How many devices can I install CC on?

Question

I'm a little confused about CC and my searching the web hasn't helped much. Maybe someone can guide me. I use Photoshop CS2 both at work and at home. It works perfectly fine for me for my limited needs. I probably use it 80% for work and 20% personal but do both on different devices (my networked workstation in the office and a PC and my Surface at home). A co-worker uses the newest Photoshop (a subscription) and now I can't use his layered documents in my old version of the software. That is making me think I need to upgrade to his version.

I haven't purchased Photoshop since it became a free download. Probably the last time I purchased it was 8 years ago. Now, it would be very, very hard for me to wrap my head around paying $10 a month for perpetuity for something Adobe was giving away for free.

I could justify this (maybe) if this subscription can be installed on multiple computers. Can I install it both on my work PC and my two laptops? What if I get a new laptop... can I install it there too? I'm assuming that the software can be installed on many devices but I can only log into 1 at any given time.

I've read that I need to have internet access to use the CC though. How does that work if I'm travelling? I often use Photoshop when on vacation, at the lake or on a plane or what not - at those times I have no wifi.

My 3rd issue is that I have a lot of Photoshop documents I re-use or access regularly. These are all created in Photoshop CS2.

Thanks for any guidance you may have for me -

-Chris

John Waller · Accepted Answer

I haven't purchased Photoshop since it became a free download. Probably the last time I purchased it was 8 years ago. Now, it would be very, very hard for me to wrap my head around paying $10 a month for perpetuity for something Adobe was giving away for free.

CS2 is not and never has been a free download. It's made available by Adobe on an honour system to existing CS2 owners but it's not free.

http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/news/creative-software/adobe-denies-free-cs2-downloads-are-giveaway/

I could justify this (maybe) if this subscription can be installed on multiple computers. Can I install it both on my work PC and my two laptops? What if I get a new laptop... can I install it there too? I'm assuming that the software can be installed on many devices but I can only log into 1 at any given time.

Big difference between installation (software available on computer but cannot be used) and activation (software installed and can be launched and used).

Cloud software can be installed on as many computers as you like
Only two of the installations can be activated for use at any one time
One one of the activated installations can be used at any time
You can toggle activations between computers (Help > Sign Out, Help > Sign In)

I've read that I need to have internet access to use the CC though. How does that work if I'm travelling? I often use Photoshop when on vacation, at the lake or on a plane or what not - at those times I have no wifi.

This misconception still seems to prevail in places but it's not true.

An internet connection is required for initial activation. After that internet is required for occasional automatic background license checks which are transparent to the user. Takes seconds. You can go up to 99 days without an internet connection.

Adobe Creative Cloud FAQ

See "Do I need to be online to access my desktop apps?"

My 3rd issue is that I have a lot of Photoshop documents I re-use or access regularly. These are all created in Photoshop CS2.

What's the issue?

Can you open CS2 PSDs in CC? Yes.

Can you open CC PSDs in CS2? Probably yes, if you save with Maximize PSD File Compatibility checked.

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