Which one to use?
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I am contemplating purchasing one of the Adobe programs. I currently use Poser, DAZ Studio, Bryce, and Carrara and I am an amateur photographer. I know that many digital artists and photographers use Photoshop. My question is simple - which Photoshop software is the most versatile for post render and photo manipulations?
Thanks in advance for your help.
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I am a huge fan of Photoshop Elements. It's inexpensive and versatile, takes most of the brushes that Photoshop does, and can be expanded with lots of great filter plug-ins.
Agreed, Photoshop Elements is a good choice for the price and functionality.
Greetings,
I have to ask, Windows or Mac? Because Pixelmator on the Mac is $15 and kicks serious butt for all my postwork needs, as well as having a beautiful interface. Just noting that there are other exceptional options out there.
-- Morgan
Also, check out The Gimp, if you haven't already. It's completely free and matches up pretty well to Photoshop in a feature to feature comparison
Photoshop...hands down winner. Elements is very good but there are still a lot of features that are really good that have been kept out. BTW, I have used both Elements and Photoshop. (Admittedly, the last version of Elements I used was PSE3 so Elements has gotten better in some ways but it's also been dumbed down since then in some ways. Elements has went more towards automated tasks and presets in recent years. On, the other hand, Elements still has permanent licensing unlike Photoshop that has post CS6 went to the subscription model. Personally, I am keeping my CS5 Extended and don't currently intend to pay for life. But since you just starting out this might be the way to go for you or at least try it out for longer than a trial which with a software package like Photoshop is hard to judge in just 30 days.)
One big difference is that you can record and use your own actions...Adobe speak for macros. With Elements, you are limited to finding a set created by someone else and they have to be Elements friendly as in nothing can be done that can't be done natively in Elements. Another difference is that with Elements you are limited to using style presets. With Photoshop, you can make your own. Brushes have more dynamic abilities in Photoshop. There are several filters that are really nice that are not in Elements or are limited versions that lack as many options. Camera Raw in Photoshop has many more features. Curves exist in Elements but are presets. I find the pen tool to be useful and it is not in Elements. In Photoshop, you can create your own keyboard shortcuts while in Elements you don't have the ability to set up shortcut keys...you get the standard set that may or may not meet your needs. I have the extended version so I have a few extra goodies that aren't in Elements or regular Photoshop. I think the current subscription model gives the extended version.
I'm not knocking Elements, Gimp, or anything else just giving my opinion on what I personally consider the best most versatile software. I do have to stress I do not agree with the current subscription based model...explains why I don't have the CC model.
I have used all three.
I would go with Photoshop and or Gimp.
Gimp the last few versions can take photoshop brushes. Plus there is a Gimp plugin that allows you to use Photoshop filters in Gimp and the ones I've used are all free so you're not out any money.
I still use Photoshop Elements 6.0, once bundled with a flatbed scanner.
I think I can do anything with it.
Examples are made for FreakingNews.
I use a tablet though, don't even have a mouse.
I have to agree with Pixel8ted on this. For a better all around solution that you can use for both postwork AND your photography, I'd go with Photoshop, and for the same reasons stated (like Pixel, I also have the Extended version). Even if you don't shoot in RAW now, you will want to eventually, and you'll find yourself "behind the times" when it comes to processing RAW from within PS Elements, and Gimp can't even open RAW.
You can still buy CS6 versions here: http://www.adobe.com/products/catalog/cs6._sl_id-contentfilter_sl_catalog_sl_software_sl_creativesuite6.html
My favorite is GIMP...but like Vaskania said RAW support is not something it has(natively, yet), and if photography is the primary purpose of getting the software, then PS is the way to go.
Of course, for me PS is a non-starter, because I run almost exclusively on Linux...
OT, but how are you running Daz/Poser? Wine?
OT, but how are you running Daz/Poser? Wine?
DS, Hexagon and Bryce are all running quite nicely in WINE...Poser...Debut 8 and WINE have a very rocky relationship (I think it's due to lack of a 'real' IE...).
Bryce was the one that was the worst though...it would 'almost' work for a long time, but one of the WINE builds, about a year ago...and it worked.
I've used PS in the past...along with PaintShop...and I always fall back to GIMP. PS...a great program, but too darn expensive if not being used to actually generate income...it's NOT something to get on a whim and just 'play' with...that's what sports cars are for.
Another advantage for Photoshop and Elements for that matter is the staggering amount of free and for purchase resources out there. More so for Photoshop just by virtue of Elements being a subset of Photoshop. This isn't to say that a lot of Photoshop tutorials can not be adapted for use with Elements. Many can be done exactly the same but be aware there are differences as there are dialogs that exist in Photoshop that are stripped out of Elements so you may have to resort to workarounds. Many Photoshop resources such as brushes and style presets can be used in Elements. With Elements, there are a limited set of adjustments you can make to these items whereas Photoshop allows for you to control almost every aspect of these items. (Note: You should seriously consider getting a Wacom tablet. If you are doing artwork, pressure sensitivity with brushes rocks.) Still other Photoshop resources like scripts and contours can not be utilized in Elements. (If you opt for PS Elements, research what can and can't be used before you go to the trouble of downloading resources.)
Wacom isn't the only tablet around...but their reputation is well deserved. And I agree...a tablet is essential.
