X3 Service Pack 2 / Trouble with TIFF Files??

[kchildress]

Please bear with me on this one …

I purchased X3 in June of this year. I immediately updated to version 13.0.0.253 (which of course is the result of the Service Pack 1 update), and have been successfully using the program ever since. Now, a quick word about my workflow: If I have a JPEG from my camera that I wish to edit in any way, I immediately save that file as an uncompressed TIFF, and the TIFF file becomes my working copy. I have done this with version 13.0.0.253 countless times with no problems.

I think it was early-to-mid September that I stumbled across X3’s Service Pack 2. I successfully installed this update and if my notes are correct, it brought my X3 up to revision 13.2.0.35.

First question, do we know if 13.2.0.35 is the revision still packaged within Service Pack 2?

Once 13.2.0.35 was installed, my very first action was to open an uncompressed TIFF file that I had created only an hour before with 13.0.0.253. When X3 opened the file, I immediately noticed the program was behaving much differently. Rather than simply displaying the TIFF as a photograph, version 13.2.0.35 tried launching the file in the RAW lab … the result was a very badly corrupted image. I tested with TIFF files that I had created all the back to June with no change. Thinking the problem may be related to “file translation” between the two service packs, I went through the exercise of creating multiple new TIFFs with version 13.2.0.35. There was no change, X3 continued to associate the new TIFFs with the RAW lab and never would display a clean image.

I worked through Corel’s online technical chat service. We made a couple of changes with File Format Preferences/Associations, reset all the defaults, etc … no change. I was ultimately put in touch with second-level phone support at Corel. I never got a clear understanding if Corel had seen this problem or not. After discussing the problem at lenght and making additional configuration changes, I ultimately allowed the Corel technical service agent remote access to my PC so they could clearly see what was happening and to troubleshoot the issue. Here’s the bottom line: The problem simply could not be fixed at the time. My only salvation was to revert back to 13.0.0.253. This in itself is not a clean process … it literally required the agent to dig deep into folders, files, registry edits, etc, to completely wipe 13.2.0.35 off my machine.

I reinstalled X3 from my CD, and reinstalled Service Pack 1, and life was back to normal … I’ve been working with TIFFs in a normal manner ever since.

I would have a very hard time believing that I am the only person who uses this workflow with X3, and that I’m the only person who has seen this problem. Is any of this ringing a bell with anyone???

My current dilema: A couple weeks ago I purchased a new camera, a Fuji HS10, which now makes me RAW-capable (previous camera was JPEG only). The X3 version I am running today (13.0.0.253) is not compatible with this camera’s RAW files. This morning I took another look at Service Pack 2 and see that it is published to handle this camera's RAW … obviously I’m considering reinstalling Service Pack 2 …

… what to do??!! I absolutely do not want to loose my TIFF capabilities …

I would appreciate any comments you have!

Kevin

[LeviFiction]

Well I don't have this problem with TIFF files at all. Neither the ones I've downloaded or my own. I've tried all forms of TIFF compression but I have no problems at all. So I'm of no use here but I can only think of two suggestions.

1) Go to your help menu and see if "Update Camera RAW Lab" is available. I have been under the possible incorrect assumption that the supported RAW formats could be updated separate from Paint Shop Pro. If I'm wrong I'm wrong, but if I'm right then it's possible it should be available.

2) If it's not available then my suggestion, as was my suggestion back in your original topic, use the software that Fuji gives you to make your TIFF files.

It's entirely possible that what happened with Patch 2 was a fluke. If you don't mind risking having to do the whole uninstall process again if I'm wrong you can also just go ahead and install Patch 2 again and see if the problem rears its ugly head again.

[kchildress]

1) Go to your help menu and see if "Update Camera RAW Lab" is available. I have been under the possible incorrect assumption that the supported RAW formats could be updated separate from Paint Shop Pro. If I'm wrong I'm wrong, but if I'm right then it's possible it should be available.

Just checked ... I see the text but it is grayed-out ... can't select it.

Just for my information ... do Corel employees browse these forums? I would really like to provide my Corel PIN and the name of the agent that helped me through the issues I had. Possibly that agent documented something that explains what happened, if it was a fluke, etc. I just don't know if I have it in me to go trough all that again!

[BrianCee]

Yes there are a couple of Corel support staff who visit here - I'm sure one will be around soon.

[LeviFiction]

EDIT: Wow, half an hour late on my response. This is what happens when I pay attention in class, go figure.

Kchildress, you remember Abiel from your last topic. He's from Corel. There is also Simone from Corel UK.

Abiel is pretty good about being on multiple times during the week, sometimes every day so you'll most likely hear from him.

