PSPX7 trial users

[trueblue]

If you have recently installed the trial or purchased X7 I would like you to submit here :

1. what you like
2. what you don't like
2. bugs you have encountered or things not working as you think they should.

Please don't comment if you don't have X7. Thanks.

[BobClay]

Have installed this and so far all my usual actions have produced no problem. One niggle though, when selecting 'Digital Noise Removal' I get the dialogue box in full screen mode, and cannot reduce it in size, i.e. it occupies entire workspace, like wise for the 'Red eye removal' but the other photo tools appear as re-sizeable dialogue boxes on the work space in the normal way.

[OldRadioGuy]

when selecting 'Digital Noise Removal' I get the dialogue box in full screen mode, and cannot reduce it in size, i.e. it occupies entire workspace

I can confirm this behavior on my system.

like wise for the 'Red eye removal'

This is just a tool like the Blemish Remover, for example, and thus there's no need for another window.

Bob

[LeviFiction]

Bob, there is are two red-eye removal options inside of PSP. There is the tool found on the toolbar, and there is an effect. The effect attemps to create an actual eye (iris and pupil) to overlay across someone's eye.

This Red Eye Removal dialog is found under the Adjust menu

[OldRadioGuy]

Bob, there is are two red-eye removal options inside of PSP. There is the tool found on the toolbar, and there is an effect. The effect attemps to create an actual eye (iris and pupil) to overlay across someone's eye.

This Red Eye Removal dialog is found under the Adjust menu

Thanks for reminding me of that. I never use that effect and had forgotten about it.

Bob

[OldRadioGuy]

By modifying a script provided in this forum earlier this year, it is possible to run the standalones of the Google Nik Collection plugins. X6 probably had this capability, but I never tested on more than a couple of the Niks.

I have successfully run Analog Efex Pro 2, Color Efex Pro 4, Silver Efex Pro 2, Viveza 2, Dfine 2 and HDR Efex Pro 2 (tested with a single image) in PaintShop Pro 7 x64. The script creates a new layer, and when the function is completed and saved, you are returned to PSPX7 with the the adjustment applied to the layer above the background. There is one exception: HDR Efex Pro 2. Obviously if you're using multiple images to create an HDR output the script launch would not be appropriate. For some weird reason, Nik engineers set the default save destination for HDR Efex Pro to be the Windows Documents directory.

Regardless, this ability to use Nik Plugins in PaintShop Pro is great for enthusiast photographers and others who spend a lot of time tweaking their images.

Bob

[OldRadioGuy]

Test with Scripting and a Topaz plugin

I ran a simple test with Topaz ReStyle recorded as part of a script. I selected a preset and then changed a setting on a slider. After stopping the script, I went back into ReStyle and performed a reset. Running the recorded script after that went as it should, including stopping with ReStyle open or completing the entire script, depending on the PSP Execution Toggle.

Good news for those of us who sometimes apply the same setting to batches of images.

Bob

[raven4ns]

Hello,
Are you saying that PSP X7 can now run Nik filters? I use PSP X6 and am going to buy the NIK bundle but was going to run them as a stand alone. My main interest is the Silver Effex Pro 2 as I enjoy shooting B&W images and then putting a selenium tone on them. While I'm not crazy about upgrading to a new PSP given Corel's track record with upgrades, I may have to rethink my original decision.

By modifying a script provided in this forum earlier this year, it is possible to run the standalones of the Google Nik Collection plugins. X6 probably had this capability, but I never tested on more than a couple of the Niks.

I have successfully run Analog Efex Pro 2, Color Efex Pro 4, Silver Efex Pro 2, Viveza 2, Dfine 2 and HDR Efex Pro 2 (tested with a single image) in PaintShop Pro 7 x64. The script creates a new layer, and when the function is completed and saved, you are returned to PSPX7 with the the adjustment applied to the layer above the background. There is one exception: HDR Efex Pro 2. Obviously if you're using multiple images to create an HDR output the script launch would not be appropriate. For some weird reason, Nik engineers set the default save destination for HDR Efex Pro to be the Windows Documents directory.

Regardless, this ability to use Nik Plugins in PaintShop Pro is great for enthusiast photographers and others who spend a lot of time tweaking their images.

