Photo Essentials 3 Announced
September 28, 2009 by Mike Wong • 50 Comments
For the most part, we spend the majority of our time developing plug-ins for Adobe Photoshop (and recently Photoshop Lightroom and Apple Aperture). But as some of you know, we also have a collection of plug-ins for Photoshop Elements as well that are based on the pro versions of our products.
I'm pleased to share with you that today, we have announced a major upgrade to our Essentials product line with Photo Essentials 3. This new version is slated for release in mid to late October and will be compatible with the recently announced Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac & Windows.
In addition to adding support for the new Photoshop Elements 8 (as well as versions 6 and 7 on Windows and versions 6 and 8 on the Mac - there was no Mac Elements version 7), there are several new features in Photo Essentials 3. Here is a quick run down of what's new.
- The Make It Better module has been completely updated with a new correction and enhancement algorithm based on technology from Im-sense. This update to the Make It Better module will increase the dynamic range (i.e. shadows & highlights exposed properly) with very little interaction on your part. The software takes care of it!
- The Frame It Module has new content and layouts designed for family events, sporting events, birthdays, etc.
- The Enlarge It Module gets an updated version of our Genuine Fractals technology to make resizing photos better than before.
- The Cut It Out Module is the same as in version 2 of Photo Essentials.
- Finally, we're adding a new module called Make It Cool which is based on our PhotoTools 2 product line that allows you to apply some very cool effects to your photos inside of Photoshop Elements.
As mentioned before, we expect this to be available in mid to late October and the retail price will be $69.99. If you'd like to be notified when Photo Essentials 3 is released, send me a note using our contact form. In the meantime, anybody who buys Essentials 2 between now and the ship date of Essentials 3, gets Photo Essentials 3 for free.
Will Essentials 3 have the selective focus features (i.e. lensbaby effects) as the iphoto version ?
seems to me you should update for free or a very SMALL fee anyone who has purchased the previous Photo Essentials. I’ve had mine less than a year…..
Will there be an upgrade price from Essentials 2 to Essentials 3? I hope so, that always make me feel better about the company.
I am also hoping that there is an upgrade from 2 to 3 for a lesser price! Will keep my eyes on the website for its release.
I also hope that there will be an upgrade price. I like your product very much and use it with all my photos that I print.
I agree, there should be a reduced upgrade price for those of us who have purchased Essentials 2. I’m usually agreeable to paying a reduced upgrade price, but NOT having to purchase again at regular price. Just can’t do that. Love the program, but will not be buying the new version.
Let me know when this awesome software comes in!!
Jan
I ditto the upgrade price comments. I’ve had Essentials 2 less than a year myself. I love the product but in todays market it seems pretty standard to have an upgrade price instead of forcing customers to repurchase the product over again. I’ll consider purchasing an upgrade but wont do a repurchase of something that should have been an upgrade. Please offer as an upgrade to existing customers.
I, too, just purchased Essentials 2 and feel that a majority of software developers hold upgrades in the wings so to speak until current supplies are exausted and then the new version is released.
I have been a avid user of OnOne software for many years but I also can’t afford to arbitrairly purchase each new software iteration. Elements 8 and Windows 7 are prime examples.
Hope that my venting hasn’t detracted from all your hard work in the R&D of your soft ware products.
There is no mention of an upgrade price from version 2 to 3. I will be very disapointed if there is not a discounted price to upgrade.
I bought my V2 last month. Won’t upgrade to V3 without a substantial upgrade discount-shipping and handling only-like Snow Leopard.
I have OnOne Essentials 2.1 I certainly hope it can be upgraded at a reasonable price. I use it a lot.
Would like to have an upgrade discounted price. I do like essentials 2 – did get Genuine Fractals recently and planning to try it out for larger enlargements
I agree with comments about a good upgrade discount. I’ve barely begun to use what I have! Give us a good deal and we will probably pass the word on to friends and colleagues about how good the product is:)
I agree. There should be a discount for an upgrade.
