Before you save an image, you need to consider the file format in which you want to save it, and you must ensure that you don’t overwrite an original image that you may need in the future.
The PspImage file format of PaintShop Pro supports layers, alpha channels, and other features used in creating images. It is recommended that you save and edit your images as PspImage files. You can then save the files to common file formats. You can also use the Save for Office command if you want to optimize your images for placement in another application, such as a page layout, e-mail, or Web page design application.
The following list provides basic information about common file formats:
• JPEG — a standard file format for digital photos that is suitable for e-mail and the Web. It uses lossy compression, which ensures a small file size but entails a loss of image data each time you save. For this reason, this format is not recommended for editing photos unless a high quality setting is used. This file format supports EXIF and IPTC data, which can be used to provide information about the photo, such as when a photo was taken.
• TIFF — a standard file format for printing and sharing images between programs. This file format uses non-lossy compression. Although you do not lose image data when you save the file, the larger file size is less suitable for e-mail and the Web. TIFF can save data in the CMYK color mode for printing, and it supports EXIF and IPTC data.
• PNG — a file format widely used for Web images. It uses non-lossy compression to reduce the file size without losing image data.
• RAW camera formats — a file format typically used by professional photographers. RAW camera formats provide uncompressed, unprocessed image data and gives you the most control over how an image is processed. You must have a camera that captures digital image in a RAW format, and you need software that lets you open and work with the file, such as PaintShop Pro.
You can save a PspImage file with or without compression. Both compression methods that PaintShop Pro uses are lossless and reduce the file size without losing any image information. Uncompressed files require more disk space.
PaintShop Pro uses the following compression methods:
• Run length encoding (RLE) — a fast compression method, which compresses most multilayer images to about 75 percent of their original size. This method works well with images that contain large areas of the same color.
• LZ77 compression — a slower compression method that compresses most images to smaller sizes than with the RLE method. This method works well with photorealistic images.
When you save a new image, PaintShop Pro lets you select its location, name, and file format. When you save an image and then edit it, the image title bar displays an asterisk, or modifier tag, after the filename to indicate that the file has been modified. This tag disappears each time you save your work.
You can also automatically save your files at specific intervals to avoid losing your work if your computer shuts down unexpectedly. For more information, see Setting Autosave preferences.
If you want to save a version of a file, you can save a copy of an image. This is useful when you want to apply effects to an image but keep the original file.
Important! The Auto-Preserve Original preference setting can help you avoid overwriting original images. By default, this feature is on. For more information on this preference setting, see Setting Auto-Preserve preferences.
To save a new image
Edit tab
1 Choose FileSave.
The Save As dialog box appears.
2 From the Save in drop-list, choose the folder in which you want to save the file.
3 In the File name field, type a name for the file.
4 In the Save as type drop-list, choose a file format. The most commonly used formats are listed first.
If you want to change the default settings for the file format (for example compression or color profile), click Options, and choose the settings you want.
5 Click Save.
You can also save your work by clicking the Save As button on the Standard toolbar to avoid overwriting your current file.
You can also adjust default settings for JPEG images by dragging the Compression slider the first time you save a JPEG in your editing session.
You can save in the last-used file format by choosing FilePreferencesGeneral Program Preferences, and clicking Display and Caching from the list on the left side. In the Presentation group box, mark the Re-use last type in the file save-as dialog check box.
To save your work
Edit tab
• Choose FileSave.
If the Auto-Preserve Originals preference setting is enabled, and this is the first time you’ve attempted to save changes to this image, you are prompted to save a copy of the original unedited image. If Auto-Preserve Originals is not enabled, the original image is overwritten by the modified image.
You can avoid overwriting the current file by using the Save As command.
You can also save your work by clicking the Save button on the Standard toolbar.
To save a copy of an image
Edit tab
1 Choose the FileSave Copy As.
The Save Copy As dialog box appears.
2 From the Save in drop-list, choose a folder in which to save the image.
If you want to create a new folder for the image, click the Create New Folder button.
3 In the File name box, type a name for the file.
If you want to save the file in a different format, select the format from the Save as type drop-list. The most commonly used formats are listed first.
If you want to change the default settings for the file format (for example compression or color profile), click Options, and choose the settings you want.
4 Click Save.
To save images for office applications
Edit tab
1 Choose FileSave for Office.
The Save for Office dialog box appears.
2 From the Save in drop-list, choose a folder in which to save the image.
If you want to create a new folder for the image, click the Create New Folder button .
3 From the Optimize drop-list, choose one of the following:
• Desktop Printing — sets the image resolution to 200 dpi. This option is ideal for when you are working in a general page layout application and you want high‑quality images but not an overwhelming file size.
• Professional Printing — sets the image resolution to 300 dpi. This option is ideal for when you need the highest image quality.
• Screen or e-mail — sets the image resolution to 96 dpi. This option is ideal for when you want a smaller file size that can be shared or displayed quickly.
4 In the File name box, type a name for the file.
5 Choose a file format from the Save as type drop-list.
6 Click Save.
You can also
Define the maximum image size
Mark the Advanced Settings check box, and then adjust the Width and Height settings. Choose a unit of measure from the drop-list on the right.
Adjust the image quality
Mark the Advanced Settings check box, and then choose a resolution from the Image quality drop-list.
Use the most recent settings from the Save to Office dialog box
From the Optimize drop-list, choose Last Used.
Use the default settings for the Save to Office dialog box
From the Optimize drop-list, choose Default. The settings are the same as the default Screen or e-mail settings.