PSP9 to PSPPhoto Pro 3, crash and questions

[ocwildlife]

Hello, I love Paint Shop Pro and have used it for years. A new Dell Studio XPS 4g ram W7 PC prompted me to purchase the new PSPPhoto 3, and I think I will love it. But it crashes when using some effects, doesn't show exif [I'm a photographer, need it-see below], and I can't seem to find the floating choice in the text bar, even though I moved the Kearning/Tracking part over to the left as far as it goes. [I used to use floating, then select none].

I have saved your posts about the crashing, and have tried the task manager MediaCatalog set to low. Still not consistent, and what exactly will the renaming do to the resources on PSPP? I will play with that some more today. But have spent numerous hours with trying to find the correct fixes and redoing photographs.
generally I drag abour 4 photos [3-9MB each] into the workspace because I need to fine tune choices before starting. Is that too much for PSP now? Actually it has happened with just one photo workload too, mostly when using numerous effects. I have 7D Canon and MKIII Canon cameras, and need to see if both are compatible too. Where?

The errors include Runtime errors (x86) R6025, Pure Virtual function call. StackHash_0a9e. I can get more info if needed because they are numerous. Do I need to call PSP help?

Also when I download the exif issues fix[thanks for the fix], do I save it to where?

Thanks so much, I really do want to continue using PSP products, but the time consumption is getting to me with a bad neck to boot! ;~) Will my Windows 7 ever be compatible?

[LeviFiction]

You save it in the program file folder for Corel.

C:\Program Files\Corel\PaintShop Photo Pro\X3\PSPClassic\

Just make sure to rename the original CorelImageFormats.dll (The one that was in there originally) so that if the fix doesn't work you can restore the original file.

After you rename it you can save the fix in the same folder and that should fix the EXIF problem.

I don't think PSP is capable of holding less information now. Problem is that version X3 is having a lot of problems. Some people can run it just fine, others have problems like yours. And there are no definite solutions. Most of us are just waiting for an update.

And I don't recall a "floating" setting for text. Can you explain that? I'm very curious.

[df]

Try going into Task Manager and setting Corel Paint Shop Photo Pro itself to a priority of High (if you need to do anything else while PSP is open and working on something) or set it to Real Time if you just work on PSP and nothing else. Might work, might not. I can't figure out how to make it start at a high priority so you'd have to do this every time you start the program.

You're running some pretty top end cameras, I'd assume that you have some pretty fast memory cards. Are you able to use one (your fastest, not necessarily your biggest) for ReadyBoost in Win7? That seems to help too. I use that for Vista and Win7, XP doesn't offer this.

I sure hope that Corel fixes this crap. It's a great program, I just wish they would skip the "extras" and fix the running environment. I'm sure that it has something to do with other programs or hardware on users computers but still it shouldn't become this frustrating.

I've even gone so far as to start a game booster http://www.majorgeeks.com/Game_Booster_d5952.html when working in PSPPx3. It essentially shuts down background programs that you don't need (when gaming but it works for other programs too). If you do this and are connected to the internet make sure you leave your Firewall and antivirus and antispyware/antimalware programs running. It even defrags your RAM, however I don't know if this is really of any help.

[ocwildlife]

Thx so much for trying to help, appreciate it. I still don't see any exif, even though I did the rename on original dll, and adding/downloading the fix to that folder. I'll work on that.

I also tried working in High Priority mode in task manager w/psp3, and low priority w/MediaManager. Forced alot of effects on photos and just as I thought it had passed the test with the temp fix it crashed again, so this is not really the answer, although it may put off some crashes.

It's annoying, really to see a wonderful program go down the tubes and turn off so many people who move on to other resources for editing. Annoyed that PSP has had crashing problems for over 3 years with their programs, and it's really a shame this is happening with no fix in sight. I'd like to see Corel PSP continue selling and competing, as they are excellent software, but it irks me when they state that it's compatible with windows 7 when they know they have these problems.
I guess I will have to get on the phone, one last shot at it. We shouldn't have to do this. Doesn't Corel read the lousy reviews they get where these sell?

Do you think it would help if I ran it in XP compatibility mode instead of W7?
Any more links for help? Thnx alot!

Yes, in PSP9 I had my text set to 'floating' it floated on the page and I could move it anywhere, add drop shadow, etc and then choose 'select none' to place it. Anyone know how I can do this?

And also, my layer list to the right of all the steps I had done were listed, then instead of "undo" I could choose how far back I wanted to go without have to hit undo 40 times, lol. Like using the sharpen brush for instance, in 20 different places and then realize it was too sharp, I could go to the layer list, click back to where I started and all would be erased. Does PSPP3 not have this? (ugggh ;~)

[LeviFiction]

The layer list you mention is called the History Palette. And it still has that functionality.

I'm sure there are better ones but here's a video on the History Palette
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFhODprh4DA

As for floating....Oh I see what you mean. You want to use text to create a floating selection on the image and apply effects to this avoiding vectors altogether.

That option also still exists in Paint Shop Pro, in fact it has the exact same label and function as it does in version 9. The only change is it's location. In version 9 of PSP it was the first option on the tool options bar and now it's near the middle of the tool options bar, right after StrokeWidth.

Now even if it weren't the only extra step required is to convert the vector to a raster layer and apply your effects that way. This adds the benefit of the text being on a separate layer in case you change your mind about the position. A lot less destructive even if it does add step. But since you already have a method that you like and that works I'll just drop it.

Now PSP works great for me on Windows 7. So I don't think it's a Windows 7 specific problem. And since I never saw anything on beta testing for this version of PSP (and I check regularly) I'm going to assume it all worked on their systems. And they may have genuinely been caught off guard by all of these problems.

XP compatability mode is of limited use. And sometimes actually stops programs from running but it only takes a few seconds to try.

[df]

Do you think it would help if I ran it in XP compatibility mode instead of W7?
Any more links for help? Thnx alot!

I tried setting PSPPx3 to XP compatibility mode on my Vista machine. It wouldn't even start the program. You can try it but be prepared for it not to work and undo that change. I even uninstalled and reinstalled a couple of times not reallizing it was still set to XP SP2 compatibility mode even after reinstalling with the Corel Cleanup tool. Try it in compatibility mode, then don't forget that you did that if it doesn't solve any issues.

[ocwildlife]

Levi, you've made some great tutes, thank you! They will be very helpful!
Like you said, Yeaaaahhhh for undo! I'm happy again.
OK, on the text option, *Create as Floating, when I choose that, it does not float, whereas it just sits solid on the page with a grey background and unable to move it around. I guess I better get busy and do some logos for tubes, and play with the text some more, then I don't have to worry so much about the text.


I think alot of the style and tech I use is based on alot of years the same thing, rather than alot of reading, so I feel like I'm starting over on a few things! I used to do tutorials more, years back before photography, so have forgotten basic editing skills. It'll all come back eventually,

Thnx also df, I am timid about the changes also. It's a long endeavor setting up the new pc, the new programs and the old ones. I was definitely in a comfortable pace and now alot of changes going on. YUK and I hate already changing a pc around when its brand new. I managed a Dell PC with high use graphics for 9 years, with no problems until Norton 09 came out! lol Never even ever formatted. Just plain frustrating.
thnx again to you both.