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PaintShop Pro
PaintShop Pro
PaintShop Pro
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PaintShop Pro
Original authorJasc Software, Inc.
DeveloperAlludo
Initial releaseAugust 1990; 35 years ago (1990-08)
Stable release
2023[1] / September 9, 2022; 3 years ago (2022-09-09)
Operating systemWindows 7 and later[2]
PlatformIA-32, x64[2]
TypeRaster graphics editor, vector graphics editor
LicenseShareware
Websitewww.paintshoppro.com/en/

PaintShop Pro (PSP) is a raster and vector graphics editor for Microsoft Windows. It was originally published by Jasc Software. In October 2004, Corel purchased Jasc Software and the distribution rights to PaintShop Pro. PSP functionality can be extended by Photoshop-compatible plugins.

The X-numbered editions have been sold in two versions: PaintShop Pro, which is the basic editing program, and PaintShop Pro Ultimate, which bundles in other standalone programs, additional artistic tools and/or plugins. The particular bundled programs have varied with each numbered version and have not been sold by Corel as separate products.

From release 8.00 onwards PSP came with an interface for automating tasks with scripts written in Python.

History

[edit]
Paint Shop Pro 1.0 (pictured here running on Windows XP) was released in 1992 for Windows 3.1.

Originally called GIF2PCX,[3] the software was a file conversion utility, conceived by Robert Voit, used to move images between the major online platforms of the time, Compuserve and AOL. Each platform had their own file format for images, so the utility allowed users to share images on either platform. When basic image editing was added, the name was changed to Paint Shop. The first version, 1.0, supported image conversions picture converter between BMP, GIF and PCX formats, and basic full-image enhancements like changing brightness and contrast.[4][5] Paint Shop 1.0 was released by Robert Voit in August 1990. The name was changed to Paint Shop Pro when full painting, such as with variable sized brushes, was added to the product. Paint Shop was originally distributed as shareware and is still available at many download sites (4.12 being a popular version). Most newer versions are only commercially available although some have been distributed in the United Kingdom in computer magazine CDs after they became obsolete.

PaintShop Pro 5 added support for layers as well as CMYK and HSL colour modes, included JASC Animation Shop for creating animations and in fact was marketed as "Paint Shop Pro 5.0 with Animation Shop".[6] PaintShop Pro X6 was the first to be available as a native 64-bit version (purchase includes both versions).[7] PaintShop Pro X7 includes content-aware features such as "Magic Fill" and "Smart Edge" as well as support for XMP sidecar files that preserve edit settings for raw formats.[8]

From 2006 to 2011 (versions XI to X3), PaintShop Pro was marketed as "Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo". Having dropped the "Photo" part of the name in version X4, Paintshop Pro X5 was derived from Ulead Photo Explorer after Corel's acquisition of Ulead.[9]

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.[10]

Version history

[edit]

JASC Paint Shop releases: 1990?–1993

[edit]

In the table below, italicized dates are approximate, based on the earliest file timestamp on JASC or Corel's FTP server. Non-italicized dates are sourced from official press releases or notifications posted on JASC's web site.

Version number Release date Release notes
2.02 24 May 1991 Supports Windows 3.0 Standard/Enhanced mode.

Supported file formats include:

  • Windows BMP (1/4/8/24bpp, RGB/RLE4/RLE8 encoding)
  • OS/2 BMP (1/4/8/24bpp, RGB encoding)
  • GIF 87a (interlaced/progressive), GIF 89a (interlaced/progressive)
  • GEM Paint IMG old style (1bpp), new style (1bpp)
  • MacPaint MAC (1bpp, with/without header)
  • Zsoft Paintbrush PCX version 0 (1bpp), version 2 (1/4bpp), version 3 (1/4bpp), version 5 (1/4/8bpp)
  • Pictor/PCPaint PIC (1/4/8bpp)
  • Windows RLE (4/8bpp)
  • TIFF uncompressed (1/4/8/24bpp), Pack bits-compressed (1/4/8/24bpp), LZW-compressed (1/4/8/24bpp)
  • WordPerfect WPG version 5.0 (1/4/8bpp), version 5.1 (1/4/8bpp)
3.0 14 August 1993 Last known version of Paint Shop. Changes over Paint Shop 2.02 includes:
  • Relocated red/green/blue colour channel adjustment to Paint Shop Pro 2.0-style dialogue
  • Relocated brightness/contrast adjustment to Paint Shop Pro 2.0-style dialogue
  • Removal of restore orig. colour menu item
  • Addition of Selectable printer from local/network source
  • Addition of Built-in portrait/landscape print mode, paper size/source selection
  • Addition of undo operation
  • Addition of fit to full screen viewing
  • Addition of image resizing with aspect ratio preservation option
  • Addition of decreasing colour depth to 256 colours (8bpp)
  • Addition of client area option for window capturing
  • Addition of file format support for:
  • Dr. Halo CUT image (8bpp), PAL palette
  • Windows DIB (1/4/8/24bpp, RGB/RLE4/RLE8 encoding)
  • OS/2 DIB (1/4/8/24bpp, RGB encoding)
  • GIF 87a (1/4/8bpp, interlaced/progressive, 1st image data), GIF 89a (1/4/8bpp, interlaced/progressive, 1st image data)
  • GEM Paint IMG old style (4/8bpp), new style (4/8bpp)
  • Deluxe Paint LBM (1/4/8bpp)
  • Microsoft Paint MSP old version (1bpp), new version (1bpp)
  • Zsoft Paintbrush PCX version 5 (24bpp)
  • CompuServe RLE (1bpp)
  • Truevision Targa TGA (8/16/24/32bpp)
  • TIFF Huffman-compressed (1bpp)

JASC Paint Shop Pro releases: 1990–2004

[edit]
Version number Release date Release notes
0.9 1990
1.0 1992
1.02a 1992
1.02a 1993
2.0 14 August 1993 Introduces the floating toolbar

Changes over Paint Shop 2.02 includes:

  • Object linking and embedding
  • Status bar showing image colour depth/dimensions, cursor location, image memory size, system memory size, activity progress bar.
  • Image acquisition from TWAIN-compliant device
  • Selectable import image size
  • Batch conversion
  • Selectable JIF/JPG compression level
  • Selectable DPI settings for PCX/TIFF/WPG
  • Selectable printer from local/network source
  • Built-in portrait/landscape print mode, paper size/source selection
  • Selectable screen capture time (immediately after selection/on right mouse click)
  • Selectable undo buffer source (disabled/memory/disk)
  • undo operation
  • emptying clipboard
  • zoom view (10:1 zoom out to 1:10 zoom in)
  • Floating tools/histogram window
  • arbitrary image rotation (0-359 degrees in 1 degree increment), adding border to image, image resizing with aspect ratio preservation option, filtered image resizing
  • image filters (edge enhance, find edges, trace contour, blur, sharpen, soften, add noise (random/uniform), despeckle, dilate, emboss, erode, median, mosaic (square/non-square, 2-100 pixels), posterize (1-7 levels per channel), custom (1x1-5x5 matrix with custom division factor/bias, selectable colour channels, filter presets (includes enhance detail; import/export filter))
  • additional colour tools (gamma correction (0.01-4.99, with preview), highlight/shadow (with preview), solarize (with preview), palette edit/import/export (at 4/8bpp modes only), colour counter, decreasing colour depth (8/15/16bpp, X(17-256) colours), increasing colour depth), previews for brightness/contrast, red/green/blue colour channel adjustment; selectable colour channel when decreasing colour depth to 2 colours, additional options when decreasing colour depth to 16/256 colours (optimized/standard palette, nearest colour/ordered dither/error diffusion, boost marked colour, include Windows colours, reduce colour bleeding), additional options when decreasing colour depth to 32k/64k colours (nearest colour/ordered dither/error diffusion)
  • additional capture options (client area/window capture, cursor capture)
  • Multi-document interface, document window duplication
  • Histogram
2.01 15 November 1993 Changes to Paint Shop Pro 2.00 includes:
  • Catalog ad for ImageCommander, and order forms for ImageCommander in Paint Shop Pro help file
3.0 August 1993?
3.11 14 August 1995 (2-disk archive edition), 11 August 1997 (joined installer archive)
3.12 1 July 1996 (16/32-bit compilation),[11] 25 November 1996 (2-disk shareware archive edition) Supports Win32s, Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0
4.0 1 July 1996 (registered)[11] First 32-bit only release. Changes from 3.12 includes:[12]
  • new paintbrush tool increases the user's artistic control by allowing custom settings of size, shape and paper texture for any brush type (pen, pencil, marker, crayon, chalk, charcoal, airbrush and paintbrush tool)
  • Magic Wand tool supports capture an area of an image based on hue or brightness values
  • enhanced selections tool support adjusting overall opacity, designate a transparent color, or feather a selected area to create the illusion of a smooth edge
  • new file format support include:
  • progressive encoded support for JPEG files
  • alpha channel support for the TIFF
  • alpha channel support for TGA
  • alpha channel support for PNG
  • A Channels feature that allows users to split or combine an image's RGB values, with a histogram window that displays red, green, blue and luminance channel information.
  • An Image Arithmetic feature for combining two images together using functions, channels and/or modifiers.
  • The ability to open the same image both at the zoom and whole-image level
  • An integrated image browser that permits visual searching of thumbnails and optional saving of thumbnails. Thumbnail size and selection colors are adjustable.
  • customizable toolbar
  • The option of performing multiple screen captures using the screen capture utility.
  • Increased system requirement to Intel 80486 or compatible CPU, 8 MB RAM, 5 MB hard drive space

Power pack version includes Kai's Power Tools SE.

4.10 3 September 1996 (registered upgrade patch) Changes to 4.0 includes:[11]
  • GIF and PNG transparency previews
  • full screen viewing/editing
  • support for opening CMYK JPG files
  • ability to load third party plug-ins in the background as the program loads
4.12 10 January 1997 (shareware, registered upgrade patch)[11]
4.14 13 October 1997 (shareware, registered, registered upgrade patch)[11] Changes from 4.12 includes:
  • improved memory performance
  • improved TIFF file format support
  • addresses stability issues reported by users
4.15 April 1998
4.15 SE April 1999 Bundled software edition distributed with some PC peripherals, as well as an issue of PC Advisor
5.0 beta 20 February 1998 Changes from version 4.14 includes:[13]
  • JASC Animation Shop
  • Newly supported image formats include Multi-layer PSD, Kodak PhotoPIX, FlashPix, Scitex CT, Pro Photo-CD, 24-bit IFF, PSP, and enhanced metafile
  • Support for layers editing, including blend mode controls, layer grouping, naming, visibility, transparency locking, user masking, and variable opacity.
  • User-customized viewable grids and display optional on-screen rulers.
  • Support for Kodak DC40, DC50 and DC120 digital cameras.
  • Support for pressure-sensitive drawing tablets.
  • Increased TWAIN support
  • printing CMYK color separations directly
  • multiple levels of undo (limited only by available hard disk space) with viewable history
  • New retouching brushes (dodge, burn, saturation, hue, lightness, and HSL to target modes)
  • Added adjustable cropping and Free Form deformation tools
  • New filters (arithmetic, buttonize, blur, Gaussian blur, sharpening and unsharpening)
  • New Picture Tubes brushes allows inserting a sequence of graphic elements such as letter blocks, pointing hands, rocks, old cars, candy, etc. as the user drags the mouse across an image
  • New colour manipulation tools (shifting of color ranges, splitting channels to HSL and CMYK, combining channels, Octree method for decreasing colors)
  • Tree-based file browser based on c-style interface.
  • Supports Photoshop file format plug-ins (also supports custom input/output devices)
5.0 6 April 1998[14] Retail version of Paint Shop Pro 5.

Japanese-language version was distributed by P & A, Inc.[15]

5.01 June 1998
5.03 May 1999
6.00 13 September 1999[16] Changes to Paint Shop Pro 5 include:[17]
  • Included Jasc Animation Shop 2
  • New vector graphics tools (editable text tools, illustration tools with node editing)
  • multiple color/transparency gradients with custom gradient profiles
  • New special effects (including Bevel, Weave, Blinds), deformations, and filters
  • JPEG and GIF optimizer tools
  • Multiple-image layout and printing
  • Adjustment layers for editable color corrections
  • Direct support for over 120 digital camera models
  • Enhanced visual Browser file management
  • OLE screen capture module
  • Multiple-level redo
  • Expanded palette functionality (improved Layer and Tool Options palettes)
  • Enhanced user interface (including roll-up palettes and a recent colors picker)
  • Enhanced integration between Paint Shop Pro 6 and Animation Shop 2
  • Expanded file format support

German version of Jasc Paint Shop Pro 6 was distributed by MicroBasic.[18] Italian version of Jasc Paint Shop Pro 6 was distributed by Questar.[19]

6.01 December 1999
6.02 2000 February
7.0 public beta 10 July 2000 Changes from Paint Shop Pro 6 includes:[20]
  • Included Jasc Animation Shop 3
7.0 21 September 2000[21] Retail version of Jasc Paint Shop Pro 7.0.

Paint Shop Pro 7J is a localized version of Jasc Paint Shop Pro 7 for Japan market from P. & A. Inc., released on November 10, 2000.[22] Polish version of Jasc Paint Shop Pro 7 was distributed by Connect Distribution.[23]

7.01 2001 February
7.02 2001 March Brazil version of Jasc Paint Shop Pro 7.02 was distributed by XpressSoft.[24]
7.04 22 August 2001 (Anniversary Edition) The Jasc Paint Shop Pro 7 Anniversary Edition includes:[25]
  • Jasc Paint Shop Pro 7.04
  • Jasc Media Center Plus 3.1
  • Jasc Animation Shop 3.04
  • Special effects filters from Alien Skin Eye Candy, Virtual Painter, and Flaming Pear Essentials
  • A new Product Tour that explores common projects
  • Bonus hands-on tutorials from Paint Shop Pro experts
  • 30 new Picture Tubes, picture frames, and fun shapes

Chilean version of Jasc Paint Shop Pro 7 was distributed by Success S.A.[26] Argentina (Spanish) version of Jasc Paint Shop Pro 7 was distributed by Softland.[27]

  • France version of Jasc Paint Shop Pro 7 was distributed by AB Soft.[28]
7.05 2002 June Version number used by a Dell specific bundled version as part of Dell Picture Studio[29][30]
8.00 public beta 17 February 2003[31]
8.00 28 April 2003 Changes to Jasc Paint Shop Pro 7 include:[32]
  • Automated Productivity Scripts macro scripting (based on Python)
  • Dynamic Personalization user interface customizations (menus, toolbars, keyboard shortcuts and workspaces), task-specific work environments.
  • New precision Background Eraser tool
  • new Perspective Correction tool
  • new effects and filters
  • One Step Photo Fix, Learning Center. New brush engine.

Paint Shop Power Suite includes Jasc Paint Shop Photo Album 4, Jasc Paint Shop Xtras—Creative Edition 1, Jasc Paint Shop Xtras—Creative Edition 2, Jasc Animation Shop.

