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mollyscraps

mollyscraps

Feeding everyone's sweet tooth
Joined
Dec 19, 2012
Messages
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So my Photoshop CC subscription is nearing the end (1 week). Even though I love it dearly, I don't want to get locked into another 12-mth contract. So... I am looking for alternatives... the cheaper the better... suggestions?
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Do you have the full CC or the photographer's edition? If you have the full one you can downgrade to the photographer one for only $10/month and it includes PS and LR.

Otherwise you'd probably have to go to PSE. If your current files are in PSD format, I would recommend you flatten them and convert to JPEG before your subscription runs out or you won't be able to access them if you choose a non-Adobe product. You would be able to open full CC psds in PSE, but you would lose the ability to see folders and certain edits/filters.
 
There are actually quite a few non-Adobe products that can open PSDs. GIMP (any OS) opens PSDs, as does Pixelmator (Mac only).

GIMP is free, but it's very different and requires a shift in thinking that I was never able to get used to. There are a few people here who use it and love it and could help you, though.

CraftArtist does not open PSDs, but can use PNGs if you want to preserve layers.
 
Paintshop Pro opens PSD's and works pretty well with templates. I only have problems with text, but you can delete the current layer and make your own.
 
CraftArtist is great to use, and as Lorry say's supports PNG's However if you use a Mac you have to get something that gives you a windows platform before you can use it ( ask Cynthia -ThemrsPeel ) she will know)
Don't flatten your files, just save as Jpeg as well. , I just did an illustrator course and had the trail CC version on my home computer,and the school had illustrator CS5. My files would not open at school unless I used export option to save them rather than save as, so check it out before your subscription closes in case Photoshop is the same. ( I don't think it is, but just in case)
 
lorryfach said:
There are actually quite a few non-Adobe products that can open PSDs. GIMP (any OS) opens PSDs, as does Pixelmator (Mac only).

GIMP is free, but it's very different and requires a shift in thinking that I was never able to get used to. There are a few people here who use it and love it and could help you, though.

CraftArtist does not open PSDs, but can use PNGs if you want to preserve layers.
Click to expand...

Craft Artist has been having offers where they sell it for £5 for a week, they did it 3 times already since November- that would be about $7.50 and the program is AWESOME-
It does all that PSE does and more, has blending modes, stencils to cut, shadows are easier to manage...
if you decide to go for Craft Artist Molly, there are a few of us here that use it and can help you, ViVi (Nemla) uses it too and there are a few others.....:)
 
Sorry, didnt see Vivi's post!!!

yes, on Mac you need Parallels which is a virtual Windows in your Mac..... I'm afraid that cost about 30 dollars I think....
 
Ok thanks all for the ideas... I am on a PC so that will make life a bit easier if I decide on Craft Artist. I already have the photographers CC so downgrade is not an option. Thanks for the food for thought all!
 
What about looking around for a copy of Photoshop CS5 or CS6. Even though I have CC, I actually prefer using CS6. These are from disc and should be cheap to find.
 
I think PSE is on sale at the moment... I saw it on Amazon for around $75. Good Luck - it's hard jumping to different softwares sometimes! :)
 
mollyscraps said:
Ok thanks all for the ideas... I am on a PC so that will make life a bit easier if I decide on Craft Artist. I already have the photographers CC so downgrade is not an option. Thanks for the food for thought all!
Click to expand...

give us a shout when you get Craft Artist and we can arrange if you want, have any doubts, can get on a chat and I can help you with any doubts :)
 
if you decided to go throught GIMP i can help you. I used it since i start in 2012 and i can help you if you want some advice :)
 
I know Maja (Nixenkind) uses GIMP too and I'm pretty sure there is someone else I'm forgetting. Can't beat the price, that's for sure!
 
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