Paint Shop Pro X vs Photoshop CS2

[curiousgeorge]

Does anyone else use Paint Shop Pro X and what are your thoughts?

Everyone seems to be using CS2 but I found PSP more user friendly , though maybe I'm just impatient because I haven't even found an Open File button in CS2!

I'm keeping CS2 for the Save for Web feature (which I haven't used yet).

[jameslcross]

I haven't used Paintshop pro so can't comment too much, but Photoshop CS2 is the industry standard.

When I first got into Photoshop I bougght some books and watched tutorials signed up to forums etc to find out info on it. Photoshop is a massive program.

Now I couldn't live without it

[gardenstate]

I have and use both Paint Shop Pro XI (their new update) and PS CS2. Both are great imaging programs and have their pros and cons. For a new user, PSP is much easier to learn and is very affordable. If you are needing to do some "serious" image modification, CS2 has the most power.

Like a craftsman with a toolbox with many tools, you learn which one of them can do each task the best and/or the easiest. For example, if I need to do quick perspective correction (to fix the view of tilted windows or buildings) or getting the best redeye correction - PSP is my 1st choice. Many of the free recorded keystrokes (ACTIONS) in CS2 that others have made are "priceless."

[Ron Lacey]

Does anyone else use Paint Shop Pro X and what are your thoughts?

Everyone seems to be using CS2 but I found PSP more user friendly , though maybe I'm just impatient because I haven't even found an Open File button in CS2!

I'm keeping CS2 for the Save for Web feature (which I haven't used yet).


PSPX is an excellent photo editor at a very reasonable price, I use both PSP and PS CS2, as you noted PSP is more user friendly as well as being highly customizable. I might suggest you steer clear of PSPXI though.

You might check out the Jpeg Otimizer in PSP, for my money it's better than save for web and it doesn't trash the EXIF data unless you set it to.

Ron

[Curtis N]

You might check out the Jpeg Otimizer in PSP, for my money it's better than save for web and it doesn't trash the EXIF data unless you set it to.I was going to mention that, too. File menu > Export > JPEG Optimizer. You can adjust the compression, instantly see a crop of the effect, and know what the file size will be, before you hit the save button. It works great for getting files under the 100kb limit for posting here.

Since PSP X is now "obsolete", you can probably pick it up pretty cheap if you can find a retailer looking to get rid of inventory. My wife bought it a few weeks ago for $10 US after rebates.

You can spend several hundred dollars on software to make your pictures better, or you can spend it on a lens (or flash, tripod, etc.) to make better pictures. To each his own.

[Mark_48]

PSPX is an excellent photo editor at a very reasonable price, I use both PSP and PS CS2, as you noted PSP is more user friendly as well as being highly customizable. I might suggest you steer clear of PSPXI though.


Ron

Any reason in particular you suggest staying clear of PSPXI? I did just upgrade from PSPX and have encountered a few seemingly buggy functions in the new version.

I also have PS7 which complements what can be done with PSPX. Not sure at this point if I want to make the jump to CS2 or not.

[Wilt]

I've been using PSPX for about 8 or 9 months, and I find it has some very effective tools. Quite easy to learn to use. I like its noise reduction and a number of other tools. I don't have Photoshop CS2, but I do have Photoshop LE (ancient beast). No interest in getting CS2 because of the costly upgrades, and it is otherwise overkill for me...maybe if I was a graphic artist I might have more interest.

[Ron Lacey]

Any reason in particular you suggest staying clear of PSPXI? I did just upgrade from PSPX and have encountered a few seemingly buggy functions in the new version.

I also have PS7 which complements what can be done with PSPX. Not sure at this point if I want to make the jump to CS2 or not.

I had a few problems with PSPX too which is why I still use v9. Admittedly the bugs in X were pretty minor but the benifits weren't worth the trouble or the cost. With PSPXI Corel has taken PSP to a new low. It has actually removed some very good features and added very little other than a ponderous buggy organizer/browser and some pretty useless one button filters.

You might want to check out the Corel forums. point your newsreader to cnews.corel.com and check out the group corel.PaintShopProPhotoXI for an ear full of user feed back. When Corel bought Jasc it was the beginning of the end for PSP imho :(

Ron

[Wilt]

You might want to check out the Corel forums. point your newsreader to cnews.corel.com and check out the group corel.PaintShopProPhotoXI for an ear full of user feed back. When Corel bought Jasc it was the beginning of the end for PSP imho :(


Hmmm, this sounds somewhat reminiscent of Adobe and RawShooter! Pull a good product off and replace it with declining value! Lightroom is a do-all, and as many know from beta testing, it is a huge questionmark left in many minds, rather than us salivating waiting for the release.

[Ron Lacey]

Hmmm, this sounds somewhat reminiscent of Adobe and RawShooter! Pull a good product off and replace it with declining value! Lightroom is a do-all, and as many know from beta testing, it is a huge questionmark left in many minds, rather than us salivating waiting for the release.

