Adobe Announces New Creative Cloud Apps, Abandons Creative Suite

[Phil A.]

My main concern is being able to access files after I cancel my subscription. There may come a day when what I do for a living in no longer profitable. I would still like to look at my archived files, tweak them, add them to my portfolio etc... But not for $74.99.

I don't understand your concern - your files would still be local (just as they are today) - you do get cloud storage as an option as part of the subscription but it's not compulsory to use it and even if you did you'd just download all your files before you cancelled your subscription.
Of course, you would have to find something else to read the files (or save them in a different format), but that's about the only issue

 

[cube]

I don't understand your concern - your files would still be local (just as they are today) - you do get cloud storage as an option as part of the subscription but it's not compulsory to use it and even if you did you'd just download all your files before you cancelled your subscription.
Of course, you would have to find something else to read the files (or save them in a different format), but that's about the only issue

"about the only issue"

 

[monkeybagel]

Add me to the few hundreds on here that Adobe just lost as a customer. I refuse and will not "rent" software - Office 365 or otherwise.

 

[AxiomaticRubric]

Are you sure (is it changing?) Right now you can do month by month.

Creative Cloud for CS Users - Terms and Conditions

VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. Eligible customers may purchase an Adobe® Creative Cloud™ Complete Membership with annual commitment for a reduced price. Offer valid for purchases of an annual plan, which requires a 12-month contract. This offer is only available to customers who own a Creative Suite edition or individual product in one of the following versions (CS3.x, CS4, or CS5.x), and who purchase directly from the Adobe Store or by calling a regional Adobe Call Center. This offer is not available to Education, OEM, or volume licensing customers. Residents of embargoed countries are not eligible. This offer is limited to one (1) purchase of one (1) Creative Cloud Complete annual membership per customer. Offer is subject to U.S. export control laws and laws where the recipient resides. Offer may not be assigned, exchanged, sold, transferred, or combined with any other discount or offer, or redeemed for cash or other goods and services. Offer is valid until July 31, 2013, and can be changed without notice. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

 

[pcd109]

I'm going to date myself but I've been using Photoshop since it was in its original Beta (0.8) and Fontographer, Illustrator, and Freehand since their beginnings. I've been very down on Adobe products since CS (actually, Photoshop's most usable version was probably 2.0) as they just keep getting more complicated and junked-up in the interface (things you do once in a long while are exceedingly easy but the things you do a zillion times a day--like switching tools or calling-up certain dialog boxes--get worse). I've missed Freehand since Adobe killed it and find Illustrator unusable. InDesign has interface issues but, at least, is usable. I use Adobe products when I need to, now, but hate every moment of the process.

This will definitely send me elsewhere--but where?

I see that Pixelmator and Acorn are recommended by people in this thread as Photoshop replacements. I'm already downloading the free trials.

What about Illustrator, InDesign, and Dreamweaver replacements?

"I WAS the one" included a screenshot of his toolbox, listing some possibilities (thread #163). What are others' recommendations?

QuarkXpress instead of InDesign, and Corel Suite - Corel Draw instead of Illustrator and Corel Paint instead of Photoshop. I hate Corel apps(you still need Distiller to generate those nice pdf prints) but no freaking way i am using rented software. Because this CC bul**it is just this. From now on we just rent the software from Adobe. I read the most stupid comments arround here: "it's cheaper, it's very nice, you have access to latest versions; it's only 50$/month etc'. Hey folks! Are you retard or something??!! The minute you stop paying you have nothing!!!! You pay a lot to JUST RENT THE SOFTWARE. WITH THIS MOVE ADOBE FORCE YOU TO PAY EVERY SINGLE MONTH FOR AS LONG AS YOU USE THEYR SOFTWARE. STOP PAYING FOR A MONTH AND KISS GOODBYE YOUR FILES. YOU CAN'T OPEN THEM ANYMORE BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE THE FREAKING SOFTWARE. CAPISCI??? I have disks with different versions of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign Acrobat etc. I can install them whenever i want and work to earn a leaving. Now if i have a bad year and don't want to pay Adobe what i do??? Well, i move to Corel.

 

[RoxyJ]

Of course, you would have to find something else to read the files (or save them in a different format), but that's about the only issue

That's not exactly a small issue. After paying approximately $600 per year (on the low end, if I'm not a studio). I then have to go out and find a way to open the file (which Adobe has so graciously allowed me to keep). Um, here let me bend over.

