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Adobe heralds subscription-only future for Photoshop and Creative Suite

May 6, 2013 at 18:28:56 GMT

SOFTWARE NEWS ADOBE CREATIVE-CLOUD PHOTOSHOP

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Adobe has said it will no longer be developing its Creative Suite range of software, leaving its subscription and cloud-based Creative Cloud as the only way of accessing the latest version of Photoshop. Adobe has been trying to encourage users away from the traditional one-off payment licenses and on to a monthly payment model, with features such as online storage and syncing between devices. This latest move ups the ante by making it the only option for future versions of the software.

Adobe is clearly concerned about alienating existing users and has set the pricing of its Creative Cloud products at a similar level to its existing software. The cost of licensing just Photoshop CC over 18 months (the typical life-span of a version of Photoshop), is similar to the existing version-to-version upgrade prices, if you commit to a 24-month contract. Paying to use Photoshop CC on an ad-hoc, on/off basis will cost more (though opening the option of only paying for the software when you need it).

Adobe says it will continue to support CS6 but will not be replacing it. This allows it to focus its efforts on a single line of products, rather than trying to support both, in tandem. It also says it will allow the addition of processor-intensive features, such as Camera Shake Reduction tool, where the work can be conducted in the cloud.

To soften the blow, Adobe is offering discounted rates for current owners of Creative Suite (including previous versions), valid until August 2013. The move will not affect Lightroom customers, who will continue to be able to purchase 'perpetual' licenses.

However, while the move clearly makes sense for a company whose software has always been so widely pirated, such a dramatic move will undoubtedly be unsettling for many people who have always thought of software as a one-off purchase.

Adobe has published an open letter to its users and says it wants to start a dialogue with its user-base over the changes.

Press Release:

Adobe Accelerates Shift to the Cloud

New Product Innovation to be Delivered Exclusively Through Adobe Creative Cloud

LOS ANGELES — May 6, 2013 — At Adobe MAX, The Creativity Conference, Adobe (Nasdaq:ADBE) today accelerated its shift to the cloud with a major update to Adobe® Creative Cloud™, the company’s flagship offering for creatives. Today’s update to Creative Cloud is packed with features, reimagining the creative process through a new set of “CC” desktop applications and enhanced cross-device collaboration and publishing capabilities (see separate press release). With this update, creative files can be stored, synced and shared, via Creative Cloud, on Mac OS, Windows, iOS and Android; and Behance, the world’s leading online creative community, is integrated with Creative Cloud, so customers can showcase work, get feedback on projects and gain global exposure.

Creative Cloud’s advanced capabilities are making it a hit with the worldwide creative community: more than a half million paid members, and well over 2 million total members have signed up for Creative Cloud since it was launched in April 2012.

Adobe also announced that the company will focus creative software development efforts on its Creative Cloud offering moving forward. While Adobe Creative Suite® 6 products will continue to be supported and available for purchase, the company has no plans for future releases of Creative Suite or other CS products. Focusing development on Creative Cloud will not only accelerate the rate at which Adobe can innovate but also broaden the type of innovation the company can offer the creative community.

“We launched Creative Cloud a year ago and it has been a runaway success,” said David Wadhwani, senior vice president and general manager, Digital Media, Adobe. “By focusing our energy -- and our talented engineers -- on Creative Cloud, we’re able to put innovation in our members’ hands at a much faster pace.”

On top of new collaboration and publishing services and the integration of Behance, today’s announced update to Creative Cloud includes stunning versions of Adobe’s next generation of desktop applications -- including Adobe Photoshop® CC, InDesign® CC, Illustrator® CC, Dreamweaver® CC and Premiere® Pro CC. Adobe’s desktop tools, previously known as Creative Suite (CS), are now branded CC to reflect that they are an integral part of Creative Cloud and have been reinvented to support a more intuitive, connected way of creating.

Adobe is facilitating the transition to Creative Cloud with attractive pricing plans and promotions for individual members, teams and enterprise customers. For more details, visit: https://creative.adobe.com/plans. Adobe will continue to sell licenses for all CS6 products via electronic download from adobe.com and participating resellers.

About Creative Cloud

Adobe Creative Cloud is a membership-based service that provides users with access to download and install Adobe creative desktop applications; game developer tools and integration with the Adobe Touch Apps. With Creative Cloud membership, users also have access to: a vibrant global creative community; publishing services to deliver apps and websites; cloud storage and the ability to sync to virtually any device; and new products and exclusive updates as they’re developed.

