Compare Versions: Photoshop CS6 and Photoshop CS6 Extended
June 13th, 2012 Leave a comment
It’s a question that’s been around a while, yet we still see it asked a lot… What is the version comparison difference between Adobe Photoshop CS6 and Photoshop CS6 Extended? The Extended release is Adobe’s top-of-the-line Photoshop product, and they have one page on their site comparing the editions and feature differences, but the link is hidden in a corner and not obvious to find.
The short answer is that Photoshop Extended contains everything the standard version does, plus powerful tools that let you easily create and edit three-dimensional imagery as well as composite 3D objects into photographs*, in addition to support for technical image analysis, measurement, and editing. The top additions are:
- 3D images and extrusions – Enhance and manipulate 3D content as easily as you would 2D content and explore new creative directions: Quickly create 3D logos, type, and artwork using efficient and intuitive controls that have been vastly improved since CS5. Twist, rotate, extrude, bevel, and inflate your 3D designs, and then apply rich materials like chrome, glass, and cork.
- Advanced 3D editing capabilities – Push your creative boundaries with powerful 3D editing tools — even paint directly on 3D objects and immediately see the results. Add 3D objects and layers to your designs and create amazing composites. Illuminate your scene with real lighting, shadows, and reflections, and animate your objects.
- Mercury Graphics Engine for 3D – Dramatically increased power and speed via new graphics engine optimized for 3D imaging.
- Image analysis – Use advanced measurement and counting tools to extract quantitative information from images. Record and export data for further analysis. Import DICOM files as frames or as a volume to directly analyze and edit your image data.
Video and motion-based content editing, which used to be an Extended-only feature in Photoshop CS5 and earlier, has now been moved and expanded into all versions of Photoshop for CS6.
[ What's new in the latest version? See Photoshop CS6 vs. CS5 Feature Comparison ]
Photoshop CS6 Extended is used by professionals in many fields, including film and video, graphic and web design that includes 3D and motion, manufacturing and product design, healthcare and science, students and educators, and architecture and engineering.
Which Version do the Trials, Suites, and Student Editions Contain?
There is only one trial available for Adobe Photoshop – and it’s the Extended edition… You get to try out all of the features for 30 days, and then decide which version you want to keep at the time of purchase.
The Student & Teacher Edition is similarly also always Photoshop CS6 Extended. It is not possible to purchase an education version of the standard Photoshop. On the flip side, you’re getting up to 75% off its normal price.
In the CS6 suites, three out of four of them (Master Collection, Design & Web Premium, and Production Premium) contain Photoshop CS6 Extended. Only Design Standard contains the regular Photoshop.
Finally, the new $19/month Photoshop CS6 subscription option is for the standard version – however every full Creative Cloud membership includes the Extended edition.
[ Wondering which you should get? Compare Adobe CS6 vs. the Creative Cloud ]
See the full system requirements for both versions of Photoshop, including tested and recommended graphics cards*. For the 3D capabilities in Photoshop Extended you want to have a supported GPU with fully up-to-date hardware drivers.
Or explore more about 3D in Photoshop with the free first issue of the new magazine, Photoshop Dimensions – just download and follow along with the tutorials, as well as the reference information.
Overview of Photoshop CS6 Extended [Video]
See the complete table of differences between Photoshop CS6 Standard and Extended.
* Note that the 3D features in Photoshop Extended CS6 are not supported on Windows XP.
See our:
- Creative Suite 6 Launch Guide
- Version comparison: Differences between CS5 vs. CS6
- What’s new features for each product in the suites
- What’s the difference between Photoshop CS6 vs. CS5?
- Free Adobe CS6 tutorials – 30 hours of video training
- Download free CS6 e-books (over 1,000 pages)
Do you have any questions about CS6? Just ask them below and we’ll get you answers fast!
Keep up with the latest on Adobe software — subscribe to our RSS feed or follow us on Twitter or Facebook… You can also just enter your email and have new articles sent directly to your inbox.
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Hi
I have CS5. I was thinking about not upgrading to CS6 and rather just upgrading to CS7 when it comes out. But from what I have read this will not be possible and I will have to buy the full version of CS7 if I don’t have CS6.
But I do not understand why, because when I go to the Adobe site to upgrade, it is clear that it is possible to upgrade to CS6 from CS4 or even CS3. How come those versions are allowed to “skip” upgrades, but not from CS5 – CS7?
Great question Carla, and here is your full and complete answer:
Adobe Upgrade Policy Changing Soon for Many Creative Suite Customers
So if you’re going to need to upgrade to CS6, you might as well do it sooner rather than later because Photoshop CS6 is a major improvement over CS5 that will help you get your work done better and faster.
