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Adobe Creative Suite 3 Master Collection

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Product information

What is Master Collection?
Adobe® Creative Suite® 3.3 Master Collection software is a truly comprehensive design environment for exploring and expressing ideas. Master Collection includes all of Adobe's leading tools for designing content for print, web, interactive, mobile, and dynamic media such as film and video. This highly integrated, exceptionally productive toolkit equips you to balance design aspirations with deadline demands and meet any competitive challenge in the fast-moving business of design.
Adobe Creative Suite 3 Master Collection combines full new versions of Adobe InDesign® CS3, Adobe Photoshop® CS3 Extended, Adobe Illustrator® CS3, Adobe Acrobat® 9 Pro, Adobe Flash® CS3 Professional, Adobe Dreamweaver® CS3, Adobe Fireworks® CS3, Adobe Contribute® CS3, Adobe After Effects® CS3 Professional, Adobe Premiere® Pro CS3, Adobe Soundbooth™ CS3, and Adobe Encore® CS3 software with Adobe Bridge CS3, Adobe Version Cue® CS3, Adobe Device Central CS3, Adobe Acrobat Connect™, and Adobe Dynamic Link, and also includes Adobe OnLocation™ CS3* software (Windows® only) and Adobe Ultra® CS3 software (Windows only).
*For Macintosh users, Adobe OnLocation requires Boot Camp and Windows (available separately) or a separate Windows based computer.
 
What are the key new features and benefits of Master Collection?
Get the best-of-the-best creative tools — Discover new opportunities and efficiencies with:
  • InDesign CS3 for designing and producing professional layouts
  • Photoshop CS3 Extended for discovering new dimensions in digital imaging
  • Illustrator CS3 for exploring new paths with the essential vector tool
  • Acrobat 9 Pro for efficient, high-quality PDF workflows
  • Flash CS3 Professional for creating and delivering rich interactive content
  • Dreamweaver CS3 for developing standards-based websites and applications
  • Contribute CS3 for easily updating websites and blogs
  • Fireworks CS3 for rapidly prototyping and designing for the web
  • After Effects CS3 Professional for industry-standard motion graphics and effects
  • Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 for capturing, editing, and delivering video
  • Soundbooth CS3 for editing and creating audio with fast, intuitive tools
  • Encore CS3 for authoring once and outputting to DVD, Blu-Ray Disc, and SWF
Work more efficiently than ever with highly integrated tools — Get up to speed quickly, thanks to Adobe's consistent approach to interface design. For example, master Flash CS3 Professional more easily using its elegant new Adobe-standard interface, including a Pen tool for drawing. Share content more smoothly than ever among all the components of Master Collection: Import layered Photoshop files with full fidelity into Illustrator, InDesign, Fireworks, Flash, After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Encore, or copy and paste layered web designs from Photoshop into Dreamweaver. Incorporate layered Illustrator files, cropped for the appropriate media, across your creative workflows. Export InDesign files as XHTML or XML to jump-start web designs in Dreamweaver. Paint video files on a frame-by-frame basis within Photoshop CS3 Extended and then export them in different motion graphics formats, which you can open directly in Adobe Premiere Pro or After Effects for ongoing work. And that's just a taste of the tight integration made possible.
Collaborate between design and development to create rich, engaging content — Producing rich, engaging content to deploy freely — on the web, on mobile devices, and on a wide variety of other devices, including appliances, vehicles, and gaming consoles — is mandatory for today's creatives and requires close collaboration between designers and developers. Master Collection offers a unique combination of tightly integrated creative tools for producing this content and improving efficiencies between designers and developers. Whether you're quickly copying motion to ActionScript 3.0 to hand off to a developer working with Flash, or using rich scripting support across components to automate various tasks, you'll find built-in support for producing cutting-edge creative content and deploying it anywhere.
Follow your imagination anywhere — From the tactile pleasures of print to the worldwide reach of websites, from the appeal of rich interactive experiences to the storytelling power of motion and sound, the tools in Master Collection enable you to make your ideas real. Discover learning resources, CSS layouts for jump-starting web designs, animation presets, and other support for achieving high-quality results in design disciplines you may be just starting to explore.
Turn creative daring into business savvy — No matter which medium is your specialty, you'll find tools for venturing in new directions, whether to anticipate customer needs, maintain your competitive advantage, or fulfill your own creative vision. Here is just one example: Explore the explosive potential of mobile publishing using Adobe Device Central CS3 to preview and test graphic, web, interactive, and video content on mobile phones.
Output to virtually any medium — From high-quality print to high-definition video, Master Collection meets your most rigorous criteria for output. Find the professional output options you need for each design discipline, from print to web to video. Adobe's ongoing focus on open standards helps ensure that your work can easily go wherever you want.
Work on the latest Mac and Windows systems — Experience a new level of performance and speed running Master Collection natively on Intel® based Macs (some components also run on PowerPC® based Macs). Or work on a professional-level version of Windows Vista™.
Install and manage your software efficiently — Simplify installing and managing your software using a single Master Collection installer and serial number. Install all components at once or custom-install only those you most need.
Face any design challenge with future-ready tools — Handle today's deadlines while preparing for tomorrow's demands. Meet the needs of your clients head on thanks to comprehensive support for the most cutting-edge workflows in any media.
Take advantage of an amazing value — Expand your creative and technical skills without breaking your budget. Master Collection combines the best of Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium, Web Premium, and Production Premium in a single cost-effective, value-packed offering.
Who should use Master Collection?
Design professionals conceptualize and create print- and web-based marketing materials, advertising, and publications. They must master multiple media, deliver content on time and on budget, collaborate effectively, and manage a wide variety of assets.
Web design professionals create websites, applications, presentations, online advertising, interactive experiences, and mobile content. They seek innovative creative tools and efficient workflows, and want to stay up-to-date with trends and standards.
Film and video professionals are videographers who specialize in corporate and government communications; motion graphics professionals who work in small studios on high-stakes projects; and independent filmmakers who need a cost-effective way to produce films.

