Advantage of ProSelect Pro over the standard version

[syuan]

Quick question for all the ProSelect users out there:

I am contemplating of purchasing ProSelect for sales/presentation session. Does the ProSelect Pro version offer so many more features that it cost $242 more than the standard version? any one used the standard version but later upgraded to the Pro version? Appreciate your input...

[gregt1310]

Sam - I do not own Proselect yet (hopefully they will have some good discounts at Texas School, so I will probably pick it up there).

Here is what I was able to come up with in Standard vs. Pro:

Apply up to 5 Photoshop actions (25 in Pro)*
Add 5 custom frame images (50 in Pro)*
Efficiently manage production workflow
Open Raw files in Photoshop/Lightroom*
Generate final high-res print files*
Generate final high-res composite files*
Design & produce books*
Produce composites w/overlay images*
Produce composites w/background images*
Export Collections (templates,styles etc)*

It would be nice to hear from some actual users.... (I think Brad owns the standard version).

What say you guys??

[bondarnes]

I have the standard version. For my workflow, I couldn't justify the added cost. YMMV

[syuan]

Originally Posted by gregt1310

Sam - I do not own Proselect yet (hopefully they will have some good discounts at Texas School, so I will probably pick it up there).

Here is what I was able to come up with in Standard vs. Pro:

Apply up to 5 Photoshop actions (25 in Pro)*
Add 5 custom frame images (50 in Pro)*
Efficiently manage production workflow
Open Raw files in Photoshop/Lightroom*
Generate final high-res print files*
Generate final high-res composite files*
Design & produce books*
Produce composites w/overlay images*
Produce composites w/background images*
Export Collections (templates,styles etc)*

It would be nice to hear from some actual users.... (I think Brad owns the standard version).

What say you guys??

Hey Greg, Thanks for the info. I don't see how they can charge another $300for the little extra that Pro version offers over the standard. I think I will stick with the standard version...

[syuan]

Originally Posted by bondarnes

I have the standard version. For my workflow, I couldn't justify the added cost. YMMV

Don, that's exactly my thought as well. Hopefully with this new presentation tool and a new projector, I can make some improvement on my sales. It's all new to me (projecting for sales); but from what I read, it works.

[mike78628]

Watched the demo. Impressed with the product and the companion discussion on this site regarding use of projectors in the sales process.

[brad]

I have the standard edition also... and its ability to help edit down photos, comparing side by side and quickly narrowing down to only the best shots from a shoot... that feature alone paid for itself the first day I used it. The amount of time it saved me is incalculable.. it was easily the best software purchase I made in 2008

[syuan]

Originally Posted by brad

I have the standard edition also... and its ability to help edit down photos, comparing side by side and quickly narrowing down to only the best shots from a shoot... that feature alone paid for itself the first day I used it. The amount of time it saved me is incalculable.. it was easily the best software purchase I made in 2008

I find the same feature (comparing images to narrow down the selection) in adobe bridge as well. The only thing bridge doesn't have is the shopping cart feature and the room view/album templates. Not sure if i can justify $400-500 investment in this (proselect) presentation tool...

[brad]

Originally Posted by syuan

I find the same feature (comparing images to narrow down the selection) in adobe bridge as well. The only thing bridge doesn't have is the shopping cart feature and the room view/album templates. Not sure if i can justify $400-500 investment in this (proselect) presentation tool...

There are also things in ProSelect that are custom made for projection sales in that presentation regard... and the cart/pricing features, etc, etc..

And I don't have bridge... or photoshop... or lightroom

[BigIggy]

With the Pro Version you get the high res production module. I use it in my workflow. During your projection selling session, you have the ability to "custom crop" images to your client's liking as they're placed in the order cart. If you post-process your image through the hi-res module, when you are ready to output your cropped lab prints ProSelect automates the process very quickly, referencing your touched up psd file. The program also generates very nice order forms and invoices with thumbnails which you can print or save out as pdfs and send as emails to your clients. If you can use this functionality, the cost is easily justified. (spoiler alert: to make this work, you have to save your working psd files in the same directory PS is referencing for your general images so it may have to adjust your workflow to achieve full benefit). The program isn't "fancy" but what it does do it does very thoroughly with few hiccups. I hope they keep it simple as that's part of it's beauty. Another caveat - They are moving to a paid subscription based upgrade methodology that I don't quite understand and I'm not sure I like. So there are costs beyond the initial purchase to be aware of. If it was 2007 it would be a no-brainer, but after last year only you can decide what you really "need" to run a profitable business.

[syuan]

Thank you guys for the tips and insight. After using the trial version for a week, I think this tool can indeed aids in the selling process. I especially like the room view which gives the client a better perspective on why we promote wall-size portrait. I currently use lightroom for my pp. not sure using proselect can help to speed up the workflow. But its a great tool for presentation.

One other question, Albert, can ProSelect add custom FTP site to the lab of your preference?

[BigIggy]

I can't help with that FTP question. Just don't have the acumen. Sorry.

[syuan]

Originally Posted by BigIggy

I can't help with that FTP question. Just don't have the acumen. Sorry.

np, albert. appreciate the information on the high-res crop and retouch ability. its not obvious from the vendor's website. I think I will give it a try before the trial period's up.

[BigIggy]

Here's the trick to make it work smoothly. If during your pp in LR, you generate psd files that are stored in your original file directory, when you export your other lr touchups to a new folder, go back and MANUALLY move the psd files into the exported directory. Then import your touched up folder (containing the psds as well) as your new Proselect "album". if your client orders an image you've worked on in CS, and you want to do more pp work, the production module will access your working psd file. when you then go to create your lab prints, you will be accessing your working psd file that will have all of your corrections. This way, you won't end up with two different psd files of the same image and you'll be working closer to your first generation image. The HIRES production module does not function right if your images are in multiple directories and that is why you have to move the psds you created in LR manually into the directory of exports. (Unless you want to work on a generation removed jpeg of your psd file). Capiche? Sounds confusing but it's worth the trouble if you end up liking ProSelect's ordering module.