Adobe Software

Forget Adobe Creative Suite CS2. Adobe is selling the some of the CS3 products as stand-alone releases, and depending on your needs, you can also buy special compilations, where certain CS3 programs are bundled together to provide you with the most effective tool-set your type of job requires. Check them out below to see which one is best for you, because well, Adobe ain't doin' no handout, the CS3 got quality, but it also has got a price, so pick carefully so you don't end up shelling hundreds of dollars for something you don't need or you won't be using.

Design Premium
InDesign CS3
Photoshop CS3 Extended
Illustrator CS3
Flash CS3 Professional
Dreamweaver CS3
Acrobat 8 Professional

Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium delivers an essential, highly-efficient toolkit for print, web, interactive, and mobile design. The software integrates new releases of InDesign CS3, Photoshop CS3 Extended, Illustrator CS3, Flash CS3 Professional, Dreamweaver CS3, and Acrobat 8 Professional for creating compelling publications, websites, rich interactive experiences, and engaging content. Also available today is Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Standard software for designers and print service providers focusing on professional design and print production. With Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium, users can experiment with, save, and apply color combinations quickly and intuitively using the new Live Color feature in Illustrator; perform image editing tasks such as selecting image areas, compositing images, and applying filters faster and more flexibly with Photoshop CS3 Extended; master Flash more easily thanks to its new Adobe-standard user interface; and repurpose print content on the web by exporting InDesign CS3 documents as XHTML and the modifying them in Dreamweaver CS3 using CSS.

InDesign CS3
Photoshop CS3
Illustrator CS3
Acrobat 8 Professional

Dreamweaver CS3
Flash CS3 Professional
Photoshop CS3 Extended
Illustrator CS3
Fireworks CS3
Acrobat 8 Professional
Contribute CS3

Creative Suite 3 Web Premium. Redefine the extraordinary in web design and development. Order Now!


Adobe Creative Suite 3 Web Premium edition is a comprehensive suite that combines the essential tools for web and interactive design and development including the new versions of Adobe Dreamweaver CS3, Adobe Flash CS3 Professional, Adobe Fireworks CS3, Adobe Contribute CS3 - along with major releases of key design tools such as Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended, Adobe Illustrator CS3, and Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional. Adobe Creative Suite 3 Web Standard edition is also available today to serve the professional designer and developer focused on design, development, and website maintenance.

Dreamweaver CS3
Flash CS3 Professional
Fireworks CS3
Contribute CS3

Creative Suite 3 Web Standard. Streamline web design, development, and maintenance. Order Now!


Loaded with new and innovative features, Creative Suite 3 Web editions offer users faster, more productive workflows across the applications. Now, for the first time, web professionals can import native Photoshop and Illustrator files directly into Flash and Fireworks with full fidelity. Users can also create consistent experiences across all browsers, operating systems, and a range of mobile and handheld devices with the new Spry Framework for AJAX, a pre-built, cross-browser compatible library of widgets and effects that make it faster and easier to build rich, interactive websites. Fireworks CS3 boasts new workflows for rapidly prototyping RIA layouts for websites and web applications, intelligent Photoshop and Illustrator integration, and a library of common and customizable graphics assets.

After Effects CS3 Professional
Adobe Premiere Pro CS3
Photoshop CS3 Extended
Flash CS3 Professional
Illustrator CS3
Soundbooth CS3
Encore CS3

Creative Suite 3 Master Collection. Express your ideas in print, on the web, in film and video, and on mobile devices! Order Now!


InDesign CS3
Photoshop CS3 Extended
Illustrator CS3
Acrobat 8 Professional
Flash CS3 Professional
Dreamweaver CS3
Fireworks CS3
Contribute CS3
After Effects CS3 Professional
Adobe Premiere Pro CS3
Soundbooth CS3
Encore CS3
Adobe OnLocation CS3
Ultra CS3

Do you know what a .PDF file is? Well do you know what kinda program you need to use to open them? Introducing


Adobe Acrobat Reader 8
and
Adobe Acrobat Reader 7

Both programs are free to download, and both are almost equally good feature-wise, it just depends on your computer configuration and your personal goals which Adobe software version do you need to use. Try each one and then decide, because in some cases Reader 7 may perform better than Reader 8.

Tip: use Adobe Reader SpeedUp to shorten Reader loading time even more.

