Question for Artisan Users

[bienejen]

Are most of you already using version 6? I've been using version 5 for years without issue. With the announcement that they will be going to a subscription model in 2025, I'm a little stressed as I know my laptop won't last forever. SO I'm debating just buying 6 before the end of the year so I have it. But... $160 seems ridiculous for what I'll be supposedly gaining in version 6. I don't print with them and, obviously, I don't buy their content since I'm all about the sweet shoppe life! What are the 'new' features in 6 I'll be happy to get??

[scrappinnewbie]

I use 4, but own 5 (and haven't used it). I agree that $160 seems crazy. I don't print or use their content either.

I have been wanting to learn PSE but haven't had time to tackle a new program. I think the shadowing in PSE could be better, but maybe Artisan 5 or 6 has good shadowing. I don't know. I honestly haven't had time to research or try new things.

I'm not sure what to do so I will be watching this post. :)

[Memaw2Wm]

I'm irked ... actually I'm still irked that I had to upgrade to A5 from SBC+ when I bought a new laptop a few years ago.

I'd love to stick with A5, but I see future issues: incompatibility with Windows updates, the possibility of not being able to download/activate A5 in a few years.

I've had conversations with a friend about the pluses and minuses; and I read somewhere that A7 is in the works and it will be subscription only, so how long is Forever going to support/update A6???

IMO, the biggest plus for Artisan over PSE/PS/Affinity (for me) is that I can easily use it even after a long break, unlike PSE/Affinity.

Anyhow my friend and I decided that we're going to upgrade and hope for the best. Ugh.

[HavaDrPepper]

I'm irked ... actually I'm still irked that I had to upgrade to A5 from SBC+ when I bought a new laptop a few years ago.

I'd love to stick with A5, but I see future issues: incompatibility with Windows updates, the possibility of not being able to download/activate A5 in a few years.

I've had conversations with a friend about the pluses and minuses; and I read somewhere that A7 is in the works and it will be subscription only, so how long is Forever going to support/update A6???

IMO, the biggest plus for Artisan over PSE/PS/Affinity (for me) is that I can easily use it even after a long break, unlike PSE/Affinity.

Anyhow my friend and I decided that we're going to upgrade and hope for the best. Ugh.

I'm thankful that at this time Paint Shop Pro is still a stand alone product. And, I know someone that has about 15 versions of the program on her computer (she was a beta tester). I have 3 versions loaded on my computer. After putting out a new version every year for 15 years, they didn't put one out this year. Speculation since the company was bought out is that if a new version will be released it will be a subscription model. Not looking forward to that if it happens.

[Memaw2Wm]

I'm thankful that at this time Paint Shop Pro is still a stand alone product. And, I know someone that has about 15 versions of the program on her computer (she was a beta tester). I have 3 versions loaded on my computer. After putting out a new version every year for 15 years, they didn't put one out this year. Speculation since the company was bought out is that if a new version will be released it will be a subscription model. Not looking forward to that if it happens.

I am NOT a fan of subscription software. And the reality is, I simply don't use Artisan enough to justify the cost of a subscription. :)

[HavaDrPepper]

I am NOT a fan of subscription software. And the reality is, I simply don't use Artisan enough to justify the cost of a subscription. :)

I'm not either but I do have to say that my subscription to MS Office 365 is well worth it. I use Excel all day long every day!!! I hate Word but it is nice to have if needed (I prefer my standalone WordPerfect even though it hasn't been updated for 3 years). Back when I was still working, I would use Power Point for presentations.

[Memaw2Wm]

LOL … I’m still using Word 2007 … I dislike the newer versions. My fav version was 2002, but I couldn’t get it activated when I updated from WIN XP to WIN 7.

And yes, I’m still using WIN 7 on my work and home desktops … WIN 11 on my laptop. I’m not one to upgrade if what I have works.

[HavaDrPepper]

Just found out yesterday that Paint Shop Pro 2023 is the last version of the software to be released and they will not be doing fixes to the problems that show up at times aka no support going forward.

Carole at Scrapbook Campus has been a beta tester and a Corel Professional for years and the website is all about learning how to use Paint Shop Pro. She had said a few months ago that she was no longer a beta tester. I felt at that time that the end of PSP was near. She also said that she was thinking of adding a new software for tutorials to the campus.

Last night she revealed to the Diamond (monthly subscription) members of the campus her plans for 2025. She will still do tutorials for PSP but is adding another software program to the website. That is Affinity. And, their Black Friday special is good until the 10th. You can get the whole suite of products (Photo, Publisher and Designer) for $89.

I am still a loyal user of PSP but I did buy the bundle and will start learning it. Besides Carole there are quite a few YouTube channels with videos about using it including a regular scrapper at another forum.

[bestcee]

The bigger question is: Do you think if your new laptop won't support Artisan 5, it will Artisan 6? If Artisan 6 isn't getting upgrades, it probably won't work with the a new OS either.

I'm not an Artisan user. But, I saw that PSE 2025 will only be a 3-year license, then you'll have to buy a new one. So, I picked up PSE 2024 so I have a non-subscription option, with recent updates, even though PSE 14 still works for me. But, I know it will work in Windows 11, and a new computer would be Windows 11, so I'm good there. Or do you have a different concern about a laptop upgrade?


I also have Affinity. I like Affinity, and if I become proficient, I'll drop Adobe. There's a lot of things I can do easier in Affinity. And it's still a non-sub service. I just have a lot of styles that are Adobe specific.

Full disclosure: I currently subscribe to Photoshop CC, but if I find a good Lightroom replacement, or Adobe raises the price, I'll cancel. For this reason, I like to have a non-subscription program available.

[Memaw2Wm]

That is Affinity. And, their Black Friday special is good until the 10th. You can get the whole suite of products (Photo, Publisher and Designer) for $89.

I have Affinity v1 for my desktop and iPad, but I found it just as hard to learn as PSE. But once A6 goes away, I will likely switch to Affinity ... when you buy the whole suite it includes iPad/Mac/PC. Being able to scrap on my iPad would be nice.

[bienejen]

I have Affinity v1 for my desktop and iPad, but I found it just as hard to learn as PSE. But once A6 goes away, I will likely switch to Affinity ... when you buy the whole suite it includes iPad/Mac/PC. Being able to scrap on my iPad would be nice.

I bought Affinity but I got the Photo app and not the Designer app, which is apparently what I should have purchased. Grr. When I was showing my BF what I needed it to do and how I do it in Artisan, he said I should stick with Artisan because it's so much easier and faster to do the things I want to do. Especially using templates.

My interest in learning new software is honestly about ZERO. I went on the Forever website and saw you can still download versions 5 and 4 and I do have my activation key. But I'm leaning towards getting 6 so it works better with Windows 11 when I finally have to go to that and get a few more years of support.

[Memaw2Wm]

You can use Affinity Photo to scrap ... that's the app I have (version 1). Kelly Sill offers classes on how to scrapbook with Affinity Photo (https://www.pixelstopages.com/classes). You can use PSD templates in Affinity.

If you decide to go with Artisan 6 you need to buy it no later than January 29, b/c it's going to a subscription model on January 30 ... $99 per year ... while A6 purchased prior to Jan 30 will be grandfathered in.

I did purchase A6, but I haven't played with it much. Truth be told, I'd still be happy with CM's SBC+. :)