[lowspark86]

I had a copy of LR3 that I didnt get around to installing until around a year after I bought it (for an extra computer). I went to install and they product key wasn't valid. It was purchased direct from an authorized Adobe dealer. After a couple days Adobe just sent me a new product key without any explanation. They didn't seem to think it was unusual, so maybe the keys do get black listed or become no longer valid if someone generates one with a key cracker.

[wasser]

I had a copy of LR3 that I didnt get around to installing until around a year after I bought it (for an extra computer). I went to install and they product key wasn't valid. It was purchased direct from an authorized Adobe dealer. After a couple days Adobe just sent me a new product key without any explanation. They didn't seem to think it was unusual, so maybe the keys do get black listed or become no longer valid if someone generates one with a key cracker.

Just FYI. You can install Photoshop on more than one computer, provided they aren't used at the same time.

[SteveM]

They never did call me. I did notice Photoshop CS5 is $699 and not the $1200 package I noticed before. Not the end of the world but still a big chunk of change.

From what I understand you can install it on 2 computers (i.e. a laptop and a desktop) as long as you don't use them at the same time....

[wasser]

Yes, I should have clarified two computers. I have LR and CS5 each installed on two desktops in my house.

[vrphoto]

Hi SteveM, if you still want to use CS3, send me a PM 'cos I can probably help you out .... vr

[SteveM]

Thanks vrphoto....I can actually get CS3 to work now. I do want to keep my licensing in check....so I'll see if I can sort it out with Adobe.

I got bored of waiting.....so I tried their chat line. The person on the other end obviously wanted to help, but I don't think she was in a position to do much about it. Here was her response;

"I'm really sorry, as you have purchased the software from unauthorized reseller please contact them for the valid serial number."

Of course this has prompted me to also look at CS5. I downloaded a 30 day trial and it seems to be much faster on my new PC than CS3, presumably it can take advantage of the hardware. I'll contact our Adobe rep at work and will see if he has any more ideas....otherwise I'll probably just chalk it up to experience and buy another copy from the Adobe store (they have a sale until the 21st). At least I had 4 years of use out of the CM3 version I had....I would have preferred to have been able to upgrade though.

Does anyone use Lightroom and Photoshop? Apparently Lightroom works seamlessly with CM5?

[vrphoto]

I'm using Lightroom 3 and Photoshop CS5, having moved on from CS and CS3 (hence the offer to "help with CS3" ). They integrate perfectly if you commit to always start in Lightroom, and you match up the Photoshop colour space to Lightroom's. While some plugins such as Perfect Resize work in both LR and Photoshop, others don't (PK Sharpener).

Now that I'm becoming more proficient with LR, I'm mainly using Photoshop just for stitching panoramas, occasional touch-up and "hacks" like blurring backgrounds. The 2 main advantages of CS5 for me over CS3 - (1) "content-aware" fill for the gaps at the edges of stitched panoramas and for removing powerlines etc in landscapes, (2) faster performance, (3) using PK Sharpener for specialised sharpening (LR's sharpening brush isn't as good IMO, but capture sharpening is ok).

Which brings to mind - one disadvantage of LR3 is that it is a bit slow to load up images, particularly if there's a lot of brush adjustments. On the other hand, I like the noise reduction, the ability to process multiple photos at once and the DAM function.

Hope this helps - tho' probably not your wallet

[cats_five]

Presumably when you brought it you installed and activated it PDQ - and at that time the key didn't come up as invalid.... Have you mentioned this to Adobe? "How come I was able to activate it in the first place if it's invalid?"