CS3 vs CS4 - worth the $ difference?

Hi,
Just wondering, I am about to purchase CS... should I stick with CS3, and buy at a discount or go for Version 4??
anyone got any idea what the benefits to 4 are? I know I should go and spend hours in google, but i figured I could get a quick run down from the people in the know...
BTW i am running an intel macbook with 4Gb of RAM

Hard to make that determination since I don't know what your needs are. I've found CS4 to be a good bit faster (I'm not counting the tests I've reported in another thread that have to do exclusively with 100GB+ scratch disk usage) but not a night and day difference.
The CS4 UI seems much more mature. CS2 to CS3 had some big changes. CS3 to CS4 changes seem less dramatic, but finally gets it right. Not saying they can't make it better, but it seems like CS4's UI is what they meant to do with CS3.
If you're buying the whole suite, I'd definitely say CS4. Illustrator CS4 seems like a home run. However, I used Freehand for a decade before I started using and cursing at Illustrator four or five years ago. If you've always loved Illustrator it could be an unwelcome departure but to me it's like Adobe finally got a clue, took some of the Freehand concepts and turned Illustrator (almost) into a best-of-both-worlds application.
Also, take what I say with a grain (or a big ol' rock) of salt. I've only had about six hours with CS4 and so I'm talking from first impressions here.

Similar Messages

Cs2 and cs3 and cs4 on the same pc xp? could be a mess up?

Hi
i have some questions
i bought cs2 some time ago , i guess 4 years but now i don't remember
and i did installed on my pc , never had a problem
after when cs3 come out , i tried the trial version , the first time i did not like it , but after 2 weeks , i liked and i need it for camera raw
i upgraded my cs2 license
well the point i donwnload the trial version of cs4 (english version , because most of the tutorials are in english) while cs2 and cs3 are in my language
i tried to make a custom install (i did not install all the comonent)
something went wrong ,when i tried to uninstall cs4 , i don't know but cs4 did not uninstall all the components (the uninstaller keeps adobe color Na, Ja, Eu, color common setting and cmaps)
i downloaded the cs4 cleaner for adobe page , but the adobe cleaner for cs4 was not able to clean these components, it tried to clean cs3
well i had to use windows installer clean up manually
delete every thing that is related to cs4
uninstall cs3 and re-install it
so after this mess, i ask if i can keep cs2 cs3 and cs4 (i think i will buy or upgrade) in the same pc running xp?
my second question
2) after updating cs4 , run the cs4 update utility and update all the cs4 components , cs4 seems to be more fast then cs3 , still on old pc with a powerfull machine like a p4 3.6 with 2gb of ram and a good graphic card pci express
is my feeling ? is the cs4 more fast then cs3 on not fast pc , isn't it?
thanks too much
and have a nice day

thanks John Joslin
CS4 is faster than CS3 on a computer which supports it.
which are the computer that supports it ? i run xp
why did the uninstaller do a mess up ?
thanks

Are the web features in Photoshop CS4 worth the upgrade?

I'm not a high-end user of Photoshop, but will soon start using it to create graphics to be plugged into Portal. I'll be purchasing the web design package (I'll need Dreamweaver and Flash in the not-too-distant future), and am wondering if there are enough improvements to Photoshop's web features to justify going with the Premium edition.
Also, for casual users of Illustrator -- do you think CS4 is worth the upgrade? Having multiple artboards sounds tempting, but is there more?
Thanks!

Blog post on the current Creative Cloud member-only product updates here http://blogs.adobe.com/creativecloud/photoshop-version-13-1-available-now-for-creative-clo ud-members/.
Blog post on Photoshop CC here http://blogs.adobe.com/photoshopdotcom/2013/05/photoshop-cc-for-creative-cloud-members-com ing-soon.html.

Saving a flash file from cs3 to cs4 ruins the file!

