Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 Walkthrough

Tuesday, August 5, 2008 by Island Dog | Discussion: Personal Computing

I have used Paint Shop Pro since about version 8, and I have upgraded to almost every other version update since then.  I was always recommended PSP from many members of the skinning community, and even today I know many popular skinners who use this.  Paint Shop Pro has come a long way since I first started using it, and even though it has moved more towards use with photography, I found it’s still a great graphics tool that is perfect for making skins and themes.  Best of all, it’s a great alternative to other higher-end imaging software which costs much, much more. 

The first thing I notice when opening Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 is it’s sporty a sleek new graphite theme, which can be disabled if you rather have the previous style.  The graphite theme works well and gives a darker look to the whole application, which at least to me, makes working on graphics easier on the eyes.  If you are new to Paint Shop Pro, or just need some help in some areas, there is a Learning Center docked to the left side which guides you through the process of several techniques like making photo collages, adding effects, adjusting images, etc.  Of course you can configure the interface to your liking, but I found the default quite suitable for my needs.  There is also an image browsing window where you can easier organize, find, and edit images stored on your computer.

psp_x2_01

All the tools you would ever need to either create graphics for skinning, or for adjusting photographs, are right here.  I was happy to see one of my favorite tools, the picture tubes, are still there.  There is such a wide variety of settings and tools available that I could write all day about, but take my word for it, it has what you need.  On the photography side, there are several “one-step” fixes for various common corrections in photos.  There is also a new Express Lab which can batch edit several files or folders at once with actions like crop, resize, etc.

Some other new features are the HDR Photo Merge which combines two or more images and corrects the contrast automatically.  Also new is the addition of layer styles and watermark support, both of which should be welcomed to both beginner and seasoned professionals.  The Black & White conversion tool has also been enhanced along with the Makeover tools which are essential for fixing any impurities in images.

psp_x2_02

While I was once concerned that Paint Shop Pro would only be useful to photographers, I have now realize that it’s only added to the graphics experience.  Whether you are a photographer, graphic designer, or skinner, Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 has all the features necessary to bring your creativity to life. 

Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 is now available from the Impulse Store for just $79.99. 

First Previous Page 1 of 2 Next Last
kryo
Reply #1 Tuesday, August 5, 2008 1:22 PM

I still use PSP7 myself. It gets the job done for day-to-day stuff, and it's fast and light. I've checked the demos of a couple of more recent versions, but I haven't really been too impressed with the direction Corel took it after they bought Jasc out.

starkers
Reply #2 Wednesday, August 6, 2008 2:10 AM
The missus and I currently have PSP 11 and have been looking into updating to the next version for a while... at $79.99 (currently about $86 Australian), we may very well make this our next PC related purchase.

Thanks for the heads up and preview/review, ID, it has been helpful and is appreciated.
starkers
Reply #3 Thursday, August 7, 2008 1:34 PM
Well it turned out costing 87 Oz bucks, but I really like the new graphite UI and am looking forward to playing with/learning the new features, etc. The purchase and download through Impulse went flawlessly, as did the installation and registration, so yeah, I'm pretty happy with my purchase.

There is one thing, however, I can't find the downloaded installation file and need help as I would like to be able to burn it to disc to save having to re-download the whole thing when I need to re-write Windows, etc. So yeah, if somebody could advise as to how I could make a hard copy it'd be appreciated.
Ausvet
Reply #4 Thursday, August 7, 2008 2:03 PM
It should have made a folder "Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 - Installation Files" within
your default Corel folder "C:\Program Files\Corel" at least that is what happened here.
The setup.exe file is inside of folder "Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 - Installation Files"
I just burnt all files within "Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 - Installation Files" to sisc then setup starts
automatically when disc inserted.
Corel have got bit edgy as of late about number of activations so may need phone support to activate if you ever format PC etc.
ALMonty
Reply #5 Thursday, August 7, 2008 4:50 PM
I have PSP 7,8,9,10,11, and X2. The 8,9, and 10 are about the same. I find it easier than PhotoShop.
WebGizmos
Reply #6 Thursday, August 7, 2008 4:50 PM
starkers
Reply #7 Thursday, August 7, 2008 11:03 PM

It should have made a folder "Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 - Installation Files" within
your default Corel folder


Thanks, Ausvet... found them in a folder named 'Impulse Setup inside the Corel folder. Not exactly where I would have expected to find them (it was late and I was tired) but it's all good and I'll make a hard copy shortly.

I find it easier than PhotoShop.


Me too... though I should probably dabble more in PhotoShop to get a better handle on it. Shoot, I haven't even mastered PSP yet... so much to learn and only so much time. Not to mention memory... more RAM, Scotty. I need more RAM!

***More RAM??? I'm giving it all you've got, cap'n***
Island Dog
Reply #8 Friday, August 8, 2008 10:12 AM
$49.99 at EveryThingOutlet.com


That's also OEM software which is supposed to be bundled with hardware. 
starkers
Reply #9 Friday, August 8, 2008 1:47 PM
Well I'm not having much fun with it at present... it's quite slow and rather unresponsive when loading, shutting down and saving files, etc... and if I click on anything before it has completed a task it freezes and I have to click 'close program' to shut it down.

