Adobe offers CS6 upgrade for CS3 and CS4 users, and rebrands Carousel

you got that right...

Jan 19, 2012permalink

Xcanonfodder

First, I hope that Abobe offers standalone CS6 (upgrade). If I knew how to operate all the features of Creative Suite I'd be doing it for a living. I use LR2 for 90% of my work coupled with Photomatix, Topaz and Nik. I trust that all of you out there take the best images you can and then enhance them. If so, then LR with plugins will do great. However, Puppet Warp, Content Aware Fill and a few other unique feature sets make CS5 EXT worth having. I feel that I will have to be Blown Away to dip into my wallet again. I definitly agree with those who ask for reasonable prices, especially when the major market is amateur. I sincerely hope that Adobe has not reached a point of diminishing returns. At this time I am more concerned with the march technology rendering all of my media obsolete. I hope that Adobe is as concerned as I am.

Jan 17, 2012permalink

KE_DP

I have CS5 - and can't see where I will need an upgrade from CS5 any time soon. It should last at least 5+ years, maybe even more. Maybe by then a real competitor will arise.

Also if Adobe has plans on starting up their "subscription" scheme to steal from users on a running fee basis per month (like a utility bill) - once the usefulness of my PAID copy of CS5 runs out - I will forever delete and block all things Adobe, and never look back.

For those who are not aware - They are currently trying to scam users with this never ending billing scheme on the new web design product called "Muse".

Jan 17, 2012permalink

The point about subscription software can't be over stated. If people let adobe get away with it other software manufactures will fallow suit. They will not leave all the potential money sitting on the table. We will end up having to pay a subscription for most or even all software right down to the operating system. imagine paying over a $100 a month just to use your computer as you do now. That is the future unless we refuse to buy all subscription based software.

Jan 17, 2012permalink

orpheo

Yes, Photoshop CS5 would last me 5+ years as well. But Adobe has also developed the bad habbit of stopping updates for RAW-files of new cameras soon after the release of their newest CS-version. I can see it coming: updates to CS5 will already have been stopped until Canon 5D mk III or Nikon D800 come out. The idea, that my next camera would still be supported, was one of my main reasons to upgrade to CS5...

Jan 19, 2012permalink

I'm on CS3, using PS, AI, and ID, and still use GoLive CS2 for my web (which is coded by hand), but do utilized the template capability. Neither CS4 or CS5/5.5 turned me on enough to let go of $1,000 for the upgrade. I think Adobe has realized that they may have alienated a BUNCH of their user base. Whether or not they actually care remains to be seen. They seem pretty arrogant about things to me.

Jan 19, 2012permalink

PCPics

Adobe used to be amazing - they made truly groundbreaking things.

Now they just update stuff that plateaued years ago and pass it off as 'progress' - for which you must pay.... handsomely....

It is an amazing piece of software - but alienating previous owners is not a good business model.

Jan 16, 2012*permalink

AndyC105

I just really hope a genuine alternative to Photoshop becomes available that will run the plugins I use. If that happens I'll jump immediately so I'm no longer ripped off by Adobe.

Jan 16, 2012permalink

It's just a matter of time. The Plug-ins (for Pete's sake) do a better job as the Adobe main programs do. These companies will see the opening and deliver something truly innovative soon.

Jan 19, 2012permalink

T I Wood

APPLE please buy Adobe and NIK software!!!

Jan 15, 2012permalink

This is one of the most insensitive remarks I have ever seen an any forum! You should be ashamed of yourself!

Jan 15, 2012permalink

why? you need to read more about the real Steve Jobes

Jan 15, 2012*permalink

The man is not just 'gone' frank200, he died! Perhaps you have read some sensational books and reports about him, but there are actually people out there that cared about him. Your remark remains insensitive, no matter what you read!

Jan 15, 2012permalink

http://www.switched.com/2009/08/03/is-apple-more-evil-than-microsoft/

if you are so "sensitive " what do you do to help millions of people that suffer and die around the globe every day?
Im glad he is gone i would not care if he is dead or alive i'm just glad that his evil influence is out of the map he was in NO way a nice person

Jan 15, 2012*permalink

Ollie 2

Ahh, nothing like visiting DP review and reading the thoughts of a sensitive, empathetic soul such as your good self enjoying the passing of another human being. Thanks for that.

Jan 15, 2012permalink

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16570765

I liked/loved Steve Jobs, but equally I allow frank200 to air his views (for they are *his* views).

I read the link he posted, and whilst I'll probably never own a Mac (don't see why I should for I find them incredibly overpriced), it comes as a 'bit of a coincidence' that this is posted by the BBC....

