PSP 2018

[raven4ns]

Hello,
I was reading the forum and it seems like PSP 2018 is full of bugs. Are all similar software programs filled with so many issues? For someone with limited computer skills it makes learning to use the program twice as daunting. Eons ago I used PS and while I didn't use it fully the program filled my needs.
It made adding a selenium tone to my b&w images easy as well as the cropping, sharpening etc. Because of my limited needs the program was or appeared stable to me unlike what I am reading about in this forum. I am not being critical of PSP just trying to decide whether to upgrade a much older copy and trying to deal with the other issues it has. Being an amateur I have no wish to add another level of costs to an already expensive hobby by paying Adobe a monthly rental fee.
I looked at Gimp but my computer skills are not up to the task of being able to use it effectively. Spending years to learn a program is not possible as I am 71, I don't even buy green bananas....lol. Any suggestions you may offer will be most appreciated. Thank you

[hartpaul]

Define "full of bugs"
I can use PSP 2018 to straighten an image, crop (although the new feature/bug is a problem) , lighten, darken, clone, add text, do effects including selenium tone, sepia tone, convert to black and white, select sections and many other ordinary manipulations. So for me there are no bugs.
For others with different systems, odd methods of installing, using extra large images or images from unsupported cameras, there are or seem to be bugs.
But then if I stand on one leg, hold a weight outstretched in one hand and wave the other arm around in circles and then close my eyes then I fall over. Does that mean I am unstable.

If your needs are simple then it may be best for you as now days you can customize the appearance to make it as simple as you like.

[raven4ns]

Thank you, hartpaul, for your comments. Because the upgrade is so inexpensive, I will likely go ahead with it in any event. However, my concerns are still warranted given the problems expressed by so many people about issues that should be resolved given the age of PSP. Again, thank you for your response.

[hartpaul]

Of course there is a new one coming out in about 2 months so you could download a trial of 2018 and use that for 30 days, and by then they will be trying to flog off 2018 as cheaply as possible, so you could buy it or wait another month for 2019 version to come out about early August and hope that the bugs are solved.
But then you have been vague on which bugs are worrying you. It has been the case that some "bugs" have been the case of users not understanding their tools so not bugs at all.
Others where some corruption of databases has occurred. As I said I have not experienced any really concerning bugs and I believe the same of quite a few others. If you go back and read through the forums for the bugs and see if they were solved, you might find that the statement "full of bugs" is really an exaggeration.
Can you be specific on what "bugs" cause you concern?

[raven4ns]

Hello hartpaul,
You made a good point about people not knowing how to use the program they are involved with, I could certainly see that happening to me. Although the program freezing for no apparent reason is disconcerting especially if it happens when you have put a lot of work into an image and that work is lost. Perhaps the point you made about not knowing the program would answer a lot of the issues that are being brought up.
Hartpaul when I was using an old copy of PS for the selenium toning I did, PS had canned approaches for a number of different tones. In each case they had a curve that could be modified as well as the numerical values which could be adjusted also. This made it relatively easy to get the tone you wanted for the image you were working on. Does the latest PSP offer something similar to the methodology used in PS? How did you go about creating your selenium tone? I had just started using PS in this way before I lost use of the program.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, it is certainly appreciated.

[hartpaul]

Hi . It appears you have been asking this same question about selenium toning for some time.

2011
viewtopic.php?f=56&t=43397

and

2011
viewtopic.php?f=56&t=43397

2013
https://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic ... 7355dcfc40

Now I also found a youtube video on Selenium toning in Photoshop :

Photoshop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gokMDVESTSs

I used this method and obtained a sample from Photoshop. Using the same image I also tried to duplicate the effect in PSP 2018'
Can you tell which one of these is the Selenium from Photoshop and which from PSP?