Membership Plans and Availability

By signing up for Creative Cloud today, creatives will be set up to immediately download and use these latest cloud-enabled innovations from Adobe, when they are available next month. Creative Cloud membership for individuals is US$49.99 per month based on annual membership; existing customers who own CS3 to CS5.5 get their first year of Creative Cloud at the discounted rate of US $29.99 per month. Students and teachers can get Creative Cloud for $29.99 per month. Promotional pricing is available for some customers, including CS6 users. A team version of Creative Cloud includes everything individual members receive plus 100GB of storage and centralized deployment and administration capabilities. Creative Cloud for teams is priced at US $69.99 per month per seat. Existing customers, who own a volume license of CS3 or later, get their first year of Creative Cloud for teams at the discounted rate of US $39.99 per month per seat if they sign up before the end of August 2013.

Adobe also announced Creative Cloud for enterprise today and special licensing programs for educational institutions and government. For more details, visit: https://creative.adobe.com/plans.

Comments

Total comments: 2061

I have been a faithful Adobe customer for the past 25 years. With this latest CC update, they have lost me as a customer forever! I am NOT going to "rent" their software! It's been a nice relationship until now. By By Adobe!

1 upvote

An Australian newspaper's report on Adobe CC. The conclusion: "As an amateur photographer, are you ready to sign up for a year's subscription at $600 to use Photoshop? We thought not."

http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/cameras/monopoly-money-20130522-2jzmi.html

1 upvote

For PhotoShop the subscription idiocy is 20usd per month, so 240 usd per year.

0 upvotes

Still ridiculous price for having nothing to show for it after a year. It's software. It's like your cable bill and we know how that battle is waging....SMART TV! Why would ADOBE want to try to win that war? To be honest, I don't really like anything of mine to be solely relying on the internet or thereabouts. I want to be able to turn off the computer and not have anyone "nosing" into my personal business like a BHO or trojan.

Comment edited 3 times, last edit 3 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

cc is----- Continuous Charge.

1 upvote

No wonder there in a FOG Bank .

0 upvotes

adobe is sniffffffffffffing GLUE, while on crack !

2 upvotes

Who can blame them, that sounds like fun ;)

0 upvotes

I was walking down the street the other day and I saw something interesting and I decided to take a photo of it. After turning on my Sony NEX-7 I got the following message on the screen: "Access to this Camera has been denied, please contact Subscription Services!" What the ....! Worse yet is that I was unable to download from the camera any images I'd already taken.

After rushing home I contacted Subscription Services, or "SS", whereupon they informed me that the $1200 camera that I bought a year ago now will not function without a monthly subscription fee! First Adobe and now Sony?! I hastened to my closet where my Canon and Nikon gear were vaporizing, apparently because I had failed to pay a continuing fee to those companies as well!

I woke up in a start! It was only a dream - or was it? Borrowing a theme from Apples' 1984 commercial, we need the hammer wielding athlete to come crashing in and hurl her hammer at the "Orwellian" face of Adobe! NO SOFTWARE FOR RENT! EVER!

5 upvotes

I predict a kickstarter project that develops The Gimp and Darktable being a huge success!

0 upvotes

The Gimp will never be a huge success or have a snow balls chance in hell of replacing PS until it gets a professional name.

0 upvotes

I'm not sure if I can agree with you there, I think it could be called just about anything, if it can do the job required well, while still remaining open source.

0 upvotes

"I think it could be called just about anything, if it can do the job required well, while still remaining open source."

You dont understand marketing at all then.

0 upvotes

Maybe I should explain further.

If I came out with software called The CRIPPLE what do you think the response would be? What do you think would happen if I then explained that it wasn't offensive at all was actually a fun play on words, just an acronym for The Creative Retouching Imagining Program Pro Licensed Edition? How may professionals do you think would want to be associated with me or my software? How many would see me or my software as a professional alternative if my software's very title showed I had a complete lack of understanding of professional and corporate communication, PR and marketing practices? How many creative pros would want to tell corporate clients they don't use Adobe's CS but instead use a program who's very name is a discrimination law suit waiting to happen but is otherwise just as good as the CS? If they did do you really think those corporate clients would believe the creative professional understood the corporate world and thus their needs at all?

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0 upvotes

Greed is the reason.

Executive quotes from Adobe

“We're driving migration to a subscription model in our Creative business faster than we predicted a year ago, and we are confident fiscal 2013 will be the pivotal year for the transition,” said Mark Garrett, executive vice president and chief financial officer, Adobe. “This will yield a stronger, more predictable recurring revenue model with higher long-term revenue growth.”

Adobe achieved revenue in Q4 FY2012 of $1.153 billion, exceeding its targeted range of $1.075 billion to $1.125 billion. During the quarter, the Company continued to accelerate adoption of Adobe® Creative Cloud™ as it migrates to a subscription model. Adobe also achieved record Adobe Marketing Cloud and Document Services revenue during the fourth quarter.

For fiscal year 2012, Adobe achieved record revenue of $4.4 billion.

