...gathered from the Corel newsgroup, posted in July. Items are listed alphabetically. Do you have any to add?

1. 16 bit/channel (48 bit supported extended to all of the program
2. Adjustments menu boxes that don't cover the image I'm working on with useless white space
3. Animation Shop should be included
4. Art Media Tools, removal of them
5. Background eraser, not needing a second click to start [Solution: Clone tool is the same way, first click initializes tool, second click sets the clone point. The background eraser needs two clicks to first, promote to layer, second, to sample what can stay and what can go. (some disagreement on actual reason)]
6. Blanking out to a white screen while a program is working-eliminate it.
7. Blurring, more methods (bokeh based photo style)
8. Channel based operation
9. Channel Mixer doesn't remember 'last used' settings
10. Crop box, get rid of the choices at the bottom [Solution offered: Preferences>Transparency and Shading>untick 'Enable floating crop toolbar']
11. Crop, a simple one click reset of rotation
12. Crop, ability to resize the crop rectangle by dragging any point on the crop outline
13. Crop, allow crop tools outline to extend outside image when rotating
14. Curves dialog box should work more like PhotoPaint/Photoshop
15. Curves dialog should have an eyedropper which can put a point on a curve
16. Curves in the Curve dialog box should be 3 to 5 larger in each dimmension
17. Curves should return to normal
18. Curves, a dropper for setting points on the dialog box
19. Database, I would like the PSP to clean up it's databases and compact them
20. Depth of field, a serious tool that respects existing selections and allows depth mapping
21. Dropper, not being able to use it on an image
22. EXIF in compressed TIFs
23. Express Lab should include sharpening images
24. Express Lab, Image sizes conform to the main programs settings when returning to the main program from it
25. Express Lab, when you move to the next image, the previous image should save automatically (with 'retain original' switched on)
26. Eyedropper selections allowed on the actual image
27. Faster
28. File Browser, simplify it so it doesn't catalogue or organize the images.
29. Gradient tool, a proper one
30. Gradients-overhaul
31. Graphite theme, finish the job through out the rest of the program
32. HDR, support of an HDR file format
33. Icon support, custom, for toolbars.
34. Lab color mode, PSP should have one
35. Lab color mode, PSP should have one
36. Licensing that doesn't run as a service
37. Locking up when used intensively
38. Long tasks should be stated, progress bar indicating progress
39. Match color command added
40. Memory, better handling of it
41. Multi-Core Processors, support for it to facilitate parallel processing
42. Organizer, a robust one that would a) work transparently b) removes tags from both its database and images when asked to c) can be backed up d) can be repaired e) will always create thumbnails of the current folder selected f) that will create thumbnails no matter what the date is read from the image file g) that can have video file types excluded from cataloging
43. Organizer, eliminate the delay in starting
44. Panorama tool
45. Patches need to be released more often
46. Pen tool, get it to work on Raster files and layers (Be sure to add a path to selection option) [Solution offered: There is already a path to selection option. There is a vector to selection option so you can use the vector pen tool in Bezier mode to outline a raster subject then promote it to selection. You can create anull stroke, Bezier shape in a vector layer on top of the raster layer, do a quick object to selection and then use that selection on any raster layer.]
47. Perspective tool, moving from it to the Crop tool can't be done too quickly
48. Plug-in, improve support
49. RAW support, complete rethinnking and replacement of digital support
50. Resize dialog remembering previous settings
51. Resize utility needs to return to normal
52. Resizing, more algorithims
53. Rotate needs attention
54. Saturation enhancement, a vibrancy method of doing it
55. Scripts, batch mode, add category support
56. Setting values, restoration of the ability to accurately set values in all dialogues and tool options
57. Smart Objects
58. Smart Photo fix to be scriptable and obey selections
59. Stable
60. Straight line segement option should be available (as in PhotoPaint/not as in Photo Shop)
61. Straight line segement, if they are not going to offer it, tone down how much the curves buldge by themselves
62. Text editing directly on the image
63. Text size, support for pre-PSP X sizes
64. Text, enveloped supported
65. Text-overhaul
66. Vector drawing engine, fix it (needs to properly support single pixel line and line with odd number width)
67. Vector objects, improve visibility of nodes
68. Vector tools-overhaul
69. Workspaces that record *all* user preferences a) precise cursors b) auto display of crop rectangle c) opacity of crop outline shading

Excellent suggestions Pete.  

