[-Adrian]

XP -> 7 shall be the path.

[simmsimaging]

Not sure what you mean about faster computers - I wasn't talking about that at all. Anyway, aside from the screen related slowdowns I don't see a lot of problems with speed, I find the adjustment palette change to be a nice tweak once you get used to it, and I see a ton of nice improvements to the program. To each his own I guess.

b

[tom]

Brett, I meant in general. Every single day software market is becoming more hardware dependant without a reason. There's only one reason: more money. Obviously, there are still a lot of alternates which require far less conditions to run and achieve the goal. I can count numerous examples abusing the pockets. Basically, I divide a software into two: Interaction and functionality. When the lack of hardware passes beyond the required performance for functionality, it means that performance is majorly wasted on interaction and make-up. But, I agree these kind of interface embellishments really work, work for attracting the customers. It's like poisons usually taste or look good.

Now, let's be more specific about PS CS4:

- Why can't PS still make image rotations without introducing artifacts?
http://www.maxwellrender.com/forum/view ... 616#271616
- Why does JPEGs without a color profile are still being displayed and saved with artifacts?
http://www.maxwellrender.com/forum/view ... 888#282888
- Why can't some tools/filters (e.g. smudge) use CPU at peak?
- Where has the right click to window title to change image size gone?
- Why can't it retain the state of showing View/Extras or not?
- Why does interface and all tools respond much slower?
...
- Besides, what's the reason for having this skin eventually beaten by OS gadgets?



Might this be the answer?
*Additional Information: This is a conflict between NVIDIA's display driver and the way Photoshop CS4 draws its menus. (* As directly said on their website)
But it seems like building a new gfx hardware for 2K USD was easier than debugging a driver. Sigh...

For similar reasons I don't prefer using ACDSee, Nero, Vista, Office, etc. Instead there are many super lightweight and more powerful applications while not sacrificing from the benefits. I admit, I still can't do without Photoshop but I'm afraid it won't end forever.

We're developing a render engine and as you all know it requires raw hardware power. This is absolutely unavoidable but we're still trying to push the limits in optimizing. However, the applications like PS has no such an excuse and I would always expect them to do their duties first and the beauty in look comes next. A real gift is something else than its look.

[RonB]

Hooray Tom, Well said!

Ron

[simmsimaging]

Hey Tom -
I think you have some good points. I think also that some of what you call interface embellishments someone else might call a productivity booster, but again: to each his own. I am not sure what the answer is to all your more specific questions but to me those are some pretty minor beefs (except for the speed thing, which I agree with). Anyway, as a programmer I'm sure you should understand better than I ever could why those probs are there (is Maxwell's bug list empty and is the interface perfect?) Anyway, the point I think important is to that whether CS4 is a "good" upgrade depends on a lot of factors that have to be weighed out individually.

Between my associate and myself we spend something like 80+ hours a week working in Photoshop, and have for last 10 or 12 years. From where I'm standing as a user this is an excellent upgrade - but I never claimed it was perfect. You might be happy using Gimp or some other alternative, but I have never yet found a program that can touch Photoshop for my professional use, and I don't really care much about the footprint it makes, as long as it works well. That's my take on it anyway.


b

[Hervé]

...... but I have never yet found a program that can touch Photoshop for my professional use

maybe this one... (thanks to Tom for the link)
http://www.kanzelsberger.com/pixel/?page_id=12

h.

[tom]

Brett, I use PS too (actually much more than 80 hours a week) but it's abusing me I can never compare PS to Gimp or Pixel because they are yet weak but Paint Shop Pro or Corel Photo Paint are not bad at all and they are 90% cheaper and 300% faster than PS.

Hervé, yes Pixel is a very nice forthcoming alternate. It's just not yet there but soon. Last time I talked with Pavel, he said now the project has a sponsor and will not die. Check the news section on his site.

[Hervé]

he thanks Tom..

edit.. I have read it.. indeed good news !

but...

"....When the deal between Mediaware and new investor is finished and all contracts/agreements are signed I will announce their name..."

let's hope it's not Adobe... or Autodesk.. hi hi..

[andrebaros]

I agree that a lot of software is focusing on the eye candy instead of function. And now that Abobe has stepped into OpenGL waters Photoshop will be riding waves forever... sometimes way up, sometimes way down.

Here is a great blog post which sums it up well.
http://architechure.blogspot.com/2008/0 ... -suck.html