Corel Paint Shop Photo Pro X2

[BroncoGuy]

Just checking to see if there was any info on the next version of PSP and saw that they released it a few days ago with a version in the stores by Sept 18. I use PSPX and tried PSPP XI but did not buy. Maybe I didn't get the memo from Corel because I am not on the current version, but I would have thought they would send an email to old customers or something. Guess not.

Has anyone tried this yet?

I did a quick search and found no review or user-like information on it, just press release type stuff.

 

[Brian Wadie]

I tried downloading a trial copy with a 10mb sec Broadband connection but it was only delivering at at 30-70kb sec, so I gave up!

It looks good but unless they get the download sorted I doubt I will buy "blind" - PSP10.2 does most of what I want anyway (especially now I have a free copy of Lightroom 1.1

 

[Kansas Ron]

I did get it downloaded - slow, but a lot of sites have been slow on dowloading recently. It installed okay, but so far has been slow when running. Does seem to do a nice job, as previous versions. CR2 files comversion seems to be much improved - though I do want to compare it to a couple of converters I already have to decide for sure.

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(See profile for equipment)

 

[jezsik]

I took a quick look on the website, but didn't see any "What's new" feature. While I'm tempted to upgrade, I'd sure like to know what I'm getting myself into. I mean, is it really WORTH upgrading?

 

[Kansas Ron]

Best thing to do is install the trial version, that way you can make your own decision.
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(See profile for equipment)

 

[Brian Wadie]

Well, I've downloaded it (about 1hr 45minutes) what a dire download site!

After about 2 hours of evaluation I can't find anything in the "upgrades" that looks worth the £49 upgrade price - so I've uninstalled it.

I think I maybe be putting the money toward the upgrade to PS CS3 which does seem to have some real value in the new tools

(PSP 12 seemed significantly slower than 10.03, even with an AMD 64 X2 6000+ CPU with 2 gig of memory)

 

[Barry Fitzgerald]

The program size is massive..over 300mb.

And the download was slow.

Using psp 9 and X, I skipped XI as it was a resource hog and too slow.

Whilst I cannot comment on this new one (and might try to re download it later), I am not holding out here for anything.

Its just getting to damn big. PSP was a pretty lean program once..XI killed that, it just seems to be getting worse, esp that nasty browser thing too.

For my needs 9 and X are doing fine. I just dont want a load of junk on my pc, I have LR and a couple of other small raw convertors, thats enough for me.

I think PSP needs a complete overhaul being honest..just tacking on a few bits each year doesnt cut it anymore.
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Clint is on holiday! Soon to return! ;-)

 

[border lord]

Corel has purchased Ulead, so I would suspect that PSP will be integrated with Photoimpact shortly. Ulead had the berrer product, but Corel has more sales resources and market penetration/name recognition. Should be interesting.

BL

 

[jezsik]

I've not been keeping up with Corel. I hope they manage to integrate their numerous products into a cohesive suite.

Yeah, I'm an optimist.

 

[lukaszj]

Corel has purchased Ulead, so I would suspect that PSP will be
integrated with Photoimpact shortly. Ulead had the berrer product,
but Corel has more sales resources and market penetration/name
recognition. Should be interesting.

Actually a good part of new features looks like "we're catching up with PI" list.

L.

 

[jezsik]

Unfortunately, the link comparing the various versions, and highlighting the new features, leads to a PDF file. Why, oh WHY must Corel use PDF files? I refuse to open it just on principle.

The first thing that stands out is the fact that they've "updated" the interface. I HATE IT WHEN THEY UPDATE THE INTERFACE. We spend countless hours getting used to the controls and they they change them? I can't determine the impact just yet, but one significant difference is that they've moved to a black interface. This REALLY put me off, but then I remembered how much I like working on a black background. Yeah, the ol' knee is really jerking this morning. (You can change it back to the old look if you want, I'm happy to report.)

HDR Photo Merge! Nice feature to combine exposures. That might be worth the upgrade cost right there.

Layer Styles looks interesting. Drop shadows, glows, bevels, etc can be put on a different layer (no big deal) and they update when you change the layer above (big deal). At least that's my understanding.

There are some other feature improvements and treats like picture tubes, but the two above look the most interesting to me.