I was playing around with my friends Photoshop CS6 and it had a a option that you could use 3D and Motion. I downloaded a trial version of CS6 and it didn’t have those options. Are those options available on the trial version?
Yes they are Dennis, in fact the Photoshop CS6 free trial is the Extended version… So yes, all functionality is available in the tryout.
OK, then why didn’t you see them?
Well, it depends on your machine… Does your computer meet the minimum system requirements for Photoshop CS6 Extended?
If not – like for example if you’re running Windows XP, or don’t have a supported graphics card with the latest drivers – then the Extended features aren’t able to work…
Hope this helps!
I have an AMD Turion X2 Dual-Core Mobile RM-70 2GHz and I have 3GB of RAM on my Toshiba Satellite L305D computer. Also when I download the set up it doesn’t say CS6 Extended, it only says CS6.
Well as mentioned, all Photoshop trials are the full Extended version so you have the potential to try everything out… Did you check your laptop against the system requirements linked in our previous response? What version of Windows is it?
See also Adobe’s Photoshop CS6 GPU FAQ to work through any issues with graphics cards, which are critically important for enabling the 3D functionality.
@ ProDesignTools
Thanks for clearing that up. I went ahead and upgraded to Photoshop CS6. So far, I love it. But I still think I am paying alot of money for something that I don’t actually really need right now. But I definitely don’t want to be in the situation where I have to buy the full version again.
Great Carla, glad to hear you like CS6, most everybody does… And if you’re going to have to upgrade then it’s probably best to do it now and get the most use out of the software that you can.
I am getting really confused about what version I want.
I am wanting the version that allows you to create animated GIFs using the timeline feature, is that in the Standard or Extended version?
Yes, this can be unclear David, thanks for bringing that up…
Before CS6, to create animations using a timeline, keyframes, and interpolation (tweening), you needed Photoshop Extended…
By contrast, the Standard version of Photoshop CS5 (and earlier) could only create frame-based animations.
Now however, there’s some good news – beginning with CS6, Adobe has added the timeline-based animation panel to Photoshop Standard that previously was an Extended-only feature.
So, that’s why it can be confusing, because it depends on the version you’re talking about – but you’re good to go with CS6, so hope this clears things up!
@ ProDesignTools
Amazing, thank you for your quick response. Massive help!
You’re very welcome David, that’s what we’re here for! Thanks again for your question and stop back anytime.
I am looking to purchase CS6 Extended, however I want to confim that I will get everything that you received in CS6. I will be purchasing for my high school senior and want to confirm that I am purchasing the correct product.
Yes Jenny, as referenced in the article, Photoshop Extended contains everything the standard Photoshop does, and more. So, you can never go wrong by getting the Extended edition, because you cannot upgrade from one to the other later if you change your mind or realize that you need the top-of-the-line version instead.
Here is Adobe’s easy comparison chart showing all features and the differences.
We purchased Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere for our son, but it is not powerful enough for him to do his school work. Does Adobe CS6 Extended have video editing capabilities as well as photo editing, or do I need a separate product for video editing? thank you
Hi Steve, there’s good news for you there – video editing used to be an Extended-only feature, but beginning with CS6 the standard (lower priced) version of Photoshop CS6 now also includes full video capabilities:
Read more in-depth details on the new video editing features in Photoshop CS6.
je souhaite acheter une version de photoshop mais j’ai peu de moyens, je suis actuellement demandeur d’emploi, je viens de terminer mes études en qualité de monteur vidéo, que me conseillez vous ?
merci pour votre réponse
Franck Mailhet
puis je acheter n’importe quelle version de photoshop ou dois je commencer par une en premier, si je veux CS6 puis je l’acheter directement ?
Bonjour Mailhet, voyant que vous êtes étudiant, vous pourriez acheter Photoshop CS6 à une grande réduction des prix pour les clients d’éducation, en France aussi …
Soit ça, ou vous pourriez penser à Photoshop Elements 11, si vous voulez commencer un peu plus petite (mois cher et capable).
I am in need of some assistance! I have tried several times to use the movie editing software in my new CS6, but to no avail! I can’t drag clips, I can’t move clips through “tools”, I can’t get it to do anything!!!!!! What should I do?
The message it gave me this time is “Load Layers needs at least two files selected,” I have three files selected! Has anyone else had this issue? Yes I have CS6, not the Extended version and I am working from a MacBook. Help please, anyone!!!!!!!
Welcome SoBe, sorry you’re having difficulties with that – it should work for you.