1 upvote

I thnk the concerns are mostly unfounded. For the majority of photographers CS6 is likely more than enough for a very long time. I'll stay away from graphic artists.
Your copy of CS6 will always work and always open the images you created on it. If you're concerned about new RAW support then there's always DNG. And if you're worried about archiving for future generations then there's always DNG. And if you don't like DNG, well the Library of Congress endorses its use so your image will at least last as long as the USA does. And if you don't like that then create high res prints and make film negatives of those.
And seeing as how CC downloads onto your computer anyway, it will be short order until pirated, stand alone copies appear.

1 upvote

DNG doesn't exactly answer the raw problem, other raw extraction software can in some cases replace ACR--eg Aftershot, PhotoNinja, CaptureOne, DXO.

1 upvote

so be it.. again are the CC concerns real or just paranoia?

0 upvotes

Adobe's reasoning/gripe that updates made this scenario nearly mandatory, is bogus. PS already must be registered online, so what then, it's not possible to look at your version/Lic and see if you are eligible for a free online 'fixes' upgrade of your current version?
And... With CC I'd also apparently be forced into being a version tester with no backwards fix on my worst day. As if Adobe always gets it right - eh, no.

Am I not like the millions that don't need every small fix Adobe makes, and in fact also don't need every RAW update that day either (WHAT? Do you all by a new camera each week?) AND The native RAW s/w won't suffice at all???

Frankly, a GREAT opportunity for the next s/w product in line to finally get an honest chance with a crowd who need to try other products.
Adobe screwed us when they swallowed Macromedia, and now this.
Alert Adobe! You're not THAT special and you can be replaced.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

0 upvotes

No people don't buy new cameras like coffee but people interested in new cameras get raw samples from them. Then of course people will rent new cameras, particularly if the new camera can do something that ones own camera can't. Last camera I rented was the Nikon D4--used my own 50mm Japanese Zeiss on it. I rented this D4 to for lowlight work and to see if it were better than the D3s.

Then no again, the raw extraction software that camera makers supply is usually horrid, I don't what to read about the Canon exception, the Leica LR exception and now the Samsung LR exception.

Nikon doesn't supply raw extraction software for its DSLRs.

Comment edited 53 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

So what is wrong with ADOBE messing up your software when ever they want to,or turning it off by mistake and making you pay extra for it ?? You get A LOT LESS and it COSTS you MORE! All the while they are not honest with the customer but act like they are. I am a tArTed customer, sounds good to me .. MAY I PLEASE SIGN UP TWICE for CC ???

4 upvotes

According to dpreview poll, it is not the cost that is stinging most people. It is the fact that you have to pay.....Forever.

Forever is a long time, it is the fundamental problem with renting. If you stop paying, what you are left with has no residual value.
What you are left with is Nothing.

Over time, as the rental price increases, you may end up with Nothing sooner than you think...........

3 upvotes

1. I can't imagine anything worse than being under pressure to get something done and suddenly discovering my software's interface has changed. The software maybe so slow you have to buy a new computer too?

3 upvotes

Agreed. That could happen, too. Adobe is known to move controls, change hot keys, and rearrange whole interfaces (not to mention increasing bloat and system requirements) with each new version. That part is a problem. D:

0 upvotes

tell the truth:

Once and for all: The software is still on your computer, Adobe can't change that or the interface without an update to which you'd agree/download, Adobe will however turn it off if you don't pay on a certain schedule. (Yes, a schedule that you'd be best to check before starting an important big project.)

Also, while I can't say that I've used the most recent Canon raw converter, the older one with my G6 was okay, but it has no where near the subtlety of control of serious raw extraction software like ACR, Bibble, C1 or DXO. And again it was Canon only.

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2 upvotes

scratch that second paragraph: mispaste.

0 upvotes

@HowaboutRaw: I think you might want to review Adobe's terms.

http://www.adobe.com/misc/terms.html

"11.4 The Software may automatically download and install updates from Adobe. These updates are designed to improve, enhance and further develop the Services and may take the form of bug fixes, enhanced functions, new Software modules, and completely new versions. You agree to receive such updates (and permit Adobe to deliver these to you with or without your knowledge) as part of your use of the Services."

So, they may update automatically; and by using their service, you already consent to accept the updates. That seems pretty clear to me, and I think @tell the truth has a legitimate concern.

0 upvotes

Me thinks there's gunna be plenty of heavy PS users unplugging from the web on that day the hot project is causing headaches and due.
And as I noted, let's just say, on that day you do have the option to upgrade during lunch (you got to go to lunch today?) and it's that once when some bug blows up your ability to edit your file for the next hour, or two, or three while u wait for Adobe to get their act together.
Yeah, that's gunna be a riot.
Remember folks, you may be adjusting a photo or playing HDR, but I'm working a graphic art layout with 25 layers and all kinds of fancy stuff going on. Honestly, do you have any clue how problematic this can be for other non-photographers?