I would add better implementation of Masks and a quick mask tool and layer clipping directly from the layers pallete.

Quoted from D_Spider

2- Why does anyone want an HDR file format? You can make a PSPIMAGE--then a JPG, PNG, etc--with high dynamic range now.

You can't save high dynamic range images in any format in PSP. You can save a tone mapped image, which is where the extreme range of tones in the HDR image is compressed to fit into a 24 bit or 48 bit image. A true high dynamic range format records the full range of tones. The main use would probably be for source images for 3D rendering. For example if the scene to be rendered was the interior of a room containing a shiny table top and the source image was the wall with a window showing a sunlit garden outside. If this image was a standard image, the window would blow out to white, and its reflection in the table would be a grey rectangle. If the image was tone mapped, the detail out the window would be present, but the reflection in the table would be unnaturally dark. If the source was a true HDR image, there would be enough range to hold the detail in the window, despite it being far, far brighter than the room interior, and the reflection on the table would be a bright and fully detailed view of the garden.

Quoted Text

3- Does PSPX2 really not allow a person to make a point on the Curves line with their cursor?  I can make lots of points in PSPX, and I don't need a dropper to click on a color in my image and have it become a new point.

This feature was added in PSP 9 and removed in PSPP XI. The Input and Output boxes, that enabled points on the curve to be accurately entered, was removed at the same time.

Quoted Text

5- Request for LAB color mode would require PSP to use two color models; it uses RGB, and the LAB mode uses HSL, and changing to the HSL model would require changes in every single color adjustment dialog and make the dialogs even more inconsistent than they are now.)

Lab isn't the same as HSL, but what I think is being requested is direct access to the lightness channel of the image, and in general to all channels, such as R, G and B. At the moment you have to split channels, work on a single channel without being able to see what the effect is on the whole image, then recombine the channels. This is a really hit and miss, and terribly old fashioned way, of working with channels, and even using that method, the true perceptual lightness of the L in Lab is not available. It is available internally to the program in two of the sharpening tools.

Quoted from Tim

Lab isn't the same as HSL, but what I think is being requested is direct access to the lightness channel of the image, and in general to all channels, such as R, G and B. At the moment you have to split channels, work on a single channel without being able to see what the effect is on the whole image, then recombine the channels. This is a really hit and miss, and terribly old fashioned way, of working with channels, and even using that method, the true perceptual lightness of the L in Lab is not available. It is available internally to the program in two of the sharpening tools.

Right. That's what I said above: "Forget LAB color mode; just allow direct access to the Luminance (L) channel."

Does PSPX2 use the same Chromatic-Aberration-removing tool as PSPX?  (Adjust Menu, 75% of the way down.)

If yes, then PSPX3 needs a new one.  If it could have two sliders, a red-cyan and a blue-yellow, and if it worked,
then the inevitable "sensor bloom" CA from digital cameras and almost inevitable CA from zoom lenses could be largely removed.  What a treat!

And just one more:


I would like the option of having more than one PSP window open at the same time.  

Muriel!

Quoted from Muriel

And just one more:


I would like the option of having more than one PSP window open at the same time.  

Muriel!

If by that you mean multiple instances, then I second the motion.
If that's not what you meant, then allow me to request it to be added to the wishlist.

Also would like to see the ability to use user-defined themes, or perhaps the ability to "skin" PSP.

I didn't know that was 'undone': hopefully, that's will just be a bug fix because it used to available for making screenshots!

PSPP X1 and earlier still do it (just checked).

I hope so, because I currently have PSP versions 3.12-32 bit, 9, X, XI & Trial X2 Ultimate installed,
( just found my 3.12 archive, and v7 & 8 CD's today   )
and was hoping to just consolidate all my plugins, tubes, frames etc. into one folder,
and remove all PSP installations but for X2, but since it can't do multiple instances,
I guess I'll have to wait until X3 and see if this is "fixed", before deciding what to do.