I am also dissappointed in your tech service. I’ve asked the same question a dozen times. I have followed you FAQ and on-line answers. My problem with the palette isn’t solved. When I write AFTER doing everything you’ve asked, you answer back with the same FAQ’s, etc. that do not work. Can’t get a call through to your number in Portland. No answers to voicemail.
I agree, there should be an upgrade price available. Why pay full price for most of what we have already.
The preceding messages express my views very adequately. Don’t expect me to upgrade at the full price. I’ll consider a reasonable price to cover the added features.
I also echo the price upgrade comments, I’ve had my copy of essentials 2 since 7 Sep 2009 – what a kick in the pants!
I agree with many of the comments, hoping for a break to loyal users. Adobe ticked me off when they said there would be no upgrade path and I would have to pay the market price for as if I were a brand new buyer. I will not b e upgrading to Photoshop E vers 8 very soon. I do want your vers 3 soon, however, so hope you guys are more considerate.
I agree with most of the other respondents: Previous owners of this software should be able to buy the new version at a discount. Customer loyalty is a 2-way street! Thank you.
If there is no upgrade discount then I will not be buying……
Only had my V2.00 for 3 weeks. If I don’t get either a new free version or a small upgrade charge for v3.00 then never again will I deal with this Company
Same as many others. No discount for owners of v.1 or v.2, no sale!
I to purchased three weeks ago. I do understand that software manufactures need to set a cut off date. Many companies use the one year time frame. I feel that I should be intitled to all upgrades both minor and major for free for one year. After that there should be an upgrade pricing model. As voiced above, if I don’t get a very reduced upgrade price, prorated based on the number of weeks I purchased I will not be making further purchases, nor recommending the product to fellow photographers.
I agree quite strongly with all those who suggested an upgrade should be made available for those of us who have already purchased Essentials 2. In today’s tough economy, companies should be making every effort to keep the customers they have by offering special deals when products become upgrade or offer new versions.
Just purchased version 2 about 3 months ago. Please add my concern about a discounted upgrade price. I’m just beginning to use it and like the product very much.
Thanks!
Is in not implicit when a company uses the term “Up Grade” to describe a new version of a product that it is an improvement upon the existing version? If so, then, I would also believe it implicit that existing users of the earlier version(s) might reasonably expect to pay something less to move from the version they use to the improved or “Up Graded” version.
If not, then why would anyone look at the new version as anything other than a new product offering? It becomes nothing other than a “New” product with many of the same features of the earlier version(s).
You might ask your Marketing Department how they define the term “Up Grade”? I doubt that they personally would feel terribly impressed if given the opportunity to “Up Grade” to a product they used and loved while being told they too get to “Up Grade” to the new version at full market pricing. Makes you walk away feeling a little “empty”.
I would expect to pay something for it, but full price?
I see retail price is 69.99, does that mean there is no upgrade price?
We are close tp Halloween-Booooo!
Same comments as the prior 26 have made. I’ve had my copy for less than a year. Seems silly to come up with the full price when its a product update and not a complete product replacement, which is what it’s priced at.
Will Essentials version 3 work with Snow Leopard? I have Version 2 and, as you know, it breaks with Apple 10.6.
I’ve had essentials 2 for only a couple of months….I shouldn’t have to pay full price. What aobut an upgrade?
$19.96 would be a good start for an upgrade price.
I don’t read anything in the Announcement what would make me spend the money.
Harsh is the only word to describe your attitude – treating your current users so poorly as to give us the “privilege “of paying full price for the upgrade.
Nothing to foster loyalty here.
I agree with the majority of people requesting an up-grade price. Hope that you will see fit to honor our requests.
I am really disappointed. I just purchased #2 on September 9th, If I had known #3 would be out a month later I would have waited. It would have been nice to tell people that a newer version would be out soon. Unless you offer a deep discounted upgrate I will not be able to buy #3.
Wish I had known!
Thank you for the comments everybody. When Essentials 3 is available, we had planned to send out an email letting all current users know about the availability and to offer a coupon code to save $20 on the upgrade – clearly we need to communicate that to you now as opposed to waiting.
