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DPChallenge Forums >> Side Challenges and Tournaments >> PaintShop Pro side challenge for June?
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05/25/2009 04:08:46 PM · #1
I know there are a lot of people on this site who use this software, but the bulk of the discussion in the forums is Photoshop oriented.

The point of this side challenge would be to illustrate and discuss various methods and techniques as used in PSP. Less of a focus on the posting of daily images, and more of a focus on understanding how to do the effects and treatments in the posted images.

The participants:
bvy
dtremain
Yo_Spiff
icu1965
atupdate
awpollard
krcnaples
JLSmith
kandykarml

Lurkers:
Kelli

Message edited by author 2009-05-29 19:43:11.
05/25/2009 09:01:55 PM · #2
One bump for the evening crowd, and then I will assume there is no interest.
05/25/2009 09:05:04 PM · #3
I'd be very interested.
05/25/2009 09:26:37 PM · #4
PSP X2 is my primary editing tool, but I use it rather minimally. If you don't mind some overlap with my own side challenge next month, then I can post some of those same images here but with maybe a bit more narrative about my processing. My biggest PSP-specific challenges right now are:

- getting a good BW conversion
- finding some way to feather a selection beyond the max of 200 pixels
- taming clarify
- alternate, more natural, noise reduction methods (though since I left the P&S behind, this hasn't been so crucial)
- figuring out what the hell the alternate (L) blending modes are for (Legacy? They give me better results than the non-suffixed ones.)

Yeah, maybe there is something to this...

Message edited by author 2009-05-25 21:27:08.
05/25/2009 09:33:43 PM · #5
Originally posted by bvy:

My biggest PSP-specific challenges right now are:

- getting a good BW conversion
- finding some way to feather a selection beyond the max of 200 pixels
- taming clarify
- alternate, more natural, noise reduction methods (though since I left the P&S behind, this hasn't been so crucial)
- figuring out what the hell the alternate (L) blending modes are for (Legacy? They give me better results than the non-suffixed ones.)

Exactly what I was aiming for. I can offer suggestions for a couple of things on your list, and some others are things I would like to learn myself.

Message edited by author 2009-05-25 21:33:56.
05/25/2009 10:16:58 PM · #6
Another way to approach this is to not just appeal to current PSP users, but maybe get some new folks around here to download and try the tool for a month (if I remember, they offer a 30 day trial).
05/25/2009 10:33:37 PM · #7
Originally posted by bvy:

Another way to approach this is to not just appeal to current PSP users, but maybe get some new folks around here to download and try the tool for a month (if I remember, they offer a 30 day trial).


Excellent idea, we always have new users on the site that are looking for good editing software and can't justify a full version of that app from the mud hut company. Here's the link to the download page for the 30 day trial
05/25/2009 10:56:14 PM · #8
Originally posted by bvy:

...vMy biggest PSP-specific challenges right now are:

- getting a good BW conversion
- finding some way to feather a selection beyond the max of 200 pixels
- taming clarify
- alternate, more natural, noise reduction methods (though since I left the P&S behind, this hasn't been so crucial)
- figuring out what the hell the alternate (L) blending modes are for (Legacy? They give me better results than the non-suffixed ones.)

1) - Use a plug-in. :-) Nik works well.
2) - no idea.
3) - layer, lower opacity
4) - have you used the advanced level of this? color range specifier to eliminate or apply NR to?
5) - wonder about that myself. :-P
05/25/2009 11:42:38 PM · #9
I still use PSP quite a bit, so I'd like to join in if that's alright? I actually have a lot of pics that I still have to upload to my computer that would probably work well for this!
05/26/2009 01:05:58 AM · #10
My biggest beef with PSP XI was that it took 15 minutes or so to load and that was just unacceptable. A quick google found this link:
//www.talkgraphics.com/showthread.php?t=23575

I don't know if anyone else has problems with it loading but this did the trick. I believe it helps with PSP X2 as well but I am not positive.
05/26/2009 01:22:25 AM · #11
I turn off the organizer and learning center first thing after installation and have never had a slowdown. Opening of the apps seems about right for such an app. Maybe it never had a chance to kick in on my system, or something else is involved that is different on my computers. I just timed it, and PSP12 Ultimate took about 10 seconds to open, with no image loaded. I had run it earlier in the evening, so some code was likely still in ram. PSP11 took a couple of seconds longer, but it was the first time I ran it up today. Normally v11 starts quicker first time.