I don't think it's quite the same. I've been using Lightroom since the Windows beta was released and while it certainly has some problems it is, after all, a beta. I see a lot of promise in it and I think Adobe is sincere in trying to produce a worthy competitor to Apple Apperture. Btw I also use RSP and I am looking forward to seeing how Adobe incorporates RSP technology into Lightroom.

Corel on the other hand has made no secret of the fact that they're targeting the mass market of digital camera users who are looking for simple one click solutions to editing and publishing digital photos.

Ron

[lotusindigo]

I find that PSPX is a lot easier to use with "people" photos. I use it a lot because I do a lot of people photos. But CS2 is the more capable and advanced program. It's just superior in a lot of ways - better sharpening and noise filters, better selection tools to name a few. But it is less user friendly.

[FREEZE]

After reading these comments i have a question. Am i to understand that you would put paintshop prox close to the level of cs2 or would it be better compared to photo shop elements 4. Sorry if this is a silly question but i have not ourchased a processing program and the full blown photoshop is just completly out of reach while pspx is a very doable option.

[matthewlrigdon]

all this talk of Corel ruining PSX reminds of a news story from years back. Some of you may remember.

Joint Microsoft/Novell press conference (http://www.huumor.com/joke_1113)

It sounds like Corel has signed onto the same plan as they've ruined a number of good graphics programs (Painter anyone?)

[Ron Lacey]

After reading these comments i have a question. Am i to understand that you would put paintshop prox close to the level of cs2 or would it be better compared to photo shop elements 4. Sorry if this is a silly question but i have not ourchased a processing program and the full blown photoshop is just completly out of reach while pspx is a very doable option.

I'd suggest that PSP is a more full featured program than Elements though admittedly the only version of Elements I have used is v3. One place where PSP is way behind the curve is in RAW conversion, don't even think of using it for that :).

Ron

[matthewlrigdon]

I'd suggest that PSP is a more full featured program than Elements though admittedly the only version of Elements I have used is v3. One place where PSP is way behind the curve is in RAW conversion, don't even think of using it for that :).

speaking of curve, did Elements ever add Curves? I know there's a plugin for Windows that will give you Curves in Elements, but I didn't read the press release for 5.

I use Photoshop, but it's always nice to know what Elements is capable of.

[dbahn]

Can you start with Elements then upgrade to CS2 if the need arises, or are they so different that that option makes no sense?

[matthewlrigdon]

If you mean can you get an upgrade price on Photoshop then the answer is: it depends. Adobe runs all sorts of specials from time to time. right now, you can upgrade bundled Elements to Photoshop for $350. However, I don't think that covers you if you bought Elements.

Using Elements will help you adjust to the UI of Photoshop if you get the latest version. The earlier versions of Elements had some wonky interfaces that would screw you up some when you made the switch.

[Ron Lacey]

Can you start with Elements then upgrade to CS2 if the need arises, or are they so different that that option makes no sense?

Yes you can, normally the upgrade is $499 but you can get it cheaper if you latch on to promotions that happen frequently. A current one offers it for $299 at
http://store.adobe.com/store/products/master.jhtml?id=catMicrotek&affiliateID=1416947&sourcecode=112300

You just need to enter the serial number from you current version of PSE.

Photoshop's GUI and conventions are very similar to those of Elements.

Ron

[FREEZE]

How about alot of the plugins for photoshop that people are talking about do they work with elements. If not i think my choice has gotten alot easier.

[DanteCaspian]

I tried PSPX for 30 days, and then Photoshop. By the tenth day with Photoshop trial, I was hooked. It just fit for my tastes, and knowing what I may want to do in the future, the power potential is greater.
Additionally, there are tons of resources for all types for Photoshop learning. By hitting the library and picking up a few books, DVDs, getting many free online tutorials etc., in two more weeks I was convinced it is worth the money I don't have!
Given the patience and these resources, PSCS is not as difficult as many think and in my opinion, the best choice, if you can afford it.

[Mathiau]

Photoshop is superior for all around tools, the issue is, it is not user friendly to learn, where PSP comes in.

But PSP can not beat PS for full out features and capability.

[MarkoPolo]

I read that Elements 5 does have curves.

[Wayland]

I used PSP for years before having to change to Photoshop. the only reason I changed was Adobe pulled ahead on raw and 16 bit processing.

It is interesting to see the newer versions of Photoshop adopting features that PSP has had for years, the browser springs to mind and now lens correction.

The one thing I really wish Adobe would adopt is the customisable toolbars.

On PSP you can choose the tools you use regularly and place a button on your workspace to instantly access it.

Now I know old PS hands will say learn the shortcuts but why should I?