Last time I used flash for an urgent commission I discovered a very heavy bug, which did cost me half a day of work and nearly the whole commission. What happened:
I saved a flash file originally created with Flash CS4 as CS3 because the Actionscript programmer did not have a newer version. When I reopened the changed file and typed CMD+S it saved the file without warning. This was momentous: when I re-opened the file, only the library contents did show up, the timeline and stage was empty. Trying to publish the movie again resulted in a program crash. Thus I had to rebuilt the whole flashfile from scratch the next day and calm down a very nervous (and important) customer. Since then I always chose "Save as" and change the format to "CS3", and – how about that! – the file stays intact.
So HOW can a software have a glitch like this be on the market? I would suggest to Adobe that the rework the whole code because flash seems to be very poorly coded. I experienced numerous minor bugs in the last years, but this one beats them all. You save a file and ruin it.
If anybody else has experienced this, I would like them to share their experiences. Not just with me – share them with the people responsible for this. Write to Adobe.
kind regards,
tomasio

Just save. It'll open in previous versions.
BUT if you used features that are specific to CS6 (like vector strokes) those may not show up in previous versions.
If you want everything to show, flatten the image and save a copy.
If you want to show the structure of the file - avoid features that are new in CS6 and save as PSD..

Using CS3 and CS4 on the same computer

I have CS3 and have used it for about two years completing many projects and I am considering upgrading to either CS4 or CS5. When and if i do this will I have to delete CS3 and replace it with the newer version or can they both remain functional on the computer? And how compatible are the projects, can you open a CS3 project in CS4 or CS5 without issues?

CS5 will ask to convert and save new copies of your CS3 and 4 projects when you open them. They will work in CS5, but they will not be backwards-compatible.
And how compatible are the projects, can you open a CS3 project in CS4
or CS5 without issues?

CS3 Bridge and CS4 on the same machine.

Hello Everyone,
I have adobe photoshop CS3 and Illustrator CS4 on my machine. Any known issues for running bridge CS3 and CS4 on the same machine? Some experts at telling me not to use Photoshop CS3 with Bridge CS4, just wondering. Thanks for you replies.

Bridge is not really a stand alone product, and tuned to work with its current version of PS. Also, Bridge CS4 has some features changed and/or added. So if using CS3 Bridge you might have aspects that don't work with PS CS4.
I would keep CS3 on the machine if you don't need the HD space, until you feel you no longer need the older version. But use them as a pair as intended. Also, only have one Bridge running at a time.
I did not upgrade to CS4, but from what I have read I see no reason to use Bridge CS3 as the upgrade is faster, less prone to crashes, and has added features.
CS4 PS on the other hand can be tricky if you don't have a newer computer with a good video card.

CS3 vs CS4 - MAC

New Mac, need DW for it. is there much difference between CS3 and CS4, is it worth the difference in price? I am retired and create just a few websites, money is an issue. I have used DW 8 on a PC. Thanks for the comments.

In my opinion updating from CS3 to CS4 is a complete waste of money. I updated from MX04 and hardly found anything in it worthwhile. A few spry additions is about all that were vaguely interesting but as I write most code myself I tend not to use what I would say was over-bloated and overly complex coding provided by the Adobe team.
Sure, its nice to keep-up-to-date but as you only produce a few websites CS3 is more than what you need.
I'd always say miss out at least one update.
Why not download the trial and formulate an opinion for yourself.

Export To Flash in Encore CS4 on the Mac

It has been widely reported (and I have confirmed) that Encore CS3 will not Build to Flash on a Mac running Leopard 10.5.5 and Quicktime 7.5.5 (the latest versions of Mac OS X and Quicktime). I would be most appreciative if anyone who has received Encore CS4 can determine if Build To Flash works on a Mac running OS 10.5.5 and Quicktime 7.5.5.
Thank you in advance for responding.
Tom