Jan 16, 2012permalink

Charrick

I've never bought an Apple product in my life, and I've heard that Steve Jobs was not such a nice person. But if just being a douche was a valid justification for fate to condemn you to suffer from cancer and die, then frank200 had better watch out. He might not have many years with us left.

Jan 16, 2012permalink

cxsparc

Frank did not condem anyone! And he is entirely right about Jobs. It makes me sick that people liit memorial candles in Apple shops as if Jobs had been some sort of guru helping others on the road to enlightment.
What has happened to society that once rose against apartheid, dictators, ...?

Jan 21, 2012permalink

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46143670/ns/business-us_business/#.TyGF4lxSSb4

Jan 26, 2012*permalink

I personally prefer to donate money to gimp than fall into adobes blackmail

Jan 14, 2012permalink

KE_DP

I own CS5, but would have gone to Gimp except for X11. They need to make it native on OSX to make it useable for my needs.

Jan 17, 2012permalink

you can install linux on your mac :) linux mint is a great choice or you can install virtual box and you will be able to run windows or linux or any other os on a virtual machine and virtual box is FREE
https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Screenshots
https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

Jan 19, 2012permalink

VidJa

Adobe is losing young customers rapidly.There is no version of PS or LR that is affordable for students or young starting professionals. More and more young people are using Linux as their primary OS. I don't even own a copy of Windows other that the crippled vista home that came with my hardware (deleted it from the HD first thing, never missed it)

If they would create a Linux version of PS and LR for 100 €/$ I would be the first one to buy it. (provided proof of studentship or starter, even MS is doing that)

Jan 14, 2012permalink

pauljcoles

I thought that £79 for Lightroom, £169 for CS5 or £250 for Design Premium were entirely reasonable prices for their software. Also the £38 for Windows 7 64bit is also entirely reasonable.

Jan 17, 2012permalink

pauljcoles, it's not the cost of Windows 7 that's at issue here, it's whether or not you can actually use your computer once you do buy it, regardless of cost! There's a reason so many people still use XP.

Jan 19, 2012permalink

The problem Adobe has is that if CS3 was the latest version, it would still be the gold standard. CS5 is way better than CS3 and more than enough for a long time to come IMHO. You can do your basic RAW conversion in any software program you wish, save it as a tiff and still pull it into ACR to benefit from all the tools inside it. Or you could convert a copy of your RAW file to DNG and then pull it (as a RAW file) into ACR. Point is, you actually don't need another ACR upgrade to recognize your new camera's RAW format.

Hey Adobe, we won't need CS6 or perhaps even 7 for a while still. Especially not inside an iCloud or any other iBig Boss or iEye-In-The-Sky type of system. Sorry. Forget it. Not now, not ever. Especially not for the amount of money you charge!

Jan 14, 2012*permalink

orpheo

With Bridge, LR3 and Photoshop CS5 I have a quite seamless workflow, that also saves time, when handling lots of pictures. For that (along with the quality of the software) I was willing to pay a substantial amount of money. But i'm not willing to do that (even in "only" upgrade-prices) every 2 years or so and for that kind of money, I would expect a longer "servicespan" in updates for new cameras RAW format.
But my nice little workflow will probably be obsolete until the Canon 5D MkIII comes out, which might be my next camera. By then I will probably be tired of the that upgrade-circus (incl. the whole bearing of Adobe) and start looking for workarounds like you sugest...

Jan 19, 2012permalink

BJN

What's really ridiculous is how we continue to accept new flavors of proprietary raw formats from camera manufacturers. If they standardized, not only would that all but minimize the issue of keeping raw converters current, it would streamline using raw files with many applications and file managers. If manufacturers don't like DNG, then they'd be welcome to develop the spec.

I don't blame Adobe (and other raw conversion software companies) for turning a costly ongoing software development process into an incentive to sell updates. I blame the camera manufacturers for the fundamental problem.

Jan 20, 2012permalink

Francis Carver

Forget it, Adobe. You don't cut it no more.

Jan 14, 2012permalink

CrashE3

Sure, there are still many users that need CSx. BUT Adobe has, for way too long, benefited from the basic to intermediate photographer that thinks they need it because that is what all of the great photographers have. I am one of those who does a lot of portrait work and just really felt like I needed CS for good retouching and the support of plug-ins that I enjoy using. It is just not the case anymore.. there are way too many options and way too many "plugins" that have come out as stand alone programs. CS3 is the last version I am likely to have bought, as everything that I do to a photo can now be done in my OnOne software suite.. for far less money.

