Bitmap size

Noob again...

What does the 3000x3000 bitmap size limitation mean? Is that for creating tiles? Or does that mean that a filter can't be applied to a picture larger than 3k x 3k?

I have a 12mpix camera, so does that mean I HAVE to get professional version of FF?

Thanks,
Jeff

Thanks for the detailed response Kraellin.

I saw another post where the OP was complaining about the file size being too small that times have moved on, etc. I am a bit surprised that the conversation was evidently accurate, as I'd have to agree with that poster. So my option is really professional edition or nothing. Could I resize? that's simply not practical...and doesn't really make sense as I'd be throwing out photo information. Not sure I've ever seen a photoshop plugin where "throw out half your photo info first" was part of the deal.

Not that it will make a difference for me, but I wonder also if the limit is 9megapixels or 3000 pixels in any dimension...as a 2x3 aspect ratio would mean I'd have to scale down to a 6 megapixel image if the limiter is based on either dimension. I think...

So basically, for me, the only difference between standard and professional is that I can actually use professional LOL...I don't need the other stuff.

Ok, not that anybody asked the noob, but for potential photography based customers, that 9mpix limit doesn't seem like a great idea...basically saying, "oh, you have a newer camera? yeah, you have to pay more to use the software". If that's the intent, then fine. If on the other hand the intent is something else (creating bitmaps for a game or something) then this is a bad unintended consequence. My advice would be to raise the cap...flash forward 5 years where (unfortunately) no camera will be less than 9 mpix, and basic/standard editions become non-starters for photography based customers. Again, that's fine, especially if the vast majority of purchasers aren't in it for the photographic side of things.