The title really says it all. Has anybody used CS3 and if so is it so much better than CS2?

been wondering this myself, i think ill hold off a while before upgrading

I've use it and like it.

There's some menu changes that make things more intuitive and similar to other menus. I've found most of the changes are for digital photographers as my graphic design processes haven't really changed or been enhanced in this upgrade.

I'd suggest going to adobe's site and seeing what's changed. I'd say mostly though that unless you're at the edge of the industry and/or you do ALOT of digital photo work that the upgrade isn't worth $800 or whatever exactly it was (I get mine for free from my employer). The changes are nice... but CS2 is/was awesome and does most everyone's PS tasks awesomely.

The only other thing I'd suggest is that if you're going/are doing PS professionaly... it's a good idea to always upgrade so you stay current with the technology/software available.

~Jerome~

I dunno, I'm lovin' CS2 but frankly it was only really an upgrade from my crappy copy of Photoshop because of all the bundled software that came with it. I've heard the Scott Kurtz had some performance issues when he upgraded to it, but otherwise he's been well satisfied. Still, if your only reason to upgrade is because it's there, hold off.

I found CS3 to be quite great, most importantly because of the GUI.
(GUI=menu/layout)

Its a bit faster than CS2 and has several fixes to some tools that are important. One i use all the time is Brightness and contrast, its been fixed to use the gamma.

Now, DONT go with the extended version and save the money. It only has an animation panel (so you can work a bit like After effects and render animations) and 3D object import... which is quite basic. Both options are really not worth it.


Is it worth an upgrade?.. I totally think so

To tell you the truth Photoshop 7 to cs3 (they use like the same brush engine almost)are about the same overall. The speed of the program is different and interface and things like that like on every program out there. The key is to get which one you like and hang with it for a while. I still use 7 over the othr ones because I like it. Cs3 would have been worth the upgrade if they had a rotate drawing canvas like on painter or other painting programs out there.

But like what glenfx said If you are doing pro stuff and your job demands you to stay with the current technology in photoshop then upgrade.

I don't know that I'd just upgrade to Photoshop CS3, I'd update my entire creative suite however. Why just upgrade 1 part. Seriously if I could I'd do it that way. The Intergration between entire Suite is pretty impressive, especially when you look at how the CS2 Suite functions.

So me, I'd upgrade my entire Suite, not just Photoshop alone.

Gendo
I don't know that I'd just upgrade to Photoshop CS3, I'd update my entire creative suite however. Why just upgrade 1 part. Seriously if I could I'd do it that way. The Intergration between entire Suite is pretty impressive, especially when you look at how the CS2 Suite functions.

So me, I'd upgrade my entire Suite, not just Photoshop alone.

That is true, the whole suite is good, but not everyone can afford it though.

considering the Master Suite is like 3,000 bucks...


I went fairly broke getting the CS2 suite *sigh*