Photoshop CS2 and Elements

[MP Guy]

Besides the price, what are some of the major differences between the two?

 

[Paul T.]

PS Elements is great for free (in my case, thanks to Phil Fogle). But I was frustrated recently by the fact that you can't adjust levels in CMYK, which essentially means it's no good for Prepress use.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Elements is low-cost and has 90% of the functionality of CS2.

 

[emraphoto]

i would have to say 90% of the capabilities of cs2 is a bit of a stretch.

cmyk color modes are a nay in elements
no channels palette in elements
editing history log is absent in elements
a limited availability of tools
avaialable filters in elements are limited

and i'm sure there's lots more. i actually use elements a lot for resizing and internet postings but for anything to print it's via cs2.

cheers
john

 

[markinlondon]

PSE doesn't have curves or channel mixing IIRC, thus is of less use for b&w conversions and lacks fine contrast control.

 

[MP Guy]

hmmm so if i go mac, i will need to get a new version of cs2 🙁

 

[jaapv]

PSE doesn't have curves or channel mixing IIRC, thus is of less use for b&w conversions and lacks fine contrast control.

The easycurve plugin actually works better that the CS2 curves. The lack of channel mixer is indeed a bit of a bother. But there are plenty of very functional B&W conversion plugins around, plus the C1 profiles. And there is limited 16 bits functionality.On the other hand I find that the M8 files come out of C1 so clean that there is rather nothing to do to them in Photoshop, so imo there is no earthly reason to use CS2 in combination with an M8 unless one prepares for offset print or something like that.

 

[markinlondon]

Thanks for that, Jaap. I'll go and have a look the easycurve plugin, it would make my life easier and is probably cheaper than a new scanner.

 

[LeicaM3]

hmmm so if i go mac, i will need to get a new version of cs2 🙁

NOOOOOO

I responded to you in the mac thread.
PS CS2 is not a Intel binary, CS3 will be. Do NOT buy CS2 unless they guruantee an upgrade option to CS3.

Try this --> GimpSHOP. I gave you the link in the other thread!
Here it is written: www.gimpshop.net

It does 96% of what PS CS2 does, three time more than elements. Try it! It is open source and free.


Andreas

 

[Toby]

hmmm so if i go mac, i will need to get a new version of cs2 🙁

You should be able to transfer your serial number, talk to adobe customer services.

 

[sunsworth]

I believe there's a small admin charge, but Adobe will transfer the licence if the original Windows copy is destroyed.

CS3 is on the horizon, and judging from the beta is worth the cost of admission just for the new RAW converter.

As for Elements have 90% of the functionality... I'll be polite and say that's wrong 🙂

 

[GeroV]

hmmm so if i go mac, i will need to get a new version of cs2 🙁

Jorge,
I believe the new macs run both windows and mac software, so you may be able to run your windows version of CS2 on your new Mac if you get one.

This is may understanding, but it is not the gospel 😀

Gero

 

[LeicaM3]

As for Elements have 90% of the functionality... I'll be polite and say that's wrong 🙂

That is polite!