I currently use GIMP to clean up some of my Poser 7 renders.  It has layers and other good features. However, I see so many references and plug-ins for PS that I think I am going to have to bite the bullet. 

To get the most out of Poser, which version of PS do I need?

CS3 is $650.  That is some serious moola and not to mention the time needed to learn how to use it.

Are there lower end PS products (Elements for $100) that meet 95% of needs?

Thanks

Absolutely,  I have PaintShop Pro version 7 costing me around $60 and does 98 percent of what Photoshop does.  I'm not that good but this was done entirely in PaintShop Pro, first by sketching in the ship, land, ocean, lighthouse, clouds etc (many layers).  Blended, illuminated, smudged etc. 

Check out this thread, similar discussion:
www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php

there's supposedly a 'skin', or 'plugin' for Gimp that allows you to get the Photoshop interface, and use all those nifty tools. Can't remember the name, but the Gimp forums probably do. I heard it's a little squirrley though...

hi ecccoman.. for what it's worth, I use Photoshop Elements 6 both at home (Mac) for fairly limited post-Poser work and other graphics, and at work (PC) for website graphics and other publication work.

In the end it's a personal choice, depending on how much you want from it. I can only advise that Photoshop Elements gives you a lot more Photoshop than its budget price would suggest. It's more than up to the job of render postwork, anyways.

I use CS2 - I don't know if you can still purchase that at a cheaper price than CS3 but personally I thought the upgrade was a huge waste of money.  Go with paintshop pro or elements before you spend 650 - or if you can find Cs2 for cheaper get that

I used before (and still use) Painter X (i like it very much for drawing) Paintshop 8 and X2 ,PD Dogwaff (some unique features),ArtRage ,Corel DRaw suite   and use computers for  graphics since 1985 ,beginning with ATari St
I have bought and learn Photoshop CS3 since april 2008 and  the  more i learn it , following a big book  of  exercises. more i realise why this is a standard for retouching photos and post production my 3d renders .It is the more powerfull and full of functions
But for drawing ,especially for natural media, nothing is as good as Painter

Why Cs3 and not Cs2 :because i use Windows VIsta
 

Ps excuse my bad english i am a french speaking person

Unless you are doing CYMK work, I would recommend going with Photoshop elements.  Elements does about 90% of what Photoshop CS3 does.  Quite frankly, the other 10% isn't worth worrying about.

I agree with jjroland.  I didn't bother to upgrade to CS3.  When the MAC version goes to 64 bit (CS4), I'll upgrade, but not until then.

| use CS2 and I haven't upgraded to CS3 since at the moment I only use a fraction of CS2's capabilities and am learning as I go along. Once I find I need more than CS2 provides I will upgrade.

Thanks, everyone, for the information and the link to the previous discussion.

It is exactly what I needed to know.  Element it is.