Should I upgrade to 16 bit editing?

[photophorous]

I've been using Photoshop 6.0 for a while now, and it won't open 16 bit files. Even though my scanner outputs 16 bit files, I've been working with 8 bit files. Unfortunately, I don't have the money for an upgrade to CS2, so I'm considering Elements 6.0. I was wondering if anyone can comment on whether or not this will be a worthwhile upgrade...going from the full old version to a limited new version? I've read about Elements 6.0 and it seems to have all the features I use with my current software, but I wasn't sure about one thing. Can you do layers with masks the same way you can in the full version? Are there any other limitations that you think are important?

I would appreciate any input.

Thanks,
Paul

[readingr]

PSE 6.0 is not fully 16bit compatible. It will open 16bit files but you have to convert them to 8bit to carry out a lot of the functions.

In fact CS2 has a few restrictions to, but not as many

Roger

[photophorous]

PSE 6.0 is not fully 16bit compatible. It will open 16bit files but you have to convert them to 8bit to carry out a lot of the functions.

In fact CS2 has a few restrictions to, but not as many

Roger

Thanks for commenting Roger. Adobe doesn't mention any limitations to the 16 bit functions of PSE 6.0 on their website. What functions require you to convert to 8 bit?

Paul

[readingr]

Thanks for commenting Roger. Adobe doesn't mention any limitations to the 16 bit functions of PSE 6.0 on their website. What functions require you to convert to 8 bit?

Paul

Most of the filters from memory - just opened it up to check and this is the list that does not work in 16bit mode

Transform
Convert to B&W
Auto Red Eye
Remove Colour Cast
Adjust for Skin Tones
Colour Variations
None of the Layers - so you can't create layers

Filters - are a hotch potch of what works or don't work
The following don't work at all
Artistic
Brush Strokes
Distort
Pixelate
Sketch
Texture

Some options under these work others don't
Adjustment
Blur Noise
Render
Stylise
Video
Other

Hope that helps.

In 8 bit they all work

Roger

[photophorous]

Thanks for checking that for me, Roger. If you can't do layers in 16 bit, then I see no need to change from what I have. I do almost all my editing in layers, so it wouldn't be any upgrade. I guess I'll stick with what I have for now.

Paul

[mjs1973]

Paul,

Do you know anyone in college? The studend discount on software is pretty incredible and really brings the price of PS into the range of most people. The wife bought me CS3 Extended for $179 with her studend discount. It's still more than elements, but much more affordable than list price.

[another view]

Any interest in a Wacom tablet? Looks like they have a 50% off coupon with purchase, so it might be less than the price of the software to get a tablet and CS3. Still a lot of money of course, and don't make the mistake I did of getting the suite even if it is at a discount because the upgrade will be very expensive.

16-bit editing has a lot of advantages, especially when you're trying to adjust curves and levels. There is exponentially more color information in the file, so the chance of making the histogram look like a picket fence is less. This translates to smoother transitions between similar colors. I have had situations in eight bit after editing where the sky has had bands in it where the color changed slightly (not much, but noticable). This can happen with the slight changes in blue across a clear sky with a fairly wide lens, etc.

[photophorous]

Mike, was that $179 for the full version or for the upgrade? I think I need to full version. I don't know anyone in school, but I know a guy who works for the school and he may get a discount. I didn't think about that.

Steve, whaaa? What's a Wacom tablet? I have seen the picket fence histograms and in a few cases I've even seen the color banding in skies. I figured that was related to bit depth, but wasn't sure. Most of the time I don't need to edit that heavily, but sometimes I do.

I'm starting to think a better solution to my color editing problems might be to calibrate my scanner, but that's a whole different can of worms. Up until recently I was happy with the output, but I just noticed it isn't picking up some of the more delicate color transitions in my Velvia slides. I'll probably download a free trial of Vuescan soon to see if that's any better than Nikon Scan.

Paul

[Dylan8i]

this school discount, was it bought through the school, or just have to show school id etc at a store? cause i really need to get a good editign program, and im in school but don't know where i would get one here.

[photophorous]

this school discount, was it bought through the school, or just have to show school id etc at a store? cause i really need to get a good editign program, and im in school but don't know where i would get one here.

Probably bought through the school. When I was in school there was a store on campus. I remember buying the 3 CD set of Microsoft Office for $5 per disk. Windows 98 was $10.

[mjs1973]

The version of CS3 extended that I got is the full version, not an upgrade. The University of Wisconsin has a site set up so you can order it online. You have to have a valid student ID and a campus user ID and password to order. I see they have Lightroom for $94. I may have to get that one of these days too.

Do some searching on the web for your state and you may find something similar.