Software Reviews?

[Photo-John]

We need more software reviews. I'm specifically looking for reviews on the new Photoshop Elements 3.0. But everyone should post reviews for image editing and any other imaging software you're using. I haven't posted it yet, but there will be a review contest for December. So your reviews will count as entries. The prize will be a digital camera. I'll give you an update once the contest is posted.

Photoshop Elements 3.0 Review Page >>

All Software Reviews >>

Thanks!

[Michael Fanelli]

We need more software reviews. I'm specifically looking for reviews on the new Photoshop Elements 3.0. But everyone should post reviews for image editing and any other imaging software you're using. I haven't posted it yet, but there will be a review contest for December. So your reviews will count as entries. The prize will be a digital camera. I'll give you an update once the contest is posted.

Photoshop Elements 3.0 Review Page >>

All Software Reviews >>

Thanks!

I ordered Adobe Elements 3.0 to replace PS 5.5 on my laptop. Should get here tomorrow if the UPS guy cooperates. If I have time, I can post a preliminary review over the weekend for you.

[Photo-John]

Thanks, Michael. For what it's worth, a friend of mine who works at Adobe said that one of the Adobe internal teachers says Elements 3.0 is now her favorite editing program. I'm really impressed with the features. I'm wondering how much benefit there is for most people using Photoshop CS. Elements 3.0 has adjustment layers and Camera RAW. Seems to me those are the two most important tools in Photoshop - period.

[Michael Fanelli]

Ack! Amazon is pulling the same nonsense that B&H does: they are requiring that I personally be at my address to sign for the Adobe Elements package. Accept no substitutes.

That would mean taking off from work for a day to wait for the UPS guy thus more than doubling the cost of the software due to lost wages. Why do these morons send packages this way, especially for something worth less than $100? It appears my Amazon buying days are also over now.

Well, no review of Elements this weekend!

[another view]

Didn't know that about Amazon - I got a book from them yesterday that didn't require a signature but it was only $20. Maybe because it's software or over $50 or something...?

Seems funny (great, though) that Adobe puts a RAW converter in Elements. That's what got me to buy CS earlier this year. Of course the updates aren't that expensive once you have it.

[Franglais]

Didn't know that about Amazon - I got a book from them yesterday that didn't require a signature but it was only $20. Maybe because it's software or over $50 or something...?

Seems funny (great, though) that Adobe puts a RAW converter in Elements. That's what got me to buy CS earlier this year. Of course the updates aren't that expensive once you have it.

I'm confused about whether Elements 3 can handle the latest Nikon RAW files. From what I can gather, out-of-the-box Elements 3 and CS can handle DRebel RAW but not D70 RAW (this gives you an idea of the age of the code). To get CS to do D70 RAW you add a free plug-in, but can Elements 3 take the plug-in too? Nobody has yet been able to tell me.

Another thing I've heard is that Elements 3 has no Curves tool. I use this a lot.

ACDSee V7 can handle D70 RAW (I have it and it works) and now has a curves tool and lots of other simple image correction tools which are enough for me most of the time (I'm currently scanning thousands of images to build up my library rather than spending a long time on single images).

Have Adobe made Elements 3 too simple?

Charles

[Mig]

I downloaded Elements 3 as an upgrade ($69) from Adobe's site the other night. It has v2.3 of the Camera Raw plug-in, which does support the D70. I'm not sure what in-store copies may have, but you should be able to install the plug-in yourself.

It is missing curves, as was Elements & Elements 2, however there are some extra tools here, although the curves tool isn't the best. It only uses the main channel and the author states that there can be issues with large changes.

Richard Lynch's publisher lists curves as one of the tools addressed in The Hidden Power of Photoshop Elements 3. I've never read his others, but I've heard great things about them, so I'm anxious to see this one.

Danielle

[Mig]

PJ - I downloaded it the other night, looks really sweet so far. Biggest drawbacks are no actions, no curves, but I'm waiting on Richard Lynch's new book to see how big a deal that really is.

I'll try to post a review by the weekend - I'll basically do anything to avoid studying for finals!

Danielle