Buying Photoshop !.....Standard or Elements ?

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plainman007

Well-known member
Hi,

What are the major differences between Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.

Does photoshop elem sacrifice too many features or anything ?

Im looking at buying the orginal software for setting up a studio here in Srilanka and wanted to know which one i could go for. Also if i wanted to buy the Photoshop CS versions , i seem to find them cheap from reputed sellers in sealed (Non OEM and Non Educational) Full Retail Versions. I want to know is it legal to buy original Photoshop from the USA or Australia thru ebay and use it in Srilanka ?

Thanks...
 
I think it sacrifices too many features. The only way to know what works for you is to download the demos and try them out. Especially for professional use. It's not so much that you can't do the same things, but your productivity will improve with the higher end version.

As for legality, buying overseas licenses usually works fine. I don't know specifically in this case, having never read the end user agreement (once, when I was really bored, I read the first paragraph of one).
 
But what are the obvious features i lacks in comparision. No multilayer support ? No marquee tools ? No superior filters ? Cant import .abr brushes ? Whats the difference ? I cant download and relearn an entirely new interface as im only used to Photoshop standard. Thats why im asking for comments from experts here.
 
Here's a list of some of the features excluded from Elements. http://graphicssoft.about.com/cs/photoshop/f/elementscompare.htm Dated info - 08/21/2008 CS3 vs Elements 6 The features on the list I would be frustrated not having: Custom actions, layer masks, smart objects, pen tool, and the channels palette. About 70% of the photoshop work I do is preparing graphic elements with alpha channels for use in NLE systems. I don't know how you would accomplish this in elements without the channels palette. I also sometimes receive logos from clients with an embedded alpha. The channel palette allows me to have a look at the alpha and diagnose/fix problems if necessary. To be fair I don't use Elements, so it may have a way of handling alpha channels. my .02
 
Thanks Guys,

I think id have to go the Photoshop CS route. Any ideas of methods to buy CS3 photoshop cheap ? It sells for around $1200 USD in my country. Too expensive for me. If i buy photoshop from a US reseller can i legally activate and use it in Srilanka ?

Thanks
 
CS is the way to go if you can afford it. If you buy a legal copy from a legitimate reseller, there should be no problem with you using it anywhere.

That said, I have Elements on my laptop, which I use for on-the-go projects that aren't terribly intensive. It came bundled with a Wacom tablet, and though I do miss certain features on it (my main suite at home has CS), there are some workarounds. If you are only doing your own, in-house gfx and don't need to worry about problems with some one else's alpha channels, you can simply make a copy of your document and create a white image on black background version, then use a luma matte to composite. It's a clean composite... Quantel Editbox used luma matte for overlays and it was pristine.

Plus, if you are on a tight budget, getting a Wacom tablet (look at the Bamboo Fun Pen+Touch for $199) can get you started with PS Elements and buy you some time until you can get the full CS. Plus you end up with a tablet, which is a great control interface both for PS and for NLE software.

One thing I do miss a lot in Elements is the ability to open layer properties (click on the layer) to add drop shadow and other basic effects. Elements does not have this.

But back to the tablet... Adobe has an upgrade price for the full CS from Elements, and if you get the tablet with Elements, then get the upgrade, you'll end up paying about $700 all told.
 
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I figured I'd mention free alternatives as well. Two of the more popular are "Gimp" and "SumoPaint.com". If you don't know if you should be using Premiere CS or Elements, then it is safe to say, that these 2 free packages will be MORE than enough power for you.

The only reason I'd possibly choose Photoshop over these for you, is if you are following tutorials closely, and you need the exact same menu-structure, button locations, etc that the tutorial teaches.
 
One more thing... Photoshop Elements is designed for consumers, and CS is designed for professionals.

In other words, if I put my mom in front of Elements, she'd be able to figure it out easier than CS. But, if you are in this for the long-haul, and you don't mind having to take the time to learn the software, then CS is your best bet. When I say learn the software, I mean read/watch tutorials, and stuff like that. If you want to just figure it out on the fly, then Elements is your choice.
 
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