lmTrying Loc: WV Northern Panhandle

I have several free and "included" post processing programs that I have been dabbling with. Piccasa, Canon, PhotoShop Express, AfterShot 2, Dell's Vista photo editor, to name a few, but nothing really connected as a system. Bear in mind, I'm just learning.

Last night I was real close to ordering PaintShop Pro Ultimate Edition 2018, but was a little confused on Corel's site, so I went to Amazon. The Ultimate 2018 edition had really bad reviews. Advertised programs that were not on the disk, programs that didn't work or even load, and more.

I was looking at this in particular because it included AfterShot 3 and some others that I thought would make a good integrated starting platform.

So I looked up PaintShop Pro (several versions) and AfterShot 3 as separate programs. The reviews of these were very good. Comparisons to PhotoShop and LightRoom were back and forth, plus and minus, talking about the differences and the advantages of one over the other. Totally different than the Ultimate Edition. At 2am I shut everything down and went to bed.

I was wondering if anyone has any first hand knowledge of this and would share their experiences.

I am not looking for a flood of opinions trying to goad me into Adobe. Maybe someday, not today. Two things on my horizon are the purchase of an RV and traveling to see some of the sites posted on this forum, and having a program that is not constantly being updated. I may even think about a new laptop because my HP drives me crazy. My 80D purchase seems to be disappearing in the distance.

Thank you all in advance.

2Dragons Loc: The Back of Beyond

I have Paint Shop Pro and haven't a clue as to how to use it. They speak a language I do not understand. Their "Help" is useless, at least to me. Others with more experience with digital technology probably know what it is all about, but for a newbie, NaDa.

DBQ49er Loc: Dubuque, IA

Long time user,15 years. I have always gotten the disk set late just before the next version. Version 9 installed and as always working fine, got an upgrade offer and went for download 2018 Pro with a two year reload if problems. Download was smooth, installed my Topaz add on's and all is well. Great price and very stable!

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

If you want a really good platform without spending a lot of cash try Affinity. I think you can still download it for free and try it out, you might be surprised how good it is and there are a ton of videos out there on how to use it.

pixbyjnjphotos Loc: Apache Junction,AZ

I am running Paintshop Pro Ultimate on an older HP laptop with Windows 8.1. I have progressed from PSP X1 all the way through every version to 2018. I see nothing to keep me from continuing with PSP. 2018 runs very smooth. I have all my plugins, (Topaz, NIK, and Redfield, attached. If you are using Aftershop Pro 2 as you indicated, you can pre-process a raw photo there and export as a tiff directly into Paintshop Pro to finish it off and save as a jpg or any one of several other formats. I like the combination of the two programs very well. The selection tools work well and the layers functions are very useful. PSP has an impressive variety of tools. It is pretty intuitive if you start with the adjustments options and progress to the more complicated effects and functions. It works with my plugins flawlessly. I will never go to any other program as I have so much experience with PSP that I am not in the mood to attempt another learning curve. PSP does everything I need and I would highly recommend it to anyone. There are tutorials and good books. Any book written for the X6 version or later will be of great help. PSP has a learning curve but no more so than any other program of its caliber. There are any number of users on the UHH and we would be happy to provide some guidance, just ask us. IMO PSP is an excellent program and no more difficult to use than any other similar program. Hope this helps. Good luck with whatever program you choose, have fun, and have a GREAT DAY!

Joe Blow

I have Corel PaintShop but don't use it. For whatever reason, I too don't want a new learning curve.

One thing to keep in mind is most of these programs are memory intensive. Older laptops might not have the memory and/or processor to adequately do the job.

Bill_de Loc: US

I have used PaintShop since it was a shareware program. I update every couple of years because they usually offer it via email for around $30.

It is not my go-to program only because it does so much more than I usually want/need to do.

However, it can do just about everything you can think of. I find the video tutorials they provide (and those from others) very helpful. I downloaded and tested the other programs (the were not on the disk) and all worked as expected. They are not all full versions.

It is a great alternative to PhotoShop if that's what you are looking for.

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pixbyjnjphotos Loc: Apache Junction,AZ

Paintshop Pro Ultimate 2018 runs just fine including plugins on 8 gig of ram. The real key is to have a fast processor. My HP laptop has a 1.6 gigahertz processor with 8 gig of ram running Windows 8.1 and it is a little slow with Paintshop Pro Ultimate 2018. My tower machine has an AMD (FX8320) 3.6 gigahertz processor with 8 gig of ram, Windows 10, and dual monitors. It runs Paintshop Pro X9 Ultimate like greased lightening including plugins plus 4 other programs and the internet simultaneously. I can't speak for Photoshop, but from what I see here on the Hog, Photoshop must be extremely memory intensive. Not so for Paintshop Pro.

Jim Bob

Got the download and love it. Check out some of my recent shots in the gallery.

rdubreuil Loc: Dummer, NH USA

I second, for $49.99 it rivals PS to a good extent. The help sections are good and the website has many tutorials that are all really good too. Free 30 day trial version available for download.

https://affinity.store/en-us/

NormanTheGr8 Loc: Racine, Wisconsin

I have been using PSP since 7 although I don't use many of the features(never enough time to learn) it has done what I need, and without a internet connection when I travel .

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Yes, PSP 2018 is fine, did the download via net... works fine love my Topaz plugins. Topaz Studio is fine, but my houseshoes, PSP are worn and fit... so I go to PSP.

Affinity is the mod program and at $50 is the top seller at 17% while PS is at 14% rental. I bought a lady friend Affinity ... she was new to photogaphy... and wow, she caught fire with it... Lots of education out there. It does RAW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytKUIX5AIEw

I bought it months ago, and it has updated for free several times.

GibsonGuy Loc: Danbury, CT

I am also a long time user and did the upgrade to 2018 (Ultimate). I have had zero problems and find the program easy to use although, I will admit, I probably use like 50% of the features. Topaz add-ins work great and with "After Shot" does everything I need.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

I've been using PSP for years since at least X4, upgrade about every other year, using 2018 now, I like it, not so impressed with Aftershot, have it, don't use it, 2018 does the RAW conversion for me, if I need more control of the RAW I go back to DPP, on the Corel site there is usually a 30 day free to try offer, Bob.

gleneric Loc: Calgary, Alberta

I have been using PSP for many years but do not have the new (2018) version. I do not always jump on the bandwagon when they bring out a new version ... they usually announce what the major changes are and if it looks like they are things I would benefit from then I dive in, otherwise I wait for the next next version. If I recall correctly, the "Ultimate" version should be no different than the base version other than they provide a bunch of extra stuff to go with it. Have also been using AfterShot for years, as my first choice for RAW conversion ... after which a simple Ctrl-E opens the converted file in PSP ready for editing :)