Adobe Photoshop CS3

Adobe CS3, baby. OK, let's begin from the Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended, my most used product of the Adobe family. As I have mentioned earlier, prior to purchasing the CS3, I've been using the Adobe Photoshop CS2 and CS versions, which now seem like they were created in the stone age, compared to the latest release. Of course, some might argue that there's nothing really new in the CS3, but I strongly disagree with anyone who thinks that the new Photoshop is over-rated. The CS3 is by far the most stable, effective and fastest-performing of all the version that Adobe has released. When I bought the CS3 Extended, I thought, well, here I go, buying another product that will require upgrading my PC (which is, by the way, 3 years old. That's right, only 512 megs of RAM and an Athlon 2500+). Needless to say, I was quite surprised and happy to see the CS3 perform. The initial installation was a pretty long one, but as soon as I got all the reboots and registrations complete - this baby was ready and willing!

Despite Adobe Photoshop CS3 (Extended) being a great program, there is a widely reported issue of removing the Public Beta from users' machines. You can't install the full CS3 version before getting rid of Beta, and that's where a lot of people have experienced difficulties. Hell, even for me it took half a day to straighten things out, and lately I have noticed that the Internet is full of forum posts and search queries of "how to uninstall Adobe Photoshop CS3", so here I am, thinking to myself, maybe I should get on this issue on this lens, too?

Well, since it took much less than half a day to get somewhere with that, let's see if I still remember how did I do the trick.

First of all, you'll need the following tool by Adobe to help you uninstall CS3 Beta, because Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs doesn't do jack in this case.

Secondly, get ready for some extra hassle, because you might need to install ALL Adobe products you have again. So have all the CDs and serial numbers ready.

OK, so after you download the removal tool above, load it up and play it by the numbers. It's pretty easy to understand, but it seems to be triple checking all your answers with you, so bear with it.
Now, depending on your Adobe software configuration, select one of the removal options by tapping the corresponding key. You should always begin with one of the first ones, don't rush to "scorch the earth", but, depending on the outcome, you may have to play hard - i.e. choose the last option and get rid of everything Adobe.

Not the most attractive option, but you gotta do what you gotta do, right? Anyway, as I said, play with the options, and always begin from the bottom. After all the cleaning's been done, restart your PC/Mac, and proceed with installing the full version of Adobe Photoshop CS3 (Extended). If you are unable to do that, repeat the removal procedure, except this time, choose a "harsher" option.

And lastly, if the removal tool will prove it's no good (even "Scorched Earth" let you down), well, I sorry to say that, but you will have to format your hard drive. That's right, backup all your data you'll need, and pop that XP2 CD in the drive, click restart, choose "Boot from CD" in BIOS, and off you go. That's not that hard as it seems, I've done a lot of formats in my time, and believe me, it's like a chance to start anew (rolls eyes). Anyway, g'd luck.

The packaging (obviously)

So, after I fired up the CS3, it took me 5 minutes to realize that I won't ever need the CS2 again in my life. First of all, the CS3 loaded up in about 20 seconds, while the previous version had me waiting for well over 60 (seconds), so when I'm saying that it looked promising from the very first moment, I wasn't lying. I opened a few files and tinkered with them for those 5 minutes already mentioned. After that, I closed the CS3, served myself a cold beer, hit "uninstall Adobe Photoshop CS2" and threw the CD and the packaging of the CS2 straight into the trash-bin. Forget Adobe Photoshop CS2 software.

And it wasn't that hard, having in mind that over the last couple of years, the Photoshop CS2 was one of my most used programs, besides Firefox, Outlook, Word, Excel and Access. Duh, I forgot Winamp. This is not to say that the CS2 experience was a total drag, but frankly, I've been waiting for a new version to come out for a long time. The bugs, the crashes, the slow loading times... This is why I was so happy to get my hands on the Photoshop CS3 Extended. I was using the CS3 Beta ever since last Christmas (yes, I admit, I applied a so-called "crack" to avoid the end of trial, because I couldn't bear the thought of going back to CS2 after I got a taste of the new version), and as soon as Adobe started shipping the full and final version, I didn't hesitate one moment. I went down to the store, and I bought it right there. The price was pretty steep, but well, you can't get anything for free (or at least, anything good), and I didn't regret one dollar, either.

OK, so enough about me, let's get down and dirrrrty. Coming up -

the Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended features

This one's done by me. Animation in Photoshop CS3. Click the image to see a short animated video (you'll need Apple Quicktime to view it).

Let's take a quick time-out from all the technical characteristics, and let's see what the Photoshop is capable of visually on the semi-intermediate photo editing and design level. Click on the images to see them in full view:





This one shows you how easy it is to manipulate still photos by adding or removing objects from them. Create your own reality, anyone?





