Photoshop CS5

[jrandml]

In the last few years I haven't spent much time trying to improve my Photoshop skills but I recently upgraded to CS5 and bought a new Dell computer and I have gotten excited about the improvements and how easy some processes that use to take a very long time to do can be accomplished pretty quickly.  I also purchased the Topaz bundle with all the plugins and hope to start working with them soon.  I and apparently lots of other folks have problems with the Remask plug in not working properly "get a crash message" so when I have a minute I'm going to see if I can get it working.  One of the major improvements in CS5 is correcting noise in images where you've used a high ISO.  It's unbelievably easy to correct.  I also signed up for on line training through NAPP and when I upgraded to CS5 I got to use www.lynda.com training free for a month.  The courses there are really good but I decided to go with the Scott Kelby training since it allows you to pause, move forward or back through the training.  This is a helpful feature when you are trying to actually do the work while viewing the training video.  For those of you who use Photoshop I highly recommend that you upgrade.   

[kandace]

Gee, it looks like someone was listening to my presentation on Creativity, at the Hups April meeting.

Not all third party plugins are compatible with Photoshop CS5. Topaz Lab's Bundle is now compatible in 64-bit version. You will need to download the updated version at Topaz Labs website. If you have any other third party plugins, check their websites for the latest updates and compatibility issues with CS5. Until then you will need to run CS5 in 32-bit. Actually, I think the Windows version maybe okay.

Today, I watched a podcast on CS5's new "Noise" element in Adobe Camera Raw 6.1. It was pretty remarkable. I still like Nik Software's Define 2.0 for noise removal. I have better control with their U-point technology for selecting targeted areas for noise removal. Similar to Sharpening, you have to watch the noise removal process since it can drastically soften the focus on your photo. The stuff that blew my mind was the Content Aware and the ACR 6.1's new lens correction. It now recognizes the lens you used and does a lens correction sweep if you enable it.

I have been using Remask 2 for sometime.  I find it to be one of the best plugins for removing backgrounds and for selections. I have had no problems running it in CS5. You might want to contact Topaz Labs support to help you figure out why your computer is crashing.

Jim and I have been members of NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professional) since 2000. I highly recommend their seminars, books, etc. Your membership entitles you to free tutorials, classes, the Photoshop Users magazine, and best of all, DISCOUNTS on hardware, software, etc. Check out the portfolios. If you have time look me up. I have a portfolio there.

I purchased Adobe Photoshop CS5 Extended so I am looking forward to learning new techniques in 3D for creative art projects. I, too, highly recommend upgrading to CS5.

[TomC]

OK - I upgraded to CS-5.  It took me over an hour to download!  Almost 1 gb of files.
I also upgraded to LR-3.  That was also a lot of bytes.

I have been sitting at this computer for hours installing everything.  Now, I have to get my laptop in sync with the same programs. 

[jamesw]

How much does it cost for the upgrade?  I need to upgrade my CS4 and LR2.X software to the new stuff.

Cheers
James

[TomC]

Upgrade cost:

CS-5 = $199
LR-3  = $99

If you upgrade both at the same time, as I did, you receive a 33% discount on the cost of LR-3 (which makes the cost of LR-3 = $ 66).

[jrandml]

I used my NAPP membership discount and save quite a bit.  It almost paid for the membership. 

If you get the offer of using www.lynda.com for 30 days free take advantage of the offer.  The training is really good and they have courses on CS5 as does the NAPP site.

[TomC]

I rolled my programs back to LR-2.7 and CS-4.
LR-3 is too much of a memory hog for my old machine -or- I don't know the best way to utilize what I have.  That thing was sooo slow.

I will wait until James has another Advanced LR workshop. 

[jrandml]

Time for a new computer.

[scubafish]

Time to retire that dinosaur Tom!

[TomC]

What! Give up my beloved COMMODORE-64

[scubafish]

It will COMMAND high dollars on eBay!   

[TomC]

This weekend I have been thinking again about a new computer.  But I read on the adobe forums that LR-3 is still being cussed for slow operation.  Guess I could wait a little longer for new machines but I am starting to get the 'new' bug.

[Debbie]

Well.... we just decided to get a new laptop and boy is it nice!  I can not believe how fast it boots up, especially compared to the old dinosaur we had been using.  Got an Intel i7 processor in it, 600 gig hard drive and a BluRay player - so we're all set for watching movies on long airplane rides.

Now, just all the fun of putting all of our software on it and getting it set up just the way we want it.  That always takes some time and is the worst part of getting a new computer.....

[scubafish]

The i7 processors are fast aren't they Debbie?

[TomC]

Last week I retired my trusty computer.  I replaced it with a machine that is SMOKING.  Gosh, is it fast!  I do not have any bottle necks with any programs any more.  I loaded LR-3 and CS-5 back onto my new desktop and while it used to take upwards of 20 seconds or so for LR-3 to generate a 1:1 preview, now it takes just a couple of seconds.

I think that I ordered this new machine with all the bells and whistles - even got a solid state primary drive and 16 mb of ram.  I really like Windows 7 - it is also fast.  My new machine does not have a brand name as it was built to spec by a local computer shop.