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0 upvotes

artlmntl:

That does not clearly mean that at check-in/pay-up time Adobe will enforce the updates. Turn off auto-update, I never use it, it's a huge distraction from working with any software, let alone the fact that my home connection remains dialup.

Then there's the "may".

Also I think it very unlikely that Adobe would be so stupid as to say: "Okay now that you've made your 30/99 check-in/payment, you must download/learn all these new changes and features, before starting whatever project you're about to start with Photoshop, etc. Just that hypothetical feature could lose Adobe even more customers, albeit yes Adobe could be that stupid, given that this whole idea of CC is nearly that stupid.

Look it's sort of like a big Windows OS service pack from Microsoft, no one in his right mind installs the latest without waiting to see if there are serious problems being reported, or without serious back-up. And Microsoft doesn't enforce the download.

1 upvote

HowaboutRAW:

I understand what you're saying, but i don't see much reason to give Adobe the benefit of the doubt here. We're not bound by intentions of a contract, we're bound by terms. By Adobe's terms. They can make updates and changes with or without our knowledge; and by using the service, we accept that.

Perhaps Adobe *will* give an option, but I'm not signing up to find out. Are you?

0 upvotes

artlmntl:

No I don't intend to give Adobe a chance with this subscription crap, I'll use Photoshop CS6 for years as editing software and Bridge CS6 as organization software. I already have Aftershot, and may give CaptureOne a try once Adobe stops updating ACR for Photoshop CS6.

It's not like I'm desperate to use every new feature of Photoshop.

2 upvotes

Adobe is going to write their contract to let them do as close to whatever they want as is legally possible. That is just how it is done for a whole host of reasons. But that doesn't' mean adobe is going to do something as stupid as force auto updates that completely change the UI on people in the manor tell the truth suggests. Sometime in the future they may very well force people to run the most recent version but they are not doing it now and even if they do in the future the subscription model allows for more incremental updates which means UI changes will likely occur in small steps over time so the users can get used to it. That is just the smart way to do it. It is not in Adobe's best interest to just arbitrarily and out of the blue force a completely redesigned UI on their customers. The idea that they would do so is juvinile at best. Adobe isn't some comic book villain dead set on doing the evilest thing possible even if it is to their detriment.

0 upvotes

Josh152:

You're probably correct that Adobe won't enforce updates, but yes Adobe could be that stupid, given how stupid Adobe has already proven to be.

0 upvotes

LOL adobe is not stupid at all. They will likely make much more money on subscription model in the long term even after losing many amateur and semipro customers to piracy or competing products in the short term. They said themselves they expected the reaction they have gotten. They are knowingly giving up some low profit customers to make much more money on the more profitable customers who upgraded every version and who will now subscribe to the monthly payments which adobe can raise a little every few years or so if they need to. What they have done makes perfect sense. I mean look at PS. The only thing they added to new version is anti shake nonsense the I guarantee is not going to work for crap. They are at a point where they have nothing to add to convince people upgrade and it is only going to get worse with every new version. Adobe has realized that the number of people who upgrade is only going to keep shrinking from this point on and has acted accordingly.

0 upvotes

Josh152:

Are you signing up? It doesn't sound like you have any need to do that. It seems you're just stirring the pot by running around poking at other people's posts. What's your deal?

Me? I think Adobe created a lot of ill will with this move. I like Adobe products; but now, I have little desire to be their customer. And I'm not alone!

Why do you seem so happy to say this will help Adobe make money? It might; but I think that depends on a lot of things, such as whether schools continue to teach Adobe products to students, and whether new customers continue to sign with them. Maybe that's the real key.

Are upgrades that important? I think Adobe is relying on big, corporate installations and a steady stream of new customers. I think they want new companies along with new generations of artists and designers to sign up long term. If that happens, you will be right! But they've already lost a ton of business and good will doing this. So, this may not work out for Adobe. We'll see.

0 upvotes

I am not going to pay adobe a month fee for the rest of my life but all this over the top rhetoric and FUD is really not helping. Instead of looking like costumers with legitimate concerns fear mongering and down right illogical comments like the one tell the truth posted make us seem like ignorant whiny babies afraid of change. I am simply not allowing strong emotions to cloud my objective view of this situation as so many on DPR are doing. The fact is adobe is not stupid and is taking a well researched calculated risk which they would not have taken if they weren't reasonably sure it would pay off.

Of course schools will keep teaching it. It is the professional standard and if the school want's students they will teach adobe CS it is as simple as that. For all the complaining and gnashing of teeth in the end most are just going to have to bend over and pay adobe their monthly fee and adobe knows it. For sure professional users will as they have no alternative but to use CS.

0 upvotes

I see.

