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Posted on 04/02/07 01:26:01 AM |
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juliehollie
* Posts: 31 Reply  |
Converting psp files to png
I have been using Paint Shop Pro for a while and I have tons of tubes (transparant background graphics) that I cannot view in Photoshop. Someone told me there is a FREE program out there that will convert them for me. I found a program called "ABC Amber Paintshop Converter" however, it does not convert all psp files and the majority of my files were not converted. I am trying to learn Photoshop because it is a better program but I have lost almost all of my tubes and haven't even tried my brushes, etc. Since many of you are not familiar with the term "tube" here is a brief description of what it is. "Paint Shop Pro (PSP) tubes for those that are not familiar with the term are partially transparent images.. meaning basically that they sit on a transparent background and can be manipulated any which way. Almost like an image "stamp". You can resize, colorize, twist, turn and basically manipulate in any manner you can imagine. You can create wonderful effects by layering the images upon one another. They are made to go with the graphics program Paint Shop Pro, by JASC. The images nicknamed "tubes", for their .tub extension name are vibrant images that can be used to create stationary, business cards, web graphics, email stationary, cards, email sigs, among countless other uses." Does anyone know of a program that I can use to do this, I don't even care if I have to pay for it (but would certainly prefer free  )
Thanks so much Julie |
Posted on 04/02/07 08:26:51 AM |
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Wayne
Printer’s Devil Posts: 312 Reply  |
Re: Converting psp files to png
Hi Julie, welcome to the forum I'm not familiar with PSP or tubes, so I can't really answer your question about converting. Would it not be possible for you to open the files you want to use in PSP, then save them as JPEGs or TIFFs for use in PS? |
Posted on 04/02/07 10:38:39 AM |
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juliehollie
* Posts: 31 Reply |
Re: Converting psp files to png
Hi Wayne, thanks for responding. I am not trying to open them in psp, they are psp files already. I am trying to learn photoshop and all the tubes I have (images with transparent backgrounds) have the psp extension so I cannot view any of them in Photoshop. I'm trying to find a converter that will convert them from a psp extension to a png extension so I can view them in Photoshop. Have I thouroughly confused you yet? Julie  |
Posted on 04/02/07 11:04:09 AM |
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David Asch
Tech Support Posts: 1913 Reply  |
Re: Converting psp files to png
Hi Julie, I assume you want to view the entire contents of a tube - Photoshop would not be able to use them in the same way PSP does. I found a plug-in for PS which will open them but I think that's about all it would do. http://www.telegraphics.com.au/sw/#pspformat _________________ It must be Thursday, I never could get the hang of Thursdays |
Posted on 04/02/07 11:17:13 AM |
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juliehollie
* Posts: 31 Reply |
Re: Converting psp files to png
Thanks David for the link and replying. However, now I'm confused (not hard to do) What exactly do you mean "view the entire contents of the tube"? And If it will open them why wouldn't you be able to use them? PS and PSP are soooooooooo different. I cannot get used to the fact that when you cut or copy you cannot paste it as a new image. Or how do you paste into a selection? I'm about to rip my hair out.  |
Posted on 04/02/07 11:23:25 AM |
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David Asch
Tech Support Posts: 1913 Reply |
Re: Converting psp files to png
As far as I am aware, tubes are single images split into a grid, each cell containing a different 'frame'. The mechanics in PSP read each one and deliver them in series. Photoshop could not do this so the only way you'd be able to see them is by displaying all the component images laid out in one document. _________________ Leap and the net will appear |
Posted on 04/02/07 11:31:55 AM |
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juliehollie
* Posts: 31 Reply |
Re: Converting psp files to png
Okay, well I just updated my post to include the description of a tube that I found at http://www.outlawbydesign.com/whatisatube.html So I sure would appreciate you letting me know if this is what you are talking about. I dont know anything about how they are read in psp, I just know I have 1000's & I don't want to lose them if i switch to PS. LOL Thanks again David, I really do appreciate you taking the time to respond to my question. Also at this site they posted a link to a converter that I am going to try. Here is what the info in the zip file said, this may be what you are talking about: This program will open any tube and turn it into a ping. If there is more than one image in the tube, it converts it into as many pings as there are images. The pings will be located in the same directory as the tube was. Now open the ping in PI. The object will have selection lines around it. Right click on the canvas, and click convert to object. To open psp files, change the "files of type" to psp. Then the program will "see" the psp files and open them. Julie |
Posted on 04/02/07 12:02:47 PM |
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David Asch
Tech Support Posts: 1913 Reply |
Re: Converting psp files to png
I tried out the plug-in. It does open the file but as far as I can tell, only shows the first graphic in the set. The ability to stamp images from tubes is a PSP only function. You can't use them in Photoshop. The closest comparison is custom brushes. Have a look at this site, there are sets of brushes and tutorials on how to install, use and create your own. http://www.brushes.obsidiandawn.com/ _________________ Leap and the net will appear |
