Issues with tools PSP2018

[caspia1]

I am unable to get the smudge, push, eraser tools (and probably others) to work from the sidebar.
Smudge, for example creates a "mottled effect" but no smudge. I have all the items...density, hardness etc to maximum. I have the shape as "default". All of them produce the same mottled effect. As an example I want to be able to use Smudge as smear and was able to achieve this without issues with X9.
I have work to do so I need to get this resolved as soon as possible.
I posted a similar effect problem a couple of days ago (deleting parts of a cutout) and got it partially resolved, but there is something basic I am not doing which is creating this problem. I did not have these issues with PSP X9 Ultimate. Unfortunately, I deleted it when I upgraded to 2018 some days ago and do not have the serial number anymore, otherwise I would have continued to use it.
Please resolve asap.

[caspia1]

I would like to attach an image showing what is the problem I have. How can I do this? I normally use Imagevenue.

[LeviFiction]

If you have a Corel account, and you registered your previous versions you can see them and their serial numbers in your account page on Corel.com.

Have you checked your brush variance? View -> Palettes -> Brush Variance

See if there is a jitter on Density.

Otherwise, try doing a full factory reset. It resets the program back to when you first installed it. Should get rid of any setting that might be causing this.

[flagpole]

Just check you're on the right layer.

[caspia1]

Managed to re-install x9 so I can now work.
Nevertheless I continue to have the issue with 2018 as indicated above.
I have re-set to factory settings but it makes no difference.
The shape (first one) is set as default and the brush variances are all at 0. Changing these makes no difference.

Comparing the various tools.... density, thickness, push, etc they are exactly as the X9.
Please, someone must have an answer for this.

[LeviFiction]

Brush heads, density, blend mode, and textures or patterns are the only things I can think of that would cause this effect. But only density and the brush head should effect the eraser, burn, and push brushes. Textures are built into art media layers. But I don't think those brushes can be used on art media layers.

Does this happen on all images? Even brand new ones? Or just specific images?

[caspia1]

Yes. On all images. The images are "background", not raster. With PSP 2018 comes a new set of brushes. Could this be creating a conflict? They were not in the X9 version. Do you happen to know if Corel have an online remote support so they could see for themselves what the problem is?
PSP 2018 did not come free, so I don´t want to trash it in favour of X9.

[hartpaul]

I would like to attach an image showing what is the problem I have. How can I do this? I normally use Imagevenue.

I tried to duplicate your effevt, but from a description it is difficult to know what you mean.
Here is my attempt:

HangSmudge.jpg (39.09 KiB) Viewed 1847 times

With regard to adding an image attachment. Take your image example and crop it to say maximum about 800 x 800 pixels. Save it to an easy navigable folder (desktop)?
Then below the posting area click on Upload Attachment as shown in 1 below. This allows you to browse to that file by clicking on Browse as shown in 2.
Then click the file and open and the file name will appear as in 3 and then click Add the File which uploads the file to the Corel servers.
Lastly move your cursor in your poost to where you want the image to be placed and click on Place in Line as shown in 4.