PhotoShop CS3 follow-up

[Jeff JTPhoto]

Well after a few days of setting up CS3 and doing some photo work, I must say that CS3 Bridge is much more useable. The new downloader utility allows image renaming at the time of download which in most cases saves me a time consuming step in my workflow. In the case that you have mixed file types (i.e. shooting RAW + JPEG) It recognizes this and will rename the matching JPEG and RAW with the same name/number. Bridge also has a lupe tool to quickly magnify a small area of a previewed image to check focus etc. It also allows for some RAW manipulation without opening the RAW converter.

ACR4.. Very cool. A lot of new tools and looks like one may need go no further then here with RAW files. There are tools for minor photo retouching right in the RAW converter

PhotoShop itself is much the same and can be set up to look and act like CS2. I haven't come across any major differences other then the way the palets are docked... There is no print w/ preview , but clicking on Print will bring you to a preview dialogue. Color space set up is the same as CS2.

Initially I was going to leave CS2 on my old laptop and put the CS3 on the new one , but I like the new version so much that it is now on both machines..

PS.. I also very much like the way MS Vista Premium works. The only problem is compatability with some older programs, which is usually expected with OS upgrades. There are some navigational differences, but they are pretty straight forward.

[Ron Lacey]

Told ya so :).

What did the upgrade set you back in Cdn $ including shipping Jeff? My beta will be good until the end of May so I'm in no rush just want to compare prices with local retailers before I buy.

Ron

[David Cramer]

Thanks for the info Jeff. I've a new computer on the way, and PSCS3 in my hands ready to install.

[EV Wonder]

Thanks for the follow-up, Jeff. I plan to upgrade soon and it's good to know that there's a noticeable improvement, especially with Bridge.

[ricwis]

Jeff,
Do you use any plug-ins from CS2 or earlier with the new version? I use Neat Image (Mac version) and find it one of the most valuable additions to Photoshop. I've been on the fence about upgrading and thinking I should wait a little (you know the old excuse about all the bugs in a new version) but your experience sounds good and is making me think that I do not need to wait.

[Rudi]

I use Noise Ninja, and the plugin works great in CS2 or CS3, so I think you will be all right, Rich! :)

[MiriamJ]

Rich, I've been using Neat Image with CS3 Beta in Windows with no problems.

[Jeff JTPhoto]

Told ya so :).

What did the upgrade set you back in Cdn $ including shipping Jeff? My beta will be good until the end of May so I'm in no rush just want to compare prices with local retailers before I buy.

Ron

Yes Sir you did, I love it. Ron, price direct from Adobe was $199 USD so the total with taxes, delivery, and conversion was $277. CDN. This also included two copies of Adobe Photoshop Users Magazine. I am sure that will be pretty close to Staples price once they get it in stock.

I definitely think this is a worthy upgrade from CS2. The combined advances in the Bridge and the RAW converter do it for me..

I don't geneally subscribe to plugins so don't know for sure. From past experience PS has been really good about upgrade compatability with plugins.