Closed (sort of)

TEOM as you know it has been closed. I will keep it up for reference but it no longer will receive tutorial updates.

There are plans for a completely new site. If you'd like to be notified once the other site is up, simply subscribe to my mailing list.

Thanks for the support throughout all these years :)

Paint Shop Pro 7

Greyed Out?

Imagine this: you’ve just inserted your text and suddenly all your buttons are greyed out OR you’ve just opened an image and you simply can’t apply any of PSP’s effects.

What’s wrong with this program?

Well, the program is fine. What’s wrong is how you’re approaching it.

Both situations are very common specially when one is using PSP for the first time or when one is trying some new features without really knowing what they do.

In worst case scenario #1, you probably had the vector box checked in the text entry form (that box that appears when you click with the Text tool).

Vectors are graphics created using mathematical formulas, while bitmaps use pixels to store information.

Since most of PSP’s effects and tools are based on pixels, you won’t be able to use them while in vector mode.

What you can do is: a) use Floating text next time; b) if you’ve already entered your text and don’t want to do it again, go to Layers – Convert to Raster (this will convert all vector information into pixels).

In worst case scenario #2 you are probably dealing with a low bit information image such as a .gif or a vector file such as .wmf.

If you are using a vector file simply convert it to raster (as shown before) and start using your effects.

If using a low bit image such as a .gif go to Colors – Increase Color Depth – 16 Million Colors (24 bit).

Because gifs use a maximum of 256 colors, it is quite hard to apply effects that blend pixels (one pixel with more than one color) like the ones that PSP offers and even the ones provided by third party plug-ins, not to mention that these effects have much more information than what you can get with only 8 bit or less.

Tools, Menus and Palettes · Jun 30, 2004 ·