Quick Look- Photoshop Elements 4 for Windows
I’ve been debating for a while whether I wanted to get a copy of Photoshop CS2 for my Windows XP computer or whether I would get a copy of Photoshop Elements 4.0. So, I downloaded the trail version of Photoshop Elements 4.0 from the Adobe site and gave it a quick once through.
As many reviewers have already said, for most people, Elements has more than enough of Photoshop’s power to keep one happy. Most basic Photoshop functions are there as well as some filters and special effects. As you might expect for a consumer package, the software is full of wizards and friendly helpful hints that lower the steepness of the learning curve substantially. For most people, both because of that and because of Photoshop’s steep price of entry, Photoshop Elements is indeed a better choice.
The review of this product on the Mac side (at MacWorld.com) said that Adobe Bridge had been included. Well, some of Bridge’s functionality is included but the utility that performs the task in the Windows side is named the “Photo Browser”. Unlike Bridge, the Photo Browser must go to a folder and add the photos there to its catalog before it will display them. It works like iPhoto does, i.e., photos have to be imported to the library for use. That’s clunky. Another thing I noticed about the Browser is that deleting photos from the Browser can also delete them from your hard drive if the option block for that in the window is checked. While it’s off by default, this could cause you some unexpected grief if you’re not paying attention.
After playing with this application a bit, I decided I’m going to buy a CS2 upgrade for the PC rather than Elements, even though I could save some money. I like the extra features on the full package and I like how Bridge works a lot better than I like Browser. I will buy a copy of Elements for the Mac for my wife. It’s a perfect package for her, and I’m looking forward to seeing if there are any major differences between the packages for the two platforms.
As many reviewers have already said, for most people, Elements has more than enough of Photoshop’s power to keep one happy. Most basic Photoshop functions are there as well as some filters and special effects. As you might expect for a consumer package, the software is full of wizards and friendly helpful hints that lower the steepness of the learning curve substantially. For most people, both because of that and because of Photoshop’s steep price of entry, Photoshop Elements is indeed a better choice.
The review of this product on the Mac side (at MacWorld.com) said that Adobe Bridge had been included. Well, some of Bridge’s functionality is included but the utility that performs the task in the Windows side is named the “Photo Browser”. Unlike Bridge, the Photo Browser must go to a folder and add the photos there to its catalog before it will display them. It works like iPhoto does, i.e., photos have to be imported to the library for use. That’s clunky. Another thing I noticed about the Browser is that deleting photos from the Browser can also delete them from your hard drive if the option block for that in the window is checked. While it’s off by default, this could cause you some unexpected grief if you’re not paying attention.
After playing with this application a bit, I decided I’m going to buy a CS2 upgrade for the PC rather than Elements, even though I could save some money. I like the extra features on the full package and I like how Bridge works a lot better than I like Browser. I will buy a copy of Elements for the Mac for my wife. It’s a perfect package for her, and I’m looking forward to seeing if there are any major differences between the packages for the two platforms.
posted by Andy Foster at
5:19 PM
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