Should I Buy PSP X8 Ultimate?

[gthopkins]

Hi, I'm new here. I have been using PSP since the early JASC days, but stopped upgrading w/ X3. I switched to PhotoShop Elements for what was a stable editor, better support (Corel was terrible at best) and the available books, user groups, online training, etc. I like PSE and was considering upgrading to their ver. 14. Prior to doing that I decided to see what was happening to PSP, now at X8. I downloaded the trial version for a few days and found a lot was still familiar. I run Windows 10 on an Intel i7 Quad w/32 GB of RAM. I believe I downloaded the 64 bit PSP. The editor froze a couple of times while editing an 18MB image. I was using the selection tool in order to promote the selection to a layer and it froze twice. I only had PSP and Windows 10 and my security system, McAfee, running.

I would like to switch back to PSP, but I'm concerned about support, stability, and all those things that caused me to move away from PSP in the first place.

I would like to hear your opinion of the new PSP and if you would care to, I would like to hear my items of concern. I do understand this is a Corel User board, but hope a few with share their experience w/PSP and the X8 Ultimate package.

Thanks very much for considering my request.

-Greg

[Joelle]

Hi Greg,
I use PSPX8 and like it very much.
I don't use the extras that come with the Ultimate package.
Best to try before you buy, so download the trial and see what you think.

I agree with your assessment of Corel versus Jasc, but we can't set back the clock

PaintShop Pro X3 is one of the versions that wasn't beta tested, it took quite a while before Corel got it right.
X5 was excellent, so was X6, I still have both on my computer.

X8 64 bit won't be able to make use of all your plugins as those were written for the 32-bit version.

Have fun

Joëlle

[gthopkins]

Hi Joelle,

Thanks very much for your reply. You mentioned "have fun". I like that. Isn't that what it's all about? To create and have fun.

I did have a question based on your reply. Why is it necessary to have many different versions of PSP loaded on the same system? Are there voids in the software's development cycle that require many versions in order to complete a task? If I purchase X8, will I also need to find copies of older versions in order to cover all bases? Again, thanks much!

-Greg

[gbotes]

I am using PSP X8 Ultimate, and have grown to like it very much. I am experiencing a few minor issues, but nothing I haven't been able to workaround. Occasionally I do experience a freeze or a crash, and then start looking for a cause or a solution - but as I said, nothing too big given that it's early days since the release of this version and all software has teething issues.

My worst issue has related to batch processing of large batches of images, and I'm not totally sure if this is resolved yet BUT I was able to batch process all images for my photo assignment (about 1000, or so). I've found Corel support staff very responsive, helpful and eager so far.

PSP X8 has raised my creativity a notch or two, and I don't regret purchasing it. Before PSP X8 I was using Gimp for all my editing, and I tested trial copies of Photoshop Elements, Photoshop Creative Cloud, and a few others besides. It is possible that, depending on your editing needs, you might not use some of the add-ons that come with X8 Ultimate. PSP X8 Ultimate installed both 32-bit and 64-bit versions on my system, which is helpful. Your choice of editing software is very much a matter of personal taste and aesthetic, and you need to test the software well first before you buy.

PSP X8 is much more powerful than I thought at first, and I'm becoming quite a fan. I like the user interface, and especially the scripting tool.

[Joelle]

Hi Joelle,

Thanks very much for your reply. You mentioned "have fun". I like that. Isn't that what it's all about? To create and have fun.

I did have a question based on your reply. Why is it necessary to have many different versions of PSP loaded on the same system? Are there voids in the software's development cycle that require many versions in order to complete a task? If I purchase X8, will I also need to find copies of older versions in order to cover all bases? Again, thanks much!

-Greg

He he, nostalgia mainly
There are a few issues with ancient plugins which won't work in X8, so have X6 for that. But to be completely honest, I haven't launched X6 in ages.
I don't use a lot of plugins as I prefer to 'do it myself'

Joëlle