Will the Cost of CS3 Pay off itself?

**brian101** · 07-08-2007, 05:37 AM

ive been thinking of buying CS3 for quite some time now, but being $600 i was always wiery if it was worth it. I want to get into the Web Design business but being a noob to photoshop if i bought it how long does it usually take to learn?

**logodesignteam** · 07-29-2007, 03:39 PM

The learning curve should not be much since this is pretty simple. If you have a friend who know s this well and can help you a bit when starting then the things will be come easier for you.

Regarding paying off .... well it depends on your business, your pricing, the volume of projects that you undertake, your skills etc.

**seowebdesigner** · 07-29-2007, 04:24 PM

Well to learn photoshop, its not neccessary to purchase the cs3 or something, the world most used photoshop version is Photoshop 7.0 and it can be found easily on internet with free crack....

To learn Photoshop, you can search on internet for tutorials from scratch...you will have plenty of sites who teaches softwares not even Photoshop...

regards,
mowglitech.com

**LadynRed** · 07-29-2007, 07:24 PM

Yeah, right STEAL the software .. there's some good advice.. NOT !!!
Photoshop 7 can be found LEGITIMATELY for a fraction of the cost of CS3, but it lacks a TON of the great new features of CS3.

If you decide to cough up the cash and want to SERIOUSLY do web design, then it will pay for itself and is a worthwhile investment.

It is, however, NOT a simple program to master, you can't learn it in a day or even a week.. not even a month. Each tool has multiple options, does different things in different modes. Photoshop is HUGE and is a very feature-rich program. Learn all the tools, learn what blend modes are and what they do, learn masking techniques, learn what the channels are and how to use them, master the pen tool and paths.. and much, much, more.

If you want to take the time to really LEARN to use Photoshop, then it will pay off. If you just want to dabble, then a cheaper alternative such as PaintShop Pro might be a better solution. PSP is very good too, can do most of what Photoshop can do, and a few things PS can't, but at a fraction of the cost.

**NateL** · 07-29-2007, 07:53 PM

The way I obtained my adobe/macromedia/any software licenses were through a legit academic store. If you're in college, or you have children that are in school, and you can provide proof (enrollment papers, student id, etc....most academic stores will explain what proof you will need to provide), then you can buy an academic license of the software...

Now, the drawbacks...

You cannot use this software to make money.

I don't think you can use the software if you graduate.

There are some other restrictions that you need to read up on, but this method is a great way to buy legitimate software and learn.

Some stores i've purchased from:

http://www.AcademicSuperStore.com
http://www.JourneyEd.com
http://www.Studica.com
http://www.CampusTech.com

**seowebdesigner** · 07-30-2007, 12:09 AM

I didn't mean by stealing the software madam LadynRed, I said it is easily found on the internet....to download n do the practices....it is good if purchase so that we can get the full version with the addons.....!!!

**LadynRed** · 07-30-2007, 08:53 PM

No, YOU said you could find it on the internet and then said he find a CRACK, THAT is stealing.

**chrishirst** · 08-06-2007, 08:00 AM

And truly free alternatives exist as well in the GIMP for photo editing and Inkscape for creating logos and buttons etc.

If graphic design is not a mainstay of your business where you need full industry compatibility or you only create graphics for your own use then the expense of Illustrator is really not justified when compatible and just as capable free or compatible and cheaper tools exist.

The same is true with image editing and manipulation. Unless you have to learn these tools as part of a co-ordinated business approach or for your employment prospects, why waste money on something where you will use less than 10% of it's capabilities.