You may be right. It's interesting, though. We may disagree on Adobe's overall intelligence, but we agree on what to do about their subscriptions. I don't think their course of action is so bright, so I'm not signing up. You're defending the intelligence of their decision; but you're not signing up, either. So, for Adobe, we're both lost revenue.

Also, I'm not so sure schools will keep teaching it. Some will, but I think some will switch. Standards change, you know. It's not 1990 any more, where the only real paint software is Photoshop and the only way to run it is on a Mac.

Look what happened to Flash. I guess it's still important in some places, but it seems a lot less important now than it was a few years ago. Anyway, thanks for your thoughts :)

0 upvotes

The problem is there is really no professional alternative to the CS and everyone else in the industry uses it making file compatibility an issue. For now creative pros use the CS and any school trying to earn a living teaching future creative pros will have to teach the CS. Yes what the industry standard for creative software is could change from being the CS but it won't be the schools that change it. They will always teach the software that is used by the majority of professionals whether it is Adobe's CS or something else the comes along and replaces it. Teaching something else to students when they will have to be using the CS in their professional career would not be in the school's or the students best interest. Nor would continuing to teach the CS after it has been replaced by something else. The schools will change if/when the majority or at least a 50/50 split of the industry adopts a new software package it won't' happen the other way around.

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0 upvotes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=67Iw9q2X9cU No ADOBE IS NOT BIGG ENOUGH TO GET MY MONEY !!!!!! ADOBE AND HITLER << WHAT DO THEY HAVE IN COMMON WITH KODAK ??????

1 upvote

I JUST BAILED OUT ON NAPP !!!!!!!!!!! SORRY SCOTT > WHEN YOU START TO TEACH A NEW SOFTWARE COUNT ME IN !!!!!

3 upvotes

Isn't it time for another shady Adobe "interview"??

6 upvotes

they could invite scott kelby... adobe won´t find a better PR man.

NAPP.... imagine he has to change the name when we all use something different... ;)

1 upvote

NAPP won't need to change the name at all. Now only professionals will use the product and most of them don't need the training.

They can just close down.

The ripple effect on books and training will be enormous

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

3 upvotes

There will likely be the same demand for PS training materials. It will just be pirates who would have normally paid for PS but now can no longer afford it or dont' want the subscription out of principle who will be buying it all.

0 upvotes

An alternative - read this http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?275083-Photoline-17-51-is-out-with-Multi-layer-EXR-support-Blender-multi-pass-EXR-too!

1 upvote

Well I guess I will have to cancel my Kelby Training subscription when its up in order to pay for my new Photoshop subscription? Nah I wont need either because I wont stay with Adobe.

Maybe I'll start my own Gimp training website as if I'm going to learn it may as well share. Maybe Scott had better start learning Gimp and the rest of the alternatives. He is far from what we can consider an objective source of information when it comes to Adobe. I am not worried about raw either as Capture one is really coming along nicely. So when they finally stop updating my copy of CS6 I'll do all my raw conversions in Capture One and use photoshop till it wont run on my computer anymore. And when lightroom goes subscription based I am sure the kinks will all be worked out of Capture One's new digital asset management. The certainly will have a lot more money to sink into R&D.

P.S. thank god i never converted everything to DNG

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

4 upvotes

i posted this on kelby's q&a and he took it right down. so much for a fair exchange of ideas.

1 upvote

yes they delete negative comment on the GRID website too.
or better say they don´t put them online.

they don´t care about your opinion.

all they care about is making money with tutorials and NAPP membership.

1 upvote

Actually, Photoshop CC will be only $10 per month for the first year for owners of CS3 or a newer version.

https://creative.adobe.com/plans Click on Single App .... Click on Requires Annual Commitment ... select Requires CS3+ purchase, and it's $10 per month. ................. (That just means you must have purchased CS3, or a newer version, to get the $10 per month deal.)

This is not cheap either but better than $20 per month, for the first year, anyway.

0 upvotes

yes but do you want to get on a bus that won't stop where you want to get off.

5 upvotes

so generous of Adobe. if you naively assume that the price will stay at $20 after the first year, then over the next 20 years, your average monthly payment to Adobe will be $19.50. That small savings is their way of suckering you in and making you forget that they are taking away the perpetual license option. all it is is greed.

2 upvotes

Please consider signing this petition to Adobe to eliminate the mandatory subscription model:

https://www.change.org/petitions/adobe-systems-incorporated-eliminate-the-mandatory-creative-cloud-subscription-model

1 upvote

lets look at the past... what, since CS4, was worth an upgrade?
i mean really worth the money?

i admit there are some good JDI improvements and a few new features.
but overall what was really worth it?

for me, i can say NOTHING.
i would still be happy with CS4!!

i only bought CS5 and then CS6 because adobe FORCED me.
they forced me because they don´t do ACR updates for CS4.

and please... nobody tell me that it is to complicated to make an ACR update for CS4. that is 100% NONSENSE!!

adobe maybe thinks future innovations, for products like CS7 and CS8, will not be attractive enough to drive new sales.
but once your hooked to the cloud... your hooked.
some minor updates will be enough for the brainwashed to be satisfied.

i guess adobe will lay off a few % of it´s employees in development over the next years.