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Pricing and availability

How much does Adobe Creative Suite 3.3 Master Collection cost?
The estimated street price for Adobe Creative Suite 3.3 Master Collection is US$2,499, excluding applicable taxes and shipping. You can purchase directly from Adobe or from an Adobe Authorized Reseller. To order directly from Adobe, visit the Adobe Store online or call 800-833-6687.
Can I upgrade to Adobe Creative Suite 3.3 Master Collection, and how much does it cost?
If you own one of the following products, you can upgrade to Creative Suite 3.3 Master Collection for an estimated street price of US$1,999 (excluding applicable taxes and shipping):
  • A previous version of Adobe Creative Suite (2.0 Premium, 2.0 Standard, 1.x Premium, or 1.x Standard)
  • A previous version of Macromedia Studio (8, MX 2004, or MX)
  • A previous version of Adobe Production Studio (Premium or Standard)
You may upgrade to Master Collection for US$1,399 (excluding applicable taxes and shipping) if you own one of the following combinations:
  • A previous version of Adobe Creative Suite and a previous version of Macromedia® Studio
  • A previous version of Adobe Creative Suite and a previous version of Adobe Production Studio
  • A previous version of Macromedia Studio and a previous version of Adobe Production Studio
If you own Creative Suite 3 Master Collection you can upgrade to Creative Suite 3.3 Master Collection for US$159.
Upgrade versions are available directly from Adobe or from an Adobe Authorized Reseller. To order directly from Adobe, visit the Adobe Store online or call 800-833-6687.
Do I need to prove that I qualify for upgrade pricing?
You can simply purchase your upgrade and verify that you have the qualifying older product during the installation process. If it's installed on your computer, the Adobe installer will either find it or prompt you to help it find the software for verification. If it's not installed, you will be prompted to enter the qualifying serial number for the older version.
I recently purchased an Adobe creative product, and then you announced Adobe Creative Suite 3.3. Do I have to pay full price for the new version?
It depends on when you purchased the product. If you purchased after the announcement and you have proof of purchase, contact Adobe Customer Service in your region for assistance in obtaining a post-announce upgrade. This is a limited-time offer and restrictions apply. For contact information, visit the Adobe.com site for your country or region and click Contact.
I bought an individual CS3 product and now wish I had a full edition of Adobe Creative Suite 3. What are my options?
You are eligible to move from your standalone CS3 product to certain editions of Adobe Creative Suite 3 for the upgrade price. For example, if you purchased Photoshop CS3 but now wish you had Adobe Creative Suite 3.3 Design Premium, you can purchase it for the upgrade price of US$1,399 from an eligible standalone product. Which editions you're eligible to purchase depend on which standalone product you have. For details, see the pricing questions in this FAQ.
Do you offer volume licensing?
Yes. Adobe provides flexible volume software licensing plans through Adobe Open Options, which is offered through Adobe License Centers and resellers. For detailed information about the plans available, visit Adobe Open Options.
Which Adobe Creative Suite 3 products are available at special prices for education customers?
All new Adobe Creative Suite 3 offerings have education pricing. To learn more about Creative Suite 3 offerings for education, including products and pricing, visit the Creative Suite pages in Adobe Education.
What does it cost to move from an edition of Adobe Creative Suite 3 — Creative Suite 3 Design Premium, Design Standard, Web Premium, Web Standard, or Production Premium — to Master Collection?
You can purchase an edition of Adobe Creative Suite 3 and then move up to Adobe Creative Suite 3 Master Collection for the difference in price. For example, if you paid the full estimated street price for Creative Suite 3 Design Premium, you can upgrade to Master Collection for only US$700 — the difference between the estimated street price for Master Collection and the estimated street price for Design Premium. Or, if you upgraded to Web Premium for US$499 and want to move to Master Collection, you will pay only US$1,500, which is the comparable upgrade price minus the upgrade price you originally paid for Web Premium.
To be eligible for this upgrade to Master Collection (and contrary to Section 5 of the End-User License Agreement for Master Collection), you must surrender all rights to and the license for the original edition of Adobe Creative Suite 3 and uninstall that software. This offer is available directly from Adobe, or through Adobe Authorized Resellers and License Centers if you're a volume license customer. Contact Customer Support in your region for details.
Can I switch platforms when I upgrade my software to an Adobe Creative Suite 3 version?
No, you are eligible to upgrade only to a version that runs on the same platform. For example, if you own Adobe Creative Suite 2 for Windows, you are eligible to upgrade only to a Windows version of Adobe Creative Suite 3.