 

[baldyauldeejit]

I note with interest that a petition has been started on Change.org where several disgruntled Adobe customers have been expressing their disappointment. I believe it is entitled "Adobe Systems Incorporated: Eliminate the mandatory "creative cloud" subscription model".

However, I am quite sure there are other petitions where Adobe customers who welcome the change may express their delight.

(Is that OK, Moderator?)

 

[samcraig]

Creative Cloud for CS Users - Terms and Conditions

Did you read the next sentence. That specific offer is for people upgrading to CC AND who want to take advantage of special pricing. You don't need to take the special offer. You can go month to month.

 

[SPUY767]

That has nothing to do with this. You still have to install the software locally, you just need an internet collection to maintain activation.

Exactly. Implying that this wont make piracy worse, rather than stifling it.

 

[lloyd709]

So you are working at a client location with your client standing next to you, could easily be anywhere without an internet connection and you say sorry can't show you anything using photoshop because I can't use it without an internet connection!! Is this how it might be or am I misunderstanding something?

Also, I've just downloaded and tested CS6 (photoshop) and can't see any reason to upgrade to it (I'm using CS5). The only thing that is faster that I can tell is the liquidly function but I don't use this often. The are defo at the end of the road for the development of the product so desperately want to tie people in and are using the Cloud Bal!@£$it as an excuse.

 

[shinji]

Nothing stops Adobe from raising the price once people are used to the subscription model and used to the fact they'll lose the ability to use the software if they stop subscribing.

When your bread and butter is a subscription model, and you have no great competitor, you have no reason not to raise prices. They just need to figure out how much extra expense the market can bear.

I do not think Pixelmator or Acorn are viable alternatives to Photoshop. Maybe someone will step forward to close the gap, but that company sure would have a lot of catching up to do. People will pay for Photoshop CC because they need Photoshop, not because they support the new model.

You can say, "I prefer to pay $x monthly instead of a lump sum," or, "I don't mind the small extra $y cost," but that is optimistic short-term thinking, and you cannot assume these prices are set it stone.

 

[russ99]

From a business perspective Creative Cloud is great - a low price every month, and I can expense it at the end of the year.

This is much better than figuring out when to upgrade, if the upgrade is worth doing and determining the time to pay the large prices for all upgrades at once. Plus we get the whole suite which removes the headaches from budgeting different programs/packages.

 

[maz-o]

I'm a small business owner and I was about to buy Photoshop CS6. Where I live it costs €900 for just that one program.

But now since this announcement I just preordered Photoshop CC for €19.99/month, and I think that's more than reasonable. Maybe I'll upgrade to the complete pack if I feel the need for it. Doubt it though.

People are overreacting so badly, I for one can't wait! And it's not like you have to run the programs from a server or something. You install them on your mac/pc just like before.

 

[fivedots]

So you are working at a client location with your client standing next to you, could easily be anywhere without an internet connection and you say sorry can't show you anything using photoshop because I can't use it without an internet connection!! Is this how it might be or am I misunderstanding something?

Yes, you are. You need to connect once every 30 days, not all the time. But hey, why actually read the thread, right?

 

[nelmat]

How does this work if they have an update that your computer CAN'T support?

Then don't update. Crikey there is some serious FUD in this discussion.

There are many people who have been on creative cloud for the last year. It is brilliant. It is inexpensive. It costs the same as buying boxed software and an upgrade every other year, but spreads the cost to remove the upfront hit, easing cashflow.

Even better I can run one license on two machines, even across two platforms.

If I don't need it for a month, I don't pay for a month. Even better.

There is no issue, the updates across the board are significant, the software is on my computer (not the cloud) and updates are no more automatic than they were before.

It's all there clear as day on the web site. Photoshop is 20 dollars, the entire master collection 50, even less for those upgrading.

If you're a keen amateur, use pixelmator, if you're a professional, this is insignificant small change and a massive aid to your cash flow.

 

[yoak]

I'm a small business owner and I was about to buy Photoshop CS6. Where I live it costs €900 for just that one program.

But now since this announcement I just preordered Photoshop CC for €19.99/month, and I think that's more than reasonable. Maybe I'll upgrade to the complete pack if I feel the need for it. Doubt it though.

People are overreacting so badly, I for one can't wait! And it's not like you have to run the programs from a server or something. You install them on your mac/pc just like before.