You also mentioned the problem of PSP freezing. This was mentioned as happening by only three people in that three page post. If it was a regular thing you would expect that that thread would be filled with complaints. Peoples minds tend to over emphasise problems without looking at the logistics and statistics. eg some people die in a plane crash and some people say that they will never fly because of that and yet they will get into their car and travel along roads where the road fatalities far exceed that of air crashes .

[raven4ns]

Hello hartpaul,
I would only be guessing if I tried to pick the correct images. The youtube video did it another way than the process I used. The color I used was a purple to increase the density of the blacks and increase the tonal value of the grays. My feeble attempt was to emulate a look similar to Ansel Adams. I had only got started when my access to PS was eliminated. The process I used was fairly simple for me to accomplish and give me a look that would satisfy my desire to render my B&W's with the tonal scale of a selenium print.
As I am an amateur, my need is only to satisfy myself as to how my images look and impact me. Health issues have prevented me from exploring different areas of my photography. Hopefully I can finish what I started many years ago and give me the personal satisfaction of seeing it completed.

[raven4ns]

Hartpaul, in a previous message I explained how I attempted to get a selenium tone using PS. There were only a few steps involved, how many steps were involved using PSP? Being able to see the effect moving the curve around had on my image or using the numerical values helped make it seem less arduous. I tried using Topaz B&W Effects for the toning but couldn't accomplish what I wanted, so while I still have it, it sits unused on my harddrive.
Once again, thank you for your time and patience. My PSP is X6 and the camera I use is a Canon 1DS MK2, I use Canon's software for handling the raw files I shoot. Would there be any advantage for me to get the Ultimate package as opposed to the standard one I would upgrade?

[LeviFiction]

raven4ns, what was your process for doing selenium in Photoshop? Do you recall the steps?

In the example video hartpaul posted they used a gradient map. While we don't have that, i do have a script that applies a curves adjustment layer like a gradient map using any gradient you have inside of PSP. All you would need is an appropriate gradient. Give me enough time and I could re-create the photographic toning gradients listed in that tutorial as well. So it would, with the exception of the B&W adjustment layer, be the same general steps to create that effect in PaintShop Pro.

[raven4ns]

It has been a long time since I did it but this is roughly the process. I did a straight conversion to b&w then I went to the canned toning profiles in PS. There I used the purple profile and played with the attached curve or the numerical values to get what I felt was the tone I was looking for. I applied the tone and went back to the image with the tone applied to finish the image. I'm sure I have missed some steps but that approximates my workflow.
The reason I liked it so much was it was relatively easy and didn't call on much computer savvy to complete it. I hope this gives you some idea of my approach. Thank you for your reply.

[raven4ns]

LeviFiction, I neglected to thank you for your kind offer...thank you. While I appreciate your kindness, I want to have a process that I can adjust myself without having to rely on someone else to help me accomplish my task. The last thing I want to do is bother someone else due to my computer illiteracy. Once again many thanks for your expressed kindness.

[LeviFiction]

I think you're referring to the DuoTone mode. I think I've seen tutorials on that. You could apply a specific color, or use pantone colors, and then apply a curve to it. Lots of granular control.

As for my script. The process of converting a gradient to a curve is pretty straight forward. The script just speeds up the process, and is already made, using it would be no more relying on someone else than using a tool built into PSP is. So, if you change your mind the script is available for download here - https://levifiction.wordpress.com/2018/ ... dient-map/

[raven4ns]

Yes you are correct about the duotone now that you jogged my memory. The ease of using it coupled with my ability to control the process made it an excellent workflow. Unfortunately I never had the chance to refine it to the point of almost being like a script. The only modification being done due to the image itself calling for modest changes from a standard approach. For someone with limited computer skills, this was like a breath of fresh air being in control of the process and needing no assistance to accomplish my task.
I envy people like yourself with the skills to exert control over any process you decide upon. For that one moment I too was able to exert my control of a selenium toned print even if it was rather crude. I felt sure I would be able to refine the process to get a selenium toned print I was happy with. Because my health has improved, I really want to complete this task for my own satisfaction. Many, many thanks for your kindness.