I am aware that there is another topic regarding upgrading to cs4 but I was wondering what the major differences are between Photoshop 7 and cs4. Would it be worth upgrading and dishing out the cash or should I stick to 7?
I am considering buying cs4 from -
but it seems remarkably cheap compared to how Adobe is wanting to retail it at :s
#1 First off, I doubt the software is legal, it is already against the user license to resell the software. If you want to get the software legitimately for a low price I suggest buying Photoshop at student pricing, if your not a student, then maybe you have a friend that is…
#2 Photoshop CS4 is one of the biggest releases for the 3D industry, for photo editors, and painters, there are some nice improvements but nothing huge, but for 3D artists the improvements are pretty big.
Photoshop CS3 saw an intro to 3D work, with the Vanishing Point feature, which allows you to project an image onto a 3D surface. In CS4 it is completely redesigned with many more functions and CS4 now has the capability to paint directly onto 3D objects. A HUGE plus to 3D artists. And make sure you purchase CS4 Extended, because CS4 Standard does not have these capabilities. CS4 Extended also has the ability to composite 3D with 2D imaging as well.
Hope this Helps,
-Austin
That mesh paint feature isn’t nearly as great for 3D artists as you’re making it out to be.
Personally in the cs4 line the only thing that I really dig is After Effects getting Mocha AE built in. Photoshop CS4 is slow and bleh… In my opinion anyway.
CS3 was a much better release.
The 3d features are a joke.
HDR support is still laughable
There is a difference in speed if your system can handle it (gpu-acceleration).
If you’re running a 64 windows OS you can also benefit from the 64bit build of photoshop. Again, if you’re not runnning a good system or need fluidity in large files, highly unecessary.
However if you haven’t had any of the CS (creative suite) upgrades, I’d recommend going for CS (which IMO was a major release) or as mentioned, CS3 (which honestly you don’t need - if all you do is paint).
I have always thought about getting into the whole 3D medium of art but have never been bold enough to sacfrice money for a programme soley deditcated to 3D modeling when I am not sure I will ever kick off at it. What attracts me to CS4 is the comfort that if I buy CS4 and I do not warm to 3D modeling then I won’t feel like I have wasted my money as with CS4 I can still paint with it and edit photos etc.
From what I get though from the last 2 posts is that the 3D capabilites in CS4 aren’t all what they make themselves out to be :S
(az3d) - I am pretty sure the product on ebay is legiment, it says it comes with a certificate of authenticity and “This is a new Disc NOT a copy,OEM or Trial verion Still boxed and sealed with the original Shrink-wrap it has not been registered or activated in anyway” or am I just really naive as I still am wondering why it is so cheap at just £179 at a “buy it now” option haha.
Just found out why it is so cheap; it discreatly says at the bottom that it is student edition and on further research from other sites I found out that I will have to proof I am a student in order to retrieve the serial code 
Not really a bad thing it just means I am going to have to do a search for proof that I am a student and I feel very annoyed that 6 months ago I threw away my 6th form ID thinking I would never need it for anything D:
I feel like a real idiot right now…
One more question though and it may sound dumb but with student edition will I only be able to install it once, meaning I can never reinstall it on my computer or if I buy a new computer I cannot install it on there :s
i believe with student editions the license is the same as a full retail license but its only valid for a year.
have you tired out the CS4 demo yet?
Use it for 30 days and then determine if you want to buy it.
Only valid for a year!? I thought it meant you can only purchase one version of Photoshop per year on student discount.
Psh it’s hardly worth it, paying £200 just to use it for a year o_o
…I think I will just stick with my Photoshop 7 until I become magically rich 
ya, i just checked adobe’s education store and they say that they place a limit of one student license per customer. so while you think you could buy a single license for PS CS4 and thats it, they allow you to buy the full creative suite which consists of multiple programs. so i’m not sure how that works. but i did not see a time limitation. heck, for the entire suite at $400, it might be worth it with no time limit.
When I upgraded photoshop it was from PS7 to CS2 and for me the differences were enormous. The scattering feature and other tweaks made to the smudge tool and brush controls made it worthwhile for me to match my digital work to my oil painting without having to rely on that God awful corel product. CS3 didn’t do much for the brush functions and I doubt cs4 has either. I’m waiting until I hear something unique about cs4’s brush functions that cs2 can’t do before I consider dropping lots of cash. Maybe in our lifetime Adobe will merge with Corel and release Adobe painter, the ultimate digital painter wet dream.
Having a color wheel isn’t that big of a deal and doesn’t increase productivity in any way. The color picker works just fine. Or you could make your own palette and color wheel with colors and values you frequently use.
Just a thought.
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