Jan 14, 2012permalink

Michael Kaufman

I think ou are probably correct for 90% of the functions in CS5.fCertainly Lightroom can do almost anything a non-pro would ever really need.

Having said that, I think its worth upgrading to CS5 just for content aware fill. That has saved me so much time.

Jan 14, 2012permalink

mmcfine

For desktop publishing professionals there is no substitute to PS but for the rest like TV and web industry the alternatives are getting better. As long as you don't need CMYK support there is really no need for a CS suite.

I am not going to upgrade to a full CS suite anymore it simply doesn't make sense.

Jan 14, 2012permalink

Mark Hollister

So Adobe didn't ditch their stupid new policy, they only delayed it for *some* users. Dumb. People don't like having their arm twisted. If I were the maker of alternative software to Adobe, I'd be jumping for joy.

Alternatives: (prices as of 01/14/2012))
Aperture: $79.99
Capture NX: $179.95
GIMP: Free
Oloneo PhotoEngine: $149.00
Oloneo HDREngine: $59.00
Photoline - 59 Euros
Pixelmator $29.99
Portrait Professional $39.95 (current 50% off special)

Jan 14, 2012permalink

The problem is none of those can really be direct replacements for PS. None have the same capabilities. What they do have in common with PS, PS invariably does better. The fact is PS is the undisputed, unchallenged industry standard. Until that changes, they will continue to pull BS like this and their customers will continue to have no choice but to put up with it.

Jan 14, 2012permalink

Danny

Yes, PS is still the industry standard, but others are getting close. If one of them starts to implement CMYK we are talking. And this is just a matter of time. I work with Photoshop since version 3, so I go a long way back with this program. It has always been a fabulous piece of software, but Adobe is taking the Mickey with it's customers for some time now. I have come to the point that I probably will buy an alternative like Pixelmator and start learning to work with it, so that as soon as these programmers are getting smart and add CMYK, I'll take the jump. I never would have thought I would even consider such thing, but after spending too much money on marginal upgrades I am getting p*ssed on these folks for their shameful policies and lazy attitude. Don't forget I have always been a loyal paying customer supporting Adobe. Think about it, all these pre-historic filters in Photoshop with their tiny thumbnail sized windows. C'mon Adobe, what's the matter with you?

Jan 14, 2012*permalink

@Danny

I agree that once someone does release a just a capable, just as stable, just as well designed alternative to PS Adobe will be in trouble. I have a feeling more than a few customers are just waiting for a viable alternative like you are so they can tell Adobe to screw off.

Jan 14, 2012permalink

DarkShift

"Yes, PS is still the industry standard, but others are getting close."

Yeah, sure. Others were getting "close" about 15 years ago too. Mostly forgotten by now. Gimp? A joke really. Truth is that , that none of them offers features the Photoshop has. 49$ / month for cloud service plus CS suite is very affordable for pro users.

Jan 16, 2012permalink

@DarkShift

While agree that an alternative to PS is probably years off if it ever comes, the issue is not about affordability. It is about adobe exploiting their monopoly in order to take advantage of their costumers.

Plus supporting subscription based software is an extremely bad idea. If the message that people will put up with it gets across, ALL software will end up being subscription based. Imagine having multiple $20,$30,$50, ect monthly fees for everything from your O.S. to computer games, to your Office suit, to the music you listen to and movies you watch. Image your entire music or software collection is gone because you couldn't keep up with all the payments. Imagine your computer is a brick because you forgot to pay the monthly bill for the O.S. and now you have to pay penalty fee of $50 or more in addition to the normal one to get it to work again. This is the future unless we refuse to pay for subscription based software NOW while we still have time.

Jan 16, 2012*permalink

ezflyer54

I think there ARE ways to live without Adobe, and their money grabbing policies. As I stated below, I've purchased NIK's software suit, and now I've purchased the TOPAZ suit. I WILL find ways to replace everything I use in CS4.0 (and now CS5.5).

There may be some folks that think they can't live without Adobe, but, I'm not one of them! I'll modify what I do...no matter what it takes, but, I will NEVER be swindled by Adobe again.

I've been with them since PS 4.0, and Lightroom 1.0, but, I can't abide by this totally arrogant and irresponsible shift in customer relations. Personally, I think Adobe better FIRE all those that came up with this policy change, and publicly fall on it's sword.

Bank of America and Chase banks thought they could abuse their customers at will. They thought they were to big to be swayed by public sentiment...
THEY WERE WRONG!!!

Jan 28, 2012permalink

mmcfine

It's simple.
Adobe does not have a competition and therefor can do whatever they want!

