Will Adobe Photoshop CS3 work with El Capitan?

Actually, it will. I'm using PS CS3 at the moment with 10.11.3.

You will, however, have to download and install Apple's legacy runtime Java, Download Java for OS X 2015-001, after you've upgraded to El Capitan and after every major upgrade to the system.

Just FYI, while CS3 will run under El Capitan, it doesn't mean that it will run bug-free. I run CS4 and it has some issues with plugins and occasionally the mouse doesn't behave, but I've learned to work around the issues. I too, see no point in paying to use software on the go, but alas, those days will soon be ending as the machine OS is going to kill the software before long (i.e. support for legacy stuff such as the older Java).

Why not take a look at Affinity Designer and Affinity Photo application trial downloads. They are in the OS X App Store, and both are 2015 Apple Award winners). See how much of Photoshop and Illustrator that you can replace with contemporary, non-subscription applications that are exceptionally well written. Affinitiy Designer has Photoshop plug-in compatibility.

I have both applications, but otherwise derive no benefit from suggesting them.

Yes, I too am struggling to keep my old CS3 working. Since Adobe went to subscription there is no way I will ever purchase anything from them again, unless pressed to the wall. There are many alternatives, and I am just beginning to explore them. Search for "Photoshop alternatives".

If you are getting a new Mac, consider buying a used Mac that can run an OS other than El Capitan. A 2009 Mac Pro would be affordable and expandable, and could run both Snow Leopard and El Cap, or the OSes in between, if you can get them. You can buy Mountain Lion still, but not Mavericks or Yosemite. Mavericks is preferred by a lot of folks, but good luck getting your hands on it.

I think Affinity stands the best chance of providing viable alternatives to Adobe hostage-ware. Those of us in the market for alternatives are still waiting for the third piece, though — their page layout app, Affinity Publisher. Quark is still around but they haven't had the sense to offer really competitive upgrade prices, and they have shot themselves in the foot so often since the launching of OS X that virtually nothing would tempt me to try Quark again.

Hi kahjot,

kahjot wrote:

Quark is still around but they haven't had the sense to offer really competitive upgrade prices, and they have shot themselves in the foot so often since the launching of OS X that virtually nothing would tempt me to try Quark again.

Maybe have a look at QuarkXPress 2016? It offers many things that other layout apps do not have and the license is still perpetual.

And what would you see as a competitive price please?

Thanks

Matthias

<I may received some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.>

Hi all,

Side note: Apple insists on this being an ad and therefore added: <I may received some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.>

To clarify, and as you can clearly see from my account name and profile: I WORK FOR QUARK. So "I may receive…" is clearly wrong, it should read "I will receive…"! 😉

However when you read my other posts here you'll see, that my participation here is not directly intended on selling you something via posts in Apple's forums. It is to help and inform people about what Quark is doing officially.

Thanks

Matthias

No, it won't.

Yes, it will work just fine.