PSP shapes format: PSPshape / JSL for Paint Shop Pro
The shapes are all in PSPshape format (for most of all of the shapes packs).
The shapes are stored in the earlier JSL format for the collection set.
The pspShape format stores a single shape vector design, the JSL format stores multiple vector shapes. Both formats can be opened in all the recent versions of PSP.
The illustrations are now created in PSP shape format 8, and can be used with all versions up from 8
How to install the preset shapes in PSP
To install the PSPShape files for use in Paint Shop Pro, you must first find the location of the install folder for your version of Paint Shop Pro, this can be found via the PSP file > preferences > file locations (preset shapes). You can either use the existing file location for the PSP shapes or you can create a new folder for the files, it is up to you.
Once found, place the PSPShape files in that location and then re-start PSP. Access the PSP shapes files via preset shapes tool
Re-coloring preset shapes tutorial in PaintShop Pro
The designs are vectors and are stored with an arbitrary color (in most cases though some of the sets have gradients and other color effects attached to the PSP shape design). Before you apply a preset shape to a document, set the color to be used by the preset PSP shape via the materials palette.
You will have to de-select the retain style option so you can override the original preset shape color.
You can also change the color (or the gradient or pattern as well as adding a texture to the PSP shape) via the object selection tool. Click on the vector properties button on the tool options palette, the dialog will allow you to modify the color (though sadly not in real time as it only changes after you click the OK). The fill and the stroke can be modified, and unlike many software, the stroke can also be a pattern or gradient as well as including texture information.
Adding a texture to the vector design allows for a wonderful range of distressed and grunged vector designs.
Saving as a new vector PSP shape
You can use the design as supplied but if you wish to save the current vector shape as a new PSP shape (PSPShape format), say you have added a new stroke or pattern to the design, then you will also have to modify the name in the vector properties - the reason being that PSP will complain if it finds a duplicate layer name in its loaded shapes (though different versions handle this better). Change the name via the vector properties or via the layer panel. Once you have changed the name, you can then go to the file > export > shape and give the design a new file name (unless you want to over-write an existing file) and you will then see the new shape in the shape palette.
PSP shape and layers
If the shape is created as a vector then it is created on a new layer, though subsequent added vector designs are added to the new vector layer.
To create a new vector layer without an actual vector design then go to the layers menu and select new vector layer
Crop tool and the PaintShop Pro preset shapes
If you crop the document, the vector shape layer remains untouched. The vector design can be still moved and rotated and the vector design is not reduced down to the size of the remaining document
PSP shapes and organizer
You can also use the organizer feature of PSP to scan through all the shapes you have, simply point to the folder and small thumbnails will be generated of all the shapes found (PSPShape format) - the quality of the image generated is less then desirable though. It does mean that you can sort and print out all the shapes designs found on your machine, something the PSP shapes browser cannot do.
Graphicxtras PSP shapes sets
The graphicxtras.com preset shapes sets include a collection set (this was a combination of previous shapes sets sold individually) and the shapes are stored in an earlier PSP shapes format JSL, the JSL files can be used in all versions of PSP though.
The other sets are all themed sets, all the PSP shapes are in PSPShape format. The shapes packs include many embellishment, flourish, swirls designs; hearts shapes; scrapbooking themed shapes such as rosettes and flowers; arrows shapes, 3D and many others.
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Location / preferences / installation of preset shapes tutorial
The location for the preset shapes has varied from version to version of PSP (used to be just in the preset shapes folder beneath PSP 8 etc). To find the location of the installation folder, go to the file > preferences > file locations command. File locations menu in PSP example
Go to the preset shapes panel via the file types. You will see a list of preset shapes file folders.
This may vary from version to version (the panel and the file locations command has been a feature of psp for a while). You may have added your own file locations and the installation will have added its own as well. The most common ones being the users account 'documents' 'my psp files' (or in the case of XP, Documents and settings).
You may wish to add the preset shapes to the program files location but then you will have to change permissions. The benefit of the user account location is that it will probably be just as valid for the next version, X3 and X4 etc as with X2 and you don't have to worry about copying files to your own account folders. If the user account entry is not there, you may wish to add the entry via the add button and browse / create a new folder.
Adding preset shapes folder to the file location's dialog example
Go to the documents folder (beneath your user account) on XP - if you are using XP, this is 'documents and settings'. With the latest OS, go to the documents section.
Documents folder example.
Go to the 'my psp files' folder and select the preset shapes folder.
My psp files example.
Copy any pspShape files into this folder. The file type is listed slightly different and is listed as 'Corel PSP PresetShapes'. Many 100s of pspshape files can be added to this file location. You can always swap items in and out of the preset shapes folder.
PSP shapes files example - copying files to the shapes folder.
Start up Paint Shop Pro Photo X3 X2 and then go to the toolbox and select the 'Preset Shape' command
preset shapes tool example
Font shapes for PaintShop Pro
In the last year or so, there has been no more pspshape sets as the font sets are basically the same and work in the same way in Paint Shop Pro - you can also turn the font designs into PSP shapes by right clicking the font / type designs. There are now over 150 additional font sets all work perfectly in PSP. Added: January 1st 2012
Preset shapes browser - Paint Shop Pro
You can display the available shapes via the tool options (you might have to go to the view > palettes menu to display the tool options, though by default the toolbar is displayed). The tool options will show all the shapes.
You can also change the category but the third party preset shapes are only displayed when the category is ALL or PRESET SHAPES. You can also specify the file location for the shapes from this palette as well as how the thumbnails are dispayed. Select a preset shape from the palette.
Preset shapes browser example.
Drawing with the preset shapes tool in PaintShop Pro
Use the preset shape tool to draw the vector design on the current document. There are a number of options available via the presets tool bar and these include anti alias, retain style, create as vector etc. If the retain style is checked then the preset shape will look as stored in the preset shape file (depending on the color etc at the time of creation). Preset shape tool in use example.
If you wish to change the color of the design, then set the retain style to OFF and then re-draw the shape and the shape will then take the current material color. You can also modify the color any time via the objects menu 'properties...' Changing the color of a preset shape example.
EPS shapes are included in later sets
The latest packs of PSP shapes also include the designs also in EPS format, the EPS format files can be opened in PSP as a layer or image, the EPS files can also be loaded into many other software such as Photoshop or Xara.
Screen shots are displayed with the kind permission of Corel Corporation. Corel and Paint Shop Pro are registered trademarks of Corel Corporation |
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