8.01 2003 June
8.10 2003 October The last version to support Windows 95[citation needed]
9.00 2004 August Adds a history palette, natural media brushes, fill flash, backlight filter, limited raw image format support[citation needed]
9.01 2004 September Final version to support Windows 98 and Windows ME[citation needed]

Corel Paint Shop Pro releases: 2005

[edit]
Version number Release date Release notes
X (10.00) 6 September 2005 Changes from JASC Shop Pro 9 include:[33]
  • New Paint Shop Pro X Learning Center: The new Learning Center organizes tools logically by task, providing users with a step-by-step guide and quick access to the instructions and tools needed to complete the most common photo editing projects.
  • The new Smart Photo Fix analyzes a photo and suggests settings to auto-correct color, brightness, sharpness, and saturation — all in one step.
  • Makeover tools: The makeover tools include the blemish fixer, toothbrush and suntan brush.
  • Object remover: The new object remover lets users seamlessly eliminate unwanted elements from photos, intelligently filling in the resulting gaps with appropriate background detail.
  • Special effects for black & white photos: The new special effects filters converts images to simulated black and white infrared or apply color filters while converting to black and white images.
  • Advanced features: New features in Paint Shop Pro X now include support for 16-bit/channel adjustments, ICC-based color management, the ability to import and export CMYK images using ICC profiles, along with enhanced monitor calibration that allows LCD screens to be correctly calibrated.
  • Camera Raw support: Supports over forty Camera Raw file formats
X (10.01) ? Changes from Corel Paint Shop Pro X include:[34]
  • Date taken field can now be set to dates prior to 1970
  • Saving 24-bit files to EPS/IFF/PCT/XWD formats no longer gives an incorrect message that the bit depth needs to be changed to 24-bit.
  • Merging vector layers while the layer name is in rename mode no longer causes problems.

If you eject a CD while the Browser palette is generating thumbnails, Paint Shop Pro no longer becomes unstable.

X (10.02) ? Changes from Corel Paint Shop Pro 10.01 include:[35]
  • New support for raw files from Canon Kiss n, Nikon D50/D70s, Konica-Minolta Maxxum7D/Dynax7D/Dynax5D cameras
  • Browser palette improvements
  • General improvements
  • File format improvements:
  • Color management improvements:
X (10.03)[36] ? Changes from Corel Paint Shop Pro 10.02 include:[37]
  • Adds support for active memory system found in certain Lexar memory cards.
  • Fixed a problem introduced in 10.02 where RawShooter launches multiple copies of PSP.
  • Fixed an issue which caused plug-ins to not be loaded.
  • Updated customer support numbers in Help > Contact information.
  • Changed the Clarify command so strength better matches PSP9.
  • International version fixes:
  • Europe: Fixed Kodak Gallery photo sharing site URLs.
  • Japanese: Fixed translations in image information (Exif tab) for date and time, original date and time, and digitized date and time.
  • Japanese: Fixed poor wording in Japanese Learning Center "Object Remover" topic.
  • Spanish: added missing items in the warnings list under general preferences.
  • Finnish: corrected terms for the pick, select, and dropper tools in the tools palette tool tips and the Learning Center.
X (10.10) 27 February 2006 (Photo Art Suite)[38] Paint Shop Pro Photo Art Suite includes Corel Paint Shop Pro X, Corel Painter Essentials 3, Corel Photo Album 6 - Deluxe Edition.

Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo releases: 2006–2008

[edit]
Version number Release date Release notes
XI (11.00) 12 September 2006 Fully rebranded as "Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo XI". Changes from Corel Paint Shop Pro X include:[39]
  • New Photo Organizer
  • New Color Changer Tool
  • New Time Machine: Time Machine lets users see what their photos would look like if they were taken in another era and processed using historical photo development processes from the 1830s to the 1980s.
  • Film and Filters: It lets users apply effects to an image to make it look as if it was taken with a variety of traditional film and filter types.
  • Skin Smoothing: Skin Smoothing feature lets users remove any wrinkles, blemishes or scars from the people in their photos.
  • New Quick Review: Quick Review allows users to apply a quick fix to a slide, set a rating for a slide, add captions and rotate images in a slide show.
  • New Photo Trays: Photo Trays allow users to sort their photos by letting them group photos in batches for their convenience.
  • New Video File Compatibility: Users can now make the most of video clips by viewing them and extracting freeze-frames from the clip.
  • Enhanced Curves and Levels: The Curves and Levels dialog boxes give users exceptional control over some of the most critical image adjustments such as contrast, color and levels.
  • Enhanced Corel Painter and Corel Painter Essentials Compatibility: Corel Painter and Corel Painter Essentials compatibility allows users to open and save images as RIFF files.
  • Enhanced Crop Tool: The Crop Tool provides users with the ability to get the exact dimensions they want in a snap.
  • Enhanced RAW Camera Support: Users can open and edit RAW files from leading digital cameras.
  • Enhanced Training Video: The product is shipped with a two-hour video training CD, Getting Starting With Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo XI, from Lynda.com
  • Inclusion of Corel Snapfire Plus SE photo and video sharing software.
XI (11.11) December 2006 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'.
XI (11.20) February 2007 The last version to support Windows 2000
X2 (12.00) 5 September 2007 Changes from Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo XI include:[40]
  • Express Lab: The all-new Express Lab mode enables users to view and edit dozens of photos in the time it used to take to edit just a few.
  • Graphite Look and Feel: The new graphite workspace that puts the focus on the photo. The new interface also provides a neutral background for unbiased color adjustments.
  • HDR Photo Merge: The new Photo Merge feature allows users to create photos that capture the full details found in the shadows and the highlights of a high-contrast scene. Users can combine two or more photos taken at different exposures and use the Clarify feature to automatically "dodge and burn" bringing out the contrast.
  • Makeover Tools: New Thinify tool make anyone look thinner with just one click. New Eye Drop tool takes the red out of bloodshot eyes. Suntan brush and Blemish Fixer tools were enhanced.
  • Layer Styles: The new Layer Styles allow users to add drop shadows, embossing, outer and inner glows, bevels and reflections to text, photos and creative projects.
  • Visible Watermarks: Users can create and add a personal watermark to their photos.
  • Auto-Preserve Originals: The new Auto-Preserve Originals option enables users to freely experiment with changes to their photos, confident that their original image is preserved.
  • Save for Office: The new Save for Office option, allow photos to be automatically resized and saved in the appropriate format for a given project. File sizes are also automatically compressed to make it easier for the business user to share images via email. Users who prefer to Copy and Paste can use the new Copy Special options for the same benefits.
  • Dynamic Language Switching
  • Crop as New Image: The Crop as New Image option automatically opens scanned photos into separate documents.
X2 (12.01) 1 November 2007 Changes include:[41]
  • Added Raw camera formats for 9 manufacturers.
X2 (12.50) 9 September 2008 (Ultimate) Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 Ultimate include:[42]
  • Enhanced Camera Raw Support: supports more than 250 raw camera formats
  • New Creative Content Pack: Creative Content Pack includes 150 brand-new, custom-made photo frames, photo edges and Picture Tubes with unique edges and custom graphics, including square or oval frames, modern or classic frames, mats or photo edges, or a variety of other styles.
  • New Background Remover: Background Remover isolates part of a background in an image and removes it, allowing the user to replace it with a complementary image.
  • Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4, PHOTORECOVERY for Digital Media, a 2GB Flash Drive.
  • New Certified for Windows Vista

Corel PaintShop Photo Pro releases: 2010-2011

[edit]
Version number Release date Release notes
X3 (13.00) 25 January 2010 Rebranded as "PaintShop Photo Pro X3".