Message edited by author 2009-05-26 01:24:29.
05/26/2009 07:57:49 AM · #12
I'm not interested in shooting for a side challenge but I would be interested in working on one or two submitted images each week to compare PSP steps and results with others.

Tim
05/26/2009 08:09:38 AM · #13
I'm going to lurk in this thread. While I do have pspx2, I do use mainly photoshop. The thing is my version of photoshop is older and I think I could do more in psp, I just haven't been able to figure out how. So I'll lurk, and see what I can see! LOL!
05/26/2009 09:00:03 AM · #14
Originally posted by atupdate:

I'm not interested in shooting for a side challenge but I would be interested in working on one or two submitted images each week to compare PSP steps and results with others.
Tim

That'll work just fine for the purpose. I like comparing PP steps, a lot can be learned by seeing how others adjust the same image. I'll make sure to post some larger size originals you can work off of. Maybe a couple of others can do the same.

Do you have someplace else to host your images? Since you do not have a pay membership, that means you don't have a on-site portfolio. If you like, you can e-mail your results to me and I can post them with your notes.

Originally posted by Kelli:

I'm going to lurk in this thread. While I do have pspx2, I do use mainly photoshop. The thing is my version of photoshop is older and I think I could do more in psp, I just haven't been able to figure out how. So I'll lurk, and see what I can see! LOL!

I'll sign you up as an lurker observer.

Message edited by author 2009-05-26 09:05:49.
05/26/2009 09:17:54 AM · #15
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

I turn off the organizer and learning center first thing after installation and have never had a slowdown. Opening of the apps seems about right for such an app. Maybe it never had a chance to kick in on my system, or something else is involved that is different on my computers. I just timed it, and PSP12 Ultimate took about 10 seconds to open, with no image loaded. I had run it earlier in the evening, so some code was likely still in ram. PSP11 took a couple of seconds longer, but it was the first time I ran it up today. Normally v11 starts quicker first time.


I also turn off that Photo Downloader that loads at startup

Open Corel PSP
Turn off photo downloader which starts at boot up
File > Preferences > General Program Preferences
Left column click on Photo Downloader > Uncheck all of the boxes

I turn off Organizer disk cataloging by not including any media in the search
General Program Preferences still open
Left column click on Organizer, Uncheck all the boxes, Click File Format Exclusions button > Click Select All button then Ok.

With that stuff disabled Corel Still loads (2) things into memory (besides the PSIservice which is for Licensing):

CorelIOMonitor (at bootup) I disable that using MSCONFIG utility.
MediaCataloger is still loaded when PSP is launched and I just kill that using TaskManager.

Yo_Spiff, I'll play along in the side challenge (but may need to link to my shots on smugmug...I go solid blue in a few days and thinking I may not reup here).

Message edited by author 2009-05-26 09:18:17.
05/26/2009 10:07:18 AM · #16
Originally posted by awpollard:

Yo_Spiff, I'll play along in the side challenge (but may need to link to my shots on smugmug...I go solid blue in a few days and thinking I may not reup here).

That'll work. People can simply comment in the thread here. I was hoping you would join this one.
05/26/2009 10:48:57 AM · #17
I love the heck out of PSP which had it's issues (Gray screen of death) in the past but with the latest update to X2 Ultimate I have not had any issues. The money I saved by not giving Abobe $$$ every 3-4 years for major releases and $$ for upgrades in between, I have picked up two Nik plug-ins (Color Efex Pro 3 Complete, Viveza) and several Topaz filters and don't feel mugged.

For Noobs to PSP it is important to get your settings right for saving shots to viewed on the web. The defaults will kill (same is true in PS) your pic when resized IQ wise. I did a quick tut over on the SD dSLR site to help some that were having issues with saving their shots for web viewing.

//www.sandiegodslr.com/?q=node/920

I found that Color Management in PSP can give mixed results. I am in the Windoze environment with a Calibrated Monitor (EyeOne), and found that in Corel PSP I just leave Color Management OFF and let the OS handle it. With Color Management on when I edit photos converted from RAW Lightroom2 the final results are not what they should be.