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2 upvotes

As a daily pro user of LR and PS, (i'm working on it now!) my workflow usually resides in LR and for the images necessary for PS are then exported to PS as 16 bit TIFFs where further work is carried out.

While I need to constantly upgrade my LR to keep up with RAW compatibility, I find that I don't need to upgrade PS that often, usually doing the every-second-or-third-version method, as older CS versions support large TIFFs and their relevant PSDs. Currently on CS5 and very happy with it.

I won't go to the CC model. Terrible idea. While other pro colleagues use the subscription service and love it, I prefer owning it outright.
Why is it that difficult for them to offer the choice? Isn't it too obvious?

If LR goes that way, I'll be in trouble and will most definitely have to start thinking hard about looking around and relearning another program....

and this is from someone that has been using Adobe since PS5.5, and that isn't CS5.5 either!

I hope Adobe reconsiders....

0 upvotes

I have used PS since version 6.0, and have developed an appreciation and respect for Adobe over the years -- until now.

No longer can I consider the latest innovations of a new release of PS and then decide whether to invest in the upgrade as a license owner. Adobe has ended that traditional model and replaced it with "pay us $20/month in advance, and we promise to keep making PS better." Besides being 50% more than the $199 / 18 months I had been paying, how can I now trust them to do that?

I'm amazed no one is asking that question. What is Adobe's motivation (i.e. profit incentive) to keep producing new features? Is the same corporate mind-set that dreamed up this CC scheme going to continue investing in R&D when they already have our yearly commitment in payments? It's likely that improved product features could soon fall into the same rut that product fixes have been in for years with Adobe -- rare.

0 upvotes

Apparently Adobe may be relenting.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-57583817-92/adobe-mulls-creative-cloud-tweaks-for-long-term-file-access/

0 upvotes

that's barely "relenting" and doesn't solve the pay forever to use the software problem.

2 upvotes

Please consider signing this petition to Adobe:

https://www.change.org/petitions/adobe-systems-incorporated-eliminate-the-mandatory-creative-cloud-subscription-model

0 upvotes

DID I SAY ADOBE SUCKS ? I REALLY MEAN ADOBE SUCKS BIG TIME !!

1 upvote

Would you mind stating that again, please. Just so it's clear.

0 upvotes

ADOBE SUCKS

1 upvote

What will happen is, as we upgrade our computers to the latest and greatest, they will be incompatible with older software - as has happened since forever - to the delight and glee of the corporations making computers and peripherals.

Given that, it only stands to reason that either the artistic industry's imperative to have the lastest and greatest or lose the competitive edge OR it's computers go to God, it will have to subscribe to Adobe or go to Adobe's competitors.

They know this and have done the numbers on all possible scenarios.
They didn't get here by being stupid.

Us - the milkable masses - have no chance. Never did. (Never will.)

RIP the last scrap of autonomous software choice.

1 upvote

Just say NO to the extortionists!

2 upvotes

Just say NO to the extoritonists!

3 upvotes

vote with your money... chancel NAPP membership

2 upvotes

I just renewed mine, and now I'm sorry I did.

0 upvotes

So I just tried to contact adobe to tell them how much I don't like this.
They connected me to CHAT. After I complained about subscription the person on the other end tried to sell me the subscription. WOW.

2 upvotes

Good bye photoshop. I upgrade my LEGAL version every couple of versions. I think it costs $150-$200 every 4 or so years. It's a lot of money for a casual amateur user that isn't making money with this product. Ain't no way I'm gonna start paying $240 per year forever.

P.S. Can you use this new product if your internet connection is down?

1 upvote

Your PS is an interesting question. I suspect not, otherwise what is to stop subscribers signing up casually, downloading the software and then bailing - again a piracy move that Adobe would have covered.

Is it confirmed that the software is actually downloaded to the desktop or is it used over the internet?

I wouldn't think over the internet as the response time would be prohibitive. I would guess the bulk of it is downloaded but then it must have a connection to make it work.

