Hello,
I have 10 iMac running Snow Leopard (10.6.8) and CS3.
I would like to buy ten more iMac. They will eventually run El Capitan, and I would like to use my other licenses of CS3 on the new iMac, so that 20 people will be able to work with CS3.
Anyone knows if CS3 is going to work on El Capitan ?
thank you
iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8)
If you still want to use CS3, I would suggest to wait on upgrading to El Capitan. Wait until everybody is happy.
I have an iMAC and have been running CS3 on Yosemite (with a plug in I downloaded long time ago). It's been fine, perfect. All that until I upgraded to El Capitan. Now none of my CS3 applications open. In Photoshop, I got the message, "Adobe Photoshop not open in this computer". I've been in every website looking for answers.
I'll go on details:
I upgraded to El capitan on Saturday (I shouldn't). Right away, upon trying to open Photoshop CS3, it asked me to first download Java 6 to keep legacy. It worked fine until Sunday. I was working on a project but had to leave, so I shut down my Mac, came back about an hour and a half later, turn on the Mac to continue my work and Adobe Suite CS3 did not open anymore, exactly 24 hours after I upgraded to El Capitan.
Searching for answers, I found out I was not the only one with that problem. Many users are even having problems with CS6 !! One solution on the Apple community suggested to downgrade to Yosemite. For that I need first to erase El Capitan. I started to follow the steps but got stuck on the 2nd one (no alterations on the Mac yet), when one of my windows did not match what the step-by-step solution explained. I'm not too good at some technical stuff, I know my limits, so I decided to stop there.
I also know there will be a fix coming from Apple. They always help, I'll just have to wait.
No, it does not. I installed Java Runtime etc. The installer does not start.
I have Adobe CS3 Photoshop, Illustrator and Fireworks on a 2009 MacBook Core 2 Duo.
After updating to El Capitan, and doing the Java update, they all carried on working and seem fine.
the toolsets may have changed between the two java instances so if aint' broke don't fix it, especially if you want 10 year old software to run on in 10.11 because much of the Apple OS framework has indeed changed since CS 3 came out and Adobe did not support it under Lion. Remember Lion? Remember Rosetta?
This is a really good resource for checking application compatibility: http://roaringapps.com
1) if you have a time machine backup you can restore to a period in time where your OS and software worked as they should.
2) if you know of a fix Apple is reporting to offer please post the link here. AFAIK Apple has never said they will fix legacy Adobe Apps that are no longer supported. AFAIK Adobe has not said they will either. Adobe's firm answer has been "you can still buy CS6 but why would you?"
However Microsoft have stated they are working with Apple so the next update to OS 10.11 will allow functionality with several version of Microsoft Office but that is the extent of what has been said about OS 10.11.1 fixing legacy anything, and it has come by way of Microsoft not Apple.
According to Adobe CS6 is compatible with OS 10.6.8 and 10.7
http://shop.adobe.com/DRHM/store
and no further information about OS's past those.
Some people have gotten it to work, some haven't. It appears to be a crap shoot at best.
I couldn't get CS 3 Indesign to print from El Capitan. Now it does. Hallelujah. Thanks to following the advice here:
https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/multi/crash-printing-illustrator-indesign-cs 3.html
I guess there is still hope. I have a 2008 Core 2 Duo running El Capitan, and a 2011 I7 four core running El Capitan. The former has CS3, the later CS5.5, and neither will run Illustrator. They both crash when trying to open a file. I haven't found anyone (yet) having either setup with the same problem. I've tried the Java 6 update. I haven't tried reinstalling the applications.
I hope to find another thread where someone said how should I expect such 'old' software to run on much later OS. Excuse me but I'll rave here that in my eyes that is complete nonsense. Excel 2008 still works fine on the former, Excel 2011 on the later MBP. I also have a program what was written for 68000 chip for system 6, that ran just fine on a G4 power PC chip via OS-X and Classic. So this excuse of a 2008ish program not to run on a the same era hardware with 5 generation later OS-X just seems a bit hog wash to me. Programs as expensive as adobe software, Adobe and Apple should make sure such an investment is maintained. Sort like a Lamborghini not running a newly developed gasoline but Ford having no problem.
Why not install El Cap on one of your existing iMacs, and test that way. You'll probably find out more that way.
I think CS version 3 will not run above Snow Leopard.
After the Java update OK here as well on my two Macs.
Thanks for the info, JimmyCMPIT.
Surely as soon as I know an answer/ fix I'll share it here and wherever else I can. At this point I don't know yet if I will upgrade my CS3 to CS6 or if I will downgrade El Capitan to Yosemite. --I eventually want to buy CS6... but was hoping to wait until the end of the year... which is near. --However, if having CS6 running on El Capitan means having to go through some trouble, I prefer to stay in Yosemite. I want a solid answer, however the Apple Support Care told me that my question should go to the other party, to Adobe. An Adobe is no longer answering phone questions-- and i couldn't find a solid answer if CS6 will ever be fine and run with no problem.
I found that CS3 can run on EL CAPITAN, with some people. As you said, "crap shoot at best". You may have already seen this article-- it explains more about CS & El Capitan:
http://blog.conradchavez.com/2015/09/30/os-x-10-11-el-capitan-will-adobe-softwar e-work/#Java
I advise everyone using old versions of Photoshop and Illustrator on El Capitan to get Affinity Design and Affinity Photo from the Mac Store instead. Very cheap, very professional, very powerful, and with lots of the same keyboard shortcuts.
Not affiliated with the company: I've been considering what I will do when CS6 stops working. (The next version of OS X will not run Java 6.)
I have attempted to load CS3 on my recently purchased mac book pro. I did the Java download when photoshop asked for it. Photoshop and InDesign seem fine, but illustrator is a problem. After the startup screen loads none of the menus show up. I can double click on an existing file, but no menus are visible. I have read thru this whole post. Any other ideas that anyone has would be helpful.
Yes I know sorry about that, meant CS3.
I am running CS3 on OS X Yosemite so it should run on El Capitan.
Currently running CS6 and El Capitan
QuickTimeKirk wrote:
I think CS version 3 will not run above Snow Leopard.
CS3 runs in Yosemite, haven't tried with ElCap
Does CS3 run on El Capitan ?