Anybody have any clue as to an X3 release timeframe?

Over on the Corel forum they suggested it wouldn't be any time real soon. All the people who knew the guts of the program are no longer employed and development moved to China. I think I remember that correctly but don't take it as fact.

G'Evening..

Is this thread still active?  If so, I think I would like to add one more.  

I would like the option of feathering specific sides of a selection, rather than all around it.  For example, I am working with a rectangular selection, only the top side of which needs feathering.  I can find no way of doing that..

Muriel~

Quoted from Muriel

I would like the option of feathering specific sides of a selection, rather than all around it.  For example, I am working with a rectangular selection, only the top side of which needs feathering.  I can find no way of doing that..

You could do that with Selections->Edit selection and then using an approx. Size-100 hardness-0 black brush to delete the top part.

Good suggestion Maxim. I will give this a try.

Here's a link to Maxim's PSP blog.
His "wish list" for PSPX3 is different from the one in this thread, and for that reason and others worth reading.
Below that, in his blog, is his summary of the version changes and features beginning with v6, a useful parallel to Pete's.

I gotta find out from Maxim how he "Res-Hacked" those DLLs and disabled the default color scheme ! ! !  And maybe, just maybe, I'll be able someday to change some of the PSPX toolbar icons so I don't have to examine the toolbar in order to find "resize canvas" and back up several steps so often because the "hide marquee" icon's "on" and "off" versions are practically indistinguishable.  

Quoted from D_Spider

Here's a link to Maxim's PSP blog.
His "wish list" for PSPX3 is different from the one in this thread, and for that reason and others worth reading.
Below that, in his blog, is his summary of the version changes and features beginning with v6, a useful parallel to Pete's.

I gotta find out from Maxim how he "Res-Hacked" those DLLs and disabled the default color scheme ! ! !  And maybe, just maybe, I'll be able someday to change some of the PSPX toolbar icons so I don't have to examine the toolbar in order to find "resize canvas" and back up several steps so often because the "hide marquee" icon's "on" and "off" versions are practically indistinguishable.  

Thank you for posting this. I made a thread about the blog, but it got deleted (maybe spam issues, I don't know).

I used ResHack to edit the ToolOptions palette for the text tool (ToolTextRC.dll), warp (ToolWarpRC.dll), and Pen tool (ToolObjectRC.dll) because they were too wide; now they're nice and compact and fit into a 1024x768 screen. If you're using version 10, I could send you the edited DLL files. Other menus can be edited too, but be sure to back up the DLL first. You can change icons as well.

The gray color scheme can be disabled without Reshack. For PSP 10, right-click any toolbar, click Customize, then Options-> Use System colors. In PSP 11 and 12 I think it was under View->Use Graphite theme.

Quoted from maxim

You could do that with Selections->Edit selection and then using an approx. Size-100 hardness-0 black brush to delete the top part.

What an ingenious solution!  Thank-you!

And while I have your attention, wouldn't it be cool, when there are more than one image open, to have the option of viewing the grid on only ONE of them?  I design greeting cards and often I need a visible grid on only one of them.  It is a small issue, but at times it can be royally annoying.

Muriel!

Quoted from Muriel

What an ingenious solution!  Thank-you!

And while I have your attention, wouldn't it be cool, when there are more than one image open, to have the option of viewing the grid on only ONE of them?  I design greeting cards and often I need a visible grid on only one of them.  It is a small issue, but at times it can be royally annoying.

Muriel!

You could do this by going to the image that you don't want a grid on, and then View->Change grid/guide/snap settings. Under "Current image settings" set a grid that's larger than the image size (say 2000x2000) and the grid will disappear.

Quoted from maxim

The gray color scheme can be disabled without Reshack. For PSP 10, right-click any toolbar, click Customize, then Options-> Use System colors. In PSP 11 and 12 I think it was under View->Use Graphite theme.

I use version 10.  My system colors would change only the dark gray titlebars  to silver, and I'm used to the gray now.  Actually, I've played around with the Windows display to get the XP buttons and titlebars down to a reasonable size, etc., so I'm pretty satisfied with the way it is.