I do most of my work with a graphics tablet and it's a lot easier if I don't have to keep swopping back to the keyboard all the time.

I just don't understand why Adobe do not include the option of personalised tool bars. It's something PSP has had since at least version 5

[matthewlrigdon]

Photoshop (and the other Adobe apps) get used a lot in production environments where you get freelancers in and out all the time. It wreaks havoc to reset the machine every time someone new comes in to use the machine.

PSP is mostly a consumer app, so it's not really a big deal if you change all the buttons around.

[dbahn]

Well, I bought a "how to" book on PS Elements and have nearly finished reading it, but I haven't even decided yet if that's what I need. But some of the comments here and other places about PSP XI seem to indicate to me that it's a product that at least "might" be going downhill, and (correct me if I'm wrong) PS CS2 is the current gold standard as long as you can afford it and as long as you are capable of mastering it, so it seems to me I should buy PS Elements with the goal of mastering the techniques and then upgrade later to PSP CS2 if I feel like it later.

Sound like a plan?

(PSP XI isn't a bargain at $10 if you spend hours learning it and then discard it for a more capable program. Time is money, and at somewhere around $100 for PS Elements, the cost is nothing when you consider the time involved in leaning it if that's the program you end up using or if the learning curve can be applied to another program (PS CS2), if that's what you end up using.)

[Wayland]

One of the points behind personalised tool bars is that everyone saves there own layout.

Someone changes things around just go back to your own layout, no problem.

Interestingly it sounds like Lightroom is going to include this feature. I guess I'll take my prophesy hat off now........;)

[Thomas S.]

I know this is an old thread, but I have to ask. CS2 is so freakin expensive in my opinion. I just got an S3 IS a couple months ago and have almost taken 1000 pictures with it. But I am still using 30 day trial software to see what is a good program. I'm now on PSP PXI and it seems ok, but not great.

Has anyone bought an older photoshop and bought the upgrade to CS2. I know the upgrade from Elements is $500 (not much difference) but the upgrade from PS 6 or 7 is only $170. Is it worth trying?

[RgB]

I was going to mention that, too. File menu > Export > JPEG Optimizer. You can adjust the compression, instantly see a crop of the effect, and know what the file size will be, before you hit the save button. It works great for getting files under the 100kb limit for posting here.

Since PSP X is now "obsolete", you can probably pick it up pretty cheap if you can find a retailer looking to get rid of inventory. My wife bought it a few weeks ago for $10 US after rebates.

You can spend several hundred dollars on software to make your pictures better, or you can spend it on a lens (or flash, tripod, etc.) to make better pictures. To each his own.

Graphic Converter X V5.9 has a preview of the file and size before you commit to saving a JPG.

[robert spittler]

PSPX is an excellent photo editor at a very reasonable price, I use both PSP and PS CS2, as you noted PSP is more user friendly as well as being highly customizable. I might suggest you steer clear of PSPXI though.

You might check out the Jpeg Otimizer in PSP, for my money it's better than save for web and it doesn't trash the EXIF data unless you set it to.

Ron
I have been using PSP and Corel Draw 9 for many years and many versions, the latest being PSP X on Windows XP. I am buying a new computer using Vista. I have resisted upgrading to PSP X because I saw nothing new I wanted. Then I was dissapointed to find Corel does not support PSP X nor will they even answer submissions. Will PSP X work with Vista? Will any program other work with PSP files, of which I have many? I am reluctant to upgrade PSP X for reasons noted above plus the fact that Corel has left PSP X followers out to dry. I was for many years a cheerleader for PSP; I will now trash them any chance I get.
Bob

[richierich1212]

Free PSP X Now, and it says 10.10 is Vista Compatble (http://apps.corel.com/lp/lexar/4157/index.html?trkid=lexarstarterpspx)

[Mark_48]

Free PSP X Now, and it says 10.10 is Vista Compatble (http://apps.corel.com/lp/lexar/4157/index.html?trkid=lexarstarterpspx)

Is the download a trial version or totally usable with no limits?

[robert spittler]

Thank you for your suggestion. I went to the site and it said the offer is no longer available. My version is 10.03, I guess I'll find out if it is compatible when my new computer is delivered next week. I'm trying to gather as much info about the installability of all my software so I will be ready. I hadn't upgraded because there was nothing added that was attractive to me. Someone mentioned cloning is not included in the new Corel versions. That would be a real problem for me. Does anyone have any suggestions If I'm forced to upgrade?
Do you know if there are any other programs the read .psp and .pspimage files?
Thanks, Bob

[Mark_48]

I currently have PSP X2 running on XP. I checked and it does have a cloning tool if that's what you're refering to.

I attempted to open a .pspimage file with Adobe Elements and it will not open. An upgrade to the most current PSP for $50 will likely be your only option.

If you've been a long time user of XP, have fun getting used to getting around in Vista :)