What are people using for image editing that is NOT an Adobe product?
I have used Photoshop since v. 2.5. Have been trying to purchase an upgrade from 5.5 to v.6 because of loss of camera raw support for a newer camera and the less than adequate features of the dng converter. I started the purchasing process online on Feb. 10th, and it took me 4 frustrating tries to finally buy the downloadable version. I've been trying to download it ever since. Note that it is March 1st as I post this. I am on hold with Adobe customer service going on 30 minutes. I think that is ample time, and while hunt/peck typing to chat here with my fellow photogs, to have convinced myself to cancel my order and get my $$$$ back. Thanks everyone. You've been much more helpful than Adobe! And you are too kind to patiently listen to this, while I'm still waiting for Adobe to come to the phone. Going on 37 minutes now...
I have tried every method of problem solving this debacle. Mostly online, since that's where they refer you. Online chat was not helpful either. No supervisor available. The direct number to the Seattle corporate office and store requires that you have the person's name and extension number to be connected by the operator. The operator won't find the person for you.
Too big to fail? This <one> loyal customer is walking away! What say the rest of you? Personally, I no longer wish to waste my good faith, precious time, and hard earned money. I no longer wish to support greedy companies who offer no accessibility, poor customer support and no accountability.
If I ultimately have to go back to needlepoint and knitting for hobbies, so be it. At least there will a crabby, but real, person at the fabric store to talk to and hand my $ to. (Notice how many fewer dollar signs involved in needlepoint than in photo processing?)
Thanks again for your patience with this long post and for any info you have on your experience with NON-ADOBE image editing products.
I might even start posting here again, but for image thievery. I guess a tiny jpeg isn't of much use to the thief, right? It's just the moral insult... But morals are of bygone days, it seems.
I always have the physical CD sent to me and have never had a problem upgrading and/or installing. Regardless, if you want a RAW converter, many of the same tools and use a layers based workflow, then Paint Shop Pro is probably your best alternative. Check out some user reviews here.
P.S. What problems were you having with the DNG converter?
Posted by Phillip Noll on March 1, 2013 at 10:20 PM
Like John, I always reuest the physical CD or DVD be sent to me. It costs a little extra, but you don't have to deal with long downloads and/ or possible glitches during download. Another plus is you always have a clean copy in case you need to reinstall for some reason.
If your download is not working, or is hanging, your security settings may be too high. Once you log into Adobe, turn off your anti-virus service. Save the downloaded file and then restore your anti-virus service. Log off and then close your browser. I've done this many times and have never had a problem. Be sure your anti-virus is restarted before opening your browser again.
Before I started using Photoshop, I did use Paint Shop Pro. I prefer PS, but PS-Pro is a nice program.
Catherine,
I use Corel, nothing Adobe, and have had great customer service when needed. Start with PaintShop Pro x5 Ultimate for around $70.00 and go from there. More info at http://www.corel.com/corel/product/index.jsp?pid=prod4900067&hptrack=na_lb_psp_110112 ;You can download a free trail version for 30 days.
Always order the box version and never download anything, having a CD of your program has many advantages for future situations that a download does not.
Mike
As someone who has used PaintShop Pro since version 7.0, I hesitate to give it a ringing endorsement. Some of the issues I have are with the limitations of only being able to work with 8 bit with a lot of the tools. In the latest version (x5) working with 16 bit has been improved, but which tools is not posted anywhere that I can find.
In the current version there is a problem with newest versions of Nik Color Efex 4. Corel is claiming the problem is with the Nik software, and there is nothing they can do about it. Older version of Nik Color Efex still work though.
The Raw processor is very limited in options in version x3 which is the version I am using. That may have improved in this latest version. Don't know. I have found ways to work a-round the limitations but it would be better to do all my work in one program.
Here is the link to the user board on Corel. http://tinyurl.com/anovas9 The first few post are when the new program first came out,which to me is when a program is has the most bugs. Support has put out 2 patches for some of those complaints.
With all of these problems, I still went ahead this week and bought the upgrade with the hopes of being able to work with more of the tools in 16 bit.. I haven't installed it, but plan to this weekend hopefully. You can download a trial version and give it a spin, but I would also see if you can download the patches with it.
