Will the Photoshop Elements 3.0 tools work with 4.0 or will there need to be an upgrade? If the upgrade will be needed, when will it be available for download?

I've only just bought the HPPSE 3 book, intending to upgrade to Photoshop Elements 3, when Photoshop Elements 4 has now become available.

! Disaster ! Well, Perhaps not.

I have managed to install the Photoshop Elements 3 Power Tools for Photoshop Elements 4, here's how to do it;

0. if the Power Tools have already been installed for Photoshop Elements 3, skip to step 3

1. if Photoshop Elements 3 has not been installed, create folder
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop Elements 3.0

2. install the power tools from the CD as if for Photoshop Elements 3

3. ensure Photoshop Elements 4 is not running

4. copy the four Power Tools folders from
~\Photoshop Elements 3.0\Previews\Effects
to
~\Photoshop Elements 4.0\Previews\Effects

5. delete all *.che files from the Effects Cache
~\Photoshop Elements 4.0\Previews\Cache\Effects Cache

6. re-start Photoshop Elements 4 and verify power tools are available

If the tools are not available after launching Photoshop Elements 4, ensure the cache files have been deleted properly.

I have verified that the tools are available in the Effects pallete in Photoshop Elements 4, I haven't verified that all the actions still operate as intended. Photoshop Elements 4 has the same look and feel (and the same directory structure) as Photoshop Elements 3, so confidence is high. Perhaps Richard acn confirm?

Hope this helps

Steve

Do curves work? Most of the other tools seem to work. When I did an initial install I forgot to delete the cache.

Most of the tools from the Elements 3 book will work with Elements 4. Regretfully there are a few exceptions, that include Curves, Color Balance, Channel Mixer (the Adobe interface, not the Hidden Power layer tool), Selective Color, and probably a few others. I am currently working on the new tool set for 4. There will be solutions for everything (yes, including curves). I am assuming I will have everything ready in order to release the tools in january, and the book in February. If you sign up for my newsletter, I will keep you informed.

hiddenelements.com/newsletter.html

I may have an announcement or two to make in the interim ;-)