0 upvotes

Actually I believe they will be using a similar licensing that the movie company VONGO, movie downloads via subscription, did a long time ago. How VONGO operated before the days of streaming video, was allow users to download movies for a subscription fee of $14.99 per month. The movie that was actually installed on your computer for 3 days. After use or the 3 days, the movie was deactivated - they were using a DRM method. VONGO was purchased after about 1 year and disappeared. If I recall NETFLIX was vast on the horizon. This is how Adobe is doing business - I am assuming, of course, they do not share with me their business. The software will download to your computer, however if you do not maintain your subscription your software will stop working - bricked. I don't like that. It's ok for a movie, because I don't COUNT on a movie like I do my software to make my living. So I'm out. Using GIMP and COREL, as well as other photo editors out there on the market.

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Also as a artistic photographer, I have some lean years, and I don't want to have to worry about how I'm going to maintain my Adobe subscription. With software you buy when you have the money, and when you don't, you are happy you had the money then so you could generate some business now and you use what you got. With the subscription, I may have a month or two where I won't have the luxury of access. Deal breaker.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

0 upvotes

Can anybody say "New Coke"?

Does anybody remember it?

1 upvote

I thought it was good.
I miss crystal pepsi, too.

1 upvote

KODAK

0 upvotes

rdc13--

Yes, New Coke was an excuse to substitute corn syrup for cane sugar in the the recipe for real Coke (in the USA at least).

0 upvotes

If you want to taste a Real Coke get a Mexican or Passover Coke in a glass bottle. You'll be amazed at the difference.

1 upvote

LarryK:

Right, got Mexican 355ml glass bottles in my fridge. The Passover stuff is rarely available glass bottles.

0 upvotes

What a fine, roaring bonfire!

I would not sign up because I don't want to buy a subscription and I have no interest in anyone's cloud.

I place myself as a semi-pro. I've been an enthusiast for a long time, and now I find myself getting paid to shoot for some of my web clients.

I generally like Adobe products, but I don't like what I see happening here.

Also, I think PS Elements 11 is a lot better than some people here think it is. I've had a full PS CS3 installation for years and wanted updated ACR for my new camera. I also wanted a video prep solution, so I got the Elements PS/Premiere 2-pack for about $100. With El 11, I'm able to tweak my images quickly and efficiently. I also received the latest ACR upgrade. Bonus!

On the whole, PS EL 11 is a very good mix of drawing, painting, and photography tools - Much better than you can get for free and a bargain for the price. It's also a lot of fun to use. It will be a shame if Adobe kills this.

2 upvotes

Good bye adobe. If i had to bet, i'd say this day marks the beginning of adobe's downfall.
Hopefully this move spawns new software companies to bring an equivalent product to the market, as there's definitely room at the PP software dinner table now.

5 upvotes

The main problem here is that Adobe is doing three unpopular moves at the same time. First they locks the product to the cloud. Then they introduces the subscription model. Then they dramatically raise the cost (for most readers here). Maybe its a good move. Maybe it is going to increase Adobe's incomes. Maybe. But ... they sure knows how to get unpopular :)

Comment edited 13 minutes after posting

2 upvotes

http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/best-free-photo-editing-software-10-top-image-editors-you-should-try-1135489

5 upvotes

Take a look at Photoline too. Its 64 bit, with 16/48 bit image editing capability. And its fast. I have been using the paid version for a few years now. www.pl32.com

0 upvotes

http://corelblogs.wordpress.com/2013/05/08/corel-is-all-about-giving-users-choice/

1 upvote

Not an alternative for many of us, no MacOsX version :(

2 upvotes

Photoline has a MacOSX version.

0 upvotes

lightpainterx--

Photoline has an awful raw converter.

0 upvotes

As I understand it the Photoline RAW converter has only recently been added to Photoline. Hopefully it will improve in time. I am using Photoline v15 before the RAW converter was added. I currently use Lightroom and DPP for RAW conversion and Photoline for pixel level editing for which it does a fine job. At least it reads, edits and saves uncompressed 48 bit tiff files without issues unlike Corel.

0 upvotes

lightpainterx:

Corel's Aftershot shouldn't have any trouble saving 16bit per channel tiffs, but I guess you're talking about Corel's Paintshop.

Yes, Photoline seems like a decent editor.

0 upvotes

Reading between the lines in Gerard's comment about not having a Mac version ready to release, it sounds like they're regretting having dropped it now that this golden opportunity has fallen into their lap.

0 upvotes

Biggest news topic on dpreview, ever!

May 6: The day Adobe makes digital photography history, in one of the dumbest business moves ever. The beginning of the end for Adobe. Even if they apologize profusely now and take it all back, I sense that it is too late for them.

6 upvotes

Just in case Adobe is monitoring this forum I will not EVER rent software, I will use Lightroom as long as it's for sale but if it goes to a subscription model I'm going back to Aperature. I find it funny that Lightroom is the one product that is not going to this model, could it be because Lightroom is the only product they sell that is not overpriced so it is not pirated nearly as much as photoshop. Hey Adobe here's an idea sell your CS suite for the educational price and maybe you will see sales go up and piracy go down!

