Any reason not to go with X9 vs X8 ?

[scottb613]

Hi Folks,

Old time Jasc PSP 9.1 user - looking to upgrade... I noticed a comment on the X9 page that said "based on older version" - is there any reason to go for X9 vs X8 ???

Thanks...

Regards,
Scott

[LeviFiction]

Only if you want something that X9 gives you that X8 doesn't. Is the gradient tool a big winner for you? Do you want access to Templates you can buy from Corel in a simple interface directly inside PSP? Do you have a tablet that didn't work with previous versions of PSP that will now work with their enhanced stylus support? Also potentially longer support for the product in the way of patches.

[scottb613]

Hi Levi,

I do use gradients a bunch - the interface in Jasc PSP 9.1 was pretty cumbersome - if I can get the program loaded I'll give it a look...

Thanks...

Regards,
Scott

[scottb613]

Hi Folks,

Finally have the X9 demo loaded - funny - I expected far more changes going from Jasc PSP 9.1 to Corel PSP x9 - - - so much of the functionality looks exactly the same albeit with a slightly different UI...

Regards,
Scott

[Cassel]

If changes had been more drastic, some users would likely have been lost!

[JoeB]

I agree with Cassel. The idea behind new versions is not (or at least should not be) to lose the functionality of previous versions of software, but to (a) enhance those tools that could use enhancements, and (b) add new functionality. The responsibility of users who consider moving to newer versions is to check out whether or not the enhancements and/or additions will aid their particular workflow sufficiently to make it worth purchasing a particular newer version. Not everybody's needs require either enhancement of the earlier version they use successfully or the new added tools.

One problem with some of Corel's newer versions is that they sometimes actually lose some of the existing functionality of previous versions, or change them in such a way that they are actually less efficient rather than more so.

[scottb613]

Hi Folks,

Yep - I'm all with "not changing for changes sake" - it's one of the strong selling points for me - that - and I refuse to pay subscription based fees that some of the competitors chose to use...

The intent of my comment was - it seemed like innovation really stopped with Jasc PSP 9.1 - - - due to it's age - - - when I loaded up Corel PSP x9 I was expecting some "shock and awe" with a host of new features/content/improvements... The UI looks a little different but most of the stuff I've seen so far seems to be a face lift of the stuff we had fully operational in Jasc PSP 9.1... Some added functionality to vector graphics would have been nice... Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong place and missing some new features ? I'll probably still make the purchase - as I need the ability to import PS files and my Jasc PSP 9.1 doesn't do well with current PS file format...

Appreciate the input... If you know of any real new innovative features that we didn't have in the Jasc PSP 9.1 - please - by all means - let me know - as I would like to know about them and try them out while I'm still on the "demo"...

Regards,
Scott

[LeviFiction]

Vectors haven't really been touched since Version X. Text is a bit annoying in X9, definately a top complaint by some. It's all on canvas editing, if you want the old text box back just SHIFT + Click with the text tool and it'll act more like it did with X9.

They have text wrapping now, you can use selections or other vector shapes as the text boundaries. Sometimes this works beautifully, other times it's a bit wonky.

The magic fill and magic move found on all of the selection tools is nice. Magic Fill is Corel's version of Content-Aware fill that Photoshop has.

Object extractor is a new option in the Image menu, this allows you to paint around any element in an image and PSP will attempt to erase the background leaving the object/person intact. You can then use the eraser tool to clean up the result, by either bringing back detail that was wrongly erased, or erasing detail that was accidentally left in.

Vignette photo effect was added. Selective Focus and Graduated filter were also added to Photo effects.

Brush support for Adobe Brushes was added. Maximum brush sizes were increased.

Photoshop support will flatten any vector data, it does support some blend modes and multiple layers. But most things aren't supported at all.

You have the ability to select mutliple layers in the layers palette now. Layer style effects were added. You can use the align and distribution commands under the "objects" menu on raster layers now.

Layer searching was added, so if you work with massive project files and you need to quickly find a layer with a specific name you can do a quick search.

Some effects were changed completely, they stiil have the same name but they look different. Others have new names. Only one that I can actually think of. Clarify became Local Tone Mapping.

Flip and Mirror gained additional versions. Flip now flips across the canvas, and Mirror simply mirrors the layer across its own center axis.

Improved RAW editing

PhotoBlend and HDR compositing

Batch Process "improvements" it's slower but easier to setup for new users. Especially if batch resizing photos is their desire.

Resize gained a "by one side" option - though the UI redesign is not favored.

Changes have been smaller version to version. But after 10 versions they've made some decent changes and progress.....as well as frustrating changes. The crop tool only recently regained the ability to manually enter in size values. Curves tool doesn't auto-map colors. White Balance has changed, though the old version still exists in the Adjustment Layers.

[Kathy_9]

This only goes back as far as X7 but it shows an comparison of X9 versus X7 and X8 so you can see what is new/improved.

http://www.paintshoppro.com/static/psp/ ... matrix.pdf

[scottb613]

Hi Folks,

Much obliged - appreciate the tips - let me poke around...


Regards,
Scott

[trueblue]

Download a trial and check for yourself. You are the judge of whether you like something or not.