Changes from Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 include:[43]

  • All-new Organizer: The new integrated Organizer includes tools for rating, tagging, locating and quickly touching up image files.
  • Multi photo Adjustments: Changes made to an image can be captured and easily applied to multiple photos
  • Smart Carver: Removing objects and scaling without distorting the image.
  • Express Lab: Adds Color Balance, Local Tone Mapping, Contrast/Brightness, Sharpen and One Step Noise Removal.
  • Camera RAW Lab: Supporting more than 350 RAW formats, the new RAW Lab makes it easy to adjust a variety of settings, such as white balance, exposure, brightness and saturation before processing. Adjustments made to any RAW image can be copied and applied to other RAW images in the Organizer.
  • Object Extractor: Object Extractor precisely mask fine image details that are otherwise difficult to preserve, such as fly away hair, wisps of smoke and tree branches.
  • Project Creator: This one stop tool makes it easy to create, edit and share projects. A project can include HD video. Photo projects can also be printed through Corel's online print service.
  • Inclusion of Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4.
X3 Service Pack 1 (13.10) 12 March 2010 Changes include:[44]
  • General stability - Application crashes when using commands in Full Editor & Express Lab.
  • EXIF data doesn't show in Full Editor and is missing from files saved.
  • Uncompressed TIFF files saved from RAW NEF source are incorrect and can't be opened.
  • Commands with on-screen preview aren't applied to the image after changing the preview state.
X3 Service Pack 2 (13.20) 29 June 2010 Changes include:[45]
  • Enhanced application stability and performance
  • Faster RAW decoding
  • Workflow enhancements to the user interface:
  • repositioned rating controls in the Organizer
  • new zoom-level indicator and zoom control for previewing
  • HDR available in the Organizer
  • Tabbed Document set as the new default in the Full Editor
  • New RAW file support for Canon EOS 550D / Digital Rebel T2i / Kiss Digital X4, Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, Canon PowerShot S90, Casio EX-Z750, Casio EX-Z1050, Fuji FinePix S200EXR, Fuji FinePix HS10/HS11, Kodak Z981, Olympus E-P2, Panasonic DMC-G2, Panasonic DMC-GF1, Pentax K-x, Samsung WB550, Sony DSLR-A450, Sony DSLR-A500, Sony DSLR-A550, Sony NEX-3, Sony NEX-5 cameras
X3 Service Pack 3 (13.30) 17 November 2010 Changes include:[44]
  • improves the overall stability
  • improves compatibility with third party photo-editing plug-ins
X3 Service Pack 4 (13.40) 17 December 2010 Changes include:[46]
  • New RAW file support for Canon EOS 60D/PowerShot G12, Nikon D7000/D3100, Olympus E-5, Pentax K-r/K-5/645D, Panasonic DMC LX5/FZ40/FZ100, Samsung WB2000, Sony SLT-A33/SLT-A55 cameras
  • Improved Camera RAW handling for Fujifilm FinePix HS10/11, Panasonic DMC L1/LC1/LX1/LX2/LX3/FZ28/FZ30/FZ50/G1, Leica V-LUX1/D-LUX2/D-LUX3/D-LUX4/Digilux 2/Digilux 3, Samsung EX1/NX10 cameras
  • improves stability when working with duplicate layers
X3 Service Pack 5 (13.50) 5 September 2011 Changes include:[47]
  • New RAW file support for Canon EOS 1100D/600D/PowerShot S95, Fuji F550EXR/HS20EXR/X100, Kodak Z990, Leaf Aptus-II 12, Nikon D5100/Coolpix P7000, Olympus E-PL1s/E-PL2/XZ-1, Panasonic DMC-GF2/DMC-GH2, Sony A290/A390/A580 cameras
  • Enhanced RAW support for Canon PowerShot G12/EOS 600D/1100D, Nikon D7000, Olympus E-5, Pentax K-r/K-5, Samsung NX10/EX1/WB2000/NX1, Fujifilm FinePix S200EXR, Apple QuickTake 100/150 cameras
  • Ability to edit photo data (properties and personal information) outside the application
  • MOV video playback

Corel PaintShop Pro releases: 2011–present

[edit]
Version number Release date Release notes
X4 (14.0) 7 September 2011 Rebranded as "PaintShop Pro X4". Changes from Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3 include:[48]
  • Streamlined user-interface with workspaces
  • Photo Blend for combining the best parts of multiple photos of a single scene
  • optimized HDR workflow Optimized performance: Up to two times faster than X3

Ultimate version includes Nik Color Efex Pro 3.0 photographic filters, buyer's choice of 21 high-quality images from Fotolia and additional Picture Tubes.[49]

X4 Service Pack 1 (14.1) 5 December 2011 Changes include:[50]
  • resizeable icon sizes
  • customizable workspace color
  • break compatibility with some custom workspace
  • New RAW file support for Olympus E-P3, Leica D-Lux 5/V-Lux 2, Panasonic DMC-G3/DMC-GF3, Sony NEX-C3/SLT-A35, Canon PowerShot SX30 IS cameras
X4 Service Pack 2 (14.2) 31 May 2012 Changes include:[51]
  • Canon PowerShot S100, FUJIFILM FinePix F600EXR/FUJIFILM X10, Leica V-LUX 3, Nikon CoolPix P7100/Nikon 1, Olympus E-PL3/E-PM1, Panasonic DMC-GX1/DMC-FZ150, Phase One H 25/P40, Samsung NX200, Sony NEX-3/NEX-5N/NEX-7/SLT-A65/SLT-A77
  • Improved Camera RAW support for selected cameras from Olympus, Panasonic, Phase One, Samsung, and Sony
  • Better PSD file support
  • Improved display results when switching workspace color
  • Scripts recording issues on 64-bit systems
X4 Service Pack 2 (14.3) 3 December 2012 Changes include:[52]
  • Facebook: Photos weren't always uploading to the selected album.
  • GIF: A number of issues related to GIF output have been fixed.
  • File Format Exclusions preference: Excluded file formats were displaying in the Organizer palette.
  • File Locations preference: Some path information wasn't accurate.
X5 (15.0) 5 September 2012,[53] 5 June 2013 (Walmart)[54] Paintshop Pro X5 was derived from Ulead PhotoExplorer.[55]

Adds face recognition, instant effects palette, graduate filter effect, Retro Lab, single RAW photo, run multiple scripts, Corel guide, photo mapping, support for Adobe Photoshop brushes, RAW/JPG pair filtering, 16-bit supported in 57 additional adjustments and effects, enhanced tools (text, crop, HDR, photo blend), Share My Trip on-line slide show creation[56]

Ultimate bonus pack includes Reallusion FaceFilter Studio 2.0, NIK Color Efex Pro 3.0, Creative collection (with "over 100 unique brushes, textures and royalty-free backgrounds").[53]

