( 6 reviews )
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Posted: Jun 25 2009
This version of Adobe Creative Suite 3 aka CS3 combines what used to be Macromedia suite and the Adobe suit into one big/huge software suite that works well together. This provides professional looking results for video, print, photographs, websites and more. It's all here including some wonderful additions like 'bridge' that I originally didn't think I'd use much but have found that I use it all the time. But...and this is a big one..there is a steep learning curve with many of these programs. If you are a sporadic user that just needs a quick correction, there are a lot easier and less expensive programs available. On the other hand, if you need to purchase one or two of these programs for professional or upper end use, the entire suite is a great purchase. Because I previously owned both Macromedia Suite and the Adobe suite, this was eligible for the upgrade price rather than having to purchase the entire thing from new. Of course, that will be phased out now that a newer version is once again available - CS4. Video tutorials are a great help to those that are searching for the changes and already know how to use the program(s) - but novices will also benefit from figuring out how to use the main features. You will need books and additional tutorials to learn all the powerful features of the program...many of which I still do not know since my main use has been limited to a couple of the more common programs. As a long time adobe user, this is another excellent suite with ample tools to provide great looking results. I did encounter a conflict with microsoft after installation that took some time to figure out - both on Vista and XP. For those that have been considering the purchase of the full suite, keep in mind the cost savings of buying an older version then an upgrade and/or not letting your upgrade version expire. In my case, I've been closely watching the new cS4 but have't purchased the uupgrade as I'm not convinced there are clear benefits to doing so yet. Given the price difference, it's a calculated risk to wait for the 5th version...only time will tell. Bottom line-great product. Steep learning curve. Professional looking results after you learn to use the product.
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Posted: Jul 17 2008
Anyone who gives the Master Collection less than five stars obviously doesn't know the product. I spent 4 months in a CS3 Illustrator class in college just learn advanced basics of Illustrator alone. User friendly, intuitive and the industry standard over ANY Microsoft product, CS3 Master Collection if for serious geeks like me. I cannot imagine trying to handcode HTML or XHTML without the wonders of Dreamweaver. I am much more productive and can crank out large websites in a matter of days instead of weeks. For serious Web designers, this product will pay for itself in the time you save hand coding and such. Worth every penny. I would, however, recommend buying Adobe's "Training from the source" books to go along with the software. You can get them cheap used on Amazon or eBay. The books are invaluable in learning the software.
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Posted: Apr 17 2008
If you have Production Studio Premium or other such suites this really is not worth the massive difference in price. Adobe CS3 Master Collection is more hype and fluff then substance. I might have upgraded to this suite from my modestly priced Production Premium $799.00 upgrade if Adobe had not slapped such an outrageous $1999.00 price tag onto it for doing so. Come on, $1999.00? I paid less then that for my original full version of CS Production Studio Premium! Seriously Adobe, $1200.00 more for 5 or 6 added programs of which 2 or 3 I will probably never use? Give me a break! No, I mean it, give us ALL a break! Save your money and just go with CS3 Production Studio Premium, minus Adobe Audition 3.0 of course, you'll have to pay extra for that one since Adobe felt compelled to replace it with Soundbooth, a lesser quality program (thanks a lot Adobe!). In the end I'll say this, Adobe makes some of the best software for film, animation, entertainment, graphics and web design, they just need to work a little bit on better customer service and work ethics and a good place to start would have been making the upgrade for CS3 Master Collection a lot more affordable.
