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.
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]
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.
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
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
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.
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)
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]
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
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'.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(December 2022)
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]
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]
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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]