X5 Service Pack 1 (15.1) 6 August 2012 Changes include:[57]
  • New RAW file support for Canon EOS 5D Mark III/EOS-1D X/EOS 650D/PowerShot G1 X/PowerShot SX220, FUJIFILM F770EXR/HS30EXR (HS33EXR)/X-Pro1/X-S1, NIKON D3200/D4/D800, OLYMPUS E-M5, Panasonic DMC-GF5, Samsung NX20/NX210/NX1000, Sony NEX-F3/DSC-RX100/SLT-A37/SLT-A57 cameras
  • Autosave enabled in the Edit workspace
  • Improved sharing with Facebook
  • Better zooming and more consistent image display results
  • Improved stability
X5 Service Pack 2 (15.2) 31 January 2013 Changes include:[58]
  • New RAW file support for Canon 6D/EOS M/PowerShot G15/PowerShot S110/PowerShot SX50 HS, CASIO EX-ZR100, FUJIFILM X-E1/XF1, LEICA D-LUX6/V-LUX4, NIKON D600/COOLPIX P7700, OLYMPUS E-PL5, Panasonic DMC-FZ200/DMC-G5/DMC-LX7, PENTAX K-5 II, SAMSUNG EX2F, Sony DSC-RX1/NEX-6/SLT-A99 cameras
  • Enhanced camera support for Canon EOS-1D X, FUJIFILM F77/F8, Kodak DCS520C/DCS560C/DCS620C/DCS620X/DCS660C, NIKON D3200, OLYMPUS E-5/E-M5, Sony DSC-F828/DSC-RX100 cameras
  • Cataloging improvements
  • Share My Trip – Public folder guidance
  • Improved overall stability and fixes to a number of areas
X5 Service Pack 3 (15.3) 15 August 2013 Changes include:[59]
  • New RAW file support for Canon EOS 700D/EOS 100d/PowerShot A3300, FUJIFILM SL1000/HS50EXR/X100S/X20, NIKON D7100/COOLPIX A/COOLPIX P330/1 V2/1 J3, OLYMPUS E-PM2/XZ-10/XZ-2, Panasonic DMC-GF6/DMC-GH3/DMC-G6, SAMSUNG NX300, Sony NEX-5R/NEX-3N/SLT-A58 cameras
  • Enhanced camera support for Canon EOS 6D/PowerShot G15/PowerShot S110/PowerShot SX50HS, NIKON D600, OLYMPUS E-PL5, PENTAX K-5 II, Sony DSC-RX1, SLT-A57 cameras
  • Workspace fixes
  • Improved overall stability and fixes to a number of areas
X6 (16.0) 4 September 2013[60] New features include:
  • 64-bit applications
  • new memory management work opening and saving files and applying effects is accelerated in both 32- and 64-bit versions of X6
  • Enhanced support for Photoshop plug-ins: supports many 64-bit Adobe Photoshop plug-ins in addition to Photoshop format (.psd) images and Photoshop format (.abr) brushes.
  • Smart Selection Brush: enables the selection of objects based on a brushstroke
  • Auto Selection tool: lets users enclose an image area in a bounding rectangle that automatically detects and snaps to the edge.

PaintShop Pro X6 Ultimate includes Athentech Imaging's Perfectly Clear and Reallusion's FaceFilter3 Standard.

X6 Service Pack 1 (16.1) 31 October 2013 New features include:[61]
  • Windows 8.1 full compatibility
  • New RAW support for Canon EOS-1D C, Nikon E700, SAMSUNG NX1100/NX 2000 cameras
  • Enhanced camera support for Canon EOS 100D camera
  • Enhanced support for high-resolution displays (User interface truncation for high-resolution monitors (up to 200 dpi))
  • Improved overall stability and fixes applied to a number of areas
X6 Service Pack 2 (16.2) 6 March 2014 New features include:[62]
  • New RAW support for Canon EOS 70D/EOS C500/PowerShot G16/S120, Fujifilm HS2/F900EXR/X-A1/X-E2/X-M1/XQ1, Nikon Df/D5300/D610/COOLPIX P7800/1 AW1, Leica C (Type 112), Olympus E-P5/E-PL6/E-M1/STYLUS 1, Pentax K-3, Panasonic DMC-FZ7/DMC-LF1/DMC-GM1/DMC-GX7, Samsung EK-GN120/GX20, Sony DSC-RX100M2/DSC-RX10/ILCE-7R/ILCE-7/ILCE-3000/NEX-5T cameras
  • Enhanced camera support for Panasonic DMC-G6 camera
  • Enhanced support for high-resolution displays (User interface truncation for high-resolution monitors (up to 200 dpi))
  • Improved overall stability and fixes applied to a number of areas
X7 (17.0) 27 August 2014[63] New features include:[64]
  • New Magic Fill
  • New Text and Shape Cutting tools
  • New Color Materials Palette
  • New Image dialog
  • New Quick Preview for Instant Effects
  • New Smart Edge
  • New XMP support
  • Enhanced Faster brushes
  • Enhanced Redesigned dialogs
  • Enhanced RAW support
  • Enhanced Layer workflow
  • Enhanced HDR photo merge
X7 Service Pack 1 (17.1) 7 January 2015[65] New features include:[66]
  • Improved overall stability and fixes applied to a number of areas
  • New ways to get more creative content without having to leave the program
X7 Service Pack 2 (17.2) 17 March 2015[65] New features include:[67]
  • RAW support for more than 20 new cameras, including many highly requested models
  • Improved overall stability and fixes applied in a number of areas
X7 Service Pack 3 (17.3) 28 May 2015[65] New features include:[68]
  • RAW support for more than 10 new cameras
  • Improved overall stability and fixes to a number of areas
X7 Service Pack 4 (17.4) 23 February 2017[69] New features include:
  • New Welcome work-space
  • RAW support for 29 new cameras
  • FREE Corel ParticleShop plugin with 5 amazing brushes
  • Important: This update might affect work-space customization. If you customize your work-space, save before you install.
X8 (18.0) 11 September 2015[70] New features include:[71]
  • New Text wrapping
  • New Magic Move
  • Redesigned Batch Mode interface
  • New more precise selections
  • New Lens Correction
  • New 4K monitor support
  • New Layer enhancements
  • Enhanced Gradients
  • Enhanced Faster Saving
  • Enhanced Text and Shape Cutting tools
  • Enhanced Smart Edge
X8 Service Pack 1 (18.1) 21 December 2015[72] New features include:[73]
  • New Welcome guide and dynamic content trays
  • Improved brush performance
  • Improved overall stability and fixes applied to a number of areas
X8 Service Pack 2 (18.2) 21 April 2016[70] New features include:[74]
  • Option to set Materials palette to classic layout
  • RAW support for more than 25 new cameras
  • Lens profile updates
  • Fixes applied in a number of areas
X9 (19.0) 18 August 2016[75] New features include:[76]
  • New Project Templates
  • New Screenshot featuring Smart Capture
  • New Gradient Fill tool
  • Improved Stylus and Graphics Tablet Support
  • Improved Text tool
  • Enhanced Real-Time Photo Effects
2018 (20.0) 9 August 2017[77] New features include:[78]
  • Runs faster
  • Streamlined interface
  • Larger icons on toolbar
  • Over 125 new brushes, gradients, textures, and patterns
2019 (21.0) August 28, 2018[79] New features include:[79]
  • Simplified Interface
  • PSP 2019 has a more streamlined interface than previous versions
  • Two new creative tools (The separate 360-degree edit window offers two functions: Straighten, and Remove Tripod Head)
  • Performance and tool enhancements
  • Content galore
  • Corel has added to the many scores of brushes, color palettes, gradients, patterns and picture tubes in PSP 2019
2020 (22.0) August 1, 2019[80] New features include:[80]
  • NEW: Touch-ready Photography Workspace
  • NEW SmartClone tool
  • NEW: Refine Brush feature
  • ENHANCED: Text editing, rendering, inputting and wrapping
  • NEW Creative photo effects (GRFX Studio)
  • Create mesmerizing photo animations
  • NEW Photography Workspace
  • NEW Refine Brush
  • ENHANCED Text tool
  • ENHANCED Pic-to-Painting
  • NEW Copy and Paste Layer Styles
  • ENHANCED Depth of Field
  • ENHANCED Legacy features
  • NEW Creative content
2023 (25.0) December 2022[80] New features include:[80]
  • NEW AfterShot Lab
  • ENHANCED Frame Tool
  • NEW Focus Stacking
  • ENHANCED Real-time Blend Mode preview
  • NEW Snap to Objects
  • ENHANCED Usability and Performance

Picture tubes

[edit]

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.[81] Instead of leaving a trace of color on the canvas, they would leave a trail of images. Popular tube subjects include alphabets, humans (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.[82] XnView, IrfanView, and TubeEx are separate graphics programs that can convert tube files (.tub) to .png.