Since no one has responded to my post on this issue, I can now provide the answer. First however, I want to insert the final comment in a long customer service request that I have had running with Adobe Technical Support since early August on this issue.
"Monday, October 20, 2008 1:59:20 PM PDT
Hello Tom,
Thank you for contacting Adobe® Web Support for assistance with Adobe
Encore® CS3.
I understand that you are not able to export as flash from Encore CS3.
On my Mac, I have OS 10.5.5, and QuickTime 7.5.5. I tested this issue
with Encore CS3 and CS4. The export worked just fine on CS4, but again
failed on CS3. I spoke with Adam, and a few others around, and were not
quite sure why he was able to get this to work. I am 100% certain that
using the same workflow, his Mac is able to handle this process, but
none of the others I was able to try this on could. As far as I am
concerned, his ability to perform this export is a fluke, and cannot be
reproduced through known methods.
However, the issue is resolved in the CS4 release, so you should be all
set to do your flash exports once you get your upgrade.
I hope this information helps to resolve your issue. If you require
further assistance with this issue, please update your web case with
complete details, including what steps you have applied and any error
messages you are receiving.
You may also call Technical Support at (800) 642-3623. We are available
from 6:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday - Friday, Pacific Time.
Kind regards,
Joshua E.
Adobe Web Support"
Now let me post my response:
"Thursday, October 23, 2008 12:40:06 PM PDT
Joshua E.,
Thank you for your clear response to the issue of not being able to Build to Flash using Encore CS3. I can confirm the 100% accuracy
of everything you have said by adding my own experiences of the last 48 hours with Adobe Production Premium CS3 and CS4.
Two days ago I purchased the new Macbook Pro (Intel 2.53 GHz, 4 GB RAM). Immediately after setting up the Macbook Pro and getting i
t operating, I installed Adobe Production Premium CS3 (and all updates to CS3 Production Premium) on this brand new Macbook Pro. No
other software outside of the Mac OS 10.5.5 (and all updates to it) had been installed on this Macbook Pro. I then opened Premiere
CS3, placed 10 seconds of bars and tone in the timeline, and directly exported this to Encore CS3. I then selected Build To Flash.
Once again Encore CS3 froze at the "transcoding video" step and would not progress beyond 20%. This is the exact same behavior I
had on my Mac Pro 8-core machine and reported in this thread.
I then installed Adobe Production Premium CS4 on my Mac Pro 8-core. I followed the above step with the exception that apparently di
rect export from Premiere Pro CS4 to Encore CS4 is no longer available. I simple exported the Premiere Pro 10 second timeline to a
Quicktime .mov file using the Export>Media command in Premiere Pro CS4. I then took this .mov file into Encore CS4 and without bui
lding any menus, selected Build To Flash. The Build to Flash occurred perfectly with no problems at the "transcoding video" step or
any other step.
Needless to say, I am very pleased to see that Adobe has corrected the problems with Build to Flash in CS4 on a Mac. However, this
problem had been well reported in numerous forums (including the Adobe Encore Forum) on the web as far back as six months ago, and
I am saddened to see that Adobe did not feel it was worth the effort to repair the issue with Build To Flash in CS3 on a Mac that w
as apparently caused by an upgrade to Quicktime that Apple released sometime after Quicktime 7.3.1. I cannot expect Apple to addres
s issues with Adobe software caused by their Quicktime upgrades. I do, however, expect Adobe to see that their software runs on the
latest editions of both Mac OS X and Quicktime. Otherwise, as happened with Encore CS3 and Build to Flash on a Mac, the customer bu
ys the software expecting it to work and it does not. We are in a tough economy now. I need the software from Adobe that supports
my media production company to work, and I don't need Apple and Adobe pointing the finger at each other when it does not. I hope th
at you will pass this message along to senior Adobe management.
I do thank you for telling me your observations on Build To Flash with a Mac under Encore CS3.
Tom

Same clip, different lengths in CS3 and CS4?

I'm trying to fix a problem I'm having importing my CS3 project into CS4 and I noticed that the clip lengths in the properties windows do not match for my files. For example, if I open my clip in CS3 (where it was originally edited) it shows it this:
File Path: F:TapesTape 24Scene 018 - Ally & Paul Coffee (9).m2t
Type: MPEG Movie
File Size: 365.4 MB
Image Size: 1440 x 1080
Pixel Depth: 1440
Frame Rate: 29.97
Source Audio Format: 48000 Hz - compressed - Stereo
Project Audio Format: 48000 Hz - 32 bit floating point - Stereo
Total Duration: 00;01;54;14
Average Data Rate: 3.2 MB / second
Pixel Aspect Ratio: 1.333
But in CS4 the properties show up as this:
File Path: F:TapesTape 24Scene 018 - Ally & Paul Coffee (9).m2t
Type: MPEG Movie
File Size: 365.4 MB
Image Size: 1440 x 1080
Pixel Depth: 32
Frame Rate: 29.97
Source Audio Format: 48000 Hz - compressed - Stereo
Project Audio Format: 48000 Hz - 32 bit floating point - Stereo
Total Duration: 00;01;53;08
Average Data Rate: 3.2 MB / second
Pixel Aspect Ratio: 1.3333
What would cause this discrepancy? I shot at 30f on a Canon XH-A1. My project settings in CS4 are HDV 1080p30. Do I have the wrong settings? How could the same clip be of two different lengths. I'm so confused!
Please respond only if you have a suggestion. I am not looking for comments about how I shouldn't switch programs midstream. I would like some honest help, however!
Thanks!

