I presently have the entire CS5 Design Suite. I mainly use Photoshop. Sometimes Illustrator and sometimes Acrobat. Don't use Dreamweaver at all. Should I just upgrade my Photoshop Extended to CS6 or should I consider buying the whole suite? Any advantages to having the whole suite that would justify the extra expense?
I think the situation is, if you own a CS5 Suite, you cannot upgrade just one application (i.e. Photoshop Extended) in it. You can only upgrade to an entire CS6 Suite. You are not entitled to upgrade just Photoshop. The other alternative is to buy a new full version of Photoshop. It will be pretty expensive, but future upgrades will be cheaper than upgrading an entire suite every time. (Assuming of course, that Adobe will continue to offer perpetual software licenses and won't switch to a subscription-only model.)
By the way, you seem to be using an email address as a user name, which is probably not a good idea (spam magnet). Since you use an .edu domain, you might be entitled to a student/teacher version. The student/teacher versions are all full versions, so you wouldn't be upgrading if you bought one. The decision on whether to buy a suite or just Photoshop depends on individual usage.
Hi Gates
By the looks of your e-mail address you're a student? If that's the case, there are no "upgrades," because of the heavily discounted price you buy at, you simply buy the latest educational version of the software you want to use.
Now, once you no longer have a valid student ID, you'll have to "upgrade" to the full commercial product.
I would contact Adobe directly to clarify that option, but my understanding is that you would upgrade, from CS5 Educational to CS6 Commercial, for instance, and when you are asked for the previous version's serial number, you would just enter the valid Education one that you were issued with CS5.
Unfortunately I also understand that you're only allowed to purchase 1 student product in a 12 month period, so, you'll have to figure out the timing as you approach the end of your "student days," then buy Photoshop Extended - while you still can - and move forward with that into the commercial product.
Good luck
Paul
Yes, I have a student edition of CS5. And I would be buying just the student edition of Photoshop CS6 (as you said, there are no student upgrades). The price is about twice as much for the suite as for just Photoshop. So, I'm asking, is there any significant updates to the two other programs I infrequently use: Illustrator and Acrobat? Do you think I should spend the extra money to by the entire CS6? Since I use Photoshop often, I'm interested in getting the latest version. However, if using the new version in concert with CS5 Illustrator presents a problem or if, as I said, there are significant updates to Illustrator in CS6, then I might consider buying the entire suite.
Outtacontext12 wrote:
Do you think I should spend the extra money to by the entire CS6? Since I use Photoshop often, I'm interested in getting the latest version. However, if using the new version in concert with CS5 Illustrator presents a problem or if, as I said, there are significant updates to Illustrator in CS6, then I might consider buying the entire suite.
That's really a question only you can answer knowing your budget, needs and workflow.
Why not download the 30 day free Trial of the Suite and see what you think? That's why they're provided.
Another option would be to join the Creative Cloud for a monthly fee and get access to the entire Master Collection plus the extra services offered by the Cloud.
You can join the Cloud on a month-to-month or annual subscription. In effect, it extends your Trial period for a nominal fee.
If after, say, 3 months you like the Suite, then you can commit to the Cloud for 12 months (cheaper monthly payments) or upgrade the suite.
Just bear in mind that the previous option in earlier years of skipping a version or two has now disappeared with CS6.
In other words, you will need CS6 to be eligible for upgrade pricing to CS7 (whenever that may be). If you don't upgrade CS5 at all, you'll pay full price for CS7.
John, thanks for your reply.
1. I'd like to know what the differences in Illustrator is between CS5 and CS6. Is there a webpage that would tell me?
2. Joining the cloud is a viable alternative. Thx for the suggestion.
3. Since I am using the student version of the Creative Suite, there is no upgrade path only a new purchase so going from Student version CS5 to Student version CS7 would be possible. Is that correct thinking?
Outtacontext12 wrote:
1. I'd like to know what the differences in Illustrator is between CS5 and CS6. Is there a webpage that would tell me?
The New Features page on the Adobe Illustrator product page would be where I would start
Outtacontext12 wrote:
so going from Student version CS5 to Student version CS7 would be possible. Is that correct thinking?
Well anyone who is eligible can buy a new Student version of CS7 - so, yes I guess.
You mentioned: I mainly use Photoshop. Sometimes Illustrator and sometimes Acrobat. Don't use Dreamweaver at all.
Since you are a student I assume you bought the Creative Suite to learn skills to help in getting a job after graduation.
Do you think that employers are looking for individuals that just "mainly use Photoshop"?
Sorry, but these days employers are looking for people with a wider spectrum of skills.
Positions that were formerly printing jobs now also want people with web skills.
Web jobs also want some familiarity with print production.
And with the move towards ePubs and Digital Publishing solutions there are demands that people learn yet another skill set.
In the job market you will be competing for jobs with people that have a wider range of skills.
If you were an employer, would you be more likely to consider an applicant that mainly has experience in one application, or would you choose an applicant that could list a half dozen applications that they were comfortable using?
I know that your question was just about upgrading to CS6; and considering that you are a student, money is probably a bit tight, don't forget that as a student you can take advantage of greatly reduced prices for Adobe products. Most people would love to be able to buy Adobe products at the prices that you at the moment have access to. Even if you don't upgrade to CS6 you will still have the ability to use CS5 even after you graduate.
But expanding your skill sets to become a more highly desirable applicant in the job market is paramount.
As a student, now is the time to learn these. Go beyond what your courses teach you; experiment, try different things. Seek out information. These forums are great for learning new things.
Get out of your comfort zone. If you have the whole Creative Suite you already have the tools. You just have to expend some time (and electrons)
GOOD LUCK!
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