Jan 14, 2012permalink

for now...

Jan 19, 2012permalink

The whole reason adobe switched the upgrade scheme was to force people to upgrade every time a new version came out. Too many people (from adobes point of view) were skipping versions and only upgrading every other or sometimes every third new version. Rather than makeing the next version seem like a good value for the money and not just an over priced incremental upgrade, adobe decided to basically tell it's customers, "upgrade every time or else."

This is why so many had such sour grapes about it. It was clear it was just an underhanded money grab.

Jan 13, 2012*permalink

HeezDeadJim

This isn't too unlike how the iOS 4 came out for the iPhone 3GS and 4. You could update your 3G (non-S) to the new OS...but it made it dog slow. And guess what?...there wasn't a way to go back to the older OS. I knew a few people that "had to" upgraded to the iPhone 4 because of that. Funny how Apple didn't get a bunch of flack over that.

I also know a few Apple users that abhor Adobe and refuse to use/install any Adobe products (one being a journalist for a high profile newspaper) because of things like this that Adobe has done (I think mainly for denying proper FLASH support for so long on the iOS portables).

I don't see too big of a difference from PS CS4 to CS5, but there is a big difference in Premiere CS5. With the inclusion of a "proper" GPU acceleration allowing a video card to help crunch numbers, I could get my Canon 7D 1080p videos (I know, how dare I use video for a DSLR) to play smoothly on a dual monitor setup. It was way too choppy with Premiere CS4.

Jan 13, 2012*permalink

JakeB

@Heez.

Apple refused to allow Adobe Flash on any of its portable devices because Flash was slow and a resource hog.

I use a Mac but appreciate Adobe Photoshop as a powerful piece of software.

Those problems with iOS 4 you mention have long ago been solved with updates and we're now on iOS 5.

Jan 14, 2012permalink

That is EXACTLY why LR doesn't provide you with an upgraded ACR engine for new cameras. You have to 'upgrade' to a new version when one comes out to get the next gen camera support. They claim it is for technical reasons, but as a career SW engineer, I call BS. It's all about forced upgrade paths and money. You can't force loyalty (for long).

Jan 19, 2012permalink

garyknrd

I moved to Asia after I retired. And I hate to say this but if you go into a computer shop here and want windows 7, CS5 or whatever is is 10 dollars. They hack everything. It must be costing the software giants billions of dollars. I had a glitch in my laptop the other day and wanted windows reloaded. When I got it back it had CS5, windows 7 and several other programs added just for bringing it in. 10 dollars. I asked the software guy what was up. He said and I quote.
The Americans make the best software and we haven't paid for any yet.
I kinda see where PS is coming from. But I think they need to fix there software where it is safe from hackers. Then it would be cheaper to all.

Jan 13, 2012permalink

>I kinda see where PS is coming from. But I think they need to fix there software where it is safe from hackers. Then it would be cheaper to all.

Would it? In Europe they just convert the US$ price to €. Just like that. Do you believe they would pass on what they save to us? Or would they just pocket the profit?

Jan 13, 2012permalink

orpheo

How do you mean? In the US Adobe Online Store PS costs $699 while in Germany it's €1010, equals $1292!
Here in Switzerland, I can buy either an English-Version for $884 or a German-Version for $1163 at my favorit discount-shop! I guess someone re-translates every single menu-item with every new version of PS...

Jan 19, 2012permalink

jm67

I hear you Danny. The main reason I've upgraded from version to version is for the raw converter. I was fairly happy with CS3 but of course it wouldn't support newer Canon cameras I had at the time and then I've gone to CS5 cause of the improved raw converter. I'm getting to the point that I'm going to be looking for another program to convert my raws and then stick with CS5 for further processing as the trend is likely to continue that if and when 5DIII, 7KII comes out it may or may not be supported by CS5 and I wouldn't be surprised if I'll need CS6.

Jan 13, 2012permalink

DominicP

You can always use Adobe's free DNG Converter http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/extend.displayTab2.html to convert the latest supported RAW to DNG and continue with your older version of Photoshop.

Jan 14, 2012permalink

jm67

True and I have tried it in the past when waiting for the release of CS4 to become more stable (boy was it buggy at first at least in my opinion). In any case, I would have missed out on the improved raw conversion in CS5 if I'd stopped at 4. I think Adobe would be getting slightly less flack over this upgrade policy if new versions would have significant improvements one to the other such as 4 to 5's raw conversion.

