Upgrade from Elements 12? I have been using Elements 12 for several years. I'm sorta satisfied with it, but don't like the way the cloning tool loses its capability, that the spot...

ediesaul

I have been using Elements 12 for several years. I'm sorta satisfied with it, but don't like the way the cloning tool loses its capability, that the spot healing brush leaves a blurry, gray spot in corners that I cannot erase, that it's so difficult to select stray hairs, and some more difficulties.

I don't know if it's the program or my lack of adeptness. Would upgrading to a newer version help me, or do I just have to work at my skill level?

I photograph mainly to hang kids' pictures on my school's walls and for the school's yearbook. So, for those kinds of pictures, good enough is good enough.

Still, I hanker for the best images as possible.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Way2slk Loc: Bluffton SC

Not much changed in the newer version. Skill level is improving, so take your time and process till your heart is content. Good Luck.

G Rissler Loc: Lower Hudson Valley, NY

I upgraded from Elements 14 to Photoshop CC 2017 and am very happy. I feel it is much more powerful and in some ways easier to use. There was a learning curve and I continue to get better with it, but I enjoy it a lot.

ediesaul

Way2slk wrote:

Not much changed in the newer version. Skill level is improving, so take your time and process till your heart is content. Good Luck.

Thanks for your reply and your encouragement!

ediesaul

G Rissler wrote:

I upgraded from Elements 14 to Photoshop CC 2017 and am very happy. I feel it is much more powerful and in some ways easier to use. There was a learning curve and I continue to get better with it, but I enjoy it a lot.

Thanks for your reply. Would you please tell me how you find the new program to be more powerful?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

There was a similar topic a couple of days ago. You might find some helpful info, including comparisons of the versions:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-497190-1.html

Edie, what do you mean about clone tool "losing its ability?" I have very good results from the tool and would be happy to attempt to walk you through whatever issue you're stalled with on that. Send me a pm

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

ediesaul wrote:

I have been using Elements 12 for several years. ... (show quote)

For $60, I would. As a matter of fact, I think I will. My newest is PSE 11. You can download it immediately from Amazon.
http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements/buying-guide.html

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

ediesaul wrote:

I have been using Elements 12 for several years. ... (show quote)

Seeing as you are using this program and seem to have some skill at it you might just want to step up to Photoshop CC and then you will have full 16-bit editing capabilities plus 32-bit HDR, etc.

Though what do you mean precisely by "Cloning Tool loses its capability". If you mean in tight and complex places you have to re-sample every individual edit, that is normal even with Photoshop CS6 which is what I am still using. Also be sure you have selected a layer to use the Cloning Tool in, I've found that it and many other tools don't work and in fact are not active unless you have selected a layer. I have not used PSE since versions 6 & 9. But I use Ps CS6 daily.

Bill_de Loc: US

The only thing I can think of that makes the cloning tool stop cloning is if your source area runs out. If you select a source closer to the frame edge than the target and are working near an edge, you run out of source.

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ediesaul

Linda From Maine wrote:

There was a similar topic a couple of days ago. You might find some helpful info, including comparisons of the versions:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-497190-1.html

Edie, what do you mean about clone tool "losing its ability?" I have very good results from the tool and would be happy to attempt to walk you through whatever issue you're stalled with on that. Send me a pm

Thanks, Linda From Maine, for your reply. I will look up that thread. I missed it.

Re clone tool. I keep having to capture what I want to clone because the cloning tool starts including images from surrounding areas that I don't want. If I get an example of what's happening, I'll send it to you so you can see. Thanks very much for your offer.

ediesaul

jerryc41 wrote:

For $60, I would. As a matter of fact, I think I will. My newest is PSE 11. You can download it immediately from Amazon.
http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements/buying-guide.html

Is PSE an updated version of Elements 12? Thanks for your reply, and I will definitely look at the site you included.

Bill_de Loc: US

ediesaul wrote:

Re clone tool. I keep having to capture what I want to clone because the cloning tool starts including images from surrounding areas that I don't want. If I get an example of what's happening, I'll send it to you so you can see. Thanks very much for your offer.

Uncheck "Aligned"

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ediesaul

lamiaceae wrote:

Seeing as you are using this program and seem to h... (show quote)

I haven't learned to layer yet, and I find it interesting that you say some tools don't work unless one has selected a layer. This comment spurs me to spend time to conquer layering! Thanks for your reply and your comments!

ediesaul

Bill_de wrote:

The only thing I can think of that makes the cloning tool stop cloning is if your source area runs out. If you select a source closer to the frame edge than the target and are working near an edge, you run out of source.

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Thanks for taking the time to reply. I don't think I fully understand what your saying: "your source area runs out."

ediesaul

Bill_de wrote:

Uncheck "Aligned"

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Don't understand.