Sorry to hear of your issues Catherine. This is a day later. Were you able to get any satisfaction out of Adobe yet? I have tried to convince myself to abandon Adobe a few times. Problem is that PS still seems to have the most features I want and need. The seamless integration with Light Room is a big plus. 16 bit support for most things except a few filters and super layer capability along with content aware tools are great.
Like others above I always order the boxed version. Adobe is beginning to push us into the Cloud form of business relationship. If that becomes mandatory I will stay with my current CS6 and use Canon Raw converters when I get a new camera not supported by the RAW converter in LR or the version of CS I am using.
I am not sure if you have considered Nik Software it is a lot of fun, easy to use, and produces amazing results. This is an image I did and shown in a recent webinar that people really enjoyed. I was showing them how to do post processing in Nik. What I love about the program is that I don't have to worry about the steep learning curve that I did with other programs.
Though I have PS CS5 and plan to really start working in there as well to learn some new things.
If you want to inbox me you can - I will tell you more about the program and show some images. I love it and NEVER had any problems.
Thanks, again, everyone, for the information and encouragement.
Update: I never did get the download issue resolved. Tried to get someone on the phone who could exchange it for the boxed version, but accessibility to anyone at Adobe proved to be a real issue all during this multi-week process. Ridiculous, thought I. So I finally selected the "return" option in the phone menu. I got someone in INDIA, who very calmly took me through her script for returning a product. I felt so sorry for her that I said that I felt badly that she had to work all day taking calls from unhappy people and that I hoped she was being paid decently for it. Her response? "Is there anything else I can help you with today?"
What a travesty… Anyway, I have divorced Adobe and am awaiting the return of my $$$-- seven days! This in the electronic age where money and messages go here and there faster than light speed. Oh, and about the "cloud" business model: a lot of the really good new features in CS6 are cloud subscription only. PHOOEY ON THAT! I'd rather encourage other software companies to improve and/or add features than to continue to buy from Adobe. "The best" product from a bad company is not "the best" product, imo, if they treat their customers with such disrespect. End of Adobe tirade! Done. No more new or upgrade Adobe products for me!
I use a NIK product on my iPad and love it, so will probably get a trial program from them and see how I like it. Thanks for your comment, Adam, though I do wonder about NIK now that it is owned by Google-- the most effective and efficient image miner on the net… Gee, I hope this post falls under my 1st Amendment right!!
Guess now you know I'm not enamored with just every darn thing that is techy and "modern".
In the meantime, I am using CS5 and the DNG converter with my new camera and RAW, as always, with my trusty D700.
Posted by Jim Zablotny on March 5, 2013 at 10:02 AM
Hi Catherine,
I'm glad that you are getting your money back. Their download site is unstable and I have experienced long download times and some downloads came through with errors. Adobe's use of the Cloud for is a way for them to make more money with annual fees for software use. .........................Jim
Yes Jim, thanks; I understand the reason for the cloud business model. With Adobe, on top of everything else I've been through with them lately, they ARE forcing you into that way of doing business by putting all the good stuff in the upgrade into cloud subscription. That's why I voted "PHOOEY!" on it and one of the many reasons I returned the product and asked for my money back.
Discussion
13 repliesI have used Photoshop since v. 2.5. Have been trying to purchase an upgrade from 5.5 to v.6 because of loss of camera raw support for a newer camera and the less than adequate features of the dng converter. I started the purchasing process online on Feb. 10th, and it took me 4 frustrating tries to finally buy the downloadable version. I've been trying to download it ever since. Note that it is March 1st as I post this. I am on hold with Adobe customer service going on 30 minutes. I think that is ample time, and while hunt/peck typing to chat here with my fellow photogs, to have convinced myself to cancel my order and get my $$$$ back. Thanks everyone. You've been much more helpful than Adobe! And you are too kind to patiently listen to this, while I'm still waiting for Adobe to come to the phone. Going on 37 minutes now...
I have tried every method of problem solving this debacle. Mostly online, since that's where they refer you. Online chat was not helpful either. No supervisor available. The direct number to the Seattle corporate office and store requires that you have the person's name and extension number to be connected by the operator. The operator won't find the person for you.
Too big to fail? This <one> loyal customer is walking away! What say the rest of you? Personally, I no longer wish to waste my good faith, precious time, and hard earned money. I no longer wish to support greedy companies who offer no accessibility, poor customer support and no accountability.
