Just upgraded to PSP9 woohoo

[Timmysmum]

yee ha
Well I managed to get the upgrade online after registering my version 7. (thanks for the tip Emma).
The workspace looks a bit different and will need to play around a lot...its all got that new feel about it. Amazing how attached you get with a program.

My initial confusion is on the size of all the options Can I change the size of my options on the workspace they seem very small (such as brushes/zoom well anything)

I'm Sure I'll be asking loads of questions over the next few weeks I'd really like to hide away and play...for at least a few days lol ....anyone else feel like that ?
Sue

[Janet]

I should be getting my upgrade to 9 today or tomorrow, so I'll also be watching this thread and probably asking questions as well! Can hardly wait for UPS to show up!!!!

[DeeZee]

So what features does 9 upgrade to from 8.1? I"m afraid to even try an upgrade since my system already bogs down with 8.1 and I'm thinking that an upgrade means that it needs MORE resources than I have.

Keep us uptodate on how you like 9.... would love to hear about it!

[Haley64]

yee ha
Well I managed to get the upgrade online after registering my version 7. (thanks for the tip Emma).
The workspace looks a bit different and will need to play around a lot...its all got that new feel about it. Amazing how attached you get with a program.

My initial confusion is on the size of all the options Can I change the size of my options on the workspace they seem very small (such as brushes/zoom well anything)

I'm Sure I'll be asking loads of questions over the next few weeks I'd really like to hide away and play...for at least a few days lol ....anyone else feel like that ?
Sue

Hi Timmysmum..If you go to view Customize>Options tab you can use large icons!!
Another thing is to create a workspace with your most used tools visible, set up your PSP work space how you want it for Scrapbooking then you can save that workspace and name it, you could also set up a workspace for fixing photo's with those most used tools!!!
File>Workspace>Save that way if you ever need to reset your preferences you can always just go Load workspace and you don't have to reset all your tools again...I found this out the hard way...LOL
I hate my tools being hidden in drop down menu's and have a 19' screen so I want to see everything and have it just one click away...
You also can see so many preferences dealing with your drop down menu's and how they behave.
Also on the brushes preview window you can change the size of the view.
Click on brush tool, at the top where the brush is click it and open your brush window and then click last little blue icon and there you can change the size of your view of brushes.
Welcome to 9 and have fun...I love it and I am so happy I did the upgrade!! :p

[Haley64]

I should be getting my upgrade to 9 today or tomorrow, so I'll also be watching this thread and probably asking questions as well! Can hardly wait for UPS to show up!!!!

LOL Janet, when I was waiting for my new computer I did tracking on it and was standing outside when the UPS man came!!! hehe Talk about excitment!! hehe

[Haley64]

DeeZee..I am not 100% sure but I think 9 runs easier then 8 did...you would have to check this out for sure...They are both big programs, but I think JASC tried harder in 9...again not sure but I thought I read this somewhere!!!?? :o

[Emma]

PSP has the most customizable workspace of any software I've used. My PSP 130 class (based in 8, but the whole look is incredibly similar) has a section in Lesson 2 on customizing the space, using shortcuts, and saving workspaces.

Explore the Edit>Customize area, play and pull things around. Saving a workspace also saves any open windows too, so I create them when mid-project so I can reopen my photos and layout again the next day, or I've saved one with a standard blank layout. I also have one for writing tuts/classes so it looks close to default, and another for photo editing, or creating elements with the toolbars and palettes I use most for those jobs.

I have split some tools, like pulled the Magic Wand out of the Selection Group so it's by itself, and pulled the Warp Brush out, and collapsed other tools into groups. I've changed and added keyboard shortcuts so they're the same in in my softwares. I've added functions to toolbars (I use Effects>Texture>Texture a lot, so added that icon to the Effects Toolbar, and Adjust>Blur>Gaussian Blur, among others.)

This is a long answer to say YES! Have fun, so many things to do with it. My basic advice is to just start using the software, and as you say, "This is dumb, I'd rather it be over there," go and move it in the Customize dialog.

Holler with any specific questions about customizing, like the icon size. FWIW, every menu has the ability to have small or large icons, just click open the little tab/menu on the option and choose which View you like.

Hope to see you in class soon!

