PSP X4 SP2 = Big dissapointment

[eL_PuSHeR]

I had high hopes in SP2 that would allow me to use PSP X4.

It seems this is not the case. The list of changes is so tiny and the issue with TIFF saving isn't resolved yet.

A big dissapointment to me.

[ADonahoo]

The program opens a lot faster for me, that's a big change. Before it was 10+ minutes and now it's just a few seconds to be able to actually do any work. Other than that, I have not seen any changes. The release notes (a link was posted elsewhere on the forum) have no details, only a short list of issues addressed but not how these were addressed. I had a chuckle over the fact that they fixed Facebook access issues; it never occurred to me to try to connect to Facebook with PSP.

[LindaSue]

I had a chuckle over the fact that they fixed Facebook access issues; it never occurred to me to try to connect to Facebook with PSP.

It's pretty sad that Corel wasted time on something like that when there are a lot more important issues that needed to be fixed.

[hartpaul]

Yeah I noticed the Facebook uploading issue as well. What a laugh. Did Corel carry out a survey to find out how many registered users want to use it to upload their images to Facebook? I think not. And if Facebook in anyway changes its uploading procedures , guess what? Another bug to fix. Image of Corel dog chasing its tail comes to mind.
OK . Have a suitable for facebook etc save function but save to users computer so that if and when Facebook changes upload procedures there is no loss or bug.
Instead concentrate on the issues that people are complaining about on these forums. Or is that placed in the too hard basket.

[ADonahoo]

Instead concentrate on the issues that people are complaining about on these forums. Or is that placed in the too hard basket.

That's entirely possible because Simone has already posted the text offset problem can't be fixed. Don't know why they can't go look at the differences in coding from when it worked and when it didn't. But maybe I'm trying to make it to easy.

[eL_PuSHeR]

In the interim. I have just one option left: Wait for SP3.

[jaxman43]

In the interim. I have just one option left: Wait for SP3.

Or back to PSPX2U.

[scoutchuck]

I had a chuckle over the fact that they fixed Facebook access issues; it never occurred to me to try to connect to Facebook with PSP.

I used the Facebook access successfully until SP2; it now only allows me to upload to "Only Me" or locked photo albums or create a new album. In all, the PSP upload is faster than the FB uploader, but it's a pain to now go and move the photos to my desired albums

[timmendorf]

I disagree!
PsP x4 sp2 is not a big disappointment for me. It contains very important fixes of bugs which have prevented me from using the program at all until now:

1.) The program loads really fast now.
2.) When changing between Edit and Manage pane (in Thumbnail mode) you don’t lose all these nice little icons anymore that you put in line in the Edit pane.
3.) When having multiple images open in the Edit pane in Cascade mode and work with the Crop toll, you can click on the images without the program going back into tabbed mode.
4.) The docking of palettes is much better now.

OK, after opening the program and going into the Edit pane, you have to arrange your Thumbnail mode every time from scratch. This is still annoying.

Also that you still can’t use Dual Monitor mode having the Manage pane in Thumbnail mode is bad in my opinion, but that’s not a bug, but a change of philosophy of the developers which I dislike, since PsP X2,.

I also dislike that if I double click on an image in the Manage pane the image opens in this stupid Quick Edit mode instead of the full Editor.

The most important thing for me is that the program does not change automatically in a funny way. Professional work is possible, which really is important if one thinks of the good stuff in this version like Adjust Fill Light/Clarity and other time-saving features.

[timmendorf]

I have to revise my statement concerning the startup of PSP X4. It starts fast the first 3 or 4 times. Now it needs again until 8 minutes to finish the starting process. It seems to scan the whole computer, really stupid!

[df]

8 minutes?? That's horrible. I've gone back to PSP X3 and only use the Nik extras that X4 Ultimate came with. Main reason being that I use Photomatix A LOT(!!!) and Tiffs from Photomatix won't open properly in PSP X4, but just fine in X3. I'm sure this is viewed by Corel as "a feature".

[brucet]

Strange? I start and stop my PSPx4 many times a day. Last night and today I have put about 50-60, 92 meg tiffs through PSPx4 and it still starts up in under 10 seconds every time.

I wonder how many of these issues are Corel issues and how many are computer issues? Then again should Corel design a program that covers all the combinations of computers and set ups? Or are we being unrealistic?

[hartpaul]

I agree with Brucet.
I wonder how many problems are caused by a recent update to Windows that is not mentioned and another update later on repairs the problem . That might explaing some of the random errpors where PSPX4 is working OK and then suddenly it is not. Instead of looking at X4 look at some other program that has been installed or soe update that has occurred.
I think the rule is that any new product these days will have teething problems because they are so complicated . This is further complicated by the cries for more features which in their turn will / may introduce more bugs. I keep PSP 8, X2, X3 and X4 available to run on the same computer. That way if there is a problem (common problem to many people) then one of the earlier ones can be used before they started to investigate more features.
eg I had a problem with X3 not recording some script operations especially where there was a repetition of Levels to lighten and then darken back to normal.
It recorded under X2 and would run correctly under X3 so I learnt to record my scripts under X2.

Have also read somewhere that slow starting of X4 was attributed to a problem with Firefox as the default brouser and X4 having trouble interfacing there when it was searching for updates.
So before you claim that X4 is slow in starting disable as many of the other activities and see which one is causing problems
eg. Use IE as default browser, do not have connected any external hard drives. Disable the cataloging systemand have the default opening program as the Edit mode. I have that and X4 always opens and is ready in 10 seconds screen and 26 seconds for taking commands. Second opening after closing was 4 sec an 16. Nothing like 8 minutes. So look elsewhere for your problems.

[ADonahoo]

eg. Use IE as default browser, do not have connected any external hard drives. Disable the cataloging systemand have the default opening program as the Edit mode. I have that and X4 always opens and is ready in 10 seconds screen and 26 seconds for taking commands. Second opening after closing was 4 sec an 16. Nothing like 8 minutes. So look elsewhere for your problems.

Using IE as default browser had no effect on X4, and disconnecting my external drives would render it useless for any meaningful work because all my images are on external drives. When I had it installed on an XP computer, it did start faster so it could very well be due to something in Windows 7. But Windows 7 had been out more than a year when X4 was released. I still think it has something to do with the X4 organizer which I really would like to use. But deleting a single image within the organizer disables X4 for several minutes.

[hartpaul]

I did not mean to disconnect your permanent hard drive permanently, but just to check on start up times of X4. Once it has started , then connect the external hard drive. Suggestions I have made are to try and see wher the slow down occurs.

I once had windows XP take what seemed forever to start and then realised I had an external hard drive connected and once I disconnected that it started normally. THis did not happen with all hard drives and may have varied with the brand of hard drive and the amount of data on it. I did not bother to check any more , just made sure all drives were turned off for initial boot and then brought them on line.