7 upvotes

Please note that Adobe has already said Lightroom cloud version will have premium features the retail one will not. Check the interview with the marketing vp posted in Dpreview a day or os ago. They will try to get everyone to move to CC by dumming down all retail versions.

3 upvotes

Yeah .... that is of course their plan. One part of that plan might be RAW support. Adobe has already started that plan. I have CS4, and I cannot open some camera's files due to the latest RAW converter only supported by CS6. That incompatibility might have been necessary, or just a part of the general plan. Who knows.

2 upvotes

Watch out Adobe that the same thing that you did to save us from QuarkXpress doesn't happen to you.

You saw how fast we jumped ship and how fast Quark drowned in their own dispassion and apathy towards it's customers

4 upvotes

Has anyone addressed the "Band Width" problem? I for one am limited to 5000mb per month upload! That isn't very many photos at all... A single file unedited from my Sony A77 is about 24mb, But edited that number goes quite a bit higher. The numbers just would not work for me at all.

3 upvotes

As far as I understand, you don't need to up or down load any images at all.

1 upvote

There is no need to upload or download images but that kind of limit is a real limitation for photography I would assume. You will lose the benefits of some of the cloud advantages going forwards. I don't think this will be an issue for the majority of their user base.

2 upvotes

Adobe is on the way to death, they try to hang themselves. Yes, there are pirated softwares on the market, but most of those are used by occasional shooters who do a few slides a year in travel or at the week-end party. Serious photographers and Pro's pay their license. Adobe will only lose those who anyway do not pay a license, but on the end make a huge free publicity for their stuff. Today, others do as well, and at lower prices. A soft reasonably priced will sell, and no need to pirate it. For sure, for some pirated soft is just a sport, not a question of any investment. For others it is a way to use something they can not afford. Microsoft knows that 50% of all windows versions are pirated, and often, Microsoft internals are those who put such soft online in news servers and Torrents, they know that this makes the popularity of windows. I would no pay a limited time license for Photoshop. As retired, i still get the soft free from my former employer who has a corporate license.

4 upvotes

I wish I could say that this is true, but in my experience at least 1/2 of the film makers, photographers, and graphic artists that I know (and most of my friends fit into one of those categories) are using "shared" copies of Adobe software.

0 upvotes

I think Adobe has over-estimated it's industry dominance, and/or underestimated the competition.

6 upvotes

No problem for me. I just ordered Aperture and started to familiarize myself with it. As an advanced amateur, I don't need all of the power tools in PS. And Elements really seems only for beginners. I started with PS v3 and upgraded myself through CS 5. No more. Aperture will be fine until I explore the other options out there. What a shame...

4 upvotes

My first disappointment with Adobe. I'll look for the competition.

7 upvotes

Wow the first?? I'm impressed, if that's the right word. I've been disappointed with them for years for seemingly deliberately making their programs difficult, counterintuitive, and aggravating to use. This is just the final straw to ditch them forever.

0 upvotes

And if LR goes the same way I will be making the move to Aperture!

Might even consider doing this when my LR4 version is superseded.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

2 upvotes

I reckon this is another reason for me to go in the direction of being a film shooter for my own photography; my nicest camera is a Nikon F6. (My employer requires my evidentiary images to be submitted as OOC JPEGs, so most of my equipment is digital.) I had recently been considering which digital post-processing system I should start using, and if this is the direction the industry is going, the answer for me might well be to remain, mostly, an analog dinosaur. I shoot so very few serious images per month, on my own time, to want to pay a monthly subscription to the owner of some "cloud."

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

1 upvote

DEATH TO CREATIVE CLOUD!

7 upvotes

let adobe go the way of the dodo.

they don´t care about their customers.

0 upvotes

Bye Bye Adobe.
In a way, you have helped many of us with a difficult decision we have been grappling with for years: is the licence fee value for money for the use we will actually get out of it? Sure, for imaging professionals, paying a monthly fee that can be written off as a business expense will be fine, but for those of us who have used your products for our non-money making hobbies, you have made it a no-brainer: ditch Adobe and use one of your competitor's products instead. I hope you factored that into your business model calculations.
Speaking personally, I have been using Photoshop less and less, and Aperture more and more for the type of work I do as a hobby. Your announcement today makes the final break much easier- I will continue to use my licenced copy of Photoshop CS6 for as long as it remains practical on my Mac, and after that you will never hear from me again. I just hope that Apple don't go the same way with Aperture.

5 upvotes

Total comments: 2061


Poll: What concerns you most about Adobe's move to subscriptions? May 8, 2013	Photoshop CC: Adobe responds to reaction May 8, 2013	Adobe updates Creative Cloud with exclusive tools for Photoshop CC May 6, 2013	Adobe announces updates exclusive to Creative Cloud members Dec 11, 2012

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