Customer Reviews

Adobe Photoshop CS3 [Mac] [OLD VERSION]

5 star:		(7)
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3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

I'm not going to attempt to give an extensive review because I'm not a power user. However, if you are considering using Photoshop for the first time, and you can get past the high price, and you have some time to invest in learning it, and a lot of time to invest using it...it's an amazing piece of software. I just do occasional nick nac graphics work and I can't live without it. Ive been using Photoshop for about 10 years and probably don't use 20% of it's power or features, but it is indispensable. I use it to create web graphics and save, touch up and modify all kinds of graphic files. The best thing about Photoshop is that you work in layers and can save and view any number of layer combinations which keeps your graphic alive and oh so usable. If you're even considering paying the high price for this AND you are going to actually use it, go ahead and buy it. You will never regret owning Photoshop.

When I upgraded to Snow Leopard, I did have problems with CS3. I ended up turning off all of the type options and it seems to be working.

It's almost pointless to review Photoshop: If you need a high-end photo editor, there's really no competition to it. That being said, I'm very happy with CS3: it runs quickly on my Intel Macintosh (no lag, as someone else has pointed out), has all the features I could want, and is robust enough that I'm always learning new ways to use it.

I was going to skip CS3 (since I have CS2) and wait for the next version they come out with, but I just recently bought an Imac and decided to download the trial version of CS3 (with intentions of transitioning my CS2 licence from PC to mac) but the new ACR and Bridge are so much better, I decided to buy it and keep my CS2 version for my backup PC. Adobe Raw Converter is now functional enough that once you make your edits and save as .tif & you are done with it. I usually made some changes in ACR (on CS2) saved and then tweaked the .tifs again to get my images where I wanted them. Sometimes, I do very slight changes and the image really blossums into a beautiful photograph. I have only had this for a couple of weeks and am still learning about the differences so I am a little premature in my ability to cover all of its capabilities, but I will say that what I see so far is very impressive. Adobe Bridge is also easier to work with and I like the new layout of it as well.

Having grown up with Photoshop from 4.0, Photoshop has certainly grown up with me! CS is perfect, although it takes some getting used to if you're used to 7, but once you adjust, you'll love the new features. Plus, if you get stuck, the help menu contains plenty of walk-through video tutorials.

Don't buy CS3! The only major refinement is the integration of Image Ready. But you'll pay a huge price in the constant nagging for the software to be activated & reactivated. After 3 weeks of this I uninstalled it and sent it back to Amazon for a refund. I'm back to CS (version 1) and it works just fine without the activation headaches. And I've got $200 back in my pocket from the upgrade. Please vote NO with your dollars by telling vendors this kind of annoying copy protection will not be tolerated. What Adobe needs is a competitor to Photoshop. How about it Apple?

After years of struggling with various versions of Photoshop on a PC, I finally got to experience Photoshop on a Mac (just an Intel Mac Mini, nothing terribly high end). What a difference! Even though the UI is just about the same as on a PC, Photoshop works much better on a Mac. Hard to explain why, but perhaps no explanation is needed.

I had a hard time convincing myself to shell out over $600 for this product. I downloaded the 30 day trial and worked with it for a few days, but the price was still a sticking point for me. So I decided if it ever went below $600 I would buy it, and fortunately Amazon put it on sale for a couple of days for $585. I took the leap and am glad I did. Now that I have worked with it seriously for about a week the performance gains from native Intel support and automation of workflows has made me very productive. Keep an eye out for occasional deals, they will pop up.

For those of us using the Intel Mac platform, CS3 is a long awaited program. Now that we have it, let no one tell you Photoshop isn't the most difficult program you will ever use. Photoshop is probably the most documented program out there in terms of "learning and using" tools, texts and tutorial sites. If you're new to Photoshop, get ready to get your hands really dirty and your mind in a real state of, "something." Join the thousands of users who need help!
I come to Photoshop CS3 having used several versions of Elements over the past many years. In this respect, I am quite fortunate that I am not starting from scratch. But CS3 is a whole new world. Adobe Photoshop CS3 Classroom in a Book is probably a good starting point for many. The key to the book is the included CD which contains everything you'll need to work through the detailed lessons. And believe me, the lessons scratch everything you'll need to understand what you've gotten yourself into with Photoshop.
Initially, I tried to use the book and CD as a "resource" building on what I knew from using Elements. This really doesn't work because the book isn't constructed that way. You just have to grit your teeth and "follow along and do" what's going on in the book using the included images, etc. Although you can use your own images to do the extensive lessons, I wouldn't recommend that approach. The included images are designed, first and foremost, to allow you to do what's being done in the lessons. If you attempt to use your own images ( and I did ) you set yourself up for frustration. While the particular tool or process you are learning will eventually be carried over to your own work, your image may not be as easy to use because of tonal differences or backgrounds which may "confuse" the tool you are using. Just bite the bullet and "do it by the book!"
Although the book appears to target new users, experienced Photoshop gurus can learn particularly when it comes to the many new tools and features in CS3. What's my overall opinion? On balance, this is not the best book for me. I have just enough knowledge to be dangerous! I prefer to learn by doing -- right or wrong. I prefer to "try this and that" although this method can be frustrating. I also prefer to learn by using specific tutorials designed to do what I am trying to accomplish. I beat the seemingly endless video and written tutorials available to NAPP members ( you probably better join! ) until they are worn out. Depending on your knowledge level and learning style, this book may be either "perfect" or "something else." I am neutral on the book. What I am really waiting for is Scott Kelby's forthcoming book on CS3 because, if his history is any guide, it will be a super learning tool.

This was what has become typical of large software companies. The installation kit was one disk but after a long time of seeming to be installing, it asked for another disk that wasn't in the package. I suppose I was expected to hunt it down on the web and download it, burn it and then continue, but for that price it can go look for it itself. Adobe has fallen a long, long way. I ended up returning it for a refund.

Dont waste time thinking about this upgrade...just buy it! It's a bit like thinking it cant get worse and picking up the paper and finding it has got worse...bush has done it again. With Photoshop one thinks they cant go on and on making the program better yet they seem to do so with each upgrade...however with this one they have simple blown us away by giving us incredible new tools while improving the old ones. Combine CS3 with Light Room and you are in for a fantastic breakthrough ride and total control of your images.