Editing software ?

[My2Girls66]

My computer crashed and I lost my Adobe Photoshop 3 and the editing software that came preinstalled on my Dell- I can't find the discs to reinstall either- I thought they went to the shop with the laptop but they can't find them. My question- I have Nikon ViewNX installed but can't seem to figure out if I can crop and blemish remove with it. Can it be done? I also have a 60 day free trial of CaptureNX that I haven't installed yet- would this program be comparable to Adobe Photshop? Or should I buy a newer version of Photoshop? So far I'm not big on post processing but I'd like to be able to do the basics. I need a fairly easy one. Any ideas?

 

[afo]

If you have totally given up trying to recover what you lost, and are in the market for new software, take a look at Adobe Lightroom.
Lightroom is geared towards photgraphers, as opposed to photoshop (which I think has a much wider audience and is therefor much more complicated), and can be used for what "we" do most often, ie. crop, white balance, color corrections etc. I find it easy to use, and it has the added benefit of including a full catologuing and backup system within the software, and can create stand alone slideshows as well as prints.
There's a 1 month trial of Lightroom available, I think from the Adobe website.

 

[MICKEY88]

corel's paint shop pro photo is another good program, you can download a free 30 day trial..

 

[KrazyPete]

+1 for Lightroom. I love it.

 

[frugal_mar]

Did you register your copy of CS3? If so, your S/W keys maybe stored at Adobe. You would just need to download CS3 and re-register your Software.

It may be worth a call to Adobe, since CS3 must be activated, there may be some record of your keys.

CS3 is quite expensive, I would be a shame to have your investment lost.

 

[ukcatfan]

Did you register your copy of CS3? If so, your S/W keys maybe stored at Adobe. You would just need to download CS3 and re-register your Software.

It may be worth a call to Adobe, since CS3 must be activated, there may be some record of your keys.

CS3 is quite expensive, I would be a shame to have your investment lost.

I think the OP is talking about Elements 3. I do not know of any PCs that have CS3 pre-loaded.

 

[ssanders79]

Call dell support. They might be able to resend you a copy of the disc. From my experience with Dell as long as it was provided in your original purchase they will provide you with a disc if it is requested.

Years ago they sent me a copy of XP when mine got scratched.

 

[Graeme]

Lightroom is geared towards photgraphers, as opposed to photoshop (which I think has a much wider audience and is therefor much more complicated)

What does that mean for a beginner to PP? I've never done any except on bog standard, free programs like Picassa and was going to try Photoshop. Would I be better looking at Lightroom?

I know if I try one and it's too complicated it would put me off altogether.

 

[My2Girls66]

Thanks- never even thought to call Dell. The software that came preinstalled was really plenty for me. Used it many times yet can't seem to recall the name! I'm pretty sure it was something like Dell Photo Studio. The Photoshop I had was Elements 3.

 

[ukcatfan]

What does that mean for a beginner to PP? I've never done any except on bog standard, free programs like Picassa and was going to try Photoshop. Would I be better looking at Lightroom?

I know if I try one and it's too complicated it would put me off altogether.

Lightroom and PS are different types of programs. Lightroom is a RAW processor and PS is an image editor. You cannot get away with just Lightroom.

 

[YEKCIM]

Elements 5.0 (OEM) $29USD shipped

 

[My2Girls66]

Well- I called Dell. They can't send me Dell Picture Studio for whatever reason but I can buy new software from them if I'd like. I ended up downloading a free trial of Corel Paint Shop Pro to check it out. I don't do much editing so something inexpensive and easy to use is what I'll start with.
I can't figure out how to crop in ViewNX.

 

[My2Girls66]

Elements 5.0 (OEM) $29USD shipped

That sounds great! Thanks for the link!!

 

[Graeme]

Lightroom and PS are different types of programs. Lightroom is a RAW processor and PS is an image editor. You cannot get away with just Lightroom.

Thanks for that. I don't shoot in RAW anyway.