Photoshop Elements 6.0

[Robin]

I have Photoshop Elements 2.0 that I got free with my scanner and while it doesn't seem to do everything I need (like frames) it's pretty good and is now my primary photo editing software.

I also have the MX version of Fireworks which I use for frames and graphics other than photo editing.

Now Costco has Photoshop Elements 6.0 on sale. For those who have it, what do you think of it? Now that Adobe owns Fireworks, does it combine any of the features?

Is it worth the upgrade?

[MissBianca]

I can answer that, Robin, because I've looked into upgrading to it myself. I started on Photoshop 2.0 and also have used 4.0.

The biggest differences between 2.0 and 4.0 were an added photo organization tool, a bunch of support stuff for different kinds of projects, and an increase in the number of their automatic photo-fixing capabilities.

The biggest differences between 4.0 and 6.0 would be a completely new user interface, performance improvements in working with the photo organizer (and it REALLY needed those), and better selection tool controls.

The new user interface is worth looking at because they are definitely placing mainstream photo manipulation tools upfront and traditional graphics tools are more hidden. However, in doing this they're able to give a lot of sliders and stuff with each view that give a lot more control to the person who edits photos.

And the slide show has been improved--that could be fun! Does 2.0 even do slide shows? I forget, LOL.

Adobe has not yet put any of the Fireworks features into the Photoshop line, nor have they modified anything except the Fireworks user interface. However, I have hopes for that in the near future as I took a survey about Adobe products and pricing and in every one of their proposals Fireworks had been added to the "Design" packages for the Creative Suite. The thing I am waiting for is for them to be able to import layered .png files into Photoshop. That might include implementing frames!

So I guess it would depend on what you do with it most. Hope this helped.

[Robin]

So it sounds like it would be a good upgrade to my photo editing software, but not a replacement for my Fireworks.

I used to use an old photo organizing software that Dell provided, but now that I can just switch Explore to thumbnails I don't use it much unless I need multiple folders open at one time.

The coupon at Costco is for $30 off. That makes it $15 cheaper than Amazon's sale price.

[MissBianca]

That's a good price!

To store my digital scrapbooking stuff (about 100 gigs of bits and pieces) I use a photo organizer called ACDSee. It's easy and I love it. It's one of the programs I open at least once a day. If I had a lot more photos, they'd definitely go in there.

[Robin]

Well it turns out I got a better deal than I expected! Woo Hoo! :napkin:

In the box I found a coupon for $20 off on Essentials 2. And a CD for Essentials 2. I looked everywhere and there is no mention on the box. I check the URL on the coupon and with the coupon they want $39.95 for Essentials 2.

Being a skeptic, I wondered if it was simply trial version.

Then I found this at Costco's site:

$30 Off Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 6
Included OnOne Essential 2 (http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11237876&whse=bc&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US#)

So, lets take a look at the savings

Photoshop Elements 5 (Costco price) $79.00
Essential 2 w/coupon valued at $39.95
Total value: $ 119.95

I paid $49.99! :napkin:

[MissBianca]

Wow that's great! Good deal indeed!

I've never used this Essential thing, what does it do?

[Robin]

I don't know yet, but they say I should have it. :rofl:

It says:

What's New in Essentials 2

Essentials 2 now features an entirely new version of Make It Better. The new Make It Better 2.0 works just like going to the eye doctor - just pick which image looks best in several side-by-side comparisons to quickly and intuitively adjust the color, brightness and contrast of your image. No need for any complicated dialogs or wacky auto adjustments.


Make it Better: Quickly optimize your images color, contrast and brightness by comparing adjustments and picking the best settings visually.
Cut it out: Cut people out of one picture, even tough stuff like hair, so you can easily put them in new pictures.
Frame it: Add the finishing touch to your images with the Frame It module, a collection of over 500 edge and border effects right out of the darkroom.
Enlarge It: Resize images up to 400% with no loss of quality or detail.

[MissBianca]

Those sound good to me! Now my question (when you install it) is whether it's filters or a stand-along tool.

I hope WDWNJ reads this--with that Cut it out he could have a whole new set of trip photos in a flash ;)

[Robin]

So far it's taking me a while to actually try it, as the organizer decides to take over my computer and hog all the memory. At least it let me use the pointer with the hourglass to disable features I don't want like automatically attempting to fix red eye every time it loads pictures. I don't like my photos editing with out being able to see if I approve of the change or not.

I haven't found a way to totally disable the organizer. :mad: