Photoshop CS3 purchase

[John Rountree]

Is there anywhere that I can get a legitimate copy of CS3?

 

[kmerenkov]

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_sw?url=search-alias=software&field-keywords=photoshop+cs3&x=0&y=0
Tried that already?

 

[benmacphoto]

Out of all the CS4 applications I think Flash is the only one that is not backwards compatible, though you can save in legacy format and open it in CS3. But Photoshop is fine eitherway. You can save a PSD, or any other format for that matter, in CS4 and open it in CS3 fine.

And John, most schools have a decent discount through Adobe when it comes to software. So even if IT can not get you a license check with Adobe and see.

Most agencies and design shops are still using CS3. Being that they're the primary end target for photographers' files an upgrade to CS4 might be premature as you'll surely experience many issues handing off files.

 

[John Rountree]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Basically, my school has a policy of upgrading to every other edition of Photoshop. Of course with the budget problems that all schools are facing, even that may change. IT at the school did install a version on my IMac, but it will no longer function and IT apparently can't figure it out. So, I will probably buy my own educator's version. But, that is also why I asked a question in another thread about Lightroom vs. Photoshop.

 

[Steve M.]

John
I just went to fleaBay and there's literally dozens. Expensive! A lot of them say New In Box. Perfectly OK w/ me if you buy it, too. Or not, as the case may be.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I want it because my school uses CS3 and I would like to use the same programs as my students, okay with you?

Answers not okay with you?

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I find Photoshop CS4 far more responsive than CS3. This is one of the rare cases where an "upgrade" actually speeds things up from a previous version.

Now, if they could only do that for Lighroom...

 

[mr_phillip]

Are you an a Mac or Windows? The Mac version of CS4 is hardware accelerated and much snappier than CS3. Other than that the differences are minimal (I'm on CS4 at work and CS3 at home and have no problem switching between the two). There are no compatibility issues in swapping files between the old and new versions of Photoshop since, unlike Illustrator, InDesign and Flash, there is no new variation of the native PSD format.

You should still be able to purchase CS3 easily if you want to though - try whatever supplier your school uses, they might even offer you a heavy discount (I did something similar while working for a University recently and our suppliers where very accommodating when it came to personal purchases).

 

[mobilexile]

Now, if they could only do that for Lighroom...

This is off topic but ...

I'm curious to hear what's been slow about Lightroom in your environment. For me it's been fairly good on a MacPro and a MacBook Pro.

Thanks

 

[MaxElmar]

I've heard bad things about CS3 and Snow Leopard - maybe not a wise purchase if you use a Mac. Actually, I've heard sporadic reports of CS3 breaking starting a few updates ago...

(After checking into this I find that, while CS3 is not officially supported on SL, it mostly works OK, and has had some testing by both Adobe and Apple.)

My copy of Snow Leopard arrived today, so I'll let you know what I find. I'll be upgrading a 2009 Mac Mini 2ghz/2gb (home machine), and a 2008 Mac Pro 8 core 20 gb ram 9work machine. Both running CS4.