Win a Copy of Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3 Ultimate

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/ca/en/Product/1184951547051#versionTabview=tab1&tabview=tab0' target='_blank'>http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satell...b1&tabview=tab0</a><br /><br /></div><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1286313115.usr1.jpg" style="border: 0;" /></p><p>Last month, Corel released the newest version of their flagship photo editing suite: <a href="http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/ca/en/Product/1184951547051#versionTabview=tab1&amp;tabview=tab0" target="_blank">PaintShop Pro Pro X3 Ultimate</a>. This $99 USD suite has a lot to offer, and new in this version is an enhanced photo organizer, enhanced raw support, easier batch processing, improved multi-core and multi-threading support for faster performance, new and improved tools (Smart Carver, Vibrancy, Object Extractor, On-Image Text Editing), HD video slideshows - and bonus tools like Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 and Kai's Power Tools Filters. Anyone else remember Kai's Power Tools? I have some seriously fond memories of that software...</p><p>The kind people at Corel have offered me <strong>three copies</strong> of this $99 USD software bundle to give away - if you win, you'll get a digital download version of the software. So how can you win? Post a reply telling me what you're using now for photo editing, and how Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3 Ultimate would be better than what you have now - tell me which feature(s) you're looking forward to using. Check out the <a href="http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/ca/en/Product/1184951547051#versionTabview=tab1&amp;tabview=tab2" target="_blank">list of features</a> and well me what catches your eye. That's it!</p><p>I'll randomly select three posts on <strong>October the 13th at noon (GMT -7)</strong>, so make sure to have your post finished before then. One post per person, and the contest is open to anyone in the world. Have fun!</p>

[uzziah0]

Right now! Nothing really.
In the past I've used software that came with my printer (HP and Canon) to rotate, crop, or get rid of red eye. For more complicated stuff I've used Gimp (but I don't use it frequently enough to do much very well).
I have a new computer at home, and have not done any photo editing yet.
I also need a new printer, so I was probably going to use whatever comes with the new printer, and install Gimp again.
I would like the organizer, since all my pics are currently scattered in a bunch of different folders, some by date, others by event.
Also, the extractor looks like a cool think to try.


Oh! First to reply!

[Imagineer]

As of right now, I use GIMP 2 -- an open source alternative to Photoshop. Although I am pleased with GIMP 2 as it is, I think that using Photoshop to edit my drawings and pictures would greatly improve my work. For instance, I get a little discouraged when I add a new background to one of my photos and find that they don't match up. Why? Because of the camera noise in the original photo, the one thing that GIMP cannot get out. (Not without making it look strange.:)) But I will look forward to the Noise remover if/when I get Photoshop Pro.
-- Imagineer

[asims]

Occasionally, I use Picasa and GIMP. I've also used Inpaint and Imagemender. My son is much better at editing photos and he almost exclusively uses GIMP.
From what I read, this Corel program blends the three programs together and does the editing better. I especially like the Smart Carver and the Object Extractor.

[ptyork]

I never win these things. There are three copies and three contestants, and I'm pretty sure I still won't win. :)

Actually I wasn't going to apply because I didn't think I'd use it, but I actually took a look at the features and some look pretty darned nice. I don't have Photoshop and have Paint.Net as my "high-end" editor outside of Lightroom, so some of the "advanced" tools would be nice for the occasional photo that I really want to mangle. Regardless, it'd go on the wife's computer, 'cause she loves her some photo books, and this'd be way easier than uploading bazillions of photos and doing everything online.

[leslietroyer]

I currently use Picassa -- I really need to improve my orgizination of the photos -- I think the enhanced Photo Organizer would help.

Leslie

[jgrnt1]

I used PSP for years (when it was Jasc). Eventually, I stopped updating it and have been using Picassa. I miss the power of PSP, though. Besides the advanced features it's always had, I like some of the new features:


Easy batch processing -- it used to be a hassle.
Smart Carver -- no more random intrusive objects in otherwise beautiful pictures.
The Object Extractor seems pretty interesting, too.

[paschott]

We actually use Picasa the most, but I got a free version of Paint Shop from some promotion a while back (semi-nag-ware) that works relatively well. My wife uses that when she needs more power than what Picasa gives. We'd appreciate the lack of nagging about upgrades. The "Object Extractor" feature would go over really, really well with my wife. She does a lot more graphics work than I do and I can see her using that pretty regularly. I'm interested in the easier sharing / project aspect, but I'd really need to see what that meant. If they start approaching Animoto-type projects, that would be pretty cool.

