Is Photoshop Elements 3.0 good enough?
 

I am in need of a good photo manipulation program. I used to have Photoshop 6.0 (or was it 5.0?) and all I have now is an install for Photoshop Elements 3.0 (the latest one). My question is will this be good enough for me? I make use of complex selection manipulation, layer manipulation, cloning, and a variety of image file formats, and all with a Wacom tablet (actually, I usually just use the mouse but the pen comes in handy, sometimes...).

So, should I wait and get my hands on Photoshop CS or will Elements 3.0 be good enough?
Thanks!

Aw crap! I thought I was in Tilted Computers but, apparently, I'm smoking crack. Mods, can you please move this thread! ...and delete this post asking you to move it!
Thank you...

I've used pretty much every version of photoshop and the last two versions of Elements.

Here is how I've broken it down:

Photoshop 7.0 was the best one ever made for photo editing/manipulation/creation, CS is great for more web based or modern use, but has extra stuff I'd never use.

Elements was better towards the user who is doing a lot of album editing, automated task, or less technical needs. In other words, a more common user rather technical one.

I'd wait for CS if this is your only choices. (Specially with a wacom tablet, I have the Grapphire3) Photoshop provides the more professional needs when it comes to anything that is serious over Elements.

if you're buying, then PSE 3.0 will do a TON of stuff for $500 less than CS...The GREAT part of elements is that you can look around for 'actions' that allow you to do about 90% of the higher functions of CS even though you can't do them 'directly'

but overall, yeah, it is geared towards more automated tasks, but it is infinitely functional for 90% of the people who think they need CS or 7.0

a good part of 3.0 over 2.0 is the ability to use 16 bit files....the file browser is also much improved over even CS

Damn, are there no mods around? This thread is obviously in the wrong forum but, oh well.

I will give Elements a try under the assumption that I can just uninstall it if it's not good enough. I generally don't like uninstalling software because it often leaves a footprint that is not removed with an uninstallation (like in the registry) but I should really just get over it. The Install Shield isn't half bad and I'll probably end up installing a new OS by the time the registry clutter becomes an issue...