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Post by hmca on Nov 9, 2017 18:25:05 GMT
I started with PE 6 and then upgraded to PE 11. I have been a CC subscriber for a few years now and rarely open 11.
Photoshop Elements served me well for many years and it would be my recommendation to beginners.
I also have a number of Topaz plug-ins, NIK Suite and On 1.
A Mac, user I haven't upgraded to High Sierra yet.
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Post by hillbilly on Nov 10, 2017 22:54:43 GMT
I have PSE 14 and 11 along with elements+ and the NIK collection. This on an old HP computer, relatively cheap Dell monitor, and a HP all in one printer that is not used for prints. We also have two laptops, but don't have any editing programs on either. Get prints from wally world, but am going to try a commercial lab one day just to see if there is a difference.
I was pretty disappointed with PSE2018, just don't think what is new is worth the price, plus I have read some not so glowing reports on the new stuff.
Bill
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Post by michelb on Nov 16, 2017 10:54:02 GMT
I think it's good to know which Elements versions are used today by our members. To keep things simple, the poll will show you a single choice for versions up to PSE15 and one for every newer version. If you have several versions installed and ready to use, check each of them, we'll assume you are using the most recent one. You are welcome to answer this post and comment on your answer: - your OS and OS version, 64 or 32-bits - availability of other softwares like Lightroom, CC or third party add-ons - thoughts about Elements and your hardware (display, printer, calibrator) - your reasons to upgrade or not... the more comments, the better. I have decided to lock that poll. I suppose it has achieved its purpose but I fear that it can be misunterpreted in the next months or years. The poll took place in the first stage of the 2018 version publishing, and I suppose many users were or are still waiting for more feedback of early users to decide to test or buy that new version. One interesting result from the comments is that such a poll tells us a lot about our community, but can't be representative of all Elements users. The most surprising, but logical result, is that you get more than two answers per voter. It confirms that many users keep several versions on their computer. The poll does not tell the frequency of updates; do the users wait for two, three, four or more yearly editions? Anyway, my guess is that few do update regularly. Other posts suggest that the latest edition does not have much success. That could be a new discussion. However, even if the poll is closed for clarity, this discussion is not and you'll always be welcome to add your comments. |
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WayneS
Established Forum Member
Posts: 476 
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by WayneS on Nov 19, 2017 21:44:36 GMT
I'm a long time elements user, starting with version 3 and continuing with versions 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15. I presently have versions 13 and 15 on my computer. Hearing and reading comments, I'm uncertain whether to continue with elements stand alone versions, or make the break to some of the newer programs now available. I don't want any part of the cloud, as I feel there is too much chance of attacks!
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Post by BuckSkin on Nov 19, 2017 22:10:31 GMT
I can only speak for Elements 7 versus Elements 12, but I will say this: I enjoy working in E7 and absolutely loathe having to do anything in E12.
There are a few features in E12 that I wish could be grafted into E7, but no way would I give up E7 for E12.
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Post by Bailey on Dec 1, 2017 6:30:04 GMT
I can only speak for Elements 7 versus Elements 12, but I will say this: I enjoy working in E7 and absolutely loathe having to do anything in E12. There are a few features in E12 that I wish could be grafted into E7, but no way would I give up E7 for E12. Just out of curiosity, why would you not give up PSE7 for a later version? My first version of PSE was v7. The introduction of layer masks won me over to upgrade to v9. I then upgraded to v10 and then v14 (current). Each time I upgraded, there was a new tool/function that was useful to me. Versions 15 and 2018 don't have any real "must-haves" for me. For me the reverse is true. There is no way I would go back from v14 to an earlier version. |
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Post by Sepiana on Dec 1, 2017 8:17:02 GMT
My first PSE version was version 4; my next upgrade was version 7. I never missed not having a built-in layer mask in these versions. Grant Dixon, a longstanding member of the now-closed Elements Village forum, created a set of actions called Grant's Tools which included a layer mask. He made these actions available to the EV members free of charge. He and the late Wendy Williams, an EV Moderator, kept Grant's Tools updated. These actions were also available on Grant's website and were free for all. On his website you could find versions of these actions going back to PSE 2 (if I remember it correctly). The latest version of Grant's Tools can be found here.
