Elements vs. Paint Shop Pro ??

[lorac]

I already have Adobe Photoshop Elements but also have a 60-day trial of JASC Paint Shop Pro. So far I don't know how to use either program so I'm wanting feedback on the strengths/weaknesses of each one before I also decide if I want to buy PSP.

[Emma]

Wow...um...

Tell me what you WANT to do, what style you like, and the type of work you want to create.

Both programs will do just about anything you want, and they both have many strengths.

For weaknesses, PSP bugs me because it doesn't have layer styles. PSE bugs me because its layer styles are so limited.

For both I'd recommend 3rd-party filters (and in the case of PSE, 3rd-party styles: you can import and use them, just little ability to customize or create your own). With a really good style collection for PSE and a good filter/plugin collection for PSP, they're both very good.

For me, I'd choose PSE, but that's because I'm a PS girl and because you already own it. The only to know what suits YOU is to use them both over the next two months, looking at online tutorials and those posted here. PSP is a great program, especially with third-party filters like Eye Candy, Super Blade Pro, and many of the freebies available on the web.

I'm also teaching a PSP class in the University in August, and the same class for PSE in September. Taking those will really help you get a handle on both pieces of software. And there's no rule says you can't use more than one! I use many, and I like them for different reasons.

And you can get PSP for pretty cheap if you buy it used and shop around the net. I've found several copies around $30, so what can you lose? Just make sure used copies are REAL, so that you can upgrade later.

Any specific questions or feature requests? We'll help you out!

[lorac]

I want to use PSE (that came with my digital camera) or PSP to do digital scrapbook pages. My style (on paper anyway) is fairly clean and simple. I might get more adventurous with digital. I plan to print completed pages to put in physical albums.

Wow...um...

Tell me what you WANT to do, what style you like, and the type of work you want to create.

Both programs will do just about anything you want, and they both have many strengths.

For weaknesses, PSP bugs me because it doesn't have layer styles. PSE bugs me because its layer styles are so limited.

For both I'd recommend 3rd-party filters (and in the case of PSE, 3rd-party styles: you can import and use them, just little ability to customize or create your own). With a really good style collection for PSE and a good filter/plugin collection for PSP, they're both very good.

For me, I'd choose PSE, but that's because I'm a PS girl and because you already own it. The only to know what suits YOU is to use them both over the next two months, looking at online tutorials and those posted here. PSP is a great program, especially with third-party filters like Eye Candy, Super Blade Pro, and many of the freebies available on the web.

I'm also teaching a PSP class in the University in August, and the same class for PSE in September. Taking those will really help you get a handle on both pieces of software. And there's no rule says you can't use more than one! I use many, and I like them for different reasons.

And you can get PSP for pretty cheap if you buy it used and shop around the net. I've found several copies around $30, so what can you lose? Just make sure used copies are REAL, so that you can upgrade later.

Any specific questions or feature requests? We'll help you out!

[Emma]

Okay, they'll both that just fine. I recommend doing lots of tutorials or taking the Aug/Sep classes in PSE and PSP until you're comfortable enough with both to know which you like better.

As always, we're here to answer any questions and point you to resources.

The way I learned PSP was to read a lot of classes, ask a lot of questions, and use it to make several pages. I still used Photoshop during the learning process if I had to do something I didn't know how to do in PSP or if I needed to be fast, but used PSP any chance I got, especially for graphic pages that didn't need a lot of elements, or when using premade elements from DSP.

So aside from hanging out here, asking a lot of questions, reading tutorials, taking classes, I'd recommend downloading the freebies and buy a few kits from the store to help you get started scrapping.

[lorac]

I already bought 7 DSP kits from this site :) Now on to learn the software... Thanks for the advice, I think I'll just stick with PSE until I find something it can't do.

[Emma]

:D Have fun with the kits! It's so much easier learning to scrap when you don't have to worry about making the elements yourself.

Don't waste your PSP trial: you can't download it again after it expires. It leaves a mark in your registry that won't allow a new trial of the same version to ever be installed again.

I'd just alternate if I were you. One layout in PSE, on in PSP. PSP is the more powerful program, but PSE is a little more intuitive. You'll never know unless you try both.

Have fun!

[Lauren]

Do you have PSE or PSE2 - I know the first version of PSE had quite a few less features than PSE2 so that would be what might sway me - If you are not wanting to make elements yourself then either will be fine - you can work with even fewer features!!- If you are wanting to do a more graphic style page than a "paper" style page then that would be a feature in your choice too - - Most of the features you need for creating elements you would find in 3rd party filters which can apply to both programmes but there are many psp users who are expert element creators too - - All in all its a matter of personal preference - !!

[lorac]

I just want to buy good versatile page kits that I can use in different ways and only use the PSE2 to assemble my stuff! I do NOT want to make my own elements. If I did that I might as well go back to paper scrapping (and I'm terribly slow at that, I might add). This (digital) is supposed to be the best of both worlds for me. BTW, I love your page kits.

[Amanda]

Well if that's the case I would just stick with PSE2 and save the money you would spend on buying PSP to buy more kits :D

[jeanineb]

I like PSE2, (I love the layers). Many plug-ins are available, too. I have made elements in it on a limited basis, but more often I use page kits and alter them when I want. PSE2 makes this quite easy!

HTH!

[Lauren]

I'd stick with what you have as well - why spend extra money on software that you can spend on page kits!!!!! :)

[Amber]

I agree with Lauren and Amanda- I would stick with what you have and then use the money to buy page kits! Its so addicting to buy page kits! :)