Help w/ Jasac Paint Shop Pro ques?

[nightsky]

I need inexpensive web and photo software. JASAC Paint Shop Pro versions seems to have the most bang for the buck. My question is which is the better version of Jasac's PSP, version8 or 8.1? I can get either through ebay. Also what Jasac photo album version goes with PSP8 versions?

[XenaWP]

Have you had a look at The Gimp?

http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/

[nightsky]

I tried downloading gimp-win from that web site once un-successfully. lol

[TwoRails]

You can get the latest version, 11, for as little as $29 on sale. That's cheaper than the upgrade price. Watch Best Buy for specials, which is where I picked up my copy for $29 but is often on sale for $49.

[nightsky]

Its my understanding that the older JASAC Versions are better than the new Corel Versions. Oh well, I got myself stuck in a mess at ebay now. Forget it. Thanks

[TwoRails]

I've been using PSP since version 4 and each different version had different "things" but overall, each version has been better than the previous. No, I would not trade 11 back for 8.

[nightsky]

TwoRails, supposedly verPSP8 was in par w/Photoshp7 at the time and PSP8.1 comes with hard copy manuals and tutorials.
Eventually I will make the upgrade to Photoshop because its what employers are requesting experience with. Personally I do not have a clue. I just need to get out of the basement. lol So your advise is to go ahead with PSP11?
I do respect your opinion and appreciate suggestions. Thanks

[TwoRails]

Version 11 has a lot more features than 8. You can do a lot of the same stuff with both programs (PSP & Photoshop) , but many of the commands are different.

[XenaWP]

If you're eventually moving to Photoshop, starting with PS Elements is a good way to go. Everything in PSE is in PS, it all works the same, there's just more in full Photoshop. No need to relearn how to do things in totally different software.

[nightsky]

XenaWP, PSE and Photoshop are so expensive but that is what employers look for experience with. I am learning to make web pages on my own and the program suggested is Print Shop Pro, can I create graphics and prepare fotos for web pages with PSE? Thanks.

[XenaWP]

I actually use PS Elements as my main photo editor at this point. It does limited high end graphics editing (meaning in 16-bit depth) and has a full set of tools for 8-bit editing.

It will work great for photos and web graphics. Only the "pro" photographers (and serious amateurs with serious incomes) buy the full Photoshop.

I'm pretty sure you can download a demo from Adobe ... yes, here: http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshopelwin/tryout.html

[nightsky]

XenaWP, what did you pay for your copy? After the 30 day trial what does PS Element cost?

[XenaWP]

Night, I use vers. 4 and it came free with a Wacom graphics tablet I bought.

Looks like you can still get that version for about $40-$50
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000AP89JE/ref=dp_olp_3/104-9199306-4979126?ie=UTF8&qid=1181155911&sr=8-6

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000AP89W6/ref=dp_olp_3/104-9199306-4979126?ie=UTF8&qid=1181155911&sr=8-7

Stick with people with ratings in the high 90s ....

Here is vers. 5 for about the same price with high feedback:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Adobe-PHOTOSHOP-ELEMENTS-5-0-Photo-Shop-FREE-SHIPPING_W0QQitemZ200116056889QQihZ010QQcategoryZ86732QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


What came of your PSP e-bay purchase?

[nightsky]

Thanks XenaWP for the links, I just purchased PS Element5 from the ebay link... like the free shipping. Its an oem, that alright? I get so tired of scouring the internet to buy what I need.

***
Retracted the ebay bid because it was less than 12hrs and I retracted it as amount error. Lucky, huh? I sent apologies to seller too, did feel bad and wld have bought PSP8 if I had to but PS Elements is same price at this point... Hope OEM is ok?

Should I get this tutorial Mastering Photoshop Elements 5.0 Training Tutorial Full Version $29..?
http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Photoshop-Elements-Training-Tutorial/dp/B000NV6LEK/ref=sr_1_6/002-5392938-0350403?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1181157791&sr=1-6

[XenaWP]

OEM is fine, that's exactly what I got with the Wacom tablet. It's just the CD with the serial key.

I may pop for that vers. 5 on Ebay myself, not a bad price :D

I personally like the Adobe Classroom in Book series http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Photoshop-Elements-Classroom-Book/dp/0321476743/ref=pd_bbs_7/104-9199306-4979126?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181160416&sr=8-7 . Not familiar with the "Mastering ..." item.

Scott Kelby is VERY well regarded but this book may be targeted for photography:
http://www.amazon.com/Photoshop-Elements-Digital-Photographers-VOICES/dp/0321476735/ref=pd_bbs_sr_4/104-9199306-4979126?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181160416&sr=8-4

[nightsky]

Here are a couple of interesting online resources, they are free. LOL Do you have a website?

http://www.photoshopsupport.com/photoshop-blog/06/10/elements-5-missing-manual.html

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/index.php

[XenaWP]

Those look pretty interesting. I've bookmarked them.

I've been using Photoshop and PS Elements for (literally) about 13 years now. I'm no expert, by any means, but I'm quite comfortable making the adjustments I need to do to my photographs.

Try your free resources before buying any tutorial books.

[nightsky]

I enjoy interactive video tutorials...lol Thanks for your help. When I get my first website up I will let you know. lol

[nightsky]

XenaWP, look here: Digital Photography Journal: has great resources!

http://www.dphotojournal.com/category/free-download/

Do you think it is safe to download some free software tools off the list?
I want to make a weg gallery...does PS Elements have tools to do this? The above website has free tools to supplement whatever PSE 5 doesn't have. You think?

[XenaWP]

Good link ! I'll have a look around.

Yes, I think it's probably safe to try some free tools. I've never heard of a Photoshop plugin virus/trojan/other nasty. They seem to go for Microsoft products: Word, Windows, Explorer, etc.

There are a lot of great plug-ins out there: this one is a must-have: http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/curves-photoshop-elements-4-5.html

It provides a tool called Curves that is extremely powerful in adjusting contrast/exposure of images.

I mostly do photo editing ... don't know much about gallery capabilities, but I DO believe I've seen something like that within Elements. Be sure to explore the installation CD, which should contain some Tips and Tricks and other stuff that isn't part of the software installation of the program itself.

I ended up ordering PSE5 from that same Ebay vendor ... by the time I ordered they were almost sold out. Got one of the last copies.

Have Fun !