Quoted from maxim

I used ResHack to edit the ToolOptions palette for the text tool (ToolTextRC.dll), warp (ToolWarpRC.dll), and Pen tool (ToolObjectRC.dll) because they were too wide; now they're nice and compact and fit into a 1024x768 screen. If you're using version 10, I could send you the edited DLL files. Other menus can be edited too, but be sure to back up the DLL first. You can change icons as well.

I'd really appreciate your sending them to me (email button is below the signature on this post).  For one thing, I can see what you did, and that will be a real help in my editing the DLLs.

Changing some icons will be a major priority.  I almost always forget to turn off the "hide marquee" and then have to wonder awhile before I realize why the subtle editing I'm doing is so subtle I can't see it!  Please give me a rough idea of how to change the icons.  I've used Resource Hacker before, but not on PSP and not for quite a while. The "change canvas size" and "hide marquee" icons from PSP5 were perfectly good, so I'll probably just use them; but once I get started... I'm hopelessly addicted to making custom icons    and PSPX's are so colorless and unimaginative.

Quoted from D_Spider

I'd really appreciate your sending them to me (email button is below the signature on this post).  For one thing, I can see what you did, and that will be a real help in my editing the DLLs.

Changing some icons will be a major priority.  I almost always forget to turn off the "hide marquee" and then have to wonder awhile before I realize why the subtle editing I'm doing is so subtle I can't see it!  Please give me a rough idea of how to change the icons.  I've used Resource Hacker before, but not on PSP and not for quite a while. The "change canvas size" and "hide marquee" icons from PSP5 were perfectly good, so I'll probably just use them; but once I get started... I'm hopelessly addicted to making custom icons    and PSPX's are so colorless and unimaginative.

I've sent you the files. If you want to change the icons, use ResHack to open the following DLLs: "Hide marquee" is in CmdSelectionsRC.dll -> under the "Bitmap" folder->3957; "Canvas size" is in CmdStandardRC.dll -> Bitmap->9707. Then right-click on the resource and choose "Replace resource". Use a BMP file, not an .ico. For transparency, I believe they use "#dfdfdf" and "#c0c0c0". Make sure that PSP isn't open while you're doing it, and that you back-up the original DLLs first.

Someday you could even make an icon set that replaces all the boring and similar icons. I can think of more than a few, for example soften/gaussian/average blur have almost the exact same icon.

Another feature/thing I'd like to see:

The ability to have plugins, tubes, frames, etc. etc. load ONLY when expressly required.
I have tons of that stuff, and it does slow down loading time and eats memory.

Quoted from maxim

If you want to change the icons, use ResHack to open the DLLs...

Thanks very much for the instructions.  I've been browsing the DLLs with ResHacker, and wow, there seem to be so many similar icons!  I doubt if I'd have found which DLL to look in without your help.

Quoted from Interceptor One

to have plugins, tubes, frames, etc. etc. load ONLY when expressly required.

Corel will never do that.
What you can do while you're waiting is to use the Customize thingie and put an icon for the File Locations dialog on your toolbar.  If one could get to the appropriate dialog without having to go through layer after layer of menu, it wouldn't be such a big deal to leave only one folder of plugins "active" (i.e., loads with PSP startup) and activate the others only when you need to.

Quoted from Interceptor One

Another feature/thing I'd like to see:

The ability to have plugins, tubes, frames, etc. etc. load ONLY when expressly required.
I have tons of that stuff, and it does slow down loading time and eats memory.

I think these are core PSP issues that the programmers have to attend to (and the thread is quite appropriate). I can only think of workarounds, for example, for plugins you could try having a quick button or hotkey for "File Locations" and only enable the plugins when you use them. For tubes, frames and brushes you could try sorting them in different folders (the most often used in a "main folder", which loads as the program starts). You could also try to save some loading time by choosing "Display as small icons" or as text. Another solution would be of course to stuff all the unused plugins and tubes in a backup folder and only use them when you really need them. I know these aren't real solutions, but I hope they help anyway.

Edit: Looks like Spider thought of the exact same workaround for the Plugins