp! Its free open source!

version · Jun 16, 2005, 04:32 PM

Adobe has a special on just now in which you can get Photoshop CS2 for about $150. Read about it on another site.

ph0ust · Jun 16, 2005, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by version

Adobe has a special on just now in which you can get Photoshop CS2 for about $150. Read about it on another site.

i assume you are referring to the *upgrade* disk from cs to cs2 for $150? right? i have never heard of a new, full version of cs2 for $150. after reading your post i googled it and came up with only the upgrades for that price. if you saw otherwise, please do share where you saw it. thanks.

CaptainHaddock · Jun 16, 2005, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by tavilach

CaptainHaddock, what will happen when the next version of Photoshop comes out? Will I always be needing to keep that copy of Photoshop 5 or 6 around to begin the install process? That sounds a little annoying, but I guess I'll deal

.

Well, as long as you're upgrading, it will probably check first for an existing installation and just accept that. With a clean installation, you'll probably have to dig out an old disc.

tavilach · Jun 16, 2005, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by ph0ust

right on. are you doing this soon? i have ps cs for windows and am deciding if i want to give it up to upgrade to cs2 for mac (would lose the windows version entirely). ideally, i would keep it and get cs2 for mac as well.

please report back on how it works. thanks!

I'm not sure what you're saying, but the upgrades are platform specific, I read.

ph0ust · Jun 16, 2005, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by tavilach

I'm not sure what you're saying, but the upgrades are platform specific, I read.

yes they are platform specific, but you can switch platforms by calling adobe and having them remove your current serial from their activation server db. basically, they will nuke my copy of cs and send me a full version of cs2 for mac... so no turning back. not all that big of a deal to me really, unless their is another reasonable alternative (which is something you are exploring). that is why i am so curious as to how it works out for you.....

version · Jun 16, 2005, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by ph0ust

i assume you are referring to the *upgrade* disk from cs to cs2 for $150? right? i have never heard of a new, full version of cs2 for $150. after reading your post i googled it and came up with only the upgrades for that price. if you saw otherwise, please do share where you saw it. thanks.

I don't know. Just read of someone saying Adobe has a promotion on with PS for ~$150.

Here's the link. Other folks are also wanting to hear if this is true. I'd buy a few copies also.

http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/...6000983731/p/2