PSP 9.01 supports 20D raw

[tumb]

I recently upgraded to PSP 9 with the hopes of opening raw files from my 20D, the original did not but they just released 9.01 and it now works. PSP is a good alternative to other much more expensive apps, I have used it since version 3 and they have done a pretty good job of keeping up with the competition, and at a fraction of the price. Jasc was bought out by Corel recently so it should continue to be a good product.

[Scottes]

So how does it work? A little more info on the RAW conversion with PSP would be greatly appreciated. Opinions, comments?

[tumb]

I'm still working with it, it's a little limited in it's functionality but so far it seems stable. I did notice that sharpening from the original raw window intoduces a little noise, so I've pretty much opened the raw file and left it in it's stock form and done all my editing from the image window. I'll post again after a little more experience.

PSP has nearly all the same features as PS, but I was able to upgrade from a previous version for $59. It also supports .8bx filters which is a plus. The main reason I wanted raw support was so I could avoid using 2 or 3 different apps to finally edit my image. By the way, I have PS 6 and still use it, and I'm slowly converting my PS actions into PSP scripts but it's been a real pain, they do almost exactly the same thing but go about it in different ways. I do like PSP's layout MUCH better, version 9 is really slick with rollout pallettes and toolbars, plus infinitely customizable toolbars.

[tim]

Photoshop is a complete b1tch to use, at least to start with, and moreso for PC users. If PSP is easier to use and has all the same functions i'd be tempted to switch.

[dhbailey]

you can go to www.jasc.com and download a demo version and find out for yourself.

It really is a terrific program -- so terrific that Corel bought Jasc Software!

[DaveG]

Photoshop is a complete b1tch to use, at least to start with, and moreso for PC users. If PSP is easier to use and has all the same functions i'd be tempted to switch.

Take a course.

Photoshop is not a program that lends itself to learning on the fly. I had PS 6 for a couple of years and was using about 5% of it's features 90% of the time - just like my VCR. Then after taking a community college night course I learned how to use about 50% of the thing and then it all made sense.

I've always thought that owning a "mainstream" product was a better place to be than owning a more obscure product. I had a vey nice Braun flash back in the late 1970's. It looked like a scaled down Metz, had a built in slave and NO ONE made any after market products for it. Getting a Vivitar 283 solved that. With digital cameras I wouldn't want to have one of the brands that are obscure. I know any number of people that have Canon and a bunch that have Nikon, but none that have Olympus.

For image manipulation software Photoshop is obviously the industry leader. Aftermarket products MAY work in other programs but they WILL work in Photoshop or they're not even brought to market. The bookstores will have meters of shelf space devoted to Photoshop and one or two books for Paintshop Pro and the like. The community college I went to for my course offered three different PS courses then, and more now; but none on any other imaging product. Because of it's marketplace dominance you will also find that most people use PS or Elements, and speak a common language and share common skills because of it.

So take a course in PS and learn to use a very good program.

[wintoid]

Here in the UK, Photoshop costs almost as much as a new 300D. I don't own it, or Paintshop Pro. I would probably consider Paintshop Pro if it had 16-bit support. Until then, I do everything in C1SE (soon to be C1Pro).

[dleewo]

I was very interested in PSP, but when using the trial, I found that it doesn't support IPTC. I asked about IPTC support in the Jasc forums and it seems that it will not be supported any time soon (at least that is the impression I get)

[clasami]

PSP has about the worst RAW conversion of Canon 300D images that I have seen. Not even remotely comparable to what ARC in PS offers.

Michael

[tim]

Take a course.

That's a good suggestion. I'm reading a book from the library, and it's made it so much easier. I might finish that then get one of the books recommended on here, that should do me. Thanks :)