Adobe CS5, which version

[brewercm]

I can get them at a drastically reduced rate as I'm back in school again. I just wasn't sure what to purchase. I can get the Photoshop CS5 Extended for what lookds like $199.
My question is would this be the version I would want to purchase?

Thanks for any help in advance. I've only used very old version of Photoshop in the past so back to learning their product all over again.

[DoublyDan]

Yes the extended version is better, because it integrates some use of 3D. Say you did a Senior portrait session and would like to add the year on the image. Well it would look better (IMHO) if it was in 3D. go to planetphotoshop.com to see some tutorials on how to do it.

[brewercm]

Thanks for the info. I haven't bought it yet but it looked like a really good deal.

[billbunton]

Remember though, that when you need to upgrade versions in the future, the extended version costs quite a bit more to upgrade. And switching from extended to regular isn't an option at that point in time. Not trying to dissuade you (having just paid for a Master Suite upgrade, and still needing to pay for a PS regular and a PS extended :-), but it is something to keep in mind.

[Howard Barlow]

Upgrade pricing isn't really a concern, if you can buy educational/nonprofit. The price for the whole package is usually cheaper than upgrades.

[jeffkohn]

I think they only offer Extended in educational pricing, not regular; so you don't really have a choice. But the educational price on Extended is lower than any other pricing you can get for either version, so it's a good deal.

You _can_ upgrade from Extended to non-Extended in the future, so you're not locked into buying Extended upgrades going forward if you don't want to.

[brewercm]

Thanks to all the responses. That's especially good to know that you can upgrade without having to continue in the extended if that is what ends up happening.

MS, did you hear that great idea that you don't have to jump through barrels to upgrade a stinking piece of software.