CS5 vs CS3 - Much difference?

artwhim · #1 2011-08-19, 11:34am

I'm considering taking Photoshop classes at our community college this fall. I have CS3 on my computer and they offer classes in the newer CS5. Are the two versions close enough that it would be beneficial for me to take the classes?

Hayley · #2 2011-08-19, 12:26pm

The basics are pretty much the same, Kathy. CS5 offers some advance features that are really cool but it will be quite apparent what they are when you can't find them on your version! lol!

Also, if memory serves (it has been a while since I used CS3), some of the tools have been moved on the Tools palette so you will have to go digging around.

Have fun! PM me if you have any questions . . . I have been using Photoshop since its inception.

Angie09 · #3 2011-08-19, 1:31pm

Absolutely .... there is nothing in 5 that can't be done in 3. As a matter of fact, I have both on my computer cuz I'm not thrilled with how slow 5 is. (Every version seems to get slower and slower as they add more and more stuff.) CS3 is great ... stay with what you have and just adapt. AS Hayley said, some of the tools are in different places but nothing huge that would throw you off. Good luck ... there's alot of wonderful stuff you can do in PS.

Hayley · #4 2011-08-19, 1:38pm

Angie, Will it help to get more RAMs for your computer? My SE5 runs as fast as SE3 if not faster but I do have a MacPro.

artwhim · #5 2011-08-19, 9:21pm

Thanks Hayley and Angie! Sounds like the class will work since they are pretty close. I'm looking forward to learning how to use the program more efficiently.

PerfectDeb · #6 2011-08-20, 12:19am

Um, I think there's lots of difference

Is the class specificall asking for cs5?

If it's just teaching the basics then it might not matter

I actually have 5.5 and there are lots more bells and whistles, also some of the files might not be compatible

Alaska · #7 2011-08-20, 1:25am

Find that CS 4 runs very well with a Intel Quad core i5-2300.

One can also Google CS 5.5 vs CS 3 and see what others have to say. And keep in mind the "Standard Adobe policy has usually been upgrade eligibility for the past three versions". If beyond, upgrade is not available and a new full priced version must be purchased.

Angie09 · #8 2011-08-20, 5:34am

Quote:

Originally Posted by PerfectDeb

also some of the files might not be compatible

Adobe has really goofed I think this time ... you cannot save a CS5 file as CS3. You can only save it as 4 which causes a great deal of problems in my life. (If any one know how to save a 5 down to a 3 without the use of 4 ... please let me know). So yes, you can go up ... use a CS3 file in 5 but the other way around. So any files you create in class, you won't be able to use at home with your 3 version.

PerfectDeb · #9 2011-08-20, 7:01am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angie09

Adobe has really goofed I think this time ... you cannot save a CS5 file as CS3. You can only save it as 4 which causes a great deal of problems in my life. (If any one know how to save a 5 down to a 3 without the use of 4 ... please let me know). So yes, you can go up ... use a CS3 file in 5 but the other way around. So any files you create in class, you won't be able to use at home with your 3 version.

Ah yes, now I remember I read that on one of the adobe forums

Hayley · #10 2011-08-20, 11:45am

You have to save CS5 to CS4, then open the files in CS4 to CS3. That's the Adobe standard now.

You can upgrade up to three versions behind (paying more for the upgrade the older the version).

It sounds to me that Kathy is taking a basic Photoshop class so I think she will be fine with learning CS5 and using CS3 at home. It would be great homework for her to regenerate the class assignments that were done in CS5 in CS3 on her own!