I've got a couple suggestions.
First would be to see if its a problem with the import or a just a difference in how CS3 and CS4 reads the files. If you import one of .m2t files directly into CS4 and not through importing the project, does it give you the same info as you listed above? (I'm assuming the file info above was derived from importing the project and then looking at the file's info.) If it is correct when independently brought into premiere, then the problem lies with importing a CS3 project and I would suggest trying to unlink then link your media. If there is no difference, then it's something else.
Second suggestion is to export an EDL out of CS3. Then, instead of importing your CS3 project into CS4, import the EDL and see if this resolves your edit points.
One note I've noticed with the EDL's in premiere, they don't import well when generated in framecount mode, but work fine in timecode mode (in CS3 this is just what your timeline time indicator mode is set at, right click the time indicator and set it to Timecode. in CS4 this doesn't work and you have to set the Display Format to Timecode under your Project Settings.)
Good luck.

How do I edit image viewer slideshow created in CS3, in CS4?

I apologize for posting this twice...once in a previous post and once here. The reason being...the other post was old (2008) and I'm afraid it might get overlooked. So I thought I'd create a new discussion.
I created a bunch of slideshows in CS3 using Insert - Media - Image Viewer. I was looking for an easy way for my client to update the site themselves. Even though it creates a Flash element, it is easy for them to go in and switch out the images. All they do is click on the slideshow box, hit Window - Tag Inspector and click on the little folder at the side of the Image URLs' line. Nothing could be simpler. Well...I went in to see my client to show her how to do this but she has CS4. When I tried to do the same thing, nothing looked the same. The tag inspector did not have the same elements in it at all. Does this mean she cannot edit the slideshows I have created? Ugh...
If anyone can help with a work around to this...I'd be very grateful!
Thanks.
Pam

Thanks for your reply via e-mail David. I tried to reply but it's a no reply address so I'm posting here:
Do you happen to know if my client who has CS4 would be able to open the slideshows I created in CS3 using the method mentioned here:
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/Bridge/3.0/WSCF044571-2772-4d28-9EBD-2C9F46AF008A.html
Not having CS4, I can't even play around with it to see. Or will the slideshows have to be recreated in CS4? Has my work in CS3 over the months gone to waste in other words?
Alternatively, would it be better for us both to purchase a $29 Dreamweaver extension such as the one below, so we could both access the slideshow from CS3 and CS4 at the same time?
http://www.dwuser.com/flashslideshow/v3/
I need to keep building the new site using the slideshows while she maintains the old site (no slideshows) until we upload the new site this summer. I don't want to continue building slideshows she cannot access.
Thanks a lot for your help!
Pam

Colors are different in PS CS3 Vs CS4, Why ?

Hi.
I just found out that colors of a photo in CS3 is not looking the same in CS4 ?
I have a G5 with Geforce 6600 card in and i had to turn of OpenGL because it was so slow when it was enabled.
Then i tried to open both Photoshop CS3 and CS4 at the same time to check a picture and saw for my suprice that the colors was not identical.. Weird.
It is lighter in PS CS4 that in CS3
Also from Bridge CS4 to Photoshop CS4 it was different.
Is that normal. I woulden say.
In my Suite CS3 all colors looks the same in Bridge and PS. OFCAUSE.
I did check my color settings first. They are the same all over (Adobe 98)
Is it a bug or is it because i turned of the open GL settings in PS CS4 ?
If it is because i turned of the Open GL settings in PS CS4, that would be a very bad
thing to do because many people have older computers where the GPU dosent work
well with the Open GL settings ON and you can at least work when its OFF.
But not if the colors are not right.
Please. If someone could replay on this matter. I'm sure more people will like to know
this. I'm not even sure many people noticed this, so everybody.
If you have Creative Suite CS3 and CS4 on your Mac.
Try uncheck the Open GL settings in PS CS4 and restart PS.
Then compare the picture in PS CS3 and CS4 at the same time !!!
Hope someone have some answers ?
Thanks you
Photographer
Erik S.

