In digital design and photo editing, finding software that combines simplicity with advanced features is invaluable. If you’ve struggled with achieving the perfect edit or been frustrated by costly software that doesn’t meet your needs, Corel PaintShop Pro is the solution. This versatile and affordable tool offers professional level results without the high price tag.

Image source : Corel PaintShop Pro (used for illustrative purposes)

What is Corel PaintShop Pro?

Corel PaintShop Pro is a powerful, all in one image editing software that combines photo editing, graphic design, and painting tools in one user-friendly platform. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, it offers the versatility for both everyday photo edits and complex design tasks. Designed to streamline your workflow, PaintShop Pro makes it easy to retouch images, experiment with creative designs, and create stunning graphics all with the right tools at your fingertips.

What Does Corel Photo Paint Do?

Corel Photo Paint is another software offered by Corel, primarily geared towards professional graphic artists and illustrators. Though it shares some similarities with Corel PaintShop Pro, it’s more focused on high end image creation and manipulation, allowing for advanced illustration and design techniques. However, if you’re looking for a more comprehensive solution for both beginners and professionals in the realm of photography and graphics, PaintShop Pro stands as a more approachable and feature rich choice.

What Is Corel PaintShop Pro Used For?

Corel PaintShop Pro is a powerful and versatile photo editing software designed for both beginners and professionals. It enables users to enhance photos by retouching portraits, removing blemishes, adjusting colors, and applying creative effects. Beyond basic editing, it offers advanced tools for creating graphics, digital art, and multi-layered compositions. With features like AI-powered enhancements, batch processing, customizable workspaces, and precision selection tools, PaintShop Pro provides everything needed to refine images or design from scratch. Whether you’re an amateur or an expert, this software delivers a comprehensive suite of tools to elevate your creative projects effortlessly.

What’s New in PaintShop Pro?

The 2025 version of Corel PaintShop Pro introduces AI powered tools like AI Upsampling and AI Denoise, improving photo quality and saving time with minimal effort. It also features enhanced photo restoration capabilities, allowing users to easily repair old and damaged photos, an invaluable tool for photographers and designers working with historical or archival content.

What is the Latest Version of PaintShop Pro?

The latest version of PaintShop Pro is the 2025 release. As mentioned, it incorporates AI powered tools for faster edits, enhanced performance, and smoother workflows. You’ll also find a refreshed user interface, making it even easier to navigate between tools and achieve desired results faster than ever. With PaintShop Pro 2025, you can expect a modern, intuitive design that supports both beginners and experienced users.

Key Features of Corel PaintShop Pro

When choosing the right photo editing software, it’s crucial to weigh the features carefully. Let’s break down what PaintShop Pro brings to the table:

Comprehensive Photo Editing Tools: It includes everything from basic cropping and resizing to advanced tools like layers, filters, and masks for detailed adjustments.

Creative Design Tools: Whether you’re creating a flyer, social media graphic, or painting a digital masterpiece, PaintShop Pro allows you to create, layer, and design with ease.

AI-Powered Enhancements: Features like AI Upsampling, AI Denoise, and AI Style Transfer automatically optimize your images and create stunning artistic effects with a click of a button. These features help save time and reduce manual editing.

Batch Processing: This feature allows you to apply edits to multiple images at once, a real time saver for photographers or designers working with large image libraries.

Content Aware Fill: Remove unwanted objects or imperfections from your photos seamlessly. The software automatically fills the gaps with surrounding content, ensuring the edited area blends perfectly.

While Corel PaintShop Pro offers a broad range of powerful tools, if your focus is on managing and reviewing images, another solution like Photo Mechanic 6 can complement your workflow. Known for its speed and efficiency, Photo Mechanic 6 enables photographers to quickly review, organize, and tag their photos before diving into detailed editing in programs like PaintShop Pro.

How Good Is PaintShop Pro?

Let’s be real: How does it stack up against its competition, such as Photoshop? PaintShop Pro offers a lot of the same capabilities as Adobe Photoshop but at a significantly lower price. For users who want a feature packed solution without the hefty subscription costs, PaintShop Pro is a solid choice. It’s also much easier to use for beginners, making it ideal for those new to photo editing but still requiring advanced features.

Where Does PaintShop Pro Save Files?

By default, PaintShop Pro saves files to the user’s chosen folder on their local drive. However, you can configure the software to save files in cloud storage options or external drives if you prefer. When working on large projects, organizing files in specific folders helps maintain a smooth workflow and ensures you don’t lose track of important edits.

How to Cut and Paste in Corel PaintShop Pro?

Cutting and pasting in PaintShop Pro is similar to other photo editing software. Simply use the selection tools to highlight the area you wish to cut, then use the ‘Cut’ and ‘Paste’ commands to move or duplicate content to a new location. If you’re working with multiple layers, it’s easy to copy and paste within or between projects, offering seamless editing.

Where Is the Toolbar in Corel PaintShop Pro?

If you’re wondering, where is the toolbar in Corel PaintShop Pro? It’s right at your fingertips. The toolbar can be found on the left side of the screen by default, though you can customize its location or even hide it to optimize your workspace. This flexibility allows users to set up their interface exactly how they want it, ensuring an efficient editing experience.

Is Corel PaintShop Pro as Good as Photoshop?

While Corel PaintShop Pro offers a strong alternative to Photoshop, it has a unique focus that sets it apart. For those who need heavy duty photo manipulation and digital painting, Photoshop might still be the go to choice. But for photographers and graphic designers who want a more straightforward, affordable, and user-friendly option, PaintShop Pro more than holds its own. Its intuitive interface, advanced photo editing features, and powerful AI tools make it a worthy contