How did YOU learn to use Paint Shop Pro?

[McKinnan]

First off... Hello!! My name is McKinnan and I am a very new, very ignorant kid on the block.

I’d like to reach out to you all and ask a general question.

While I do have excellent computer skills, I am completely new to any form of digital art.

I have fallen in love with the 3D modeling program DAZ Studio and am trying to learn PSP X6 as my post work software.

My learning of the DAZ software has been pretty quick. There is a LOT out there to support learning DAZ.

I am finding the learning curve in PSP HIGH. I don’t want to just apply an effect and say “There… I’m done.” I would like to learn how to use this software as an artist. I’ve attached a file that represents where I would like to wind up after a LOT of work.

I have been working with the tutorials that came with the software, YouTube tutorials and a few dedicated websites, but I gotta admit… I feel like I’ve dived into a 20 foot pool and am not a very good swimmer.

Is this just the basic learning curve everyone has to put themselves through or am I missing some fantastic resource out there?

How did you all learn to use PSP?

Thanks in advance for any and all replies

[photodrawken]

There's no substitute for time and practice.

I learned PSP by reading the Help file and pausing to experiment as each feature was explained. When I became somewhat proficient, I scoured the user forums (of a couple different image editing programs) for examples of problem images and practiced on those images in PSP.

The 3 most important skills to learn (with any image editing software, not just PSP) are:
1. Making selections.
2. Using layers.
3. Using masks.

The learning curve is steep if you haven't used any image editing software, but just take your time and proceed at a comfortable pace. The good news is that mastering those three skills will allow you to readily adapt to any other image editing program that you find.

[LeviFiction]

Ah Daz, fun program but like most things I just can't seem to get a handle on its finer points. I also probably spent more on the additional content than I would have on the full program itself. I really should just learn to design my own stuff in Blender.

I learned PSP through the help files, online tutorials, experimentation, and books.

However, I'm not a good image editor. I know the program, I don't know the techniques or what to look for in an image. As photodrawken noted, practicing what you learn is huge. And learn more than the tools. Learn the techniques and basics. There are things PSP can't do out of the box, but with some finagling you can get a good facsimile out of it.

[Joelle]

How did you all learn to use PSP?

When I first bought PSP it was still owned by Jasc.
Jasc also had a forum, which later turned into newsgroups.
Corel continued the newsgroups, which are still there to this day, although they no longer publicise them on their website, much to my, and other people's, annoyance as it is an excellent way to learn from others.
It is mainly through the newsgroups that I have acquired knowledge, plus books, plus on-line tutorials.
I have folders full of 'things that could be useful'

As for whatever reason, support for PSP seems to have lessened, the on-line tutorial websites have not been renewed, which is a shame.
There are lots of video tutorials on YouTube though.

I don't have a list of what is most important or not.
Reading the Help files is a good start though.
They're good at explaining, but are not tutorials.

Have fun, I did and still do

Joëlle

[pdxrjt]

I also have owned PSP since the JASC days. Every now and then I get a book about it and read that. Not so I'll know how to do things, but so I know what the program is capable of. If I want to do it later, I can then look it up or search for how. I frequent these boards and watch/read the lessons posted around the net. I keep a data base of "tips" and methods for doing things in PSP. Mostly I've learned by doing things. This forum has also been a super resource.

[brucet]

I've been using PSP since the JASC days as well. So a long time but that doesn't make me an expert!

I learned by constantly falling over. Making mistakes. Then looking for answers. Google is great.
Find something you like and see if you can figure out how the artist achieved their results. Lots of small steps. Open a file and kill it with experiments. Keep in mind that there is often more than one way to get a result. None of which is the 'right' way.

I think everyone on this forum is skilled with PSP in some area of the program. Maybe in editing or simply tracking down 'bugs'. But between us all we have some of the answers. So just ask.

Finally remember that we all 'evolve'. As you find your way through PSP you will find your aims and techniques will change and so will what you think you wanted to achieve. Simply don't expect years of experience to happen over night.

regards

http://www.cre8ivephotography.com/

[trueblue]

I've had PSP since JASC but used more regularly in later years.

I was a PhotoImpact user and changed over to PSP. Mostly self taught and as others have stated, help files and experimenting and lots of practise. Also, learning from others.

I took the Stepping Stones Through PSP, but I practically knew what I was being taught as it was a beginner's course. I'm not sure if this exists now.

There's a new set of free classes being offered but not sure if they'd suit you. Again it's very basic and for beginners to learn the programme various tools etc. It doesn't delve into any photography. http://bw-forums.com/home/

[McKinnan]

Thank you all so much for the replies! I very much appreciate your time. Based on your stories, I think I'm probably putting my feet in your same footsteps other than reading the help files which I will start to incorporate.

@ brucet - I think taking an image and trying to replicate it is a good idea. I'd been doing that for a few years as a pencil artist but I guess I'd hoped those days were done and I could move on into creating my own art.

@ photodrawken - thank you for the list of priorities. that's gonna help because I can get overwhelmed with everything a piece of software is capable of and lose site of the basics.

The biggest thing I'm thankful for in all your replies is that no one looked at the image I posted and said "Oh, PSP can't do that you'll have to use the OTHER software" which I pretty much refuse to do because of price and just a personal dislike of the company who "owns the market".

Thank you for the offers to answer my questions here. I'm confident you will hear from me

[Joelle]

The biggest thing I'm thankful for in all your replies is that no one looked at the image I posted and said "Oh, PSP can't do that you'll have to use the OTHER software" which I pretty much refuse to do because of price and just a personal dislike of the company who "owns the market".

Thank you for the offers to answer my questions here. I'm confident you will hear from me

PSP can match (with a fair amount of knowledge) the mighty Adobe Photoshop, it just takes a little longer, or the approach is different.
Both programs use the same plugins.
PSP is an excellent program and I am sure you will enjoy learning about all it can do

Joelle

[McKinnan]

@trueblue - registered for the BW mentoring this morning! Could not have come at a better time for me. Love it when life does this

[Cassel]

I started with PSP7, when my mom upgraded her version to 8 and gave me her CD.
I found a set of tutorials online (a French translation of PSPImaginarium) and I followed the 36 tutorials. Then, I redid the same tutorials using my own supplies instead of what was provided.

After that, I was comfortable doing basic stuff and explored the program more and more, discovering tools, commands and settings that could become useful.

A few years ago, I got hooked on scripting. I took Suz's class on scripting for PSP.

Now, I am teaching PSP, mostly with the scrapbooking and crafting angle ( and I sell scripts too ).

[pdxrjt]

For me, the bottom line is there is no substitute for going in and doing it. As I said in my earlier answer, I read books and articles, then watch tutorials...... the shock hits when I actually go to "do something." At times it is pretty easy, while at others you spend ages figuring out the simplest thing. Fortunately, my spread sheet with PSP tips helps me remember short cuts and techniques. All-in-all, for me, PSP has been a very good program.