Photoshop CS4 versus CS3, worth upgrading?

[DJDD]

Hey, all!

I belive a few of you have been using CS4 for a while now so wonder what your thoughts are compared to CS3?

I am interested about its use for Astro work (when compared to CS3) but welcome thoughts on general use.

I have CS3 Extended Student Edition and was considering upgrading to CS4 Extended, again at Student prices.

cheers,
DJDD

[leon]

DJDD, you can certainly upgrade if you so desire, however depending how professional you want to get, or are, I reckon CS3 will certainly do the job, but of coarse that is your choice.

I have CS2, and I don't think I'm even using 10% of its capacity.

Leon

[Omaroo]

DJ - one of the only reasons I'm going to CS4 is that it runs 64-bit native and also manages memory usage far better.

[jase]

If CS2 or 3 works for you, stick with it. I processed images in CS2 for sometime and found I never ran into limitations. Though I did get frustrated that I could put an adjustment layer on a mask to get tricky with some of the routines (I haven't tested this in CS4 yet). If you are just after a tool for basic layering etc, the CS2/3 would be more than sufficient.

I've recently upgrade to CS4 Extended. Don't think I need the 3D features of the extended version. As Chris indicates, the main driver for many will be its native 64-bit support. This is really nice, let me tell you. Having eight or nine layers doing different things to an image is a breeze. The performance is incredible with the large memory support. CS4 also has non-modal adjustment windows, improved colour range (not that I can tell), new vibrance adjustment layer (which I haven't played with much yet), HDR algorithm reworked and a image rendering function if you've got a speedy video card. The panning, zooming and image flick functions make scrolling around the image while you work on it look very cool and fun to use. All adds to the experience. How much of the new features I'll use in astro work is yet to be determined. I probably only use 40% of what the program is capable of. I know people in the prepress business that know the tools and functions inside-out, but its their job! (This is where I get all my tips and tricks!)

Unless there is a specific function you're after in CS4 or you've just built yourself a killer system with mega ram and processing power, then I'd stick with CS2/3.

[DJDD]

hey all,

thanks for your replies.
I have a 64-bit CPU but WinXP Pro (32 bit).
Until Duke Nukem Whenever is released I will not be updating my PC.

I certainly do not use Photoshop anywhere near as much as most...

still, the weather is awful so can only spend money to keep sane, and i can get CS4 cheap, and since Duke Nukem Never Ever may not be released before my student status ends (so will not upgrade to 64-bit in time), i may buy it, anyway. :D

cheers,
DJDD

[gregbradley]

I used the trial version for a while and I liked it overall.

The vibrance tool is a useful addition that is worthwhile.

The fact that the changes in adjustments are now done by layers
so you can alter them later in the chain of processing is very handy
and you can see how various adjustments interact with each other.
That is worthwhile.

I read the healing tool was significantly upgraded but it seemed to be
exactly the same to me. Perhaps I missed something there.

Overall I thought it is a significant useful upgrade. CS3 didn't appear to be.

Greg.

[DJDD]

Thanks, Greg.
I will probably buy it as an Xmas present to myself! :D