Why install both 32 and 64 bit?

[J Rosenfeld]

This is a stand alone PC running Windows 7.1 pro.

I have just purchased PSP X8 ultimate (long use of previous versions on my XP PC). and it now offers both 32 and 64 bit installation, with the recommendation to install both.

My question is why? would I ever use more than one of these? If so which is preferable?
I only use PSP to edit/modify picture files or scanned items, not for photography. All my other installed software (Office 2013, etc.) is 32

[Ken Berry]

The last couple of versions have also offered to install both 32 and 64 bit versions. Many filters made by other companies, which work with PSP, are only 32 bit so will only work with the 32 bit version of PSP. On the other hand, many users these days, like you (and me), have 64 bit operating systems which make full use of all available RAM and often make PSP function more quickly. So with both the 32 bit and 64 bit versions on the one computer, most things can be done faster/more efficiently in the 64 bit version, but if you want to apply 32 bit filters, then you can always do so by opening the 32 bit version.

Some third party filter makers are gradually bringing out 64 bit versions of their products, but this is slow and erratic. And some older -- but still great -- filters may never be updated.

[[Mike]]

Speaking of scanned items, I need the 32 bit version if I want to scan something via TWAIN. That does not work in the 64 bit version.

[LeviFiction]

For people that want to scan using 64-bit PSP directly there is a separate scanning utility called VueScan that includes a plugin for 64-bit.

I know people hate it when we compare Adobe but Adobe does not support 64-bit TWAIN. So if anyone wants to use TWAIN with Adobe they use alternative options like VueScan.

Of course, and maybe it's just the circles I hang around in, most people I know scan outside of the application. Since most scanning software has a "send to" option built in there is no need to use TWAIN as it doesn't really slow them down all that much to use a separate program for the scanning, and sometimes you get more features using the dedicated scanning software.

[[Mike]]

Whatever works for you, it's just one of the reasons why one may want to install both versions of PSP.

I checked out VueScan and that is a payware program? I do not immediately see PSP being mentioned on their site.

[LeviFiction]

Yes you have to buy it. Some don't want to spend even more money. Others find it very helpful and useful for its various features.

And the won't mention PSP on their site. But their Photoshop plugin works inside of PSP I've tested.

[Ken Berry]

Without wanting to open what was a long debate some time ago, I continue to find discussion of the need for some TWAIN substitute to be a bit unnecessary. I have a Brother colour laser printer/scanner and there is no TWAIN driver for the 64 bit version of PSP. But I don't have VueScan or other similar program either. Yet I find I can happily scan in any case by using Import > From Camera or Scanner and its (admittedly Spartan) interface. But it allows me to prescan, select and area for scanning, and then do the full scan, with the image opening in PSP for editing.