If you are new to PSP do not be afraid to ask any questions throughout the side challenge.



05/26/2009 01:04:33 PM · #18
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Originally posted by atupdate:

I'm not interested in shooting for a side challenge but I would be interested in working on one or two submitted images each week to compare PSP steps and results with others.
Tim

That'll work just fine for the purpose. I like comparing PP steps, a lot can be learned by seeing how others adjust the same image. I'll make sure to post some larger size originals you can work off of. Maybe a couple of others can do the same.

Do you have someplace else to host your images? Since you do not have a pay membership, that means you don't have a on-site portfolio. If you like, you can e-mail your results to me and I can post them with your notes.


Yes, I can post at Photobucket and link to a thumbnail pretty easy.

Tim
05/26/2009 05:38:46 PM · #19
Hello...I am new to this site but would like to participate if its not too late!!!
05/26/2009 06:35:33 PM · #20
Originally posted by glad2badad:

Originally posted by bvy:

...vMy biggest PSP-specific challenges right now are:

- getting a good BW conversion
- finding some way to feather a selection beyond the max of 200 pixels
- taming clarify
- alternate, more natural, noise reduction methods (though since I left the P&S behind, this hasn't been so crucial)
- figuring out what the hell the alternate (L) blending modes are for (Legacy? They give me better results than the non-suffixed ones.)

1) - Use a plug-in. :-) Nik works well.
2) - no idea.
3) - layer, lower opacity
4) - have you used the advanced level of this? color range specifier to eliminate or apply NR to?
5) - wonder about that myself. :-P


1. Okay! I've heard enough good stuff about it that I guess I'll have to give it a try. Free trial?
2. ?
3. Clarify does good things for black and white. While processing the image below, I was getting frustrated that clarify was darkening my shadows. The highlights and midtones looked really good though, so I ended up using a blend mode like so to deal with it.

That is, I copied the image and applied clarify (never more than 5!) to the top layer, then used the blend mode to perserve the shadows from the underlying (background) layer.
4. Yes, I tried it a few times but probably not enough to fully exploit what it could do.
5. !
05/26/2009 07:05:15 PM · #21
Originally posted by krcnaples:

Hello...I am new to this site but would like to participate if its not too late!!!

When it comes to side challenges, it is never too late. Welcome to the madhouse!
05/26/2009 07:18:26 PM · #22
Most of the tutorials on B/W conversion for that "other" image editor recommend using the channel mixer, but the one in PSP does not have as many color channels you can adjust and is harder to control. The best built in method for me has been using the colored filters till I got look that I liked. However, I found this free plugin a few months ago that I have been using since. It works well. Link is in the image notes.


Message edited by author 2009-05-26 19:18:55.
05/26/2009 07:36:23 PM · #23
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Most of the tutorials on B/W conversion for that "other" image editor recommend using the channel mixer, but the one in PSP does not have as many color channels you can adjust and is harder to control. The best built in method for me has been using the colored filters till I got look that I liked. However, I found this free plugin a few months ago that I have been using since. It works well. Link is in the image notes.


Cool I'll have to look at that as I don't have Silver Efex yet.

The other freebie (windoze only) plug-in I like for a b/w starting point is Virtual Photographer.

//www.optikvervelabs.com/

Oh...oh I see there is an update (I haven't been to the site in a couple years)
05/26/2009 07:40:25 PM · #24
I'm learning more just in the sign-up thread...

I actually use the Photo Downloader and love it. Pops right up when I plug the camera in (I use USB, not a card reader) and downloads everything into a new folder.

Originally posted by awpollard:

//www.sandiegodslr.com/?q=node/920


Need to check this out more closely. I wasn't aware of some of these options. I have played with different resize options though.

Message edited by author 2009-05-26 19:40:52.
05/26/2009 08:24:07 PM · #25
Originally posted by awpollard:

The other freebie (windoze only) plug-in I like for a b/w starting point is Virtual Photographer.

I'd heard that one mentioned before, but had not realized it was a free plugin. Going to get it now, as well as adding it to the list of freebie image editing software

Message edited by author 2009-05-26 20:24:21.
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