Ultimate edition

[edit]

PaintShop Pro Photo X2 Ultimate was released towards the end of life of PaintShop Pro Photo X2, in September 2008. It included 150 additional picture frames and Picture Tubes, the programs Background Remover, Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4, and Photorecovery, as well as RAW support for 250 cameras and a 2GB flash drive.[83]

Subsequent Ultimate editions were released contemporaneously with the basic version. PaintShop Pro X4 Ultimate included Nik Color Efex Pro 3.0, a voucher for 21 images from Fotolia at high quality, and additional Picture Tubes. X5 Ultimate included Reallusion FaceFilter Studio 2.0, NIK Color Efex Pro 3.0, and "over 100 unique brushes, textures and royalty-free backgrounds".[84] PaintShop Pro X6 Ultimate includes Athentech Imaging's Perfectly Clear and Reallusion's FaceFilter3 Standard.[7] PaintShop Pro X7 Ultimate includes those same two items.[8]

The bundled extras cannot be installed unless that version of the PaintShop program is already installed. However, once a bundled extra such as a plugin has been installed, the installed files can be copied to other versions, e.g., a plugin installed under X5 can be copied to X6 and even if X5 is then uninstalled, the plugin will continue to work under X6. Corel releases a new X version roughly annually, so this ability to copy means PSP users do not have to choose between updating or continued use of Ultimate add-ons from previous versions.

[edit]
  • Paint Shop Pro Personal is a version of JASC Paint Shop Pro 9 for the Japanese market, published by Sourcenext Corporation.[85][86][87]
  • Paint Shop Photo Album is a simplified version of Paint Shop Pro designed to enhance, organize, and share digital photos. The Corel version was released as version 5.
  • Corel Paint Shop Pro Album Personal is a version of Corel Paint Shop Pro Album 5 Deluxe for Japanese market, published by Sourcenext Corporation.[85][88]
  • Corel Photo Album is the successor of Jasc Paint Shop Photo Album. First release was version 6.
  • Corel PaintShop Photo Express is the successor of Corel Photo Album. First release was PaintShop Photo Express 2010.
  • Paint Shop Pro Photo Studio is a site launched as part of Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 launch celebration.

License management software

[edit]

Versions X through to X8 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.[citation needed]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

PaintShop Pro

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
PaintShop Pro is a subscription-free, professional photo editing and graphic design software developed for Microsoft Windows, offering a comprehensive suite of tools for editing, enhancing, and creating images suitable for users of all skill levels. Originally released in 1990 by Jasc Software, founded by Robert Voit as an affordable alternative to more expensive graphics editors, PaintShop Pro quickly gained popularity for its intuitive interface and powerful features like photo retouching and automatic enhancements introduced in later versions such as Jasc Paint Shop Pro 7. In October 2004, Corel Corporation acquired Jasc Software, integrating PaintShop Pro into its portfolio and renaming it while continuing to develop it as a direct competitor to , with ongoing updates focusing on performance improvements and new capabilities. The software supports raster and vector editing, RAW file processing for over 800 camera models, and import/export of formats including , , and PSD, making it versatile for web, print, and digital projects. Key features include AI-powered tools such as for combining multiple images into sharp composites, Real-time Blend Mode previews, and one-click fixes for quick enhancements, alongside workspaces like Complete, Essentials, , and Sea-to-Sky tailored to different user needs and project types. The latest version, PaintShop Pro 2023, introduces additions like AfterShot Lab for non-destructive editing and enhanced usability, available in Standard and editions with bonus applications in the latter, emphasizing affordability and perpetual licensing over subscriptions.

Overview

Introduction

PaintShop Pro is a raster graphics editing software developed for Microsoft Windows, primarily designed for photo editing, , and tasks. It provides users with a comprehensive suite of tools to manipulate images at the level, supporting formats such as , , and RAW files, while offering both raster and vector capabilities for versatile creative workflows. As an accessible alternative to high-end professional applications, it caters to hobbyists, semi-professionals, and designers seeking robust functionality without complex learning curves. Originally released in 1990 by JASC Software as , PaintShop Pro quickly gained popularity for its affordability and ease of use, allowing widespread distribution through magazines and early channels to reach everyday users and enthusiasts. In October 2004, Corel Corporation acquired JASC Software, integrating PaintShop Pro into its portfolio and rebranding it while continuing development under the new ownership. Over time, it has evolved from a basic paint program into a full-featured editor with advanced AI-assisted tools and performance enhancements. As of November 2025, PaintShop Pro remains under Corel's stewardship, with the latest major version, PaintShop Pro 2023, released in 2023 to introduce updated interfaces and efficiency improvements; it continues to receive minor updates and patches for ongoing support. It maintains a cost-effective one-time purchase model, with the standard edition priced at approximately $80, positioning it as a budget-friendly option compared to subscription-based competitors like . This approach appeals to users preferring perpetual licenses over recurring fees, ensuring long-term accessibility for individual and educational use.

Core Functionality

PaintShop Pro employs a multi-tabbed workspace , prominently featuring the Complete workspace with Manage and Edit tabs to facilitate organized photo handling and editing. The Manage tab allows users to browse, organize, tag, and view metadata for images, while the Edit tab provides access to professional-level tools. Key interface elements include the Tools palette for selecting brushes, selection tools, and other editing instruments; the Materials palette for choosing colors, gradients, patterns, and textures to apply in drawings and fills; and the Layers docker, which enables management of multiple layers for complex compositions. Additionally, integration with the Corel Discovery Center serves as a learning portal, offering embedded access to tutorials and resources directly from the interface. The core workflow in PaintShop Pro begins with importing images through the screen or , supporting a wide array of formats including RAW, , and PSD files from cameras or scanners. Editing proceeds in a non-destructive manner via adjustment layers, which apply modifications like color corrections or effects without altering the underlying pixels, preserving the original image data for iterative adjustments. Users can then export processed images in various formats, with options available to apply consistent changes across multiple files efficiently, streamlining repetitive tasks. PaintShop Pro is compatible exclusively with Windows operating systems, specifically and 11 (64-bit editions, with version 1903 or later recommended), ensuring seamless performance on modern hardware. Minimum include an Celeron G series or II processor, 4 GB of RAM, and 3 GB of hard disk space, though 8 GB of RAM is recommended for optimal use of AI-enhanced features; higher configurations like i5 or Ryzen processors and 12-compatible graphics cards further accelerate processing. The software integrates with scanners through Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) for direct import and supports graphics tablets via WinTab and Windows Ink protocols, enabling precise input for drawing and painting tasks. At its foundation, PaintShop Pro focuses on raster-based editing, allowing precise pixel-level manipulation for detailed image alterations such as retouching and . It supports color depths ranging from 1 bit to 48 bits (16 bits per channel), accommodating high-fidelity workflows for professional photography and . The application handles high-resolution suitable for large-scale projects, with tools for resizing and extending the canvas to fit expansive compositions. This raster-centric approach, refined through updates following the 2004 acquisition by Corel, emphasizes practical, layer-driven editing over .

