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I have been using my brother's mac G5 up until now for pretty much everything along with PSCS.

I just got my new PC and have loaded Picasa2 on there (I was surprised to notice that it supports NEF (and doesn't do too bad a job to my eye). It even does a few things (like the soft focal point) as well as BW filter which is a lot quicker and easier than PS (haven't used PSCS2 yet though). Of course I'll still need PS though for cloning and layers etc. I was wondering what everyone thought of using Picasa2 as a basic tool and then loading the image onto PS for more extensive RAW stuff. Of course I'll have to in order to convert it to JPEG (PICASA can't convert to jpeg right?).
I know Picasa has been spoken about a lot, but I couldn't find anyone's opinion about using it in conjunction with CS2, and the quality of Picasa2 in editing RAW files.

Also, does anyone know if you need a plugin in order to see your pictures on CS2?

Dave
I haven't used Picasa, but you might want to take a look at new Adobe Bridge that comes with CS2 and the newest version of Adobe Camera Raw... They work in a way that is totally integrated with Photoshop, allowing you to exercise full control over your RAW file before it even hits Photoshop.
In fact, you can do most of your postprocessing in ACR without even opening Photoshop.
I can't think why you would use Picasa apart from the cataloguing tools, but Bridge provides basic support for that too...

dooda quote (PICASA can't convert to jpeg right?).

When you export you can resize and set image quality both actions are done by using slide bars. Their seems to be a negative response to using PICASA may be it is just too simple or not expensive enough to be considered as a useful tool. I find Picassa to be very handy. LOZ

LOZ wrote:Their seems to be a negative response to using PICASA may be it is just too simple or not expensive enough to be considered as a useful tool. I find Picassa to be very handy. LOZ

I have nothing against Picasa Laurie - I just don't have a need for it... I'm sure that it's a fine tool... However, if you already have CS2, as Dave mentioned he had, IMHO the level of integration between the various components of Adobe makes it a better choice...

Leek Sorry this was not a personal reply this was a reply in general .I did not see your reply before posting LOZ

I would have to agree with leek,

not that I have PS CS, but I have used Picasa a little just for sorting through and producing some quick resized photos. In the end I switched back to nikon view because capture is better integrated with it.

Thanks for the replies.
I don't think I have the bridge on PSCS2 (I erm, didn't buy the software). I'd like to own it eventually...
So if I choose to export I can change the filetype?

I also noticed that I can make a few changes in Picasa on a jpeg, but when I take it to PS, all the changes go away. THat's too bad, because things like straightening horizons and flipping is so much easier on Picasa.

I personally really like Picasa2, it shortens the workflow for a lot of the more basic improvements markedly. But if it isn't going to keep the changes when I send it into PS, there's no point.

Actually, that's one of the good points about Picasa. If you look in each folder you'll find a picasa.ini file and when you open that up in a text editor you can see the changes that Picasa applies to each photograph before it's displayed.

So the actual image is untouched. To create an image with the changes you need to export it - this applies all of the changes to the new image. You can also change the filetype at this time.

The latest version has a few nice features but the killer part for me is the ability to crop to photo size (6x4, 5x7, 8x10) with a minimum of fuss so it can be printed without drama.

Although it's easy to add basic effects, what I'd like in the next version is the ability to plug in photoshop filters.

If you're using Paint Shop Pro instead of Photoshop then the level of integration isn't an issue. And as far as cost goes, Photoshop + Adbobe Bridge = Picasa + Paint Shop Pro + new lens.

If I could add my two cents re Picasa2, because its Google based, its superb for finding images on your hard drive. I have PSCS2 and Bridge but do not use it as an image management as I prefer the speed of Picasa.

You can have a lot of fun with the "filters" too!

Cheers
Sheila