Which Version to Buy?

[Linda Lou]

Hi everybody!
I want to purchase the latest version of PSP so that text in the interface can be customized to a larger size than my PSP 2018 offers.
I do design work with graphics but no photo editing. Do I order 2023 Ultimate (black box) or PSP 2023 (yellow box)?
Amazon offers PSP on a "Key Card". What is that? Does that mean a flash drive? I also see user guides for sale. Does the application not include a Help feature anymore? I have not looked for a trial or read the pros and cons yet - until I know which version to focus on. Thank you for any suggestions.

[Kathy_9]

I'm not sure how to answer your text interface question other than to suggest you download a trial and see for yourself if it meets your needs.

The only difference between Regular and Ultimate is the extra's that are being offered and the Sea to Sky workspace. The basic program is exactly the same.

Yes, PSP2023 does still come with a Help file.

[LeviFiction]

Quick additional note: buy direct from Corel and choose upgrade to get the lower pricing. Since you already own an older version. I want to make it clear upgrade pricing still gets you the full version of PSP. It's purely about the price of the software, a discount given to repeat customers.

[Linda Lou]

Thank you for your reply.
What is Sea to Sky Workspace? Is the "Key Card" an Amazon thing, or does Corel Offer that and what is it?
I received an Amazon Gift Card so I looked there first, but I'll compare prices.

[LeviFiction]

I don't think Corel will do the key card. They usually do direct download. Since it's easier.

Here is an answer on the key card from the Amazon FAQ section

The download provides instant access to our software. You can install and use it today. The key card is great if you’re not in a rush or want to gift it to someone. It’s a physical card shipped to your address and provides the serial key and download link.

Sea to sky is a simplified workspace option that provides quick and easy access to several effects meant for use on underwater and sky photos. It kind of looks like a landscape style mobile app on your computer. It makes "before and after, views easy to seez and you can only apply one effect at a time allowing you to play around with the different effects. Some have zero use for this, others find it neat. I am one of the former.

I highly recommend downloading the trial and making sure it actually works well for you before buying.

[Linda Lou]

That answers my questions. It looks as if I'll not need Ultimate so I'll go with simply PSP 2023. Now I'm on my way to find the trial. Will that convert to the paid version after I purchase, or do I need to completely remove it and install the non-trial at that point?

[LeviFiction]

It can be activated, yes. Once you have a valid serial number you can use that to activate the trial into the full version.

[Jean-Luc]

Linda Lou, PSP 2023 is only 64bit and all your 32bit plugins will be disabled. If you use many of them, it could be a problem.

[Linda Lou]

Yes, I ran into that issue with plugins with PSP2018. I think my old posts regarding that are still in this forum. I never did find something to give the same result as DSB Flux Bright Noise.... I loved that plugin and used it almost daily in PSP 8.1 to add a slight grunge vintage-look to images. Oh well.

I like being able to enlarge the text in the 2023 UI but text in the dialog popups is still small. I couldn't find the 2023 Preferences >File Format Associations. I want to make sure I can use .psd and PhotoShop brushes because my colleagues often send me those files. Is that setting still in Preferences?

It appears that the price at Corel is $20.00 more than the special Amazon price or maybe I didn't see Corel's upgrade price. I have 30 days to decide on the purchase so I'll do more research.

Thanks again for all your help!

[LeviFiction]

Here is the direct link to the purchase page on paintshoppro.com - https://www.paintshoppro.com/en/product ... /standard/

You should see the price with a drop-down menu that says "Full" when you scroll this open it will give you the option for "Upgrade" pricing.

paintshopproprice.png

I see an upgrade price of $39.99 for standard or $54.99 for Ultimate.

For 32-bit plugins you'll need a bridge plugin like this one from MediaChance - https://www.mediachance.com/pluginbridge/

There are free alternatives but those don't always work. Haven't yet managed to find out why.

[Linda Lou]

Thank you so much for the additional info. I'll check the upgrade price at the link you posted. That is close to the Amazon price, so I'll probably order from Corel. Once activated, is there an account ID key attached somewhere that I can make note of and use for installation if I get a new computer?

That plug-in bridge specifies Adobe PS, Corel Painter and Affinity Photo. There is a trial dated June 2017. Has anyone used it on PSP 2023? If so is it easy to install and use?

[Jean-Luc]

I couldn't find the 2023 Preferences >File Format Associations.

You are probably in the Essentials workspace.
Do File/Workspace and click on Complete.

[LeviFiction]

Corel will require a Corel user account when buying from them. And it'll be autoregistered in your registered products page. You'll also receive an email with relevant information and links.

As for the Plugin-bridge I have tried it in previous versions. Usually, unless it's been specifically stated to not work with other software or uses a feature PSP doesn't implement, PSP should be able to run any PS plugin.

Of course the other option is to leave your 2018 version installed and any time you need the 32-bit plugins just save a copy of your image as a PSPImage with 2018 compatibility, open it in 2018 run the plugin, save it and open it back up in 2023. Obviously a bit tedious, but with scripts it could be made a little easier.

[Linda Lou]

I gave Corel my email address and set a new pwd when I downloaded the trial so I hope that will suffice for an upgrade. I didn't know where to look for my old account info in PSP 2018. I found the 2018 SN though. Still haven't found file formats (I was in Complete.) but .psd files load so that's a step in the right direction. I'd just like to be able to set what I want to use.
I think I'm good to go now. Thanks!

Edit: This is what I get when I click File format associations. It looks like Windows wants me to set a default. Is there no way to set just associations within PSP for PSP anymore?

Screenshot 2023-04-27 153141.png

[Kathy_9]

You can find your registered products here https://account.corel.com/accounts/user/accountProducts (assuming you purchased PSP2018 from Corel and registered it.)

No, you cannot set your file format associations in PSP. You need to do that through Windows.