I've uninstalled, run a Ccleaner cleanup and reinstalled it, but that didn't help any... in fact the uninstall hung for 5 mins at the end, and the reinstall hung for about the same with just 1 second remaining.

Could be that I got a bad download or it's not happy with something on my system (Vista Ultimate SP1), but in either event I need to resolve this issue cos I suffer with chronic insomnia and can fall asleep faster.

I had thought about re-downloading a fresh copy, but first I think that I should gather as much info as I can and submit a 'ticket' to see if Stardock Support have any answers.
starkers
Reply #10 Saturday, August 9, 2008 4:55 AM
Well I solved the issue of slow loads, hang-time and freezing when saving files... I dual boot with XP and have loaded it on there instead. Don't know why but it just didn't like Vista SP1 very much, I guess... at least on my machine.

Anyhow, it runs fine on XP so I'll keep PSP X2 on there... and PSP IX on Vista. Would have preferred it the other way around, but it's no biggie and I can live with it just fine.

OK, so now it's play-time.
Island Dog
Reply #11 Saturday, August 9, 2008 8:04 AM

Strange, it's perfect on Vista SP1 here. 

starkers
Reply #12 Saturday, August 9, 2008 10:50 AM
Strange, it's perfect on Vista SP1 here.


Like I said... at least on my machine. Yeah, I fiddled and fiddled with it - uninstalled and reinstalled it twice - pretty much did everything I could think of but to no avail. So in the end I lost patience and installed it on XP... like, I wasn't gonna spend 87 bucks and not be able to play with it. Being the weekend n' all, I knew there wouldn't be any tech support or anything 'til Monday - late Monday for me - so I figured this would be the easiest solution for all concerned, if it worked... which it did/does.

I really isn't a problem, though, I'm quite happy with it running in XP, which it does very nicely, I might add. PSP X2 does seems to be a little silkier/smother to run than XI, and the UI is fantastic, so yeah, I'm pretty pleased with my purchase.

Now all I gotta do is learn how to use it... well better/more efficiently anyways.
superman
Reply #13 Saturday, August 9, 2008 12:43 PM
Is it easier than Paint .net?
starkers
Reply #14 Saturday, August 9, 2008 10:47 PM
You wouldn't credit it!!! I was doing my regular Sunday PC maintenance - yes, it's already Sunday here in Oz, and I'm streets ahead of you on excuses not to go to church anyway, I digress - and I noticed that Auslogics Defrag was defragging literally thousands upon thousands of PSP X2 files, around 4 1/2 thousand of them. Yup, the 'files being done' counter was going around faster than chopper blades and I was worried it was gonna take off ... .......................... "Ah!", I thought to myself: "no wonder it wasn't working very well... it's a bloody mess in there."... so on the off-chance that it'd work OK, I started it up and eureka, it worked and didn't hang nearly half as long. However, that wasn't the only reason it was taking an eternity to load...I happened to notice that the 'browse folder' toolbar was checked to "Browse More Folders", meaning that in effect it was searching my entire (3/4 terabyte) PC for image files and thus slowing itself down. Once that was unchecked and the 'My Picture' folder was selected instead, PSP X2 loaded properly and I was able to use it within seconds rather than minutes. Hooray! ............................ I can't believe it was something so simple - and probably should have been obvious - but then I've always been one for over-analysis and going the long way around things. ............................. Anyway, if I was happy yesterday, I'm even happier today... I can have PSP X2 running on my preferred OS and I can relegate PSP IX to XP.
starkers
Reply #15 Saturday, August 9, 2008 10:57 PM
Damn, my post got compacted... tried to edit into paragraphs but it wouldn't let me.
Is it easier than Paint .net?
I wouldn't say it's easier! It does have a learning curve if you're not familiar with graphics programs, but it does have a built-in learning centre with tricks of the trade to help get you started.
superman
Reply #16 Sunday, August 10, 2008 4:07 AM
It does have a learning curve

Oh I don't have that much of time to follow a learning curve... I have my management textbooks and projects, I am learning vbscript, and learning blender, terragen too...

I will try it later though after learning blender...

Actually I am not familiar to their interface. I would love to see a MS paint or Picasa like interface....If there is any such.....
starkers
Reply #17 Sunday, August 10, 2008 7:09 AM
I am learning vbscript, and learning blender, terragen too...

I will try it later though after learning blender...


Yeah well, learning those will give you a bit of a head start when you get around to trying your hand a PSP later on.

Actually I am not familiar to their interface. I would love to see a MS paint or Picasa like interface....If there is any such.....


The previous version PSP XI has more of a Paint/Picassa interface... however, this newer version is visually easier to use.
Sarissi
Reply #18 Sunday, August 10, 2008 7:40 AM
I still use PSP 8 and PS 7 here.
starkers
Reply #19 Sunday, August 10, 2008 8:13 AM
Yeah, we have PSP 8 here as well... but it's collecting dust in my desk cupboard these days.

We also have a full copy of PSP 5.5 on one of those freebie discs that come with PC magazines, but it wouldn't get a look in these days... not with PSP XI and PSP X2 at our disposal.
Jafo
Reply #20 Sunday, August 10, 2008 9:23 AM
PSP6 here....started with PSP when it did [almost] ....way back in Win 3x days ....

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