photoshopelementsandmore.com/post/10444
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Post by BuckSkin on Dec 1, 2017 10:54:40 GMT
Just out of curiosity, why would you not give up PSE7 for a later version? For the same reasons that I absolutely would not trade my 1985 Ford F-350 to any new truck; no matter how many bells and whistles they might add, it is still better. I can only speak for the differences between E7 and E12; I don't like the layout in E12, nor do I enjoy having to search for buttons in E12 that are more sensibly located in E7, plus several features in E7 are not in E12. I specifically bought E12 for the "refine edge" feature that is supposed to separate wispy strands of hair cleanly from a background; try as I may, I have not yet been able to accomplish this, no matter how many times I have watched the videos. With Elements + and Grant's Tools, I can do most anything I want in E7. I am not saying E7 is perfect; if they would leave everything about E7 unmolested, leave all the buttons and all the tools exactly where they are, then add connectivity/communication with other programs, and fix the huge problem that E7 has with corrupting and erasing metadata, altering date taken, and the like, and changing file names willy-nilly unbeknownst to the user until the file can no longer be found on account of Elements adding a "temp" suffix, then I might get interested. We abandoned the Organizer completely due to the many problems it has with altering metadata and changing file names. My wife uses E7 more than I do and she tried E12 a couple times and hasn't opened it since. The above is only my own opinion and experiences; I am not trying to convince anyone else. |
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Post by Bailey on Dec 2, 2017 4:34:02 GMT
Hi Buckskin,
I'm sorry your experience with E12 was not a good one and that you have issues with E7 and I can see where you are coming from. When I went from E10 to E14 there was a learning curve involved, not a huge one but still a learning curve in familiarizing myself with the new layout and some new tools/functions. The Refine Selection Brush Tool particularly took me a while to get my head around how to use it properly. The penny finally dropped on the umpteenth trial/experiment/practice and now I find it an absolutely amazing tool in making complex selections - wispy hair and the like.
I also really like the Organiser, but I use it just as an organiser and don't have a need for the more gimmicky (for me) features like facial recognition, connectivity to social media etc. As simply a catalogue of images an videos, the Organiser ticks all the boxes for me.
Being able to use layer masks in later versions directly without "borrowing" them from other adjustment layers or having to use 3rd party plug-ins was a significant plus for me.
I hope one day you might find the time to persevere with the later versions of PSE because, for me, the pros of E14 and the Organiser far out weigh the cons when compared to E10 and earlier versions.
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Post by Sepiana on Dec 2, 2017 5:29:07 GMT
Just adding some clarification . . .
I believe BuckSkin is talking about the Refine Edge feature in PSE 12.
I specifically bought E12 for the "refine edge" feature that is supposed to separate wispy strands of hair cleanly from a background; try as I may, I have not yet been able to accomplish this, no matter how many times I have watched the videos.
This updated, "deluxe" Refine Edge feature (brought over from Photoshop) was introduced in PSE 11.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RZyRX6yw9g
The Refine Selection Brush is not available in PSE 12. This tool was introduced in PSE 13 and, then, Adobe made some improvements to it in PSE 14.
helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/using/refine-edit-selection.html
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Fauxtoto
Established Forum Member
Quebec, Canada
Posts: 440
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by Fauxtoto on Dec 4, 2017 22:46:45 GMT
Hi Buckskin,
Just to say that I was able to custumize the editor in E14 so it looks quite the same as it was looking in E10, with the same panels I like to use. It may be possible to do the same in E12 compared to E7?
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Post by BuckSkin on Dec 4, 2017 23:22:01 GMT
Hi Buckskin, Just to say that I was able to custumize the editor in E14 so it looks quite the same as it was looking in E10, with the same panels I like to use. It may be possible to do the same in E12 compared to E7? That might be worth investigating. |
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Post by Sepiana on Dec 5, 2017 0:28:23 GMT
Hi Buckskin, Just to say that I was able to custumize the editor in E14 so it looks quite the same as it was looking in E10, with the same panels I like to use. It may be possible to do the same in E12 compared to E7? That might be worth investigating. I also have Elements 7 and 12. Yes, it is possible. The Custom Workspace in the Expert editing mode enables you to set up things the way you want. The instructions below are for Elements 11 but they also apply to Elements 12 through Elements 2018.
Introduction and Setup for Photoshop Elements 11
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