[SOLVED] Problems: Tool unavailable; changing keyboard shortcut

[magnoliasouth]

Hello everyone! I'm still using 2021 since they refuse to add SVG compatibility. I then refuse to upgrade, until they do. Actually as a side note, I am very seriously considering switching to PS. Sorry peeps, I digress.

My tools palette or toolbar, whichever we're calling it these days, is missing Airbrush. I tried to add it via Quick Customize. I checked Airbrush and nothing. When I saw that it didn't add Airbrush, I went back to the dialog and it reverted to unchecked. There doesn't appear to be a button I need to click like Add to Toolbar, only Reset Toolbar. I've used this tool since Jasc so I know how it normally works.

I thought as a workaround until I got that settled, I'd use a keyboard shortcut. As far as I can see, there is no keyboard shortcut to launch Airbrush. Okay.

Next I decided to add a shortcut, so, I went into View > Customize > Keyboard > Tools and Airbrush is conveniently at the top. I typed in the letter o (because I didn't see a shortcut for that) but when I did, the Assign button was grayed out. Well, turned out it was checking to see if it's in use and was just slow. I finally was able to Assign it, but because I found a glitch in adding Airbrush to the toolbar, I checked to see if it worked and nope. So I went back into View > Customize > Keyboard > Tools again and sadly, while surprisingly expected, it didn't save it.

So! How can I launch Airbrush and why isn't it working? I hope someone has an answer.

[LeviFiction]

Have you tried resetting PSP? Usually errors like this happen with the workspace gets corrupted.

Also what level of SVG compatibility do you need? I never import I only export SVG. Personally I have GIMP and Inkscape for those things that PSP just doesn't do well. But if I was going to pay for an editor I'd go with AffinityPhoto before PS, but I biased as I have a grudge against Adobe.

[magnoliasouth]

Have you tried resetting PSP? Usually errors like this happen with the workspace gets corrupted.

No, I haven't. I've never had to do that before. How do I do that?

Also what level of SVG compatibility do you need? I never import I only export SVG. Personally I have GIMP and Inkscape for those things that PSP just doesn't do well. But if I was going to pay for an editor I'd go with AffinityPhoto before PS, but I biased as I have a grudge against Adobe.

Actually, it's because of Inkscape that I need to import them. I get so mad because I can't import them with layers. I hate trying to crop stuff in Inkscape because I inevitably miss a step. Yes, I know it's simple but I prefer cropping with PSP. Also, I like to edit the vectors with photos with layers. For example a photo that's been enhanced, then adding cute vectors in front of and behind. Again, I know Inkscape can do that but I can't really edit photos as I work. It's just simple stuff really. I'm not an Inkscape power user.

[LeviFiction]

There's a sticky post on resetting PSP as it's our number 1 go to method. - https://forum.corel.com/viewtopic.php?t=67616

Yeah, for importing, I doubt PSP is going to get a good SVG importer any time soon. Lots of complications and additional features just to replicate the appearance and leave it editable as a vector.

[magnoliasouth]

There's a sticky post ...

It worked like a charm! TYSM! Oh and as you can see, I do quotes. It comes from the good 'ol days back when forums were usenet.

You are right but because PSP infuses vectors it just seems like there should be an option to import vectors in different file types, SVG to be included, also or instead of EPS.

Personally I have GIMP and Inkscape for those things that PSP just doesn't do well.

Like what? If you don't mind my asking. I just don't use Gimp since I have PSP, but I'm willing to if Gimp does something better. When I used it, I found it very clunky. It was too much work to do simple tasks but that was a long time ago.

But if I was going to pay for an editor I'd go with AffinityPhoto before PS, but I biased as I have a grudge against Adobe.

Well, I agree with you there. Adobe is a cash hound and I hated how slow their PDF viewer became as well as their limited options, without paying for it. Can you tell me why you like it?

I really appreciate your help. You are a life saver. I just wish PSP didn't have weird glitches like that. Another reason why I'm thinking of switching.

