CS2-Did I bite off more than I can chew or need-suggestions?

[GeneL]

chas_m, you're making sense as usual. I think that the involvement you mentioned in writing a book on Photoshop makes you a perfect coach on these things. So thanks again

So far, the feature that I miss most in iPhoto is the Clone tool. I found that iPhoto's Retouch tool doesn't do the same thing. I've saved many pictures that had some unwanted object sticking into the frame by cloning it into oblivion

Who knows, as I get more familiar with using CS2 in combination with iPhoto, which I now know is safe, I may learn enough to improve my ability with it?

Because it's not universal, which I understand makes it slow and very RAM hungry by using Rosetta, I have wondered if this should be a significant concern for me? Maybe not a problem since I have 5 gigs of RAM?

chas–m, can you tell me if I can avoid having Bridge open up when CS2 opens? I'm not even sure that it will, since I haven't had a chance to install CS2 on the drive that I'm now using as my primary drive. Perhaps that's not an issue?

A last big question, do you think I'm better off using the iPhoto/CS2 combination for better integration in OSX than to use CS2/Bridge to organize my pictures? That's been on my mind through all of these posts.

Many thanks!

GeneL

[chas_m]

[quote GeneL]So far, the feature that I miss most in iPhoto is the Clone tool. I found that iPhoto's Retouch tool doesn't do the same thing. I've saved many pictures that had some unwanted object sticking into the frame by cloning it into oblivion
I hear that!

Who knows, as I get more familiar with using CS2 in combination with iPhoto, which I now know is safe, I may learn enough to improve my ability with it?

Sure, that will work too. I've owned and used Photoshop for years, but there's whole areas of the program I don't know anywhere near as well as the "basics" (which for me include the clone tool, the colour matching and the panorama stitcher).

Because it's not universal, which I understand makes it slow and very RAM hungry by using Rosetta, I have wondered if this should be a significant concern for me? Maybe not a problem since I have 5 gigs of RAM?

I don't think that will be a problem, particularly with that much RAM. The new version *is* faster, but I think both CS2 and CS3 spend more time waiting on US than we do waiting on IT.

chas–m, can you tell me if I can avoid having Bridge open up when CS2 opens?

Photoshop will fuss at you if Bridge is not INSTALLED on your drive, but there's no requirement to use it. I generally don't unless I'm working on a complex project.

A last big question, do you think I'm better off using the iPhoto/CS2 combination for better integration in OSX than to use CS2/Bridge to organize my pictures?

Yes. I think the iPhoto/CS2 combo works well for us "dabblers" and the Bridge/CS2 combo works well for people who "live" in photoshop and use it as part of their "workflow." When you're the sort of person who uses words like "workflow" and "production system" on a routine basis, you're the sort of person who needs Bridge.

[GeneL]

Your post has pretty well taken care of the loose ends, chas–m.

Once again the forum has provided the right person(s) with the answers that I asked for.

One last issue which wasn't answered, what about the additional Advanced preferences, "Save edited RAW files as 16 bit TIFFs" and "use RAW files with external editor?" Checked or unchecked?

Maybe now I can get some sleep

[Mike V]

I'm not a fan of Elements.
The interface is different enough to make switching to the full version later a real pain.

Just ignore most of the functions and tools in Photoshop at first.

Gradually you will pick them up as you need them.