PSP X4 - Memory issues

[arkitekt878]

Being a new user to PSP4 I'm sure there is probably an easy answer to this memory problem. I have a file which is 3884 x 2567 px and 55Mb in size. It was saved as a pspimage after I used the HDR process.

On my system PSP uses roughly 160k of memory when it is first loaded and I have the Manager Tab selected. When I select the file mentioned above and use the Edit Tab initially memory usage jumps to about 236k but does drop back to about 6k. I never apply edits to the background so I right click and duplicate the layer. Memory usage jumps straight away to around 230k. After applying Tonal Contrast from NIK Color Efex on this duplicated layer the memory usage doesn't change it's still 230k.

Maybe this is where I am going wrong. As an ex Photoshop user I normally apply effects to an image on separate layers and the method I have been using in PSP X4 is to press Control and select all the layers. Then use Edit, Copy Special, Copy Merged and finally Edit, Paste as New Layer. However I can only do that a few times before I start getting warnings that there is not enough memory. Now as I don't want to collapse layers, this problem prompted me to do some investigations about memory usage, here's what I found.

Having got as far as applying my first effect and the memory usage being around 230k I then use the method described above to get a new layer for the next effect and the memory usage jumps to about 512k. Apply the effect and it's still about 512k. At this point I have 3 layers, Background, Tonal Contrast and Glamour Glow (I name my layers). Now I will create the new layer for the next effect using the same method as above. I'm now at 595K. If I continue using this process I get 670k, 753K and finally a message "Not enough memory to complete the operation". What i find strange is that PSP X4 seems to release some of the memory it is using at this point as usage drops back to about 550k. At this point I have 6 layers to my image, normally when I'm editing I may take it up as high as about 12 -15 layers as I apply effects, textures, use dodge and burn etc.

To me PSP seems to be very memory hungry and inconsistent in the way it grabs memory between each addition of a new layer. Perhaps some of the more experienced PSP users could advise me if what I am doing is wrong. Is there a better way to do things that won't use as much memory? Hopefully there is...

Mike

[Filly]

Can you believe it Corel knows of the memory problem in X3
You would have though they would have fixed it..
Perhaps in X5..Cheers

[arkitekt878]

That's all I need. How do I contact Corel about this. I presume through support.

[arkitekt878]

I tried flagging this to Corel by sending an email to support. Twice I created a case and twice I got told the case was created then it's flagged as case creation failed. Does anyone from Corel read these forums or do I have to spend time on the phone....

I really am trying to give this product a go but if this layer problem can't be resolved then the package in my opinion is not fit for purpose. Especially as I have been told it's a long term problem which hasn't been resolved from earlier versions.

[Filly]

I hope I don't find this problem as I took the plunge and bought it yesterday,
when they were selling for $39.99Us $40 off..
thought it was a good deal..
Have put a case to them re Filters Unlimited..
Through the grapevine I was told they know of the problem with X3 and were working on it..
Surely they would have had it fixed by X4 as a lot keep quite a few plugins in there..
I have no complaints so far most of my plugins are working except FU on a transparent layer..
that bugs me and I am not alone..
$39.99 is a good price..Cheers