[Haley64]

Hi Emma, say I split a lot of my tools also like the Magic wand and my selection tool (rectangle) do you find the only way to get the tool out of the sub tool area is to just drag it back over to the tools costomize box? Or is there another way to take it out.
I ask because I noticed if I leave it ( eg. Background eraser) there and then click on the Background eraser that I have split from the eraser group it changes that goups icon to the background eraser again and doesn't leave it as the plain eraser?

Tracey

[Janet]

Ok, Emma, you've now got me REALLY excited to see the UPS lady show up! I knew PSP had customizable workspace because I "lost" some things and had no idea of what I clicked on, but I never have really changed it...Now that I know you're there to help if I really mess it up (someone who can figure out how to untangle that knotted mess I know I have the potential to make), I feel a lot braver about trying that! THANKS! :)

[Emma]

I ask because I noticed if I leave it ( eg. Background eraser) there and then click on the Background eraser that I have split from the eraser group it changes that goups icon to the background eraser again and doesn't leave it as the plain eraser?I admit, now I'm confused. You mean after you split the group the icons are incorrect? Or are you asking how to remerge the group? Or the Background Eraser shows up in BOTH tool groups? Or have you not split the tools, but merely created a duplicate tool, so there's an individual BERaser, and another in the Eraser Gruop?

I don't drag them around. I did it once, on accident, and could never figure out how to do it again. I find the way that PSP lets the tools and palettes and bars get dragged and snapped to be a little inconsistent and confusing. I use the Cutomize dialog to do it all, dragging and dropping from within that.

[Haley64]

LOL..I just cause confusion!!

Splitting the icons: I take from the customize box and place the new BG eraser in my tool pallete, but if I don't remove that same tool from the sub grouping (under the normal eraser), then when I click on my new split BG eraser it also puts that icon up in my tools pallete (under the normal eraser), instead of leaving it just the background eraser..
So basically I end up with 2 of the same tools active..

My question was is there another way besides dragging and dropping to remove that extra icon..but if that's the way you do it also..maybe it is the only way...makes sense..
Thanks

[Emma]

OK: I open the View>Customize dialog, click the Toolbars tab, then highlight the Tools. Then I can just drag things around all I want. The tool I drag out isn't duplicated, it just moves. I CAN duplicate it by holding the Ctrl-key which creates the problem you mentioned of having the split tool activated in the group also, so maybe you can try holding it down to NOT duplicate it? Or if you're holding Ctrl and dragging, don't.

LMK if this helps at all...

[3beautifulkids]

DeeZee version 9 runs much smoother on my computer then v8 does.... and version 9 has some great convienance features that 8 just didn't have... it's worth the upgrade to me :)

[Timmysmum]

Thanks for all the great tips... . Janet great news too let me know when yours arrives and we can learn together
off to play
Sue :)

[Timmysmum]

Emma,
i've just checked out the march classes and PSP intro doesn't seem to be there.

I feel like I am a bit in between in terms of skills not a total beginner but not an intermediate either , I can't afford to do loads of courses and the photography and word art appeal too as well as PSP making elements.

I like doing tutorials and there are a lot more on the web for 9 (can even do your brush one now)

You've seen my layouts Would the Intro class be still worth while.
I am tempted to do it just to learn about masks ..lol and as I have just got PSP 9 maybe learning how things are supposed to work rather than the try it and see method... lol
What are your thoughts is this course best for the total novice.
Would appreicate your honest thoughts and if you think I'm jumping too far ahead without the basics let me know. I don't know what I don;'t know if that makes sense .......
Thanks
Sue

[Haley64]

OK: I open the View>Customize dialog, click the Toolbars tab, then highlight the Tools. Then I can just drag things around all I want. The tool I drag out isn't duplicated, it just moves. I CAN duplicate it by holding the Ctrl-key which creates the problem you mentioned of having the split tool activated in the group also, so maybe you can try holding it down to NOT duplicate it? Or if you're holding Ctrl and dragging, don't.

LMK if this helps at all...

I am not duplicating the tool, just splitting the tools from the sub menu's, eraser/background eraser. Seems like there is only one way to remove the first tool that is default with the program...and that is to drag it back onto the customize palette...You don't see by dragging the tool unto the tool palette leaves that same tool in the original sub tool menu under the little black arrow?
I have it figured out, just wondering if you found another way in which to remove the original tool from it's location??