By Heather Dove

Online Editor

First things first.  In order to become a grasshopper, you first need to actually download the program if you don’t already have it.  The adobe website, www.adobe.com, usually offers a 30 day free trial of their latest available program.  Otherwise, you can purchase a version of Photoshop online at www.adobe.com, amazon.com and other vender sites.  When purchasing the program, make sure you buy it for the appropriate system.  Meaning, if you use a Mac, buy the Mac version of Photoshop.
If the internet isn’t your thing, Best Buy is a good store to consider picking it up from.  Personally, I like having an actual copy of the disk in my hand, so I’d go to a store or purchase the disc online.

One of the things I’ve learned over the years is that when it comes to Photoshop, if it’s pricier, it’s probably worth it.  I started out using Photoshop 6.0, which is a decent version to start out with because it’s the simplified version of those that came after it.  You can dip your toes in the water without diving head first into the Atlantic Ocean.

However, if you’re going to get serious with graphic design, you need to stay updated.  Thousands of other Photoshop users will make extra tools like brushes, .C4Ds and filters that you can download for free. However, if the manufacturer used a more current version of Photoshop than the one you’re using, it won’t work for you.  While people still make extra tools for older versions, if you stay up with the crowd you’re able to reap it’s benefits: a bigger pool of tools to work from.

Hint hint:  Newer versions of Photoshop are compatible with tools from older versions, which just gives newer versions more of an edge, of course for a price.  The latest version of Photoshop is CS5, which is about $670 on amazon.com.  Just throwing this out there, I’m a Photoshop Ninja and I don’t even own CS5, so don’t worry about being too behind on the latest thing on “the in crowd”.  Especially if you’re just learning, when the trial runs out, consider buying an older version first.  Eventually, when even newer versions come out, CS5 will be more affordable.

Ninja Lesson

The goal for me personally is to release these blogs every Thursday, so if you’re getting the 30 day trial, you might want to wait a little before actually trying this out. If you visit this website ( http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/tdrc/index.cfm?product=photoshop&promoid=EBYEU ) , it will bring you to the official adobe site page that has the 30 day trial download.

First you may want to make sure that your computer meets the requirements to run Photoshop.

You can double check by going to “System requirements”

If you do meet the requirements, scroll down, and click the yellow button “download now”.

From there things will vary depending on if you use a Mac or a PC, and what internet provider and version you use.

Any time you have the option between “Run” and “Save”, hit “Run”.  This particular step is more for PC users.

For Mac users…
A new screen should pop up after you hit “Download Now”.  Press “Save File” if you want to download.

If the download box pops up, then double click the file.

Next another window should show up.  Double click on the “Install Adobe Download Assistant”.

From here on out  Mac users and PC users have the same process.

Next, select a folder to put Photoshop in, and Continue.  If you’re confused on what “location” to put it in, I suggest putting it on whatever drive has the most space.

Next you should get this screen:

Since you have to agree in order to get the program, I suggest hitting “I Agree”.

The next screen that requires your attention is this one:

If you don’t already have one, proceed to make an Adobe ID.

In the next screen, fill out the appropriate materials.  Once you have created an ID, you need to select a folder where the program will download.  You should probably chose the folder you chose earlier in this tutorial.  I suggest the C drive.