Adobe CS3

Is CS3 really bloated? I remember using CS2, on a new and fast computer, and thinking how slow it was. It just seemed encumbered with a bunch of stuff that wasn't much use to me.

Personally I now use GIMP, which comes with it's own set of problems (it's fine for Web work, but at print: not so much). But you can't beat the price.

Oh, and look at Inkscape if you're at all interested in doing vector graphics work. It's a fantastic little program.

I use CS3 Extended and it's a normal speed on mine, but my computer is generally fast for everything.

If you're talking about the whole CS3 suite, the answer is no. I don't think there are any suites (proprietary or open source) that package so many awesome programs together, that are so nicely integrated with each other. If you break CS3 into parts, yes, you got some alternatives.

After spending the money to buy a legal copy of CS3 Web Premium, it's totally worth it. Sure you can wait to buy something else, but I don't think any open source or proprietary projects out there are going to get to CS3 status anytime soon.

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Is CS3 really bloated?

Oh yeah it is. The whole install was like 5 gigs, I couldn't believe it (I only have a 36 gig hard drive). It was very buggy too, I bought it when it first came out. Now it's pretty solid. I rather it be bloated than not have enough features though. It costs a lot and it better have all the things I want in it!

I must agree, unless you are going to use 75% of the package I would suggest going with alternatives. GIMP is a really good graphics package.

What I would recommend really depends on where you're at. If you're just starting out with graphics then CS 3 is major overkill and much too expensive (unless you happen to be a student and can access the educational discount). In that case, something like Paint Shop Pro or the Gimp would be perfectly appropriate as a Photoshop altetrnative (and Inkscape for Illustrator). Unfortunately there isn't a good lower priced alternative to Dreamweaver that I can think of but you cold probably pick up an older version for cheap (and by good alternative I mean a solid WYSIWYG that writes proper code plus the advanced code view features, and a world of other stuff)

On the other hand, if you are trying to be a serious professional and work professionally in graphic or web design then there is no alternative to CS3. No WYSIWYG/hybrid editor can touch Dreamweaver. The Gimp can do a lot of what Photoshop can but in a much less usable way. Inkscape is nowhere near as sophisticated as Illustrator etc. And most professional firms will expect you to be able to work with Adobe products, and well.

But, like I said, CS3 is total overkill for what 80% of webmasters are doing. You don't need Photoshop CS3 to adjust photos or even design a great layout (the design for this site was done in Inkscape).

Plus Inkscape is actually more usable than Illustrator. Within half and hour of picking it up you'll be creating stuff. A purist, hardcore Illustrator user wouldn't touch it with a barge pole though!

Also, as Megan said, hardcore design firms will require Photoshop/Illustrator experience (amongst other things). So it really depends on what you want to do, what your budget is (Adobe products cost lots of cash), and whether you're planning on freelancing or working for someone else.

CS2 was very laggy when it first came out, but they issued a patch that helped that. CS3 seems to perform better that CS2 did. (Also there was an update for it, as there always is)

Most of it's new features are aimed at photography, so if you do any serious shooting it's a must have. For example the new black and white adjustment is awesome.

Mostly the new 'smart selection tool' is the best new feature IMO.

You can download a trial version and run it for a month, so give it try before deciding.

CS2 was very laggy when it first came out, but they issued a patch that helped that.

That would be it, I only tried it when CS2 first came out.

Most of it's new features are aimed at photography, so if you do any serious shooting it's a must have.

You're not wrong there, if you've got an SLR Photoshop is unbeatable.

The OP asked about alternatives to CS3. I have heard good things about Microshaft's Expression Web.

As far as advice for a beginner goes, I agree with Megan: "CS3 is total overkill for what 80% of webmasters are doing." For myself, I look on these tools as being something like a Swiss Army knife - incredibly useful for the occasion specialized tools are not available, but I'd hate to build an entire house (site) using one.

Yes CS3 does rock of you are into Photography! Loooooove my DSLR!

Alternatives:

I'm giving raster editors here because you will most likely at some point need to edit photos, be they stock, client provided, or your own.

Photoshop Elements-->A scaled down version of Photoshop. Photoshop without all of the 'juice'. Same Adobe image quality output. This would be my first recommendation if you don't want to shell out the bucks for the full 'on steroids' Photoshop.

Ulead PhotoImpact

Corel Paint Shop Pro

You can download full working 30 day trials of all of these so you can test the waters before jumping in with an open wallet.

Photoshop Elements is actually the same as Photoshop v. 5 or 5.5 with some of the features taken out. It's a bit annoying because they took out some pretty important stuff but I forget exactly what they did.

Photoshop does seem to be focussing more on photographers lately. When you think about it, Photoshop isn't really a web design program. It started out as a graphic design program, and added more photography and some web design features along the way. It depends on what you're doing, but I actually think that web design is better done with a vector program or something that works sort of like a vector program. Drawing shapes in photoshop just doesn't make much sense (just as editng bitmaps in a vector program doesn't make much sense).

It depends on what you're doing though - if your design calls for more crisp shapes or more blending and manipulating of bitmaps. Vector designs are easier to create with CSS too because CSS behaves like vectors. As Roo said though, you'll need to edit photos at some point so you need to have something that can do that. However, you might even have something that came with a camera that can do basic adjustments and cropping.

I have an old article comparing low cost graphics editors that's almost finished - I'll have to get those trial versions again so I can finish it.

I don't know, because I'm still stuck with Photoshop 7. I'm probably going to upgrade to the next version of photoshop when it comes out, but I'll wait to see until it comes out. There are some alternatives to CS3, but they are not as good. Personally, I would wait, but its up to you.

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Of course, the latest release is CS4

But I got a flyer in the mail last week about a conference all about using CS3 -

sure, I'll pay $100s of $$$ to learn about an obsolete release...

I am using CS3 and I love it. The only programs I really use, though are Dreamweaver and Photoshop. In my opinion CS3 is way overpriced. There is no reason to price a group of programs higher tham the price of the operating system they run on.

CS3 is a nice package and i get all my works done by it.Not sure about GIMP ad other graphics designing package.CS 3 is the best package i have used so far.Dreamweaver is also my another choice.

i can get CS4 for free, must say that CS3 i like most.

However, for those working with photographs and need the ultimate in image control is a worthwhile upgrade, with many generic improvements and new features never before seen