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Support information

In what languages will Adobe Creative Suite 3 Master Collection be available?
In addition to Universal English, Adobe Creative Suite 3 Master Collection will be available in these languages: French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish.
What is product activation?
Product activation is an interactive interpretation of the licensing agreement that has always existed between Adobe and its customers. The activation process authenticates licensed users without hindering their ability to use the software the way they always have. It requires a series of simple, quick, anonymous steps upon product installation or within the grace period set by Adobe. Just as creative professionals use watermarks to protect their digital photos and artwork, Adobe is using activation as a way to curtail unlicensed copying of its products.
Adobe's activation process is required on both Mac OS and Windows systems for all editions of Adobe Creative Suite 3 and related standalone products. For more information about activation, visit the software activation page.
Do Adobe Creative Suite 3 applications run on Intel based Macs?
Yes, every edition of Adobe Creative Suite 3 — Creative Suite 3 Design Premium, Design Standard, Web Premium, Web Standard, Production Premium, and Master Collection — plus all the standalone Creative Suite 3 applications fully support the new Intel based Macs. For complete system requirements, visit the area on Adobe.com for the product you are interested in.
Do Adobe Creative Suite 3 applications still run on legacy PowerPC based Macs?
Many of the Adobe Creative Suite 3 applications are universal binary versions, which means they fully support both legacy PowerPC based Macs as well as the new Intel based Macs. However, Adobe is introducing three applications on the Mac platform — Adobe Premiere Pro CS3, Encore CS3, and Soundbooth CS3 — that will run only on the new Intel based Macs. Adobe Premiere Pro and Encore were previously available only on Windows, and Soundbooth is a brand-new offering. In bringing these applications to the Mac — and considering the hardware needs of most video professionals — it did not make sense to continue supporting an older computer architecture that Apple no longer sells or supports. This means that Creative Suite 3 Production Premium and Master Collection — both of which integrate Adobe Premiere Pro CS3, Encore CS3, and Soundbooth CS3 — claim support only for Intel based Macs, even though components of each are universal binary applications.
Do Adobe Creative Suite 3 applications fully support the new Windows Vista operating system?
Yes, every edition of Adobe Creative Suite 3, and all of the individual applications, such as Adobe Illustrator CS3, After Effects CS3 Professional, and Dreamweaver CS3, fully support Windows Vista. They are designed to run on four editions of Windows Vista — Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise (certified for 32-bit editions).
Why don't Adobe Creative Suite 3 applications support the Starter and Home Basic editions of Windows Vista?
The Starter and Home Basic editions of Windows Vista are entry-level operating systems for the casual user. They do not offer the level of support that Adobe's professional creative products require. However, some Adobe products designed for the more casual user, such as Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0, do run on Windows Vista Starter and Home Basic editions.
Do Adobe Creative Suite 3 applications run on 64-bit versions of Windows Vista?
While Adobe Creative Suite 3 software is natively 32-bit, these applications will run on 64-bit versions of Windows Vista. For an in-depth overview of 64-bit computing and its value, please see the blog by Adobe Photoshop software architect Scott Byer.

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