It´s the idea that you sign up for the rest of your creative life. Photoshop maybe not as much, but for Premiere that has implications.
If I stop the subscription, I can´t open my projects anymore.
I´m a DOP/cameraman first, and I do editing as well, but not that often. So paying a monthly fee of $50 is a lot for how much I use it.
I can (and will) hang onto CS5.5 as it is working fine as it is right now, but soon I will upgrade my RED EPIC to the new 6K Dragon sensor and then I most likely I´m out of luck as there will be no new updates to CS5.5 or CS6 from now on.
Then to work with my footage I will be forced into the cloud if I want to stay with Adobe.
Thankfully I keep a copy of FCPX and I can use that, but certain projects sometimes demands an Adobe workflow. I will do my utmost to avoid it though

 

[nelmat]

So you are working at a client location with your client standing next to you, could easily be anywhere without an internet connection and you say sorry can't show you anything using photoshop because I can't use it without an internet connection!! Is this how it might be or am I misunderstanding something?

Also, I've just downloaded and tested CS6 (photoshop) and can't see any reason to upgrade to it (I'm using CS5). The only thing that is faster that I can tell is the liquidly function but I don't use this often. The are defo at the end of the road for the development of the product so desperately want to tie people in and are using the Cloud Bal!@£$it as an excuse.

You don't need a persistent net connection. You won't be upgrading to CS6, this is CS7 if you like and it's $20 a month, but hell, don't let clearly explained facts get in the way of your indignation..l

----------

It´s the idea that you sign up for the rest of your creative life. Photoshop maybe not as much, but for Premiere that has implications.
If I stop the subscription, I can´t open my projects anymore

Yup, and if you don't pay your electric bill, you can't boot your computer,

It's a business overhead, the same business overhead you've always had, but paid in a different way. One that now gives you TWO installations and eases your cash flow. Hell, you can even take a month off and not pay at all.

 

[lloyd709]

Yes, you are. You need to connect once every 30 days, not all the time. But hey, why actually read the thread, right?

Love people that expect everyone to read the whole thread!! Do you really expect every one to read the whole f!@£$ing thing to be qualified to contribute!!!

 

[baldyauldeejit]

...now gives you TWO installations...

Wasn't that always the case: your main computer and (ostensibly) a laptop?

It's a business overhead, the same business overhead you've always had, but paid in a different way.

Not so. It's a larger overhead for people like me who have only used and upgraded the Design Standard CS. And what you don't seem to appreciate is that the additional cost will have to be passed on our clients. Clients who already, because of the current climate, have been clamouring for tighter and tighter margins - and who, in all likelihood, will continue to demand savings for quite some time yet.

 

[robeddie]

This is the path all software is following. Office is already on its way. Expect most other apps to become subscription based. Best way to stop piracy. It's in every company's interest.

Not if it costs them sales. And if the reaction here is any indication., it will.

Plus, you can rest assured if there's a market for a non-cloud based suite, another company will come in and take advantage.

 

[Porco]

Introducing Adobe Destructive Fog.

 

[TimTheEnchanter]

I have one simple question to ask those that think this is a good thing...

What if Apple and Microsoft did this for the OS, how would you feel then?

- - - - - - - -

I wouldn't have a problem with a subscription-based model, but not as this is currently structured. Discount pricing aside, it's too expensive compared to the retail UPGRADE pricing, plus the programs cease operating once you stop paying.

 

[robeddie]

Exactly. Implying that this wont make piracy worse, rather than stifling it.

Agreed. It won't take long for someone to come up with a crack, so if people get annoyed with having to re-register every month, they may just seek out that 'alternative'.

 

[reel2reel]

This is how the future of desktop computing will be.

All the software makers are seeing it coming: Microsoft is doing it with Office 365 and now Adobe with CC. For the rest? Online app stores. No need for old and dusty optical discs anymore.

Next up? Pay-per-usage.

What's it got to do with "old and dusty optical discs anymore???" This is about licensing. 90% of my software is downloaded, but I don't have to pay a subscription license to use it.

See the difference?

Not everything is about New vs Old.

 

[Renzatic]

Love people that expect everyone to read the whole thread!! Do you really expect every one to read the whole f!@£$ing thing to be qualified to contribute!!!

No, but everyone should be expected to do their due diligence before they contribute instead of jumping into a thread and screaming about something that not only has already been addressed 500 times in this thread alone, but could also be found out after spending about 2 minutes on Google.