Development History

JASC Era (1990–2004)

JASC Software, Inc. was founded in 1991 by Robert Voit, an airline pilot from , with the company's name standing for "Jets and Software Company." The origins of Paint Shop Pro trace back to 1990, when Voit released the first version of the software, initially titled Paint Shop, as a DOS-based image converter and editor priced at $45. Designed for simple graphics tasks like format conversion between and files, it quickly gained traction among hobbyists and early web designers through distribution on systems (BBS). The software evolved rapidly to meet growing user demands, with the name changing to Paint Shop Pro starting with version 4.0 in 1996, which enhanced compatibility with . Version 5.0, released in 1998, fully optimized the application for the interface, improving usability with better tool integration and file handling. Key innovations followed: version 6.0 in 1998 introduced support for layers, enabling more complex for non-professional users; version 7.0 in 2001 added capabilities for automating repetitive edits on multiple images; and version 8.0 in 2002 incorporated vector drawing tools, expanding its scope beyond raster editing to include scalable graphics. These updates positioned Paint Shop Pro as a versatile, prosumer-grade alternative to high-end software like . Paint Shop Pro's business model relied heavily on distribution via BBS, early downloads, and CD compilations in computer magazines, fostering widespread adoption without heavy marketing costs. By the early , it had amassed millions of users worldwide, appealing to budget-conscious creators who valued its straightforward interface and comprehensive feature set at an affordable of around $70–$100 per full . Throughout the JASC era, the software faced increasing competition from free open-source alternatives like , released in 1996, which offered similar raster editing capabilities at no cost. JASC countered this by emphasizing affordability, intuitive tools tailored for non-professionals, and frequent updates based on user feedback, maintaining its niche as an accessible entry into editing. In October 2004, Corel Corporation acquired JASC Software for an undisclosed amount, marking the end of its independent development phase.

Corel Era (2005–Present)

In October 2004, Corel Corporation acquired Jasc Software, Inc., the developer of Paint Shop Pro, for an undisclosed amount, marking the end of Jasc's independent operations and integrating the software into Corel's portfolio of tools. The acquisition allowed Corel to leverage Paint Shop Pro's established user base in editing, transitioning it from its roots to a commercially focused product line. The first major release under Corel came in September 2005 with version X, which introduced a redesigned interface, enhanced RAW file support, and 48-bit color processing for improved image fidelity. Subsequent versions under Corel emphasized iterative enhancements to core editing capabilities and integration with emerging technologies. For instance, version X4 (2011) added (HDR) merging for blending multiple exposures into single images with greater detail in highlights and shadows. By 2018, the software featured a simplified with two new workspaces for easier navigation, along with improvements to tools like Crop, Text, and Clone Brush, plus expanded content libraries including 10 new color palettes and 30 new brushes. The naming convention shifted to "PaintShop Pro" without a space starting around this period, aligning with Corel's branding consistency across products. Strategically, Corel moved PaintShop Pro to a perpetual licensing model, allowing users to purchase one-time licenses with optional paid upgrades for new versions, avoiding mandatory subscriptions unlike some competitors. This approach supported long-term ownership while encouraging ecosystem integration, such as compatibility with for seamless import/export of vector and raster files, enabling hybrid workflows in . The software's development also prioritized cross-compatibility within the Corel suite, including bundling options with tools like Painter for digital artistry. In recent years, Corel has focused on incorporating artificial intelligence to streamline photo restoration and automation tasks, addressing user demands for efficiency in non-destructive editing. The 2021 release introduced AI-powered features like Upsampling for enlarging images without quality loss, Artifact Removal for cleaning compressed photos, and Denoise for reducing grain in low-light shots, alongside the Sea-to-Sky workspace tailored for astrophotography and underwater/drone imagery. Building on this, the 2023 version added Focus Stacking to combine multiple images for extended depth of field, integrated AfterShot Lab for advanced RAW processing, enhanced the Frame Tool for creative borders, and implemented real-time blend mode previews to speed up layer experimentation. Following Corel's acquisition by Alludo in 2023, as of November 2025, no major new version has been released, reflecting a corporate shift toward maintenance updates rather than annual overhauls, with ongoing patches for stability and compatibility.

Features and Tools

Basic Editing Tools

PaintShop Pro includes a range of basic selection tools designed for isolating specific areas of an image to enable targeted editing without affecting the rest of the photo. The Magic Wand tool selects contiguous based on color similarity or brightness, using match modes such as RGB Value or Opacity and a tolerance setting to define the selection range, making it ideal for uniform areas like skies or backgrounds. The tool, in freehand or point-to-point modes, allows manual tracing of irregular shapes by clicking to create straight or curved lines, while the Smart Selection tool automatically detects and snaps to edges when a is drawn around an object. These tools incorporate feathering to gradually soften selection edges over a specified width and to smooth jagged boundaries by blending edge , ensuring precise and natural-looking isolations. For painting and drawing, PaintShop Pro provides versatile brush tools that mimic traditional media for creative and retouching tasks. The Paint Brush applies soft or textured strokes with adjustable size, hardness, and opacity, while the simulates spray effects with controlled flow and density. The tool delivers precise, hard-edged lines suitable for detailed line work, and the Clone Brush samples pixels from a source area to paint over imperfections elsewhere. These brushes support pressure sensitivity for graphics tablets, where pen pressure dynamically varies stroke width, opacity, and other attributes via the Brush Variance palette. Complementing these are fill tools, including the for solid colors based on tolerance matching, the Gradient Fill for smooth linear or radial transitions between colors, and the Pattern Fill for repeating textures. Basic image adjustments in PaintShop Pro focus on fundamental modifications to composition and appearance. The Crop tool defines a rectangular area for trimming excess content, with options to rotate the crop rectangle by 90 degrees or adjust its orientation relative to the image for better alignment. The Resize command alters dimensions while offering resampling algorithms like Bicubic, which interpolates pixels for high-quality results by considering surrounding pixel values, though it is computationally intensive compared to faster methods like Nearest Neighbor. Rotation is handled via the Pick tool, which allows freehand dragging of a rotation handle or precise angle entry to reorient layers or selections. For color corrections, the Brightness/Contrast adjustment enhances tonal range by lightening shadows or boosting midtones, while the Hue/Saturation/Lightness tool shifts color tones, increases vibrancy, or adjusts overall lightness without altering hue balance. Layer management forms the foundation for organized, non-destructive editing in PaintShop Pro, supporting multiple layer types and interaction controls. Raster layers hold pixel-based content for detailed painting and adjustments, vector layers store scalable shapes and text that remain sharp at any size, and adjustment layers apply corrections like or hue changes to underlying layers without modifying originals. Blending modes alter how layers interact, such as Multiply, which darkens by multiplying color values to create richer shadows, or Overlay, which contrasts highlights and shadows while preserving base tones for enhanced depth. Opacity settings, ranging from 0% to 100%, further control transparency, allowing subtle integration of elements across layers.