I'll probably upgrade (I wonder how awful the t-shirt will be. Did anyone get the horrible camera strap they offered a few years ago? )

 

[Duwane Huffaker]

I have been told this new PSP version does not support 16 bit cloning. If true, I do not comprehend why Corel did not include that. Lack of 16 bit cloning convinced me not to buy PSP XI. I use PSP X (which does not support 16 bit cloning) and Picture Window Pro (supports 16 bit cloning). I work a lot with 16 bit Tiff files.
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thezero

 

[dmeisner]

Try downloading again. The Corel downlload link (recently added) uses a download manager that drops the time down to 10-20 minutes. The Cnet link still takes a while.

 

[Barry Fitzgerald]

I have been told this new PSP version does not support 16 bit
cloning. If true, I do not comprehend why Corel did not include
that. Lack of 16 bit cloning convinced me not to buy PSP XI. I use
PSP X (which does not support 16 bit cloning) and Picture Window Pro
(supports 16 bit cloning). I work a lot with 16 bit Tiff files.
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thezero

Corel seem convinced that the best way to shift new versions is to tack on more guff each time around. That 16bit clone is one example...

I have not upgraded since X, its does most of what I want, minus the junk. XI was a disaster speed wise, the browser just sucked up ram, and hit the processor big time.

Bout time corel woke up to what people want, get the basic stuff better, and not mess about at the edges.

Honestly I have little faith in future versions, they are very lazy on that front.

I am redownloading the latest version..just to try it..not holding out much hope though.
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Clint is on holiday! Soon to return! ;-)

 

[Jason Edwards]

It was so pathetically slow once I got it downloaded. I played with it for about 5 minutes and then uninstalled. I'll just stick with Elements 5 while waiting for Elements 6 to show up.

Jason

 

[Barry Fitzgerald]

It was so pathetically slow once I got it downloaded. I played with
it for about 5 minutes and then uninstalled. I'll just stick with
Elements 5 while waiting for Elements 6 to show up.

Jason

Well aside from the massive install files..325mb odd, compared to a lean 100mb odd with PSP X, the start up was very slow on my dual core pc.

Then..as I feared it started to eat up processor time searching for photos...arrggghhhhh...I dont want that!

I dont see much new here..not really. Wow a dark skin...more gimmicks, the core program is the same..with junk added on.

Frankly I am amazed this even gets out the door..what were they thinking?

To think this used to be a great program once..sticking with 9 and X..thanks but NO THANKS!
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Clint is on holiday! Soon to return! ;-)

 

[Earthlight]

Any improvements speedwise? Any positive experiences? Any rumours about new patches?

Am I right assuming that layers can still be merged in any mode in 16-bit?

Earthlight

ps. I actually find the new interface attractive based on the screen captures.

pps. I wonder why there has been no mention of this in the news?

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Mostly harmless

 

[PJPHOTO]

I'd wait....it does some wierd things eating processor time after every save for about 10 seconds. Nothing new that really matters. The "browser" crashes constantly. The only saving grace is the HDR function which seems to actually sort of work...other than that, forget it!

I don't understand why they don't concentrate on what matters like full 16 bit workflow capabilities, a raw converter that works, etc...

I used to be a PSP fan but these upgrades are really getting to be cr@p!

Philip

 

[Earthlight]

I'd wait....it does some wierd things eating processor time after
every save for about 10 seconds.

Maybe it's writing undo data to disc or something?

Nothing new that really matters.
The "browser" crashes constantly. The only saving grace is the HDR
function which seems to actually sort of work...other than that,
forget it!

The HDR would be one of the major reasons to upgrade for me. I'm currently using the version X (10.03)

Crashing browser sounds like a nuisance. I have 2 gigs of RAM and wonder whether it's going to be enough.

I don't understand why they don't concentrate on what matters like
full 16 bit workflow capabilities, a raw converter that works, etc...

I was truly hoping for a full 16-bit workflow. What are the key tools that still need 8-bit? I hope that at least the layers are thoroughly 16-bit!

Do they have a list about it somewhere?

I used to be a PSP fan but these upgrades are really getting to be cr@p!

Oh, I was so expecting for better news!

Earthlight

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Mostly harmless

 

[PJPHOTO]

Not sure what causes the processor burn after save but it is annoying. I think it's something to do with the auto save backup function they've included.

Any of the local tools for burn, dodge, clone, saturation, etc only work in 8 bit.

I don't use and have never used the browser in PSP....painfully slow and problematic. The new interface is really just the graphite color on the old one which is nice but not that big a deal.

That being said, I do like some of the tools in PSP like noise removal, chromatic abberation removal, which do work in 16 bit, and a few other filters, but these "upgrades" are getting to be lipstick on a pig. YMMV.

Philip