Can't Preview PSP Related Files

[Linda Lou]

I have a folder in Documents with sub folders containing PSP tubes. I am unable to preview any of them using PSP 2018. All I see are file names and PSP icons.

In Preferences I have file locations set to look there. However, as shown above, I am unable to save the checkmark for PSP files in File Associations. Why is this? Isn't that usually checked by default? Each time I open PSP 2018 that checkmark is unchecked. The setting refuses to stay in 32-bit as well as 64-bit versions. PSP 8.1 works fine.

[flagpole]

It's a recurrent problem.
The only way I know how to fix it is to reinstall.

[Linda Lou]

That would be my second (or third?) reinstall in the last two months. Corel needs to patch that if it's a default setting!

As I was fiddling around, I recalled how OneDrive changed all my image files in Pictures to icons with no thumbnails. Rather than do yet another reinstall, for now I have disabled OD. Now I can see my PSP images/tube previews,etc.. I don't know if this is the answer, but we'll see if it sticks. I have to wonder if OD sees anything with "image" in the file name and gets a death hold on it.
On my way to Windows 10 Feedback Hub....

[Linda Lou]

Buy the way, what does Corel Support tell you when you report this? I tried installing PSP 2018 on another computer to see if I have the same problem with that File Associations setting not holding. Same thing happened! This is crazy.

[JoeB]

Buy the way, what does Corel Support tell you when you report this? I tried installing PSP 2018 on another computer to see if I have the same problem with that File Associations setting not holding. Same thing happened! This is crazy.

On this new computer, did you have the problem with OneDrive enabled? Did you try disabling it on this new computer to see if that was the issue?

[Ken Berry]

Linda Lou -- did you try the suggestion that LeviFiction posted in a recent and very long thread on this same subject?:

viewtopic.php?p=356439#p356439

[Linda Lou]

did you try the suggestion that LeviFiction posted in a recent and very long thread on this same subject?

Yes, I read that thread, but it wandered into the thumbnail issue. That problem I solved when I reinstalled Windows and promptly disabled OD from accessing my Pictures directory. What I forgot was that I have PSP tubes and other PSP files in Documents, and OD still had access there -- until today when I disabled it for everything. Yes, I ended up disabling OD on the other computer as well today.

My problem still exists with the disappearing checkmark in PSP Preferences> file associations.

[hartpaul]

I have no files associated on that list from your first post with PSP . My common image files except pspimage files are associated with Irfanview.
You realise that having an image or other file associated with a program means only that when you double click that file it opens in that associated program.

Even if that box does not remain ticked does any pspfile open in another program when you double click it or does it open in PSP? When you right click the file and choose properties , does it show it as associated with a PSP version that you have. If so, then all is well and you need not worry any more . Don't get stressed out because that tick box won't remain ticked.

How often do you open PSP any version by double clicking on a pspimage file the file name?

If I want to open PSP I double click the desktop icon of the version that I want to open (X2 - X9 or 2018 not to mention the 32 bit version and 64 bit versions - so 19 different versions ) . I have a folder with a pspimage produced from JascPSP8, Corel X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7,X8,X9, 2018 and all are associated with PSP X9 32 bit version.
Generally if I want to open a particular pspimage file I right click and can then choose which version to open with.
In all other cases - jpgs , tifs png etc I open the version of PSP by double clicking the desktop icon for that program version. I can then drag any / all images from an Explorer folder onto the PSP workface.

[Linda Lou]

Even if that box does not remain ticked does any pspfile open in another program when you double click it or does it open in PSP?

PSP files (tubes, etc.) open in PSP, but .jpg .png. open in something else.

How often do you open PSP any version by double clicking on a pspimage file the file name?

Rarely.

It's just annoying that this is just one more problem in this Corel product.