Advanced and AI-Enhanced Tools

PaintShop Pro provides specialized editing features for handling complex image compositions, including HDR merging, which combines multiple exposures to produce images with greater detail in and . This capability, enhanced in the 2023 release, supports batch merging of photos or creating HDR effects from individual RAW files, allowing users to achieve professional results from bracketed shots. Panorama stitching in PaintShop Pro aligns and blends overlapping images to form seamless wide-angle views, facilitating the creation of expansive landscapes or architectural scenes from handheld sequences. , introduced in the 2023 version, extends by merging images captured at varying focus points, ideal for where sharpness across the entire frame is desired; users select in-focus areas to generate a composite with maximal clarity. Text tools in PaintShop Pro enable creative manipulations, such as warping text to fit within vector shapes or selections using the Text Wrapping feature, which conforms lettering to custom paths for dynamic designs. For added dimensionality, 3D extrusion effects apply beveled, embossed, or cut-out styles to text layers, simulating depth through lighting and shadow adjustments. AI-enhanced tools, integrated starting from the 2021 version and refined in subsequent updates, streamline advanced workflows. AI Denoise automatically removes from low-light images while retaining fine details and textures, offering simple or enhanced modes for precise control. AI Upsampling employs to enlarge photos without artifacts or loss of sharpness, suitable for high-resolution outputs for prints or web use. AI Portrait Mode detects subjects and applies a blur to the background, creating a depth-of-field effect for professional-looking portraits. A variety of effects and filters expand creative possibilities, with artistic options like oil paint, charcoal, and watercolor simulations transforming photos into stylized artwork. Lens corrections address optical imperfections, automatically or manually adjusting for barrel/pincushion distortion, chromatic aberration, and vignetting to restore geometric accuracy. Batch scripting via Python integration automates repetitive operations, such as applying filters across multiple files or custom effect sequences, with the built-in editor supporting variable scripting for efficiency. RAW processing benefits from the AfterShot Lab module, added in 2023, which enables non-destructive adjustments to exposure, white balance, and in raw files before conversion. It supports numerous camera formats, including Canon's CR2 and Nikon's NEF, providing previews and cataloging for organized workflows. These advanced functions leverage underlying layer support for non-destructive and precise masking.

Editions and Variants

Standard and Ultimate Editions

PaintShop Pro is available in two primary editions: Standard and , each offering a perpetual model with no subscription required. Both editions provide comprehensive photo editing and capabilities, including AI-powered tools for tasks such as object removal and style transfer, and support for formats like RAW, HDR, and PSD files. As of 2025, these editions are based on PaintShop Pro 2023, the latest version with ongoing support and updates. The Standard Edition serves as the core offering, delivering all essential editing tools in a one-time purchase priced at approximately $79.99 as of 2025. It includes features like , frame tools, and AfterShot Lab for RAW , along with a 30-day free trial and access to basic tutorials via the official learning resources. This edition is ideal for users focused on straightforward photo and without additional creative extensions. The Ultimate Edition builds upon the Standard Edition for $99.99, incorporating bundled applications and premium assets to enhance creative workflows. It adds software such as Painter Essentials 8 for natural media painting, PhotoMirage Express for motion effects, Highlight Reel for video creation, and MultiCam Capture Lite, plus resources like 50 modern fonts, brushes, textures, and the Corel Creative Collection. These inclusions facilitate seamless integration with other Corel products, such as exporting designs to for vector editing. Key differences lie in the Ultimate Edition's value for multifaceted projects, providing expanded tools for , , and asset libraries that extend beyond basic photo editing, while the Standard Edition meets needs for core image manipulation. Both editions are available exclusively as digital downloads, a format adopted since the early , and include free updates and content migration within the version year to ensure ongoing compatibility. The Ultimate edition of PaintShop Pro bundles several complementary applications to enhance creative workflows, including Painter Essentials 8 for and brush-based artwork creation. It also integrates AfterShot Lab as a standalone RAW photo editor, introduced in 2023 for non-destructive editing and directly within the software. These bundles further provide access to the Creative Collection of assets, such as premium brushes, overlays, and templates, along with tools like PhotoMirage Express for image animation effects. Historical variants of PaintShop Pro include specialized photo-focused editions that were later discontinued. The Paint Shop Pro Photo line, launched in version XI in 2006, emphasized advanced RAW processing and organizer features and continued through X3 in 2010 before being phased out by 2012. In the JASC era, add-ons like Animation Shop—introduced with Paint Shop Pro 5.0 in 1998 for creating animated GIFs—were bundled but discontinued following Corel's acquisition of JASC in 2004. PaintShop Pro integrates with the broader Corel ecosystem, enabling seamless workflows such as exporting edited images to VideoStudio for incorporation into video projects as overlays or titles. It supports third-party plugins via the 8bf format (Photoshop's filter module standard), allowing users to extend functionality with external effects, filters, and tools from developers like AKVIS or Alien Skin.

Unique Elements

Picture Tubes

Picture tubes are a distinctive feature in PaintShop Pro, consisting of reusable files stored in .tub format that function as customizable stamps or brushes for applying repeatedly to an . Unlike standard brushes that may distort or blend with the underlying pixels, picture tubes preserve the original fidelity, allowing users to place high-quality, uneditable elements such as snowflakes, stars, or decorative motifs without alteration. This tool enables seamless repetition of sequences, making it ideal for creating patterns or embellishments in digital artwork. To create a picture tube, users select and prepare individual images—typically in formats like .png with transparency—then export them via the File > Export > Picture Tube command, compiling up to 1000 images into a single .tub file. Once created, the Picture Tube tool is activated from the Tools toolbar, where users choose a tube from the preset library or a custom file in the Tool Options palette. On the canvas, clicking or dragging applies the images, with adjustable settings for spacing (via the Step control, e.g., 1 for continuous placement or higher values for gaps), rotation (in degrees for varied orientations), and scaling (as a percentage to resize impressions uniformly). Tubes can be configured as single-image (for identical repeats), random series (for varied placement like scattered leaves), sequential (for flowing designs like ropes), or directional (to follow mouse movement, such as paw prints). These options allow precise control, integrating briefly with basic brush tools for hybrid effects like textured stamping. Introduced as a JASC Software in version 5 of PaintShop Pro in , picture were designed to streamline the addition of quick graphic elements, setting the software apart from competitors like during its early development phase. This feature originated in the JASC era (1990–2004) and has remained exclusive to PaintShop Pro, evolving with enhancements in later versions but retaining its core functionality. became prominent through JASC and later Corel exchanges, where users and custom , fostering a vast repository of free resources for creative expansion. In practical applications, picture tubes excel in digital for adding themed decorations, web graphics for repeatable icons or borders, and pattern creation for backgrounds or textures, offering efficiency over manual copying and pasting. For instance, a tube of holiday ornaments can be sprayed across a page with randomized scaling for a festive scatter, or a sequential vine tube can form organic garlands without seam artifacts. This versatility supports hobbyists and professionals alike, emphasizing PaintShop Pro's focus on accessible, non-destructive .

Licensing System

PaintShop Pro employs a perpetual licensing model, granting users indefinite access to the software following a one-time purchase, in contrast to subscription-based alternatives available in other photo editing suites. This is assigned to a single user and typically limited to installation on one primary device, though provisions exist for transferring to a new machine by deactivating the software on the previous one via the user's Corel account. necessitates an internet connection to input the provided and complete registration through the official Corel website, ensuring verification against unauthorized copies. The Corel account system serves as the central hub for , allowing users to view registered products, retrieve serial numbers, and handle transfers or online. While offline phone-based is available as a fallback for connectivity issues—requiring contact with Corel support to obtain an activation code—the process still ties the to the user's account for ongoing administration. Following the initial setup, the software supports offline usage without constant dependency, though online access is recommended for updates and full functionality. During the JASC era from 1990 to 2004, PaintShop Pro was distributed primarily as , incorporating persistent nag screens that displayed promotional messages urging users to buy the full version upon expiration of the trial period. After Corel's acquisition in 2004, the model shifted to a serial key-based system for , which later integrated more deeply with account management features to streamline user verification and support multi-device scenarios. Anti-piracy measures, including mandatory and embedded technologies to detect unauthorized copying, have been standard since the transition to prevent software proliferation. For business environments, PaintShop Pro offers through corporate editions, facilitating network deployment for multiple users with tiered pricing and quantity discounts to accommodate organizational needs without a cloud-only deployment option. The current edition (as of 2023) maintains this desktop-focused approach, emphasizing perpetual ownership over hosted services.

References

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