[LeviFiction]

You are right but because PSP infuses vectors it just seems like there should be an option to import vectors in different file types, SVG to be included, also or instead of EPS.

True, technically so long as it's only paths and solid colors SVG should import just fine without needing to convert to a raster. But that would require they get serious about their vector options and when they have CorelDraw why would the company feel the need to make it a priority? That being said, PSP's vector paths are almost identical in make-up to SVG simple paths. I used this to my advantage when making my SVG Exporter script. It's when you deal with advanced items, or things that need to be converted from something that PSP doesn't support to something it does that things get dicey. I'm still months if not a year away myself from making a decent script importer for SVG. The problem being that I need to account for every weird formatting and transformation option to calculate where things go.

Like what? If you don't mind my asking. I just don't use Gimp since I have PSP, but I'm willing to if Gimp does something better. When I used it, I found it very clunky. It was too much work to do simple tasks but that was a long time ago.

Gimp can be clunky, that hasn't really changed. Not the pretties UI. But they do keep getting new and interesting tools and abilities. I definitely enjoy their filters and scripting capabilities, those blow PSP's out of the water. Though the G'mic plugin does bring some of that to PSP. Corel has never seemed interested in creating filters. They have the "MyPaint" brush engine built-in for more realistic and faster art-media. Though their fast strokes are a bit more jagged and straight, they're very responsive.

I really like the perspective clone mode. It's not strictly necessary, but still fun. Set the perspective cage, then as you clone it distorts the clone so you can make areas match a bit more. You can do the same thing in PSP by just cloning on another layer, and then distorting the layer into position. They have so many many more blend modes, direct channel manipulation like Photoshop does. The cage transformation is better, in my opinion, than PSP's mesh transform.

I really prefer layer masks to the mask layers we get in PSP. A mask layer has benefits, but something that's attached to a single layer without having to create a layer group is nice. And if you group layers, you can add a layer mask to the group itself and get an essential equivalent.

I'm most excited for Gimp 3 and 3.2.

These releases are supposed to bring some things that PSP has that GIMP does not currently have. LIke "seamless clone" (PSP's Smart Clone). Adjustment layers and layer effects. Better CMYK import and export support. Script recording (all scripts are currently manual), layer effects, actual vector layers not just paths, multi-layer select.

Honestly, depending on how they do it, they might just make up for some of their shortcomings pretty quickly.

Well, I agree with you there. Adobe is a cash hound and I hated how slow their PDF viewer became as well as their limited options, without paying for it. Can you tell me why you like it?

I'm assuming you're asking what I like about Affinity and not about what I like with Photoshop. I've only played with the trial and that was months ago, I haven't pulled the trigger on actually buying. But the price is pretty darn good, the UI is excellent in my opinion, I don't remember exactly what they were but there were a couple quirks that I'd have to get used to. They've got some cool vector options built-in as well. And if you get both their photo and vector editors, it's not that much more expensive than PSP at it's newest. The biggest reason I haven't moved, no scripting.

So if you're in the market, I recommend the trial just to test for yourself. They also have Designer for vector specific work. And one time purchase. While I do need to upgrade from Version 1 to Version 2. They released a lot of impressive updates for free before that. Unlike PSP that has a new version every year that needs to be bought.

EDIT: Small correction, I have now bought Affinity Photo so that I could join their beta program.

[magnoliasouth]

Wow many thanks for all your help. Signing up for beta testing is a great idea, and for you especially. It's pretty clear, that. lol!

So I looked into Affinity and WOW. That is very impressive but their website isn't really all that informative. Like, there is no list of compatible import/export files except the most common ones like JPG, PNG, GIF, etc. I searched the forum and did find that you can export to PS but I'm still not clear about importing and a few other things I want. I do a collaboration kind of thing with several other users all of them run PSE. I think I may try Affinity's 30 d trial. This way I can see if they have what I want. Heck, it'll take me that long to scrounge up the money for it anyway. We're on a tight budget for a short while.

Off to do some downloading!