[hartpaul]

But it is not a problem if you rarely use it.
I opened PSP X9 and when I tried to access and use File > Preferences > File Format Association , Windows 10 interrupted and said that I could do that in Settings > System > Default Apps. and there I can choose to set file associations in three ways:
Choose default Applications by file type
Choose default applications by protocol
Set default apps by app.
You could also go to a gif, jpg, png, and whatever other image files you want to associate and for each one right click the file and do Properties and you will see what the default app is and you can change it there.
So three things you can do :
1. Don't worry as you rarely use the double click a jpg , tif etc to open PSP
2. Go to Settings > System etc and go through a long alphabetical list of all the file types and set PSP as default for jpg tif etc
3. Make up a folder where you save a file as a jpg, tif, png, bmp, etc for any other graphic files that PSP can open and for each one do Properties and change the default app.

As said I use Irfanview so that a double click opens a jpg in a fraction of a second for viewing rather than waiting for 18+ seconds for PSP to open.
Very rarely I might double click a pspimage file and find it opens in PSP X9 (which is my favorite so far) followed by X7, X4 and for bulk individual operations PSP X2.

[Linda Lou]

Thanks for the file association info.
As to my browsing tubes, apparently I spoke too soon. Again last night my PSP tubes turned into PSP icons instead of thumbnail images to browse. The second "test" computer so far has kept the tubes as images that I can preview. Yes, Preview and folder options are checked on both installations.I can preview in the tiny Preview box when that is checked, but I cannot see them in a group to browse. Those tiny individual previews are pretty much useless because they are so small.

There were no Windows updates in the last 24 hrs. and OneDrive is disabled on both computers. Therefore, I can't blame the issue on Windows. I think I may be headed for yet another reinstall of PSP 2018.
Question: On the reinstall I'll have to redo all my settings for preferences, etc.. As long as I have a backup copy of 2018 folder/files that I can add to the new 2018 installation in Documents will I need to import brushes again? Or will PSP find them and the scripts as usual? The last time I reinstalled PSP I wanted everything clean, so I started from scratch and imported brushes manually from their unzipped folders. It took days!

[flagpole]

Yeah if you back up your files and in particular save your work space you'll be grand.

[hartpaul]

Re your viewing of your PSP tubes:
I can view my picture tubes in 3 ways.
1. In Windows explorer but some show icons rather than the tubes.

I should mention that in Explorere I see all pspimage files as thumbs rather than icons so it is probably related to this. But I don't know why the two Champagne tubes show as icons - one is .Psptube and the other is .tub

2. In the drop down listing of tubes in Edit mode PSP 2018 version 20.2.0.1

Here all show as images and not icons.

3. Navigating in Manage mode to the folder containing picture tubes.

All show as images rather than icons and this time both Champagne tubes show.


Commonly the tubes would be viewed using 2. when placing them on an image but using 1 or 3 when checking the folder for duplicates.

Which methods are not working for you Linda Lou

[Linda Lou]

I've been using #2 Edit mode - same version PSP. All I see are icons there.
I'll check the #1 and #3 options and post back later.
Thanks!

-------------------------------
Editing-
OK, here's the rest:

Re: #1 Windows Explorer Documents>All Other Tubes shows some, but not all tubes as thumbnail (image) previews.
There are a few from PSP8 showing as PSP8 icons only.I don't recall seeing PSP 7 icons, so those must've been ok.
Hmmm.... I also noticed that using Explorer, Documents>Corel PaintShop Pro >2018 is showing empty.
Doesn't 2018 come with any default tubes?

Re: #3 Normally I have Manage Mode out of sight because I am always creating/editing. When I finally found Manage, I navigated to my Documents>All Other Tubes folders, and yes, I could browse through the thumbnails of tubes.

I suppose I could flip between tabs and click on each tube in Manage to use them in Edit, but it certainly would be easier if while in Edit I could just use File>Open and browse tubes to select from.

Believe me, I'd still be using PSP 8.1 if it didn't crash on me in Windows 10. 8's BROWSE feature made things so much easier.

[Linda Lou]

I've changed my workspace and am gradually getting used to using the Manage Tab for viewing tube files.
@hartpaul Thank You for the tip.

Question: When using the Manage tab, hovering over images shows ISO, shutter speed, etc.. Considering that I do not work on photos, but images files, is there a way in (Manage tab's settings) to see pixel size and file name instead?