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Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium

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Product information

What is Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium?
Adobe® Creative Suite® 3 Production Premium software is a complete and integrated post-production solution for Mac and Windows®. The professional solution tightly integrates Adobe's all-new video, audio, and graphics software to ensure fluidity in every aspect of your workflow including capturing, editing, motion graphics, visual effects, compositing, and interactive authoring. The solution enables you to move beyond HD, HDV, SD, and DV to Blu-ray Disc delivery and other emerging web and mobile formats. Deliver your content to the widest possible audience.
Production Premium combines full new versions of Adobe After Effects® CS3 Professional, Adobe Premiere® Pro CS3, Adobe Photoshop® CS3 Extended, Adobe Flash® CS3 Professional, Adobe Illustrator® CS3, Adobe Soundbooth™ CS3, and Adobe Encore® CS3 software with Adobe Device Central CS3, Adobe Bridge 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 (purchased separately) or a separate Windows based computer.
What are the key new features and benefits of Production Premium?
Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium includes new features designed to boost your productivity and expand your creative options. They include:
  • Available for Mac and Windows — Work on the platform of your choice: Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium is now available for both Mac and Windows and is supported by a broad selection of books, training materials, third-party plug-ins, and leading industry partners including the OpenHD™ Partner Alliance.
  • Future-ready tools for delivery of video content everywhere — Meet today's production demands and tomorrow's challenges head on. Broad support for leading standards and formats, an open approach to hardware and platform support, a rich ecosystem of plug-ins and other third-party solutions, and the ability to deliver video content to new types of devices — from mobile to Blu-ray Disc — ensure you've got a competitive edge.
  • Extended integration for exceptional productivity — Tighter-than-ever integration between Photoshop and After Effects and between After Effects, Illustrator, Adobe Premiere Pro, Encore, Soundbooth, and Flash streamlines your workflow, making it easier than ever to move projects and files easily between components and work with a common user interface. In addition, Adobe Bridge offers new file type support and metadata previews.
  • No intermediate rendering thanks to Adobe Dynamic Link — Enjoy greater freedom to experiment with new ideas without having to wait for intermediate rendering. Exclusively available in Production Premium, Adobe Dynamic Link allows you to edit a composition in After Effects and view your updates instantly in Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe Encore.
  • Flash CS3 Professional for engaging online experiences — Use the industry's most advanced interactive authoring environment to integrate your video content into uniquely engaging websites, presentations, and mobile content. Export layered vector animations from After Effects to Flash, import SWF files as vectors into After Effects, and encode FLV files with cue points from After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Soundbooth.
  • Compositing and animation with After Effects CS3 Professional — Innovative new features make the industry standard even more essential. After Effects CS3 Professional offers new shape layers for drawing and animating vector shapes, an intuitive new approach to shape animation using the Puppet tool, new integration with Flash and Photoshop, and dramatically improved performance so you can maintain your creative momentum.
  • Delivery anywhere with Adobe Premiere Pro CS3, Encore CS3, and Adobe OnLocation CS3 (Windows only) — Now available for Mac and Windows, Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 software offers scalable, efficient, and flexible nonlinear video editing with new improved slow motion capabilities and delivery options. Support for HD, HDV, SD, and DV gives you the flexibility to deliver high-quality work. Use Adobe Encore CS3 to create full-featured, menu driven standard-definition DVDs, high-definition Blu-ray Discs, and interactive DVD-style SWF experiences for immediate use on the web. In Windows, enjoy new direct-to-disk recording and onset monitoring tools to help produce high-quality video footage with Adobe OnLocation CS3.
  • Image editing and graphics creation with new Photoshop CS3 Extended and Illustrator CS3 — Integrate images graphics for use in your productions. With Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended, use new video layer support to edit and paint your video frame by frame, or clone between frames. Use advanced drawing, texturing, coloring, tracing, and typography tools to create vector artwork with Illustrator CS3.
  • Fast, intuitive audio editing and creation with Soundbooth CS3 — Adobe Soundbooth CS3 lets you take command of your audio in film, video, or Adobe Flash projects with convenient, task-based tools that make high-quality audio production more efficient, even if audio production isn't your specialty.
  • Video production and preview for mobile devices — Use the Adobe Media Encoder in After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Soundbooth to export 3GP and H.264 video for mobile phones, iPods, PSP systems, and other mobile devices. Preview the results for supported devices using Adobe Device Central.
Who should use Production Premium?
Corporate and event videographers — You only have once chance to capture that critical shot, and with small crews and tight deadlines you need to work fast for clients who demand quality work. Production Premium combines the latest versions of Adobe's graphics and design tools, allowing you to capture events direct to hard disk; work fast with precision editing tools; create blockbuster effects with After Effects and Photoshop; create and match audio to your visuals with Soundbooth; and deliver content however your clients need it, whether on tape, DVD, the web, or mobile devices. Unmatched integration and productivity tools allow you to move quickly between applications, keeping you on schedule without sacrificing high-quality results.
Motion graphics professionals — You need to meet tight deadlines for clients who are not satisfied with anything less than the highest quality motion graphics and effects in their productions. Production Premium helps you deliver using the industry's leading motion graphics tool, After Effects CS3 Professional, tightly integrated with Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe Premiere Pro, and other components. Create multilayered composites, rich animation, and high-quality graphics for films, television commercials, bumpers, and promos, as well as DVD or online content.
Independent filmmakers — Your passion is storytelling. Your challenge is finding the right software to handle every aspect of the production process and deliver high-quality results. Production Premium meets this need with a complete toolset combining the latest versions of Adobe's industry-leading applications for capturing footage directly to hard disk, performing nonlinear video and audio editing, creating motion graphics and visual effects, authoring to DVD, and outputting SWF content for the web and mobile devices. Tell your story with stunning impact and take top-quality results to the widest possible audience.
Educators — Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium is a total post-production solution, featuring full new versions of Adobe's world-class design and graphics tools. With Production Premium, you can work with every aspect of visual design, animation, video, film, and disc production cost-effectively via a single, integrated interface. Create promotional materials such as websites that feature video content, prepare students for working with any file format on both Windows and Mac, and deliver your work across multiple media types.
Interactive designers — Integrating video into interactive projects is increasingly part of authoring rich, engaging experiences, whether it's for a DVD, an interactive display, websites, or emerging mobile applications. Production Premium offers all the essential tools needed for interactive authoring, including new releases of Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, and Flash. Save time as you work fluidly between After Effects and Flash, generating sophisticated graphics and animation for your interactive projects.
Will Adobe Dynamic Link become available as a separate product?
No. Adobe Dynamic Link will be available only as an integral part of Adobe Creative Suite 3.