[teknisyan]

Hello kchildress,

If the version number of your PaintShop Pro is 13.2.0.35, then yes this is the version number when you install the Service Pack 2, for Service Pack1 its 13.0.0.253.

With regards to the raw file issue, if the problem is caused by the Raw lab, you can try disabling it by following these steps.
1. Choose File Preferences File Format Preferences.
2. On the General tab, then unmark the Open Camera Raw images with RAW Loader check box to disable the Camera RAW Lab.
3.Click OK.

Hopefully that will help you fix the problem. If the problem persists, please PM me your email address, so that we can further check this for you.

[kchildress]

Abiel,

Thank you for your reply.

I am currently running 13.0.0.253 (service pack 1). The issue I described was only exhibited once I had installed service pack 2 (13.2.0.35) ....... I have since gone through a very long process of getting back to 13.0.0.253.

I realize my original post was lengthy and contained several twists but would you mind taking a second look? During the hours that 13.2.0.35 was installed on this machine, I worked directly with a Corel service agent (who shall remain unnamed in this forum), who validated the preference settings that you have recommended had no effect on the issue. The incident I experienced literally went as far as that service agent providing me a user name/password to the Corel ftp site so that I could upload examples of the issues so they could be validated on his end ....

... I only mention this because I experienced a problem that, at the time, seemed to be validated by Corel as a "bug" in 13.2.0.35.

I would appreciate if you could make additional recommendations.

Regards,

Kevin

[ronzie]

The RAW processing in PSPPX3 does not give me capability available with my Canon DPP utility shipped with and maintained by Canon. I do any raw processing there and export it it as a .tif to work on in PSPP.

Several processes in PSPP reduce 16 bit per channel to 8 bit per channel as well so I prefer sharpening and tone controls in the higher tonal resolution Canon supplied editor.

I bring this up because my suggestion to you is to investigate if Fuji supplied a RAW editor/converter utility with your camera. Usually something is supplied because of the myriad proprietary formats of RAW files used for each manufacturer and model.

[kchildress]

ronzie,

Your point is taken - I am using the RAW converter that came with my camera - no problems there.

While I am certainly interested in gaining another RAW processing tool in PSPX3 (version 13.2.0.35), that is not my primary concern. My primary concern is that I retain the ability to save my work as uncompressed TIFF files in X3, and those TIFF files not be associated with X3's RAW lab when opened at a later date.

Allow me to take another shot at explaining the problem that I had ... maybe someone here would be willing to test this same workflow to see if the problem shows up on their end.

It must be understood that this problem only occurred after I updated to 13.2.0.35. If anyone is willing to test this, please not waste your time if you're not running 13.2.0.35. If you're willing to run this test, please read notes below regarding EXIF data.

1) Open your X3, version 13.2.0.35
2) Drag/Open a JPEG into X3 (((NOTE: Please ensure your JPEG has valid EXIF data before opening in X3)))
3) Resave that JPEG as an uncompressed TIFF file (((NOTE: Be sure to select the option for "Save EXIF"))))
4) Close the new TIFF file that you just created
5) Locate the new TIFF file and reopen/drag it into X3
6) What happens at this point??? Does the new TIFF file simply display as a photographic image (just like the original JPEG)? OR, is your 13.2.0.35 launching X3's RAW lab in attempt of displaying the image???

The problem I experienced at this point: The TIFF file would simply not be displayed as a photographic image. Instead, 13.2.0.35 was associating that new, uncompressed, TIFF file, with EXIF data, as a RAW image ... it was launching the RAW lab and "misinterpreting" the image data and what I saw on the screen was a badly corrupted file. As I've explained without going into all the detail, this was validated by Corel at the time of incident.

Is it really possible that my service pack 2 update was the only one to have this issue?

If anyone is willing to test this, I would certainly appreciate the feedback.

[LeviFiction]

I have tested everything you've written with the exception of Save EXIF. I don't have that option, and yes the image I tried has valid EXIF information.

However the EXIF information is saved into the TIFF file anyway. And it opens properly for me just like it did the last time I tried it.

I don't claim to understand the Paint Shop Pro system, but if it can open all images at 100% for some people and not for others who knows what sort of wacky crazy things it's capable of on your system only.

[kchildress]

I have tested everything you've written with the exception of Save EXIF. I don't have that option, and yes the image I tried has valid EXIF information.

LeviFiction,

You make a good point here, and you are correct. I don't have the "save EXIF" button in my TIFF options either. Apparently I was thinking about this feature as it exists in the JPEG save-as options. I remember now one of the reasons I was saving my work as uncompressed TIFF files, is this was the only TIFF option I could find that did retain the EXIF.

Thanks for taking a shot at this.

Kevin