Elements or Full version

[WIlliam Maroldo]

I've been using Corel Draw X3 for image editing though I have an older version of Elements. Until now, with certain advances to Photoshop's photo editing, and it's trickling down to Elements, I had no compelling reason to purchase either one. Now it is clear that I need at least one of these programs. The question is: is there a significant advantage to owning Photoshop over Elements? In other words are there things relating to post-processing on a professional level that Photoshop is capable of and has been left out of elements?

[William Malacarne]

Hi William

Here is a site I found that may be of some help.
http://photo-editing-software-review...omparison.html

I think one thing elements is missing is layers mask, at least the older versions did not have it, but the last one I used I think was ver 2.

Bill

[Robert Amoruso]

William,

A few additional links:

http://www.popphoto.com/photosoftwar...lements-6.html

http://www.adobeforums.com/webx?14@@.59b4aee4/0

http://photo-editing-software-review...omparison.html

The last time I used Elements was version 5 and what I found lacking was a curves adjustment, ability to adjust on layers and masking/selections. All these things play an important role as your abilities in PS increase. You will want to make selections on certain parts of the image and fine-tune colors, density and tones. Curves is an important and powerful adjustment. Ver. 5 only had levels.

I went to the Adobe website and it appears that they no longer have a heads-up comparison. For the intermediate to advanced user, I feel Elements will not be the solution - for me it would not be. Elements is designed for a user that has a digital camera and needs basic editing, organizing and printing capabilities. For someone looking for maximum control an intermediate to advanced user needs, PS is the only solution.

[WIlliam Maroldo]

I was pretty sure this would be the answer. Actually PhotoPaint X3 is a fairly decent program, and I'd say that it can do 90% of what Photoshop can do, just with a slightly different approach.You can make "selections on certain parts of the image and fine-tune colors, density and tones." Curves are also adjustable. There are a few things that it it can't do, especially some of the advancements of CS3. Its that 10% that's a clincher. Funny I own Illustrator CS2 and Dreamweaver CS3 but no photoshop. . Elements, the earlier version, was pretty crappy. I was just hoping it had gotten better. Thanks for the advice. I guess I'll have to bite the bullet.