Posted on 04/02/07 12:12:47 PM |
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David Asch
Tech Support Posts: 1913 Reply |
Re: Converting psp files to png
The extraction program will create individual images from tubes but that is all they will be. As far as Photoshop goes, they would be clip-art. You couldn't, for instance (thinking back to my PSP days) paint a line of multi-coloured Easter eggs. You would have to paste them in manually. _________________ A happy-go-lucky chap, always dressed in black |
Posted on 04/02/07 12:23:05 PM |
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juliehollie
* Posts: 31 Reply |
Re: Converting psp files to png
Okay thank you so much David. I can't even figure out how to copy & paste in PS yet.  |
Posted on 04/02/07 3:46:49 PM |
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Wayne
Printer’s Devil Posts: 312 Reply |
Re: Converting psp files to png
Hi Julie I only meant could you open them in PSP, then save them from PSP in a different format, one which would allow you to view them in PS? |
Posted on 04/02/07 8:44:02 PM |
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juliehollie
* Posts: 31 Reply |
Re: Converting psp files to png
Hi Wayne, sorry I misunderstood your question. Unfortunately, I can view png extension in psp but not the other way around. Also, I am not able in psp to save a file as a png.  |
Posted on 04/02/07 8:46:03 PM |
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juliehollie
* Posts: 31 Reply |
Re: Converting psp files to png
Thanks David I will check it out, I do know how to make custom brushes in psp but not PS (obviously, I can't even cut & paste in PS) I really don't need the tubes for brushes anyways. Are you saying when I convert them to png they will no longer have a transparent background? If that is the case I will just start tubing my own stuff again.  |
Posted on 05/02/07 00:20:02 AM |
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David Asch
Tech Support Posts: 1913 Reply |
Re: Converting psp files to png
PNGs can have transparent backgrounds. If you're feeling particularly adventurous, you could save them as TIFFs, too. I started out with PSP (many moons ago). The transition to Photoshop wasn't too difficult. Keep following Steve's book and don't be afraid to ask questions here. That's what the forum's for. _________________ If you hold on to the past, sooner or later you'll lose your grip. |
Posted on 05/02/07 01:23:01 AM |
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juliehollie
* Posts: 31 Reply |
Re: Converting psp files to png
Thanks David, I am not sure what a Tiff extension is. I know jpeg, gif, pspimage, tub, psp & png................ I have been a little intimidated by PS for about 6 months. I taught myself psp without ever opening a book and consider myself well versed in it I just figured PS would be easy............WRONG. It is so different, yet a lot alike. Here is my biggest complaint about PS, how come you can cut, but you cannot paste? You can paste, but not onto the desktop? You can paste into (but into what?) like in PSP you can paste into selection, or paste as new image onto the desktop. What if I use the image mask (which is soooooooo cool) and for instance in the book the tire where you remove the rim. I want the rim alone for a tube for some other project. I can do all this cool stuff and remove it, and cut it...................but where the hey do I paste it to? If I hit Paste, it pastes it back into what I just cut it from. If I hit paste into, it paste it into what I just cut it from. How the heck do I paste it to the desktop as a new image? I don't understand the point in cut if you cannot paste, except back into what you just cut it from. So clearly I am missing something, can you please explain to me how to do this? Thanks again, you all have been so helpful and I did find a great beginners tut for PS 4 & 5 (I'm using 7) but am winging it. It has helped me a lot. Since Steve's book is for people with considerable knowledge of PS (I didn't know that when I bought it) but still am glad I did because the 3 projects I did in the book I learned so much and have looked through it and can see there is much more I am ready to learn. Cannot wait till I know enough to help others on this site as I do on another site I belong to. Another question (told you guys you would get tired of me quick) I just am very driven when it comes to stuff I love. Is there a way to peacefully combine PSP & PS? The problem is I have to keep uninstalling PS because of the file associations. I use PSP daily and when I download tubes, from a zip file instead of opening them in PSP they open in PS (it's like it takes over) Then when it opens it cannot view my tubes, so I have to unistall it to get the tubes from PSP. I know I'm full of questions, and I'm sorry but I truly appreciate everyone's help and I promise as soon as I learn it I will share what I know. I taught myself in 1 year what I do now without opening a book, just messed with the program & was determined to make my own siggy's. Here I am talking about things I didn't have a clue about 13 months ago. I'm stubborn. Please I would appreciate anyone's feedback on my work, good or bad I won't get offended. Quite the contrary, I will learn how to better my creations which in the end will reward me. (I'm stingy that way) ;-) Here is a link to all the graphics I have made in the past 13 months. Please check out my website and let me know what you think. You will have to click on the photo album you wish to view and then on the thumbnail to see it animated. http://public.fotki.com/juliehollie/ I would also like to know how PS can improve on what I am producing now. Since I know it is what the pro's use, I am sure I could produce much clearer, less pixelated graphics with PS (at least I am hoping so) Hugs, Julie |
