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Photoshop Elements vs. Photoshop
If you have not made your choice yet, you may want to know more about the differences between Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. In the author's opinion, the most significant limitations in Photoshop Elements are:
| Missing Feature | Purpose | Who Cares | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color Balance | color adjustment | wide audience | This undocumented function can be unlocked in PSE v. 1, 2, and 3 |
| Curves | tonal and color corrections | advanced users | This undocumented function can be unlocked |
| Channels palette | color adjustment | advanced users | You still can edit color channels separately by using the Levels dialog. Direct editing color channels requires unlocking |
| CMYK colors | pre-print image processing | printing industry pros | It doesn't matter if you print your image with your jet printer or in photolab |
| Transform selection | selections | wide audience | This undocumented function can be unlocked |
| Quick masks | selections | wide audience | This undocumented function can be unlocked |
| Layer groups | manipulation, design | wide audience | You can't change handle individual layers in a layer group (for example, when working on file created in full Photoshop). This problem may be solved by ungrouping layers. |
| Some Layer Style functions | manipulation, design | wide audience | You can't, for example, create a separate layer from layer style. This feature can be imitated. |
| Layer masks | retouching, manipulation | wide audience | Elements naturally supports only adjustment layer masks. Regular layer masks require unlocking |
| Smart objects | non-destructive transformations | advanced users | This undocumented function can be unlocked |
| Smart filters | non-destructive filtering | advanced users | This undocumented function can be unlocked |
| Pen tools | design | advanced users | You can't create or edit vector paths and masks. This may be partially resolved by creating path from raster selections and preset shapes. |
| Vector masks | design | wide audience | This undocumented function can be partially unlocked |
| Paths | design | advanced users | This undocumented function can be partially unlocked |
| Actions palette | automating work | wide audience | you can use the existing actions (prepackaged macro commands) available in the Effects palette; however, Elements won't let you record custom actions. |
| Some Web components | web graphics | web designers | You can't slice images; comparatively weak GIF animator, quite sufficient though to create a simple animated banner or button. |