Bob

[Klindar]

Have had X7 (64 bit only) up and running on Win 8.1 or a couple of days and no problems at all so have purchased my usual two licenses needed to support my personal fleet of computers :~ PSP has proved totally robust in my environment for several years. Corel has done a great job addressing former stability issues. Unlike some, I rather like the new full-screen for digital noise removal. This tool is one of many traditional strengths in PSP although with today's DSLRs noise is not the problem it once was. I also like the many featured panel for /File/New which is going to save me some time with its presets. All my plugins work (Topaz, Focus Magic, etc). Note that the excellent "Power Retouche" (Jan Esmann) suite of plugins now comes in 64 bit configuration meaning I can dispense with 32 bit PSP once and for all. The lightning fast file handling by 64 bit PSP is a joy in use.

Have not found anything to dislike. We get some photographically useful enhancements and a couple of others I will probably never use but so what. I remain highly satisfied and confident with my decision to dump Photo$hop a couple of years ago. The only reason I had defected for awhile to Adobe in the first place was Corel being slow to give us full 48 bit image support and 64 bit code. Those drawbacks are ancient history, of course, so I am back to stay. In practically all respects PSP is the superior product but I am hoping for action on my "wish list" elsewhere in this forum.

Best wishes,
JH

[Ken Berry]

... no problems at all so have purchased my usual two licenses needed to support my personal fleet of computers

It might be a bit late, but the PSP EULA allows you to install the program on up to 3 computers -- though you are only supposed to open one at a time.

The latter might, of course, be the reason you bought 3 licences in the first place i.e. you want to have three computers running the program at once...

[Klindar]

Hi Ken,

I realize this but thanks for the accurate advice anyway. I need PSP on 4 computers so that means two licenses. I maintain a backup desktop, a travel laptop and another desktop in a different part of the house apart from my main unit. The cost with PSP is negligible so it is easy to afford this luxury.

I grimly recall the $800+ I was obliged to shell-out for Photoshop. It rigorously enforced availability on only two machines. You can move a license around with their utility but they cut you off after 20 times, as I recall. Very annoying and bullying IMO.

Best wishes,
JH

[jojomart]

Just purchased it today, and I have to say I HATE it!!

#1 The color wheel is horrible to use compared to the old materials palette - I use some colors all the time, and now I can't choose them quickly like I could with the other versions
#2 X7 won't recognize my old swatches - also I created a new palette and added some colors from my old swatches and when I load the new palette, only a few of the colors show up
#3 The old material palette had a little box next to the current and previous colors used, where you could choose colors from your swatches when running a script, now there is no box to load the swatches

I used to be a beta tester - did for X3, X4 and X5 - not sure why I've been left out of the last two, but I definitely would have had something to say about this - I am a script writer, and I know that people who use the program for running scripts aren't going to like these changes either, and believe me, there are hundreds who use it for running scripts.

Why could you not have left the materials palette the way it was, or at least give the option of choosing which format to use?

I will definitely only be using it to test scripts, and even that will be a chore and a time waster for me

[patara]

Hello,
Are you saying that PSP X7 can now run Nik filters? I use PSP X6 and am going to buy the NIK bundle but was going to run them as a stand alone. My main interest is the Silver Effex Pro 2 ....

I use the Nik Filters in PSP X6. Silver Effex Pro 2 works fine for me when called by the script.
You can find the discussion here
http://forum.corel.com/EN/viewtopic.php ... &hilit=nik

[trueblue]

Hello,
Are you saying that PSP X7 can now run Nik filters? I use PSP X6 and am going to buy the NIK bundle but was going to run them as a stand alone. My main interest is the Silver Effex Pro 2 as I enjoy shooting B&W images and then putting a selenium tone on them. While I'm not crazy about upgrading to a new PSP given Corel's track record with upgrades, I may have to rethink my original decision.

Tim, I've been using Nik filters ever since I got it back in X2. However, later versions were offered and I have 2.0. I just copied the Nik Color Effex folder to my Plugins folder. I can only see and use it in 32bit version in X6 and X7, plus previous versions.

You are interested in the Silver Effex Pro. I think this is a filter you have to purchase as it doesn't seem part of the Nik Color Effex. I didn't realise Google owned these sets of filters!

[raven4ns]

Yes, Google now owns Nik and you can only get their filters by buying the bundle. Now the price was cut significantly to $149 or there abouts. While the other filters might have some use later on it's the Silver Effex Pro 2 that interests me.
I tried downloading their filters on a trial basis with X6 and it crashed my machine. This is why I was going to try and use them in a stand alone configuration. I have the script that another user put together as a work around which I might try but it seemed like old radio guy suggested they would work without this script or I read it wrong. It's important that I clarify this before I buy X7 because Corel doesn't have the greatest track record on upgrades.