Ok, so i just bought a new computer and figured I would FINALLY get around to buying a program to attempt some kitbashes with. I've tried both gimp and the photoshop CS2 demo, I could never quite wrap my head around gimp (not sure why) but I did like the photoshop demo after a couple days playing around. While I was in best buy I looked at their software section and could not figure out exactly what box i needed, I looked at photoshop elements, adobe elements, and two others I cannot remember (both, again, by adobe). I saw a mention of photoshop CS4 on the back of one box but they did not have a copy of it.

Exactly which program(s) should I be looking for? I want to be able to open up pdfs, play around, make new ones, save/open as a copy (so I don't screw up my originals which are double saved anyway ). It also has to be able to measure in INCHES NOT PIXALS, I hate gimp's rulers (I try something in 300dpi and when I open the inches ruler its tic marks are measurments of pixals).

It also needs to be something I can buy a physical copy of, I CANNOT sit at my computer and read help documentation or online manuls (skim at best) but I CAN sit for hours at a time with a real book. Just one of my quirks. Any advice welcome.

Richard

You want to get your hands on a copy of CS2, CS3 or CS4 (even Photoshop 7 will do in a pinch). They are all outstanding and feature rich programs which will last you years. I've used all of the above and they all do an incredible job. A word of warning though; when you pass into CS3 & CS4 you really need your computer to be a power house to take full advantage of them. CS2 is really stable on most machines but prepare to invest in additional ram if using 3 or 4. Avoid Photoshop Elements at all costs if you can help it (strictly amateur hour stuff).

There's some really good deals on PS versions via E-Bay.

I have CS2 and I don't know what I would do with out it. Great program.

I'm still on CS2 and I do all of my texturing with this alone

CS3 is great, you have nothing to worry about. There's a few extra bells and whistles in CS4 but nothing you really need unless you are a super advanced user. You'll get lots of millage out of CS3.