Here we have an example of mirroring already created designs and styles. Sometimes it's easier to just copy something, than to create something from scratch. And guess what? Photoshop won't let you down.





Lots'a photos edited and merged into one final composition. If you can't find the perfect shot out there, load up Photoshop and create, create, create.

"Photoshop isn't for everyone, and the more advanced it becomes the more it passes out of the reach of the everyday consumer. CS3 is the most advanced yet, and certainly the most capable image processing and editing software on the planet, with features that many professional users will find invaluable. Anyone who upgraded to CS in 2003 but held off spending money to upgrade to CS2 probably made the right choice, but I would say that CS3 holds enough new content to make that upgrade worthwhile. The question of whether it is worth upgrading from CS2 is another matter entirely. The faster performance, greatly improved RAW processing and new image adjustment controls are almost worth it on their own, and the improved compositing, and smart filters are nice bonuses"

"This upgrade is a no-brainer if you're a regular Photoshop user. The combination of enhancements to staple features, such as Curves and the Clone Stamp, combined with powerful new additions like the Black and White conversion and Camera Raw enhancements, mean that there's something for everyone in this update. Intel Mac users will want to upgrade simply for the Intel-native code, but they'll be most satisfied by the new features. Kudos to Adobe for listening to what users need and making simple, but effective enhancements"

"Photoshop CS3 is a natural upgrade for anyone with an Intel Mac and offers enough innovation to satisfy just about anyone currently using it on a daily basis. If you have Photoshop, get CS3. It's that simple"

"Photoshop CS3 packs refinements and additions that will please digital imagers of every kind. There's room for some interface polish here and there, but CS3 is also the most refined version of Photoshop yet. And while Intel processors deliver the best experience, CS3 performs acceptably on older Macs. So should you consider Photoshop CS3 or its Extended cousin? If you're into video, 3-D graphics, or scientific and medical imaging, CS3 Extended is for you. I'd give my right mouse button to have CS3 Extended's image-alignment features in the standard edition, but aside from that, the dividing line is fairly straightforward. And the bottom line is that Photoshop CS3 is the best, most full-featured image-editing program available for photographers and designers"

"Adobe Photoshop CS3 offers some killer new features, such as non-destructive filtering, a newly flexible interface, excellent monochrome conversion, and terrific cloning enhancements. Photoshop remains the best option for getting ANYTHING done in the field of computer graphics"

"With its streamlined tools, enhanced nondestructive editing capabilities, and better performance, Adobe Photoshop CS3 will look very attractive to almost any user"

"Sixteen years on, Photoshop is still the undisputed king of the photo-editors"

Now that we've read and seen what the Photoshop CS3 is capable of, and we've checked the professional Photoshop reviews, it's time for the final "regular user" conclusion. From a web designer's and amateur photographer's perspective, I can definitely say that the Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended is by far the coolest and most extensive tool of its kind, and you GOTTA appreciate that. As I've mentioned earlier, you don't need to buy what you don't need (duh), but the stand-alone Photoshop is absolutely a must have.

All the PC and digital photography websites and magazines have given the Adobe Photoshop CS3 anything from 8.2 to 9.7 points, and I, as the end-user, have to very definitely agree with most of the reviews, and the feature highlights. My personal score for the Photoshop CS3 Extended would be 9.5 (just because there ain't no filter to play my MP3s), and in conclusion I just would like to stress a couple of points -

first is that there isn't another program like Photoshop CS3 - it's not the only one of its kind on the market, but capabilities & feature-wise - you've got a winner right here, so don't even bother looking,

and secondly, well, everything that had to be said has already been said, so what are waiting for? Go get a copy today and dive into the wonderful world of digital magic (now where did I hear that?)

and last, but not least, when you're with the Photoshop, you're not alone - literally. There are thousands of Photoshop learning guides, Photoshop books, Photoshop tutorials, Photoshop videos, Photoshop classes and seminars, so if you'll ever find yourself in a dead-end while doin' something with the program, help, support and new ideas will be just a few clicks away.

So, fellow designers, photographers and producers, make haste, and get what you need from the amazing Adobe Creative Suite 3 today. The magic's waiting.

The Adobe software products below - Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0, Adobe Flash, Adobe Contribute & Adobe Captivate, along with (most probably) Adobe After Effects, Adobe Encore, Adobe Lightroom & Adobe Premiere - are going to be included here for review sometime in the near future, so meanwhile, go check 'em out at the official site by clicking the links below. Stay tuned.