Have a look at Paint Shop Pro :
http://www.corel.com/corel/product/index.jsp?pid=prod5100069
PSP is in the same price range as PS Elements, but has some advantages:
- 64bit performance
- more and better filters, especially the Foto Effect filters are great
- some really good correction functions (retouch brushes)
- can import PS brushes (but size is limited to 999x999 pixels)
- can open psd files without any problems
I have both, Photoshop Elements and Paint Shop Pro, but I use PSP all the time.
...I agree about PSP. Since ver5 it can load ABR brushes without needing to convert them.
As I also understand Adobe has moved Photoshop to a cloud based subscription service. Elements is at least still a standalone.
Photoshop CS6 is still available as a standalone but be prepared to shell out some major Zlotys for it (about 1,299$ to start)
Apologies, but I don't care to do my work on someone else's server.
That's incorrect. Photoshop CS6 is $699 and the Extended version is $999. With the extended version, you're paying $300 extra for 3D capabilities.
...I just was on the Adobe site and every time I clicked on "buy" for Photoshop, it sent me to the CC Cloud page.
You have to use a certain page to be able to buy the CS6 versions.
http://www.adobe.com/products/catalog/cs6._sl_id-contentfilter_sl_catalog_sl_software_sl_creativesuite6.html
...thank you for the link. I stand corrected.
Np. Adobe was sneaky and hid the link with some tiny lettering on one of the CC pages.
...ahh, they think people won't notice so they go to the cloud version instead. Sneaky, very sneaky.
All the more reason I'll just stay with PSP and Gimp.
Yeah, that's their dream. That link is almost impossible to find...
Please allow me a question here:
I am not really familiar with such cloud based software packages, so I want to know: What is it good for?
I see huge server traffic on Adobes side and I also see the dangers for the customers (hacked accounts, server dropouts).
But what are the benefits of such a cloud based offer? Especially for the customers of course :-)
There isn't. lol It's DRM.
It is cheaper if you take the standard 3-4 year major release cycle, but is more expensive long term when you take into account the much lower cost of upgrades. Take the Master Collection for example.
$2600 to buy, $525 to upgrade from the previous version (more if you're 2 versions behind).
3-4 years (1 purchase + 1 upgrade) is roughly $3125
3 more years go by, total investment after 2nd upgrade: $3650
Year 10, upgrade 3, $4175
Now lets look as the years go by on the sub model. This assumes the current $49.99 price tag for the Master Collection CC.
3 years sub: $1800
4 years sub: $2400
7 years sub: $4199
10 years sub: $6000
7 years on the sub model is $549 more expensive than 7 years of buy+upgrades. And get a load of the 10 year mark, almost $2000 more spent on the sub model.
There isn't. lol It's DRM.
It is cheaper if you take the standard 3-4 year major release cycle, but is more expensive long term when you take into account the much lower cost of upgrades. Take the Master Collection for example.
$2600 to buy, $525 to upgrade from the previous version (more if you're 2 versions behind).
3-4 years (1 purchase + 1 upgrade) is roughly $3125
3 more years go by, total investment after 2nd upgrade: $3650
Year 10, upgrade 3, $4175
Now lets look as the years go by on the sub model. This assumes the current $49.99 price tag for the Master Collection CC.
3 years sub: $1800
4 years sub: $2400
7 years sub: $4199
10 years sub: $6000
7 years on the sub model is $549 more expensive than 7 years of buy+upgrades. And get a load of the 10 year mark, almost $2000 more spent on the sub model.
And let's not forget...you don't own it.
Cloud = leasing. You don't pay....you don't play.
With a permanent license, you own it.
Yep. Also, imagine all the work you'd rack up in a couple years. If you can no longer afford the sub, you have no way of opening your work. Sure other programs can open PSD files, but Photoshop has a lot of effects and things that cannot be parsed by other programs.
Thanks for your answers. That was also my first impression. A subscription model is always more expensive after some time as a "pay once" model. Also if you never upgrade. That is an easy calculation :-) So why are people doing it?
I think that maybe it has some advantages for companies, because they have to pay less taxes with a monthly subscription payment. Or whatever. I really dont know.
But for me as a private person and a simple hobby user, I really see no point in doing this. Luckily there are several alternatives to Photoshop :-)
To hear it over on the Adobe forums, Adobe dreams of starving the pirates out.
Anyway, there's always someone who has to have the latest, newest. I'm actually kind of glad because now I don't feel pressured to buy the newest shiny Photoshop version or buy now to keep my upgrade option viable.
That is absolutely true.
My girlfriend, for expample, still uses Photoshop 7.0 which she has since her school days (she got it in a graphics and design school). I asked her if she never wanted to upgrade to a newer version and she said: "No, this program gives me all I need and I am used to it. So why should I spend money?"
That's how I am with CS6 now. CS5 was my first version, but since I bought it during a deal, I received CS6 for free when it was released (2 for the price of 1? Yea, I'll take that). I was tired of using PS Elements with a barely-there Camera Raw system (I shoot in RAW, not JPEG) and I knew Lightroom wasn't all that great for standard artwork. Gimp was also beginning to drive me bonkers for various reasons, so, when that deal hit, I took the plunge.
Ask me again in 5 years if I feel the need to upgrade and I'd give the exact same answer she did.