I’m assuming most of you are on that list, so there will be a discount offered. If you’re not on that list, here is a coupon code that will get you $20 off Photo Essentials 3 when it is shipping.
20PESS3
If you just purchased the product, our policy has always been that if you purchase a software title from us and within 30 days, a newer version of that product is announced or shipping, you get the upgrade to the new version at no cost via electronic download. If you prefer to have a CD or DVD of that product, we charge shipping & handling. In this case, if you purchased Essentials 2 on or after August 26, 2009, you are entitled to a free upgrade to version 3 and will be notified via email when the product is available.
Please let me know when Essentials 3 can be ordered. I have Essentials 2 in a Box. I would like a hard copy of Essentials 3.
Does Essentials 3 work with Adobe Photoshop CS 3 ?
Thank you,
Barbara
Please let me know when version 3 is available so I can upgrade. I presently have version 2 which I purchased about two weeks ago..
Jeff
Hope there will be a reasonable upgrade price?
I purchased Essentials 2.1 in July and at barely 3 months old I need to repurchase the software minus a $20 discount? I find this to not be a good business practice. Obviously version 3 was in the works when I purchased version 2.1.
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I see in post 36 that you’re giving a $20 discount to those that own V2. I don’t own V2, just bought PSE8 and got a $20off coupon to buy V3. Those that had already owned V2 should get a better discount.
I bought Essentials 2 recently, and do not even have it installed yet. Please say there will be a price break for Essentials 2 purchasers!
Listen to my stupid story. I bought Essentials 2 about a year ago and found out it would not work with Elements 3. I had procrastinated in loading the software after buying it, and then asked if i could return it (after 30 days) and they said no. So now I was stuck with this program that I could not use at all. So, about 3 weeks ago I buy Elements 8 so I can use Essentials 2. (So, here comes the good part.) Well, while trying to download my Essentials 2, I find out that Elements 8 does not work with Essentials 2! What! Boy is this company stupid. I’ve been on a waiting list for the last 3 weeks, and a company rep said it’ll still be a few weeks. How this company stays in business is beyond me. And, no, you cannot upgrade at a lower price. Is there a lawyer in the house? This @#$%&*@ program better be worth all the trouble.
I want to let you know that I have been using Essentials 2 for some time now, and just love it to pieces. When I learned that there would be an upgrade coming along, I raced out and bought it (less$20 with the coupon code). Now it won’t work on PSE7. When trying to use Make it Better, it gets to the 3rd section and then shuts down, sometimes taking PSE7 along with it, and it’s scary. What can be done about this please?
@Jan – we’re looking into this and trying to reproduce the problem.
@Georgia – If you purchased it within the last 30 days, we’ll give you a free upgrade to version 3. Let me know and we’ll make sure we take care of you.
I think that Photo Essentials 3 is a great programme. I love the new feature “Make It Cool.” However, I note that some users including myself can’t use “Make It Better” which causes PSE to crash. OnOne support have kindly informed me that this is because I need an openGL 2.0 supported video card and there are no plans to make a patch for the time being. At the moment my card supports open GL 1.5 and can handle all my other programmes. I am sure many users with older computers will also have this problem with “Make It Better”. Please can OnOne consider making a patch to correct this issue so that the hardware requirements of essentials 3 will be the same as for PSE.
Kind Regards
Chris
As a user of Essentials 2 it was a a easy choice to upgrade to Essentials 3. Sadly, I have issues with ‘Make It Better’ with PSE8 as it crashes on opening ‘Make It Better’ reporting errors to Adobe
Ononesoftware Tech Support have made some suggestions which haven’t resolved my problem at the moment but it seems to be related to the graphic drivers
As suggetsed, I have updated them to the more recent version without success – early days but frustrating.
Now MS Windows Update tries to replace the ATI Drivers with an older version.
Using an ATI Radeon 9800 XT 250Mb Graphics card
Steve
Make It Better comes up with blank panels when I open it. I am using PSE8 on a brand new HP running Windows 7. Please create a patch to fix the problem or put detailed instructions for workaround on a site that we can access.