Our suggestion would be to check the filenames you’re using for anything unusual, or try it with different files entirely… See this Adobe Forum Help Thread for more in-depth details.
The only version for Photoshop I have is an old version, Photoshop 5, that I got really good at and enjoy using. That was on my old system, now I have a newer computer that is a 64-bit system and looking to buy a new copy of Adobe Photoshop… Does any copy of Adobe work on a 64-bit system or does it have to state on the box somewhere that it is for a 64-bit system?
Also at what point did this happen? Would Photoshop CS4 or CS5 etc… work on a 64bit system???
Hey there Darrell, we can answer all those questions for you. First off, any 32-bit version of Photoshop should also work on a 64-bit system, but of course the application’s performance will be nowhere near as good as a native 64-bit version.
Starting with CS4, Adobe provided both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Photoshop – and that continues to this day with CS6 (you get both programs when you buy, upgrade, or subscribe for $19), and with the Creative Cloud.
Actually, we should add that you even get an even newer version than CS6 when you subscribe.
Lastly, here are the official system requirements for the current Photoshop, including tested and recommended graphics cards… You’ll see that a 64-bit system is suggested (while 32-bit is still supported).
Hope that answers everything, if not then just post back!
I’m needing help choosing the Extended or the Standard. How it is that the standard is showing $1299, and the extended $999?
Sure Amanda, but where are you looking? At Adobe the everyday price you’ll see is $699 for the Standard edition and $999 for the Extended edition of Photoshop CS6…
Hello, I’m new to Photoshop and I’m trying to decide on which version to purchase. I’m a little confused on the difference between Adobe Photoshop Extended and Photoshop Design Standard. I’ve googled them, but I was hoping you could explain in simple terms the main difference. I currently would use it for photo editing, and eventually maybe some minor video. Please help???
Greetings Gary, this article pretty much explains the main difference between Photoshop Standard vs. Extended… If you check the list near the top of the page with 4 bullet items in bold, those are the feature groups that are part of Extended but not part of the regular Photoshop CS6.
For you, if you don’t expect to be into creating and editing 3D images/graphics and scenes, then it sounds like you should be good with the standard edition. Just keep in mind that you can no longer upgrade between the two – you’d have to wait until the next release comes out to move up to the Extended edition, if you wanted to do that.
Also, I read that homeschool students and teachers can be eligible for the Adobe student/teacher edition. What are the qualifications for that?
Yes, that can definitely be true for those doing homeschooling – you may be eligible to receive Adobe’s large academic discounts.
Just see this guide, and the information and links there should help determine if you qualify:
What Are the Limitations of Adobe’s Student & Teacher Editions?
Hope this helps – if you have any further questions, feel free to ask.
Thank you for your response. Do I just contact the homeschool company to obtain a dated letter for proof? We didn’t receive any type of letter when we started homeschooling.
Yes, that could suffice… The types of proof vary, so just go with what they request in the Student Eligibility Guide and then contact Adobe customer service if you have any questions.
Most purchases of their education software go very smoothly – first you buy the academic product, then submit the documentation, and get approval within two business days. It might seem backwards to buy the software before eligibility is confirmed, but if there are any issues then Adobe will take the product back for a full refund within 30 days, even if opened or installed. So, you really can’t go wrong.
When I purchased my upgrade of CS4 to CS6, I didn’t realize I upgraded to the standard CS6. Is there any way to upgrade to CS6 Extended, now that I have CS6?
Hi Jared, it used to be possible to upgrade from Photoshop Standard to Extended, but Adobe changed the policy with CS6. Now you can no longer do that – and it isn’t possible to get a single-app subscription to Photoshop Extended either – so the only upgrade path would be to wait until the next major release comes out and then upgrade to the Extended version of that.
So you could either go that route, or you could subscribe to the Creative Cloud which does include Photoshop CS6 Extended.
I wonder if I have missed a step. I own Production Premium CS5, which I am currently updating. I don’t see anywhere that says the update would mean that it is taking my current version to CS5.5.
I would like to purchase the upgrade to CS6. But the only option to upgrade from Production Premium is from version CS5.5.
So. Would I have had to pay to get 5.5 and then once more to get the CS6 upgrade? Or is there a direct route.
Thanks! Sorry if this is the wrong forum for this question…
Hey Charles, if you check Adobe’s Creative Suite Upgrade Chart, you’ll see that there is a direct upgrade path to CS6 from either CS5 or CS5.5…
So, you do not have to buy or own CS5.5 in order to get an upgrade to CS6.
Keep in mind though that with the Creative Cloud now, paying extra for upgrades becomes a thing of the past – since you can always download and run the latest versions of all tools as an included part of your membership.