lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

I've been looking at CS6 Beta and the biggest improvement over CS5, for how I like to post process, is the RAW 7 processing module. And yes, I have looked at the other improvements and am less than overwhelmed. Lightroom 4 appears to have very similar, or perhaps identical, RAW processing capability and I can purchase it, using an Educational discount, for around $80 versus a $199 Photoshop upgrade (or $249 if I want the CS6 extended version.) Unless I am missing something, it seems I would be wise to save the money.
However, how will this affect future upgrades? Currently, Adobe is threatening to stand by their policy of upgrades for versions one less than the latest product, full price for anyone else. Does anyone know if "Educational Products" work the same way? Could I skip CS6 and then purchase the educational version of CS7, or would Adobe records flag this as an attempt to upgrade?

joe west Loc: Taylor, Michigan

cs5 is your best bet....

lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

Thank you Joe. Just to be certain I was clear: I want the best of all worlds - the RAW 7 functionality of CS6 (a definite improvement over CS5 which I currently use) and I think I can accomplish that by using Lightroom 4; but I do not want to have to spend $900 if Photoshop 7 has indispensable features. If I skip a version, in this case CS6, Adobe has threatened to charge full price for the subsequent upgrade. If I purchase an upgrade to CS6 it costs me $200 and the following upgrade much the same. If Adobe does not cross reference Academic purchases I could continue to purchase them at very reasonable prices; but I suspect they will consider my next Academic purchase an upgrade rather than treating me as a new customer.

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

I pre ordered the CS6 extended version and the upgrade was 399.....I got a NAPP discount of 20 percent in addition. I doubt you have seen all of the changes in CS6, there are over 900 in all according to adobe. I am a Lightroom 4 user as well, at present this product needs some work, it's engine is slower than LR3 in loading and viewing images. You need to review LR4, the masses are hysterical over the speed and performance issue. At present, I am using LR4 to handle the imports....but from there I am CS5 (bridge) to pick it up from there. BTW, our computers are new IMACs loaded with 16 gig of ram.

There is no work-around for the Adobe upgrade policy.

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Interesting question. I would guess that you could buy educational CS6, but then they would not let you buy CS7. I think it would be very difficult to get a straight answer.

fotowerks Loc: San Diego, CA

I think that as long as you are an eligible student or teacher you would be able to purchase the educational versions of whatever software you would like. Educational versions are not eligible for upgrades. I believe you may however upgrade an educational version to a professional version and then join the upgrade path. Adobe would be happy to answer any of your questions regarding upgrade paths and educational purchases