Pricing and purchasing information

How much does Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium cost?
The estimated street price for Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium is US$1,699, 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 800-585-0774.
What previous versions of Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium are eligible to upgrade, and how much does it cost?
You may upgrade to Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium for an estimated street price of US$799 (excluding applicable taxes and shipping) if you own one of these qualifying products: a previous version of Adobe Production Studio (Premium or Standard).
You may upgrade to Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium for an estimated street upgrade price of US$1,199 (excluding applicable taxes and shipping) if you own one of these qualifying products:
  • Photoshop CS3, CS2, CS, or 7.0
  • Illustrator CS3, CS2, CS, or 10
  • Macromedia® Flash Professional CS3, 8, MX Professional 2004, or MX, or Flash Basic 8 or MX 2004
  • After Effects CS3, 7.x, 6.x, or 5.x Professional
  • Adobe Premiere Pro or Adobe Premiere (any version)
  • 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)
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 800-585-0774.
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. 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 Design Premium, you can purchase it for the upgrade price of US$1,599 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.
I purchased Adobe Creative Suite 2.3, which includes Acrobat 8 Professional, when it came out. Do you have any special upgrade pricing for me?
Yes. If you own Adobe Creative Suite 2.3, you can get credit for the US$159 upgrade price you paid for it. For example, if you now want to upgrade to Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium, you will pay only US$440 instead of the US$599 upgrade price that owners of older versions of Creative Suite would pay. This special upgrade pricing is available only directly from Adobe or through licensing. To get this pricing, visit the Adobe Store online or call 800-585-0774.
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.

Support information

In what languages will Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium be available?
In addition to Universal English, Production Premium 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 Creative Suite 3 applications support Mac OS X Leopard (v10.5)?
Yes, Creative Suite 3 applications support Mac OS X Leopard. Some CS3 applications require free updates for full compatibility, while others are compatible without updating. Learn more about compatibility between CS3 applications and Leopard here.
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 Illustrator CS3, After Effects CS3 Professional, and Adobe 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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