Is Jasc Paintshop pro 7 any good?

[jimiw]

I cannot afford photo shop and a friend gave me his Jasc after he bought photo shop. I have not yet had the opportunity to play around with it so I was wondering if anyone else has and what is your opinion of it? Thanks Jimi
I just seen the other forum on photo editing so if you would please move this there. Thanks Jimi

[Rense]

I've had all the version from paintshop.
Version 7 is a long time ago, but in my memory it was really good: it was before the corel days and Jasc inc. was developing the program.

In the paintshop fora there is a saying that the even versions are better than the uneven versions.

Corel has just released version XII, that is really nice. The price is about the same as Photoshop elements, but you get somer more functionality.

Best advise: use version 7, if you need more download trials from both Photoshop (elements) and paintshop pro. Then decide wich way to go.

[jimiw]

Thank you Rense, I am new to photo editing but I figure if I can learn the basics then I can move on when Jasc 7 doesnt give me what I need. Again thanks, Jimi

I had paintshop a few years back ..
Its good to learn with but if your desktop processing is limited it probably will serve you well.

[Mark1616]

I used to use PSP 7 now use PSP X. V7 is fine for doing most of what you will want (my dad still uses v7) but once you have got the hang of it you will find newer versions to be really nice (they are actually a lot easier to use as well). If you are keeping the budget down stick with PSP rather than going to Photoshop. I've looked at elements in relation to PSP and there is a lot more that PSP has to offer, the only problem with PSP is that a lot of instructional articles in magazines are for Photoshop Elements or CS2/CS3. They can generally be done in PSP but you have to work out how to do it.

[jimiw]

Thank you D. Rogers and Mark1616 that makes me feel better at least until I learn it. I also have Gimp2 and in my opinion its a joke compared to the Jasc. Again thanks, Jimi

[Rense]

If you don't like the Gimp, Paintshop or Photoshop(elements), you could also try Photoline. A nice little program works from an usb stick.

[jimiw]

I guess I shouldnt criticize a program especially since Im new at photo editing. My problem with Gimp2 is I went to straighten a barn in a pic and when I did it became very blurred and I could not get it sharp again no matter what I tried. The Gimp may well be a good program and I just dont know how to use it, but it also said during installation that I had to visit a site and and get some files so it would be complete. I will invest in photoline. Thank you Rense. Jimi

[drkranger]

You might want to look at PSP XI. It's been on sale or discounted in my area as of late. I bought it for $20 with a $50 rebate from Corel, but it's been $40 without the rebate in the last week. It is a very nice program to play with. It can be as simple or as advanced as you'd like. I absolutely love the help design. A slideout bar appears on the left that gives step-by-step instructions on a tool. It's pretty slick.

By the way, I think PSP XII is coming out soon and that's why XI is cheap, but I'm not sure.

[dougsmit]

Originally Posted by Rense

I've had all the version from paintshop.
Version 7 is a long time ago, but in my memory it was really good: it was before the corel days and Jasc inc. was developing the program.

In the paintshop fora there is a saying that the even versions are better than the uneven versions.

Corel has just released version XII, that is really nice. The price is about the same as Photoshop elements, but you get somer more functionality.

Best advise: use version 7, if you need more download trials from both Photoshop (elements) and paintshop pro. Then decide wich way to go.

Rense;
I used PSP 7 before I bought my Canon 300D which came with Elements 2.0 free. I recall preferring just about everything in PSP when it came to user interface but there were a few functions missing that were present in Elements (and I can't recall what it was so long ago) so I never upgraded PSP beyond 7. Can you (or anyone) address what is 'really nice' about PSP XII that might be of interest to a photo processor? I am not interested in computer graphics or desktop publishing but only image manipulations like dodging and burning, curves, local color adjustments and the sort of things that come up turning a camera file into a finished photo. A few specific questions:

Does PSP support 16 bit images for all of its operations? For example Elements 3.0 (last one I bought) allowed local 'lasso' selection and brightness/contrast control in 16 bit but the dodge/burn tools were grayed out until you went to 8 bit.

Does PSP allow easy selection and controllable edge feathering so you can apply any operation to parts of an image as well as to the whole thing?

To what degree are layers supported?

Will PSP now accept plugins written for Photoshop?

Thanks.

[jimiw]

Thank you drkranger I will check into it!I do appreciate it Jimi

[Rense]

Originally Posted by dougsmit

Rense;
Can you (or anyone) address what is 'really nice' about PSP XII that might be of
interest to a photo processor? I am not interested in computer graphics or
desktop publishing but only image manipulations like dodging and burning,
curves, local color adjustments and the sort of things that come up turning a
camera file into a finished photo.

PSP has all the things you mention and more.
See for a list of new things: Release notes

A few specific questions:

Does PSP support 16 bit images for all of its operations? For example Elements
3.0 (last one I bought) allowed local 'lasso' selection and brightness/contrast
control in 16 bit but the dodge/burn tools were grayed out until you went to 8
bit.

Unfortunately not every tool is avaible in 16-bit mode.
The dodge/burn tools are only 8-bit.

Does PSP allow easy selection and controllable edge feathering so you can apply
any operation to parts of an image as well as to the whole thing?

Yes you can make a selection with a lasso and then feather the selection:

To what degree are layers supported?

Layers are supported to a high degree. See the following screendump:

Will PSP now accept plugins written for Photoshop?

Not every plugin that works under Photoshop works under PSP.
For instance curvemeister or Ozone don't work.

Most ordinary plugins (including (shameless plug) my plugins written for the PhotoCamel) do work.
Always test it out before you buy.

[Kozee]

I loved PSP 7 and on up through 9 and I am old school and hated 10 until I forced myself to use it. I am not a fan of Coreal so I was upset they purchased jasc. I purchased XI for 19.99 @ Best Buy with the instant rebate (since Best Buy can no longer offer mail in rebates they give them to you instantly now)
7 will be easy to learn on and there are a lot of tutorials on line for it. I think you will be happy starting out with this program.

[heartseye]

Jimi....I have used PSP since v5.5......I have used them all and now use the v12......there really is nothing you cannot do. Enjoy....

[jimiw]

Thank you heartseye and Kozee its really appreciated. Jimi