Hi Chris.
Good news. I cant tell you how happy i am for all your help ;-) and you other guys.
The latest Eizo 5.2.1 software fixed the problem on all 3 Eizo monitors.. Weeee
I'm back to normal.
Now i just have another damn problem started not long ago ;(
My Photoshop CS3 and CS4 keeps crashing on me after a wile of work ???
I tried everything. Deleted preffs etc. etc.
It have been working for long long time but suddenly it keeps crashing all the time.
I tried to remove some new plug-ins, but it was not that.
Only thing i did also was to install new ram.
Upgraded from 10GB to 14GB in all our Mac Pro.
So after i tried to switch the ram around to check if some was bad.
Also run some memory software but everything came out right.
So now the only thing left is that Photoshop dosent like ram between 14GB & 16GB.
Under was fine and i never tried over 16 gigs.. weird
Any ide what could corse this ?

CS3 and CS4 on OXS10.6 and later

I need to upgrade my Mac OS from 10.5.8 via 10.6 to 10.9 .I have both CS3 and CS4 running and want to check that they will both work on the new OS...?

Brad Lawryk wrote:
I just re-read your original post.
Did you upgrade your CS3 to CS4 or purchase the complete CS4 package?
If you bought the upgrade, I do not think you can run CS3 and CS4 on the same machine because it will make CS3 into CS4 and remove CS3.
Not correct: it does not "remove CS3". Each upgrade is in fact a complete installation in its own folder structure.
Obviously you can't have both running at the same time, but a lot of people keep at least one previous version installed.

Upgrade Photoshop CS3 to CS4: preparations?

Hi,
I just purchased Photoshop CS4 upgrade. I have CS3 installed. Do I have to uninstall Photoshop CS3 before I can install CS4 or can I just install CS4 over CS3? Since this is an upgrade version, does it require CS3 to be present?
Thanks in advance!

The upgrade does require either CS3 to be installed or the serial number from CS3.
You can install both CS3 and Cs4 on the same system. They are wholly independent.
Whether or not you uninstall CS3 is your choice. But if you do, be certain to save any custom actions, brushes, styles, etc., first.

Vista 64 bit CS3 and CS4 compatibility

Hi,
I have a new computer on the way with a Vista 64 bit OS (home premium). I have CS3 Web Standard and recently upgraded to CS4 Design Premium. I've deactivated on my old machine and am hoping to install CS3 and CS4 on the new machine, once it arrives in a few days. Will these creative suites be compatible and install on the 64 bit Vista OS?
When I upgraded, I think the upgrade required me to have CS3 on the computer, so I suspect in order to put CS4 on the new machine, CS3 will first have to be installed.
Has anyone successfully installed CS3 and then a CS4 upgrade on Vista 64?
Kind Regards,
saratogacoach

Thanks, Bob.
The new computer arrived a few hours ago, and I successfully installed CS4, only needing the serial number for CS3.
The machine has the new Core i7, but with 6G's of RAM, not 8. So, I'm hoping that the programs will run OK.
Again, thanks for your help.
Kind Regards,
saratogacoach

CS3 and CS4 on same comuter

Hello all,
I have CS3 production premium suite on my laptop. I upgraded to CS4 production premium suite. I have to keep CS3 on my computer befause I have certain plug ins for Premiere that won't work in Premiere CS4 (cineform prospect hd and Procoder 3).
The problem is that my Adobe bridge no longer responds in PS CS3. Adobe Bridge does work in PS CS4.
Can I get it to work in both?
Thanks

Brad Lawryk wrote:
I just re-read your original post.
Did you upgrade your CS3 to CS4 or purchase the complete CS4 package?
If you bought the upgrade, I do not think you can run CS3 and CS4 on the same machine because it will make CS3 into CS4 and remove CS3.
Not correct: it does not "remove CS3". Each upgrade is in fact a complete installation in its own folder structure.
Obviously you can't have both running at the same time, but a lot of people keep at least one previous version installed.

CS3 vs CS4 - worth the $ difference?

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