If I ultimately have to go back to needlepoint and knitting for hobbies, so be it. At least there will a crabby, but real, person at the fabric store to talk to and hand my $ to. (Notice how many fewer dollar signs involved in needlepoint than in photo processing?)
Thanks again for your patience with this long post and for any info you have on your experience with NON-ADOBE image editing products.
I might even start posting here again, but for image thievery. I guess a tiny jpeg isn't of much use to the thief, right? It's just the moral insult... But morals are of bygone days, it seems.
Really
P.S. What problems were you having with the DNG converter?
If your download is not working, or is hanging, your security settings may be too high. Once you log into Adobe, turn off your anti-virus service. Save the downloaded file and then restore your anti-virus service. Log off and then close your browser. I've done this many times and have never had a problem. Be sure your anti-virus is restarted before opening your browser again.
Before I started using Photoshop, I did use Paint Shop Pro. I prefer PS, but PS-Pro is a nice program.
I hope you get this sorted out, Catherine.
--P
I use Corel, nothing Adobe, and have had great customer service when needed. Start with PaintShop Pro x5 Ultimate for around $70.00 and go from there. More info at http://www.corel.com/corel/product/index.jsp?pid=prod4900067&hptrack=na_lb_psp_110112 ;You can download a free trail version for 30 days.
Always order the box version and never download anything, having a CD of your program has many advantages for future situations that a download does not.
Mike
In the current version there is a problem with newest versions of Nik Color Efex 4. Corel is claiming the problem is with the Nik software, and there is nothing they can do about it. Older version of Nik Color Efex still work though.
The Raw processor is very limited in options in version x3 which is the version I am using. That may have improved in this latest version. Don't know. I have found ways to work a-round the limitations but it would be better to do all my work in one program.
Here is the link to the user board on Corel. http://tinyurl.com/anovas9 The first few post are when the new program first came out,which to me is when a program is has the most bugs. Support has put out 2 patches for some of those complaints.
With all of these problems, I still went ahead this week and bought the upgrade with the hopes of being able to work with more of the tools in 16 bit.. I haven't installed it, but plan to this weekend hopefully. You can download a trial version and give it a spin, but I would also see if you can download the patches with it.
Harold
Like others above I always order the boxed version. Adobe is beginning to push us into the Cloud form of business relationship. If that becomes mandatory I will stay with my current CS6 and use Canon Raw converters when I get a new camera not supported by the RAW converter in LR or the version of CS I am using.
Keep us posted on your progress.
Though I have PS CS5 and plan to really start working in there as well to learn some new things.
If you want to inbox me you can - I will tell you more about the program and show some images. I love it and NEVER had any problems.
Update: I never did get the download issue resolved. Tried to get someone on the phone who could exchange it for the boxed version, but accessibility to anyone at Adobe proved to be a real issue all during this multi-week process. Ridiculous, thought I. So I finally selected the "return" option in the phone menu. I got someone in INDIA, who very calmly took me through her script for returning a product. I felt so sorry for her that I said that I felt badly that she had to work all day taking calls from unhappy people and that I hoped she was being paid decently for it. Her response? "Is there anything else I can help you with today?"
What a travesty… Anyway, I have divorced Adobe and am awaiting the return of my $$$-- seven days! This in the electronic age where money and messages go here and there faster than light speed. Oh, and about the "cloud" business model: a lot of the really good new features in CS6 are cloud subscription only. PHOOEY ON THAT! I'd rather encourage other software companies to improve and/or add features than to continue to buy from Adobe. "The best" product from a bad company is not "the best" product, imo, if they treat their customers with such disrespect. End of Adobe tirade! Done. No more new or upgrade Adobe products for me!
I use a NIK product on my iPad and love it, so will probably get a trial program from them and see how I like it. Thanks for your comment, Adam, though I do wonder about NIK now that it is owned by Google-- the most effective and efficient image miner on the net… Gee, I hope this post falls under my 1st Amendment right!!
Guess now you know I'm not enamored with just every darn thing that is techy and "modern".
In the meantime, I am using CS5 and the DNG converter with my new camera and RAW, as always, with my trusty D700.
I'm glad that you are getting your money back. Their download site is unstable and I have experienced long download times and some downloads came through with errors. Adobe's use of the Cloud for is a way for them to make more money with annual fees for software use. .........................Jim
Here's the link to the Perfect Photo products: On One Software
This may be a viable "Anything but Adobe" program for you.
--P