Paint Shop Pro
Paint Shop Pro (PSP) is a raster graphics editor and, later in the series, a vector graphics editor for computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system that was originally published by Minneapolis-based Jasc Software. In October 2004, Corel Corporation purchased Jasc Software and the distribution rights to Paint Shop Pro. PSP functionality can be extended by Photoshop-compatible plugins.
History
Originally called simply Paint Shop, the first version, 1.0, was a basic picture converter between BMP, GIF and PCX formats, released in August 1990.[1] Paint Shop was originally distributed as shareware and is still available at many download sites (4.12 being a popular version). Newer versions are only commercially available.
On November 28, 2007, Corel announced that the office in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, where Paint Shop Pro was created, would be shut down, with development moving to offices in California and China.[2]
Version and event history
Italicized entries indicate the closest date available. In these cases, the date is that of the earliest file date available on JASC or Corel's FTP site. It can be assumed that the official release fell on or before that date. For non-italicized entries, the dates are taken from official press releases or notifications posted on JASC's web site.
- 1990 — 0.9 beta - (based on personal use)
- 1992 — 1.0 - based on screenshot
- 1992 - 1.02a
- 1993 August - 2.00
- Version 2 introduced the floating toolbar.
- 1993 August - 3.0
- 1995 August - 3.11
- 1996 January — 3.12
- 1996 July — 4.00
- This was the first 32-bit release (for Windows 95 and NT 4.0).
- 1996 September — 4.10
- 1997 January — 4.12
- 1997 October — 4.14
- 1998 April — 4.15
- 1999 April — 4.15 SE
- Special edition for PC Advisor Magazine free cover disk "Licensed version- do not distribute". Also included on the installation CDs of some peripheral hardware.
- This release introduced major user interface changes, including support for layers.
- 1998 June — 5.01
- 1999 May — 5.03
- 1999 September — 6.00
- This release introduced support for vector graphics.
- 1999 December — 6.01
- 2000 February — 6.02
- 2000 September — 7.00
- 2001 February — 7.01
- 2001 March — 7.02
- 2001 August — 7.04
- This coincided with the release of the "Anniversary Edition" of Paint Shop Pro 7. Presumably, this means the first release of Paint Shop Pro was on August 22, 1991.
- It's not clear whether or not this was an official release. Several downloads with this version number were available, but all web site content refers to 7.04 as the last update.
- New UI, ability to control most elements of PSP via Python scripts or macros. New filters, One Step Photo Fix, Learning Center. New brush engine.
- 2003 June — 8.01
- 2003 October — 8.10
- The last version to support Windows 95
- History Palette, natural media brushes, limited Camera RAW support, Fill Flash and Backlight filters.
- The last version to support Windows 98/ME
- JASC Software is officially acquired by Corel.[3]
- Fully rebranded as "Corel Paint Shop Pro X"
- Revamped Learning Center that helps new users to get started, Makeover Tools (Blemish Remover, Toothbrush/whitener, and Suntan Brush), IR film simulator, and a Black and White film converter that includes color filter effects, partial 48-bit (16bits per channel) color support. Image browser palette, Smart Photo Fix, Object Remover.
- The last release was 10.10 and the last patch was 10.03 [4]
- Fully rebranded as "Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo XI"
- Bug fixes, including improvements in the appearance of Camera Raw images (and support for two new camera models) plus a performance increase of the organizer, new 'One-step photo fixes'.
- The last version to support Windows 2000
- Comes with the "Graphite" workspace theme. Layer styles have been added, although these have been criticised by people as too basic.
- 2007 October — 12.01
- 2008 September — 12.50 [5]
- Rebranded as "Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 Ultimate Edition".
- This version included some stability and bug fixes
- Adds Creative Content Pack, Background Remover, and Full Certification for Windows Vista.
- 2010 January 25 — 13.00 (X3) [6]
- Rebranded as "PaintShop Photo Pro X3".
- Adds Windows 7 support, New Organizer, Multi-photo Adjustments, Smart Carver(TM), Express Lab, Camera RAW Lab (Supporting more than 350 RAW formats), Object Extractor, Project Creator, improved Text tool, import and export HD video.
- 2011 September 7 - 14.00 (X4) [7]
- Rebranded as "PaintShop Pro X4"
- Streamlined user-interface with workspaces, Photo Blend for combining multimple photos, optimized HDR workflow
- Optimized performance: Up to two times faster than X3, Ultimate version with Nik Color Effects included
Picture tubes
Picture tubes are graphic images with no background. They are often used as a starting point for complex images; that is, they are combined with other image elements to produce a final work. Tubes can also be regarded as graphic brushes based on a pre-created image; this was their original use.[8] Instead of leaving a trace of color on the canvas, they would leave a trail of images. Popular tube subjects include alphabets, human (also known as dollz), animal and toy figures, flowers, love messages and seasonal symbols.
The tube system originated with PSP Pro version 5. Native tube files may be in .tub, .psp, .pspimage, and .psptube formats.[9] XnView, IrfanView, and TubeEx are separate graphics programs that can open tube files (.tub) and save them as .png files for use in other programs.
License Management Software
Versions XI, X2, X3 and X4 install a third party program named PSIService.exe, a Windows service called ProtexisLicensing. Written by Protexis, this runs in the background and collects licensing information. This program communicates with a remote host. Manually disabling the Protexis Licensing service may cause Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo to cease functioning.
Criticisms
Pricing policy
There have been criticisms of Corel's pricing policy that pitches international versions at higher prices than those charged in the US.[10]
See also
References
External links