Posted on 05/02/07 03:29:25 AM |
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dave.cox
Marquee Master Posts: 518 Reply  |
Re: Converting psp files to png
Hi Julie, I'm the guy that you talked to in the book store. I sent you a private message, you should find it in the personal area. As you have noticed, the folks here are quite helpful as well as knowledgable. You can cut and paste images too and from photo shop, I do this all of the time. You may need to check and make sure that the export clipboard is enabled. You can check this in edit>preferences>general, options box. Make sure the export clipboard box is checked. The reason that you can not paste to the desktop, is what is put on the clipboard is a image, not a file. If you want to save to the clipboard, all you need to do is to use save as, and save to a file on the desktop, or whatever directory that you need it. You should not need to keep installing and uninstalling to get PS and PSP to play well together. I know people that go back and forth all of the time. You should be able to tell PS on install not to associate files, if that is what you want it to do, and you can still open the files when you want by opening PS and then searching and opening the image from the file menu. You can also right click on the file (If you are using a PC) and choose the application that you want to open when you open the file. (Sorry not sure about the Mac, as I am a PC user). Also, if you are on the PC, you can change the file association by going to Start>Settings>Control Panel>Folder Options. Select the file types tab, Select the file type that you want to change, and click the change button to change the application that it is associated with. As far as Steve's book being for people that already know photoshop, his book really does explain the basics, and does it much more clearly than any of the other books that I have seen. He also visits all of the key basics that are needed to master PS, and does a really great job of explaining and showing how to use what is a really powerful application. I would recommend that you go through each lesson as presented in the book, and you will find yourself mastering the app in very short order.
Feel free to contact me, as I would not mind helping you through the learning curve, and it is always have nice to have someone to share ideas with. |
Posted on 05/02/07 05:23:46 AM |
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juliehollie
* Posts: 31 Reply |
Re: Converting psp files to png
OMG, Dave thank you so much. You have answered all of my questions (for today) LOL. Okay, but you said you can save the file on the "desktop" (I know I asked you this at Barnes & Nobel) but is there any way to save it (like in PSP) to (and when I say "desktop") I am referring to the workspace in PS? No wonder I couldn't find how to change the file asociations, it's in the start menu? How bizaar is that? Why? As far as Steve's book, I am so impressed. I just did the beginner tuts (and they are great, I learned so much) because I have never been able to do anything in PS until I bought his book. I (of course) glanced through it and I am so looking forward to the lessons, but I do need to finish my online beginner classes first. Those coupled with what I know in PSP will help me to better myself in PS. I know I will be a problem child for all of you, but I truly do appreciate the help and I am a fast learner so I will "Pay it forward" Thanks Dave & David & Wayne for all your help. I will master this. Hugs, Julie P.S. I am on a pc |
Posted on 05/02/07 6:47:45 PM |
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dave.cox
Marquee Master Posts: 518 Reply |
Re: Converting psp files to png
Although many programs like to set the file associations during install, file associations are actually a function of windows. This is how windows knows which application that you want when you double click a file. For example when you double click a word document, windows will open word, unless you change it to something else. When I refer to the desktop, I think of the screen in windows with all of the icons. Do you mean the workspace in PS? What I do when I want to paste something into photoshop, is first copy it from the source application, and then in photoshop select File>New. When the new file dialog opens, select clipboard for the filesize. This will create a new photoshop document, the same size as the image in the clipboard. Then just press Control V, or Edit>Paste to paste your image into your photoshop document. From there you can move it to wherever you need it. Regards, Dave |
Posted on 05/02/07 8:27:43 PM |
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juliehollie
* Posts: 31 Reply |
Re: Converting psp files to png
Yes, I meant "workspace" Okay, this is perfect so now I have changed my file associations and I am a happy camper!!! I am able to work between the 2 programs and I couldn't be happier. However when I go to file>new I don't have an option for clipboard? I also made sure my "export clipboard" was checked in the options box I am working with PS 7 Julie |
Posted on 06/02/07 00:42:16 AM |
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dave.cox
Marquee Master Posts: 518 Reply |
Re: Converting psp files to png
Hi Julie, Yes, Version 7 does not have the option to set your size to match the clipboard, but you can still paste images. Just make sure that you create a canvas that is larger than what you want to paste, and you will be fine. Also, I took a look on the site that you referenced about what a tube is, and I noticed that they have a link to a utility that will convert your tubes to PNG files. Since PNG files support transparent backgrounds and can be opened in photoshop, this might be a good option for you. |
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