Who here uses it? I love it. Anybody that doesn't have it should get the free trial. www.Jasc.com

Got to disagree, PSP7 was great 8 has lost something

psp 7&8
Photoshop 5-CS

in my opinion

I have PSP 7 and don't plan on buying 8.

I like Photoshop better though.

Well - I used PSP 7 for a few months at work and I now own PSP 8 at home. In comparing the 2 - It seems like PSP 8 has taken for granted that anyone who is using the program has used PSP before. It just seems like the previously mentioned ' something is lost ' - would be some of the user-friendly aspects from PSP7.

When I initially used PSP7, with only MS-PAINT as previous graphics program experience, I recall learning very quickly and easily how to do various functions - and was able to quickly produce results that were 10 times what I could in MS-PAINT ( I know - duh )

With PSP 8 - despite some previous PSP experience - it took me several weeks to relearn things I knew how to do in PSP 7, which I found to be strange. Now that I have had a few months to toy with it there are a few things I do like more - but I've yet to see any major advantage over PSP 7.

I for 1 can not complain - I got PSP 8 off EBay for $20. (Note: I have not used PHOTOSHOP / ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR ect. so I have no comparison on those lines. )

Good Times

I have been using Paint Shop Pro for several years -- PSP 6 was my first product. PSP 7 was undoubtedly a huge step forward as far as user interface and functionality improvements.

PSP 8, however, has tended to be more of a technical, behind-the-scenes revolution. The introduction of scripting, for example, has been a boon for experienced PSP users who need to perform complex, multi-step tasks repeatedly.

Further interface changes have accompanied PSP 8 and like any suite, time in software will improve your efficiency. While I was not as impressed with the changes between 7 and 8 as I was between 6 and 7, I do prefer 8 to 7 as I have been using it for some time.

I've always used psp6 and psp7, and think they're both great.

Question 1: How is Photoshop different (better?) and what else can you do with it?

Question 2: Would it be worth me upgrading to PSP8?

Thanks

Originally posted by wicko3
I've always used psp6 and psp7, and think they're both great.

Question 1: How is Photoshop different (better?) and what else can you do with it?

Question 2: Would it be worth me upgrading to PSP8?

Thanks

Wicko,

If you are a power user and really get your money's worth out of your graphics software (most web designers do), I would recommend the PSP8 upgrade (now v8.10). While I have yet to use the scripting features heavily, several changes to the interface have been made that makes previewing changes, etc., more intuitive to an experienced user. Others in this thread have indicated that it was not as smooth as a transition to PSP8.

Another feature that PSP8 has (I don't know if PSP7 had it or not) is the ability to rename a google of files all at once and according to a pattern. This is great for those of us pulling images off a digital camera (e.g., Birthday01, Birthday02, etc.).

Similarly, repetitive changes can be made in the same fashion to files. Say your digital camera always takes dark photos and you always correct it using the same settings. You can set the software to always apply those settings from a drop-down menu. Very cool.

As far as the comparison with Photoshop goes, I do not consider them substantial at all. Let me concede that my time in front of Photoshop has been limited (mainly because PSP has been able to do everything I needed it to).

PSP can run Photoshop filters. In the old days, Photoshopphiles would cite their filters as "superior." Any third-party filter that can run in Photoshop can be run in PSP (according to JASC).

The feature set in PSP has exploded since version 5 and has really come into its own. Versions 7 and 8 have really embraced digital photography-related tasks in a way that Photoshop has yet to (automatic photo enhancements, specific distotion corrections [barrel, pincushion]).

I don't doubt that there are real differences between the two both in capability and quality.

But is it worth paying $600 vs. $79?

Just my $.02.