-Peter

[VickieB]

I've been using an old version of (Jasc) Paint Shop Pro for some things

[Distracted]

This is timely, since I was starting to think about doing something with the photos I have been taking. So far all I have done is transfer them to my computer and (kind of) organize them with Picassa. I've only done a little bit of very basic editing, such as cropping, eliminating red eye and color adjustments with Picassa or GIMP. Neither program being that great for editing (in my hands anyways). I've started to shoot more RAW photos, so the enhanced RAW support in Paintshop would be great. It also seems like there are some fairly easy to use features for common important editing, which is great for someone like myself who doesn't have the time and want to learn how to become a GIMP or Photoshop power user. The most important things would be the ability to organize and do the digital processing all in one program, along with the batch processing.

[EmpireComp]

I have been trying to lean Photoshop but is is too much to learn. For quick and dirty edits and fixes I have been using the tools in Microsoft Office. I have used Kai Power Tools in the past and loved it, glad t see it is making a come back.....

[stlbud]

I use Corel for everything. It is much easier to use than anything from Adobe. Adobe is always crashing. Corel doesn't. I'm much more productive with Corel Draw Graphics Suite than with Adobe products.

Yeah, I know it sounds like an advert. but it really is from personal experience.

[db2]

Tried switching to Adobe and just found it too much bloatware. Still running an old PSP 7 which works but doesn't have anywhere near half the features as the later versions.

Thanks
Dave

[beaversoc]

I am using Paint and Windows Live Essentials since I don't do a whole lot. I also use Picnik form time to time.

Features that catch my eye - Object Extractor, Batch mode and Express Mode since I am a bit of a novice.

Josh

[endcycle]

I'd love to use this to batch process my photography. I use the Gimp right now, and honestly, while it's neat (and free), it's damned near impossible to use efficiently. The interfaces are horrid, and trying to train myself to use is somewhat like punching myself in the face... I'm sure it'll feel great when I'm done, but in the meantime it sucks.

[vjf]

Had used PSP years ago before the age of digital photography trying out its various features and have always been impressed by its features and ease of use. With the advent of digital photography, I looked for free software alternatives and settled on Google Picasa as fit the bill nicely with the right mix of features and photo organization. It does lack advanced features and I do look forward to using PSP once more. The other alternative that I've tried is GIMP which does have nicer features but what I don't like about it is UI. From a viewer standpoint Irfanview has been one of favorites as its both free and tiny.

[siauw]

Right now I use Irfanview, usually I only crop or resize my photo. The PaintShop Photo feature that I want to use are Easy batch Processing (I use resizing a lot) and Photo Organnizer

[azonc]

Still use photoshop CS2.

[tabi13]

I used to use the trial version of Paintshop Pro X2 till it expired and I couldnt spare the cash to buy a copy.
Right now I just do a little editing with Picassa or GIMP for more complicated tasks, though I miss the ease of Corel PaintShop Pro so it will GREAT to win this!

I am looking forward to SmartCarver the most!

[jacklf]

My main PC has Photoshop CS3 on it, but I use my trusty copy of PSP XI on my laptop for quick cleanups or projects while I'm away from the house.

The new Object Extractor feature sounds promising.. and new filters are always fun to play with.

[timmy]

Currently I am using Picasa, but find the options for fixing photos somewhat limited. I think Paintshop would help me to improve some pictures mainly with the "Smart carver" functionality which looks neat. Removing flag poles and electric wires in photos would be a nice-to-have function.

[cobol]

I currently use The Gimp when working with my photos but I think the Corel's new batch proccessing would make my life a lot easier because it's a pain to do it one by one in the gimp.

[Jason Dunn]

Hey everyone, sorry for the delay: the three winners are...

endcycle, jacklf, cobol

Thanks to everyone for entering! All winners have to contact me within 72 hours to claim their prizes. All have been contacted via private forum message.

[tabi13]

Not complaining but I find it SLIGHTLY strange that one of the winners picked had actually posted AFTER scheduled close of the Giveaway... Is that an oversight?

[Jason Dunn]

Not complaining but I find it SLIGHTLY strange that one of the winners picked had actually posted AFTER scheduled close of the Giveaway... Is that an oversight?

No, it's proof that I'm not too strict about the contest closing rules, especially when there are so few entries - I purposefully gave people some extra time. The winners were chosen randomly; blame random.org if you don't like the numbers that came up. :D

[asims]

Well, Jason, did the three winners contact you in the time allotted or do we go to round two?

[Jason Dunn]

Well, Jason, did the three winners contact you in the time allotted or do we go to round two?

All three winners contacted me. :)