Think I'm going back to X2...

[THXjay]

After my initial problem with X4 not starting up (solved by deleting a rogue folder) I have been very pleased with it so far. I like the dark workspace, I've got used to the different way that the text tool works. This afternoon I have been using it without a hitch, then after shutting it down and deciding to do some more "tinkering" a few hours later it just wouldn't start. It loads up fine but the workspace is frozen. The cursor moves freely but nothing is accessible, I had to use task manager to shut it down (a few times). I've tried restarting the computer, tried holding down shift whilst starting....nothing!

I can't even use it again now. If I didn't have all my years of artwork saved in PSP format, I'd seriously consider moving over to PhotoShop. I thought about it a lot recently as there is so much more help available and plenty of magazines to learn from, not to mention the vast array of plugins and extras. I started off using PSP because my first computer came with a copy and I just got used to it!

How easy is it to switch to PS from PSP? Does anyone have any experience?

Also, is there a way to convert pspimage files to a PhotoShop format and keep all the layers and stuff?

[LeviFiction]

You can save as a PSD image from PaintShop Pro. Though I don't know how well it maintains the layers. Vectors will almost assuredly be converted to raster. And there is no art-media layer in Photoshop. So basic Rasters and groups should convert nicely but beyond that it's anyone's guess how well your art will transfer.

There is also a plugin out there for Photoshop that can read PaintShop Pro files. But it only opens the format for PSP 5 - 9. http://www.telegraphics.com.au/sw/product/PSPFormat

And I've found that since a number of things are similar you will find it easier than someone first starting out. But the differences are enough that it's frustrating for a while. Their filters and adjustments are different, sometimes in options sometimes in name and always in location. Photoshop has a very different menu setup.

Less customization in Photoshop but it does well enough. (You can change the pasteboard color for instance...and draw on the pasteboard)

I like the power of Photoshop but I still prefer the ease of use of PSP.

[teknisyan]

If the problem is with the workspace being frozen, I would suggest that you reset your workspace. You can do that by pressing and holding down the SHIFT key then double-click on the PSP icon then when you received the message "DO YOU WAN TO RESTORE PAINTSHOP Pro TO ITS DEFAULT STATE?" just click OK.

[LeviFiction]

Abiel, I don't mean to sound insulting and please forgive me if I am but you tend to skim these posts don't you?

THXjay specifically said they tried holding down shift while restarting - true it's easy to miss as it doesn't use the "reset workspace" keywords but it is there.

[Ken Berry]

Coincidentally -- and curiously -- enough, I had a very similar problem to the one described by THXjay just yesterday. The program would open correctly and in my preferred Edit workspace. But if I clicked on either the Manage or Adjust tabs, I would get a white blank in the workspace area. The mouse would move, but nothing I clicked on would react. I too had to use Task Manager (several times) to close down X4. I eventally resorted to Shift > Reset to factory default, and in my case, this did work, but of course with the consequent need to personalise the program once again.

I have no idea what caused the problem, though.

[teknisyan]

Abiel, I don't mean to sound insulting and please forgive me if I am but you tend to skim these posts don't you?

THXjay specifically said they tried holding down shift while restarting - true it's easy to miss as it doesn't use the "reset workspace" keywords but it is there.

Yes, sorry about.. a bad habit of mine.. I usually look for keywords and I often missing something like that. I guess I need to change that this 2012.

[JStanley]

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[THXjay]

Thanks for the replies guys. I did manage to get it to do a restore eventually but I now have to redo my custom workspace and settings. Is there an easy way of backing up the personalised settings so it is simpler to re-apply them?

I must admit that I am still a little unsure of X4's overall stability and ruggedness. I've had problems with X2 in the past, freezing and crashing but always just put up with it as I didn't have an alternative. I've used PSP since version 8 and don't remember the older ones being so buggy and sluggish!

I am still toying with the idea of buying PhotoShop and running it side-by-side with PSP to have the best of both worlds. Does anyone have experience of having both programs on the same computer?
I was wondering if there would be any conflicts with program directories and associations etc.

I really love Paint Shop when it works but it sure does test your commitment sometimes

[JStanley]

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[pdxrjt]

IMHO Photoshop is very expensive bloatware that is geared more toward graphics and animation than photography. If that is your intended application, it may be a good program for you. I utilize PSE10 as PSP does not tend to function very well with many of the plug-ins available to PS. As I totally dislike the organizer in PSE or PSP, I organize and keyword my photos (and frankly) do 95% of my editing in Lightroom. The three programs PSE, PSP and Lightroom all play well together on my computer. PSP seems to have more depth and features than PSE, but even PSE has a trick or two PSP could learn from. The learning curve from PSP to PSE was pretty quick as much of using post processing is WHAT you want to do and most of the tools are similar. If I only had one program, I'd probably keep Lightroom, but PSP would be very, very close behind.