Crossgrading from Creative Ste CS2 Windows to CS3 Mac...tell me everything you know!

[theotherrachel]

I finally gave in and decided to convert. I am currently using CS2 Standard (Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign) on my Gateway Windows desktop. Arriving very soon is my new MacBook Pro 17".

So I understand I can crossgrade for the upgrade price, but I am supposed to "destroy" my CS2 Windows copy. Fine.

BUT...as I always will be, I am in the middle of a big project. I am working on a series of 11 20-pagers in InDesign CS2. Will I be able to transfer them over and open them without any major headaches in Mac InDesign CS3?

Has anyone completed this kind of crossgrade recently, and if so what can you tell me about file compatibility? I'm really hoping I will be able to open any and all Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign files created in Windows CS2 with my new Mac CS3 software. Please tell me this is true! I'm completely new to Mac and scared!

Also, do most printers automatically get the new version? Or will I have issues sending things off to print?

(Thanks in advance!)

[urstwile]

I can't speak to all of your questions, but probably your biggest issue after the crossgrade is going to be fonts. Do you have Mac compatible versions of all the fonts used on your documents on the Windows machine?

If you've been using OpenType fonts, it shouldn't be a problem, and probably not a problem for TrueType fonts either, as the Mac platform seems to usually handle those pretty well, but your biggest obstacle will be with any Postscript Type 1 fonts that you've been using on Windows, as those will not transfer to Mac easily, you'll need to have the Mac versions of those.

Also, expect some reflow, even if you do have the Mac versions of all of your fonts.

Other than that, I'm guessing you'll probably be okay. You might want to keep the Dell in operation as a backup as you work on the kinks. I realize you're supposed to destroy the Windows version, but you might want to speak with Adobe to see if there's a grace period for that as you make the transition.

[theotherrachel]

Yes, thankfully, I have been only buying and almost exclusively using OpenType in all my work thanks to compatibility issues I've had in the past with other people working on Macs. So that's a relief.

But other than fonts, Mac CS3 should have no problem opening Windows CS2? That's great news.

Yeah, I wish Adobe would allow some sort of grace period, but I'm worried they won't. I like to do everything strictly by the book and this is making that a little challenging - going cold turkey into the Mac world. Well, maybe it's for the best. From what I hear I guess I won't really be looking back.

Now I've pretty much stopped using Quark, but I still have a lot of my old work in Quark that I might have to dig up here and there.

Another Q - buy the Quark crossgrade, or buy that converter software (does it work, and would it work cross-platform?), or both? I really plan to stop using Quark altogether as soon and as much as I possibly can.

Thanks for your help and hopefully some other folks might chime in?

[urstwile]

Here's a thought...do you know anyone who already has CS3 installed on a Mac? Could you try testing it on their computer to see how it goes?

I think since you've got the fonts thing figured out, that sounded to me like your biggest obstacle. So that makes things a lot easier, IMO. I'd highly recommend Linotype Font Explorer X as font management software, don't use Font Book. Font Explorer is free, I use it at work and at home and it works really well.

In terms of Quark, if you really don't plan on using it anymore and simply want to make sure you'll be able to open legacy documents in InDesign, I use the plug-in that allows me to open Quark 6.5+ documents and it works really well. InDesign will natively handle Quark 4.1 files.

The plug-in does have a couple of issues that are easily fixed after opening the file up in InDesign. Primarily a difference of interpretation about runarounds. And of course, you'll probably have text reflow, as Quark and InDesign approach kerning and letterspacing differently.

So I'd recommend you get the plug-in instead of try to crossgrade to Quark 7. You'll save a chunk of money, too.

[MD]

and you can invest that saved money in a wonderful font converter.
http://www.fontlab.com/font-converter/transtype/

[urstwile]

Doesn't sound like she'll need that MD, since she's using OpenType fonts. But I'm curious, do you use that software? Is it really good?

[MD]

We have owned it here since it came out - A Fantastic Program.

I only use it once a month now when i have to convert windows postscript fonts to work on my mac.

[theotherrachel]

I wish I did know anyone with either of these. I am a work-at-home mom with three little kids. I have very little contact with the outside world, save my clients! I know one person with a Mac but he does web-only and hasn't upgraded.

I'll check out that Font Explorer program, too, sounds great.

Anyway, what's this plug-in you're talking about? I have Quark 6.5 so I don't have any 4.1 or earlier files.

Thanks SO MUCH for your help and advice.
Rachel


Here's a thought...do you know anyone who already has CS3 installed on a Mac? Could you try testing it on their computer to see how it goes?

I think since you've got the fonts thing figured out, that sounded to me like your biggest obstacle. So that makes things a lot easier, IMO. I'd highly recommend Linotype Font Explorer X as font management software, don't use Font Book. Font Explorer is free, I use it at work and at home and it works really well.

In terms of Quark, if you really don't plan on using it anymore and simply want to make sure you'll be able to open legacy documents in InDesign, I use the plug-in that allows me to open Quark 6.5+ documents and it works really well. InDesign will natively handle Quark 4.1 files.

The plug-in does have a couple of issues that are easily fixed after opening the file up in InDesign. Primarily a difference of interpretation about runarounds. And of course, you'll probably have text reflow, as Quark and InDesign approach kerning and letterspacing differently.

So I'd recommend you get the plug-in instead of try to crossgrade to Quark 7. You'll save a chunk of money, too.

[urstwile]

Rachel, the plug-in is put out by MarkZware, it's called Q2ID, and will open any Quark 6.5 and up files (the newest version supports Quark 7 as well). Here's the link (http://www.markzware.com/q2id/).

If you're comfortable, PM me, and I can test a couple of your files for you if you want. I'm using CS2 on a Mac, so this wouldn't be a complete test of CS3, but it would at least show what the issues are, if any, and I doubt they'd be much different with CS3.