Jan 14, 2012permalink

Danny

I bought the Photoshop CS5 upgrade a month ago, I went from CS3 to CS5 because of the Adobe policy. After a month of working I still fail to see the advance of CS5 over CS3, honestly, I just can't see it.. I believe I see 'Puppet Warp', a bit of interface redesign (more anoying in my opinion), for the rest I just do the same stuff with Photoshop as I did 10 years ago. CMYK is there, the layers, the brushes, the masks. Hey, where is all the new inventive stuff that made it worth the money spend? No wonder no one wants to upgrade, what's the point???

Jan 13, 2012*permalink

Danny,

Why didn't you read or watch any review on CS5 before taking the plunge ??

It's easy to jump on the upgrade bandwagon, but for me, Content Aware fill would be nice (I'm on CS4 and can't afford it right now)

Jan 16, 2012permalink

benjol

I had Ps4. Was waiting for the PS6 upgrade to come. Then Adobe advised their new policy of upgrading. Giving time untill end 2011 for upgrading to PS5 in order to upgrade later to PS6. I purchased the usleless upgrade toward end Nov 2011. Installed it only yesterday 12 Jan 2011. Now Jan 2012 they advised prologation of update from PS3, PS4 untill end of 2012, after me and many others already purchased the PS5 update ? Isn`t it cheating or do I miss something ?

Jan 13, 2012permalink

asloc

I'm in the same boat. I upgraded from CS4 to CS5.5 to qualify for upgrade pricing to CS6 when it was released. Now they change their policy so that I could've waited for 6 and upgraded. I just chatted with an Adobe support person and asked them if I could downgrade to CS4 and upgrade to 6 when it was released, and they said they would get back to me. I feel like I was blackmailed by Adobe to buy an upgrade that they then turned around and changed there policy, and now I will pay substancially more than I would've.

Jan 14, 2012*permalink

benjol

Thanks asloc for your reply.Please advise results of your conversation with Adobe. It is of interest for many of us,Adobe customers.

Jan 15, 2012permalink

asloc,

But surely upgrading from 5.5 to 6 will be cheaper than 4 to 6 ??

Plus you'd have had usage of 5.5 for all that time ??

Jan 16, 2012permalink

bammo

I too bought the update, something I felt I could barely afford to do at christmas time, but I also felt I had no real option. In hindsight, the furore was inevitable, and the more I think about it, the more I suspect Adobe knew this in the first place. I believe they thought they could scare enough people into upgrading to add to their tasty profits, then backtrack and thought they would come up smelling of roses. Well, they don't. To me they smell of the stuff that gets put on the roses. I won't forget this, and I really shouldn't be alone in that.

Jan 21, 2012permalink

ezflyer54

I'm fuming mad at Adobe (due to their recent policy announcement). Yes, I upgraded the last week of Dec 2011 from CS4 for the same reason as everyone else. This "about face" from Adobe reinforces my decision to stop purchasing Adobe products.

My purchase of CS 5.5 will be the last time I ever buy this suit. I refuse to support Adobe by being swindled and defrauded into purchasing every iteration of their software. I just bought the NIK suit as well, and I'll continue to find other software to replace the Adobe titles that I previously purchased (Lightroom, etc.). I'll get all the use I can out of CS5.5 and call it quits.

I'm sure Adobe thinks they have us over a barrel, and they can extort more money from us at will, however, I think I can live without them.

The question is: Can they live without us?

Jan 28, 2012permalink

Malcolm Sales

But it seems the offer doesn't apply to individual products:-(
Elements works just as well in conjunction with Lightroom
And I see Corel are producing a good competitive product.
The reign of Photoshop is drawing to a close.

Jan 13, 2012permalink

Couscousdelight

thank you Adobe, thats what i was waiting for.

Jan 13, 2012permalink

Lea5

Power of the masses! Adobe lost! When the customer is so upset, that he/she denies to buy any future products, the corporations step back. It was an overwhelming protest.

Jan 13, 2012permalink

Nobody lost !

Everyone wins - sheesh, let people make mistakes and then have the decency to accept it when they present their corrections.

Jan 13, 2012permalink

steve_hoge

Re dropping "Carousel": think they were being threatened by Kodak?

Jan 13, 2012permalink

Adobe has crossed a line in customer relations that shouldn'd be crossed. This new 'special offer' is a slight backtrack, but even after the public outcry they play hardball. They are going to lose customers, that's for shure. I am one of them.

Jan 13, 2012permalink

Solarcoaster

I'm pretty sure Adobe could just make more money by requiring a dongle or "ignition key" to use its software, preventing piracy, rather than bilking people who are essentially donating them money for software they could pirate for free if they wanted.

Jan 13, 2012permalink