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 CS5 and Photoshop CS5 Extended? The Extended version is Adobe’s top-of-the-line Photoshop product, and they have one page on their site comparing the editions and feature differences, but it’s 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 create and edit three-dimensional imagery and motion-based content, as well as support for technical image analysis, measurement, and editing. The top additions are:
- 3D extrusions – Easily explore new creative directions: Create 3D logos and artwork with Adobe Repoussé technology – the automatic inflation of 2D art. Twist, rotate, extrude, bevel, and inflate these 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. Add 3D objects to your designs and create amazing composites. Illuminate your scene with real lighting, and animate your objects.
- Motion content editing – Paint, add text, and clone over multiple frames of an imported video sequence using your favorite Photoshop tools.
- Image analysis – Use 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.
Photoshop CS5 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, medicine and science, and architecture and construction.
What’s New for CS5 in Photoshop Extended?
Here’s a list of the new features in Photoshop CS5 Extended which are not included in the regular version of Photoshop CS5:
- Adobe Repoussé technology for creating 3D extrusions
- Shadow catcher for easy shadow creation
- 3D materials library and picker
- Overlays for materials and mesh boundaries
- Depth of field for 3D
- Enhanced ray tracer with progressive rendering
- Image-based light source (use 32-bit HDR) to accurately light your scenes
- Animate lights with image-based lights to reflect realistic light transitions
- Context-sensitive widget for easy control of objects, cameras, meshes, and lights
- 3D merging and scene compositing improvements
- 3D workflow improvements
- Preferences that allow for the customization of 3D features
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 CS5 Extended. It is not possible to purchase an education version of the standard Photoshop. On the flip side, you’re getting up to 80% off its normal price.
In the CS5 suites, four out of five of them (Master Collection, Design Premium, Web Premium, and Production Premium) contain Photoshop CS5 Extended. Only Design Standard contains the regular Photoshop.
See the full system requirements for both versions of Photoshop, including tested and recommended graphics cards.
Demo of Photoshop CS5 Extended
See the complete table of differences between Photoshop CS5 and Photoshop CS5 Extended.
I have had CS5. How to upgrade to Extended?
thank you
Sure – right here:
http://www.UpgradePhotoshop.com
Just download it and away you go.
I have Adobe Design Premium CS5 but my version of Photoshop doesn’t say “Extended.” Is it? If not, why not? and do I have to buy something else to get it?
In the CS5 suites, four out of five of them (Master Collection, Design Premium, Web Premium, and Production Premium) contain Photoshop CS5 Extended. Only Design Standard contains the regular Photoshop.
Exactly right Jeffrey on the different Creative Suite configurations… So, you definitely already have the Photoshop Extended version contained in your suite.
You will see it on the splash screen starting up, or if you go in the menus under Help > About Photoshop.
How can I confirm which version of CS5 I have (extended/non-extended)?
Hi Melissa, your version should say “… Extended” on the splash screen when starting up, as well as when you select the Help -> About Photoshop… menu item.
Hello. I am confused on the differences. I am wanting to buy Photoshop through my college. I am believing the Master Collection has all the programs? Sorry again confused.
And I didn’t quite understand what you were trying to say when you talked about student licensing. Can you explain more in detail? What’s the difference other than price of buying it from store or through the school?
Please help if you have the time,
Mikka
Hey there Mikka,
Yes, the Master Collection contains all CS6 programs, including Photoshop Extended – see here for the complete contents of the suites.
The Creative Cloud also contains all CS applications like Photoshop, and more. Cloud members will also soon receive an upgrade to the new CC release at no additional cost.
Or you can subscribe to just the latest Photoshop on its own, getting a single app for $10-20 a month.
As for the student editions and how they compare, see this guide:
What’s the Difference Between Adobe Student Editions vs. Regular?
So bottom line, you can buy Photoshop standalone or in a suite, or via a single-app or full Cloud subscription. In all cases the student & teacher editions will work the same, just with a discount up to 70%.
Hope that helps! If you have any further questions then just post back.
With the cloud is it just a monthly thing?
Not just monthly, also annual – this should help explain better if you’re unfamiliar:
Compare Creative Cloud vs. Adobe CS6 – Which Should You Buy?
I had some other questions that I have a somewhat answer to, but prefer to have it cleared up.
I hope I am not bothering you with all this ><.
Is CC download only, or is it boxed?
What are the extra CC apps?
After you buy CS6 and then year or w/e later can you get CC upgrades?
Will the CS6 student edition price ever change?
After I cancel CC, do I still keep the apps and what I’ve paid for?
Can I just buy CC for $20.00 then use it till latest upgrade, and drop CC but keep the update?
How long does it take to update using CC?
Is CS6 or CC for Windows XP?
Good questions Mikka, and you’ll find all the answers in these articles:
Adobe Unveils New “CC” Release (CS7) Exclusively in Creative Cloud
Compare Version Differences: What’s New in Adobe “CC” vs. CS6?
Creative Cloud vs. Adobe CS6 – Pros & Cons, Which Should You Buy?
The Adobe Creative Cloud FAQ: All Your Top Questions Answered
please help, i need to download ps cs5 extended trial,
Sure, you’ll find all the original Adobe CS5 trials here for download.
Sadly that doesn’t answer my questions. Are there any answers? Or are they unknown??
Sorry Mikka, what else do you want to know that wasn’t addressed?
I am not a student at a college. But I am a retired senior who has joined a camera club in AZ. They have weekly classes teaching us all kinds of things with Photoshop. I currently have the full CS4 program. I am wondering if the camera club classes also count as a student discount? Don’t forget us retired people who use your programs too! We have limited income, and need a senior discount if the student thing won’t work.
Oops forgot to say, I’d really like to be able to get the CS6 or at least the Photoshop of that program, as it is used continually in the classes. Thank you.
Hello Judie, thanks for sharing your thoughts. Regarding being a senior and Adobe discounts, see this similar question from Beverly, and our responses.
Plz guide me in which photoshop version CSI image enhance tool is available in analysis tab in photoshop cs5
Hi Sohail, that function is in the Extended version only.
I have photoshop CS5 extended.
Would you please let me known which version of camera raw this will work with.
I have a new camera NIKON D3300 and I need to Change the settings somewhere, as the don’t like each other !
Beverley
Thank you in advance.
Greetings Beverley, you can use this online chart to find out which version of Adobe Camera Raw supports your camera model.
The solution that Adobe offers in these cases – when trying to use a newer camera with older editing software – is to use the DNG Converter utility. This will provide ongoing camera compatibility for previous versions of all Photoshop & Lightroom products.
What does that mean? Well, you can use the free Adobe DNG Converter Tool for support of any recent camera in older programs like yours. You will need to convert your raw files to DNG, and then Photoshop (or Lightroom) can then import those DNG files instead.
If you get the current/latest version of Photoshop instead (like with the $9.99 the CC Photography bundle), then that camera support will be integrated right inside the programs themselves and you don’t have to do anything additional.
Hope that helps!
I’m saving photographs of fine art in png, which should I use as PNG Options – Interlace – none or interlaced?
It shouldn’t really matter as it doesn’t affect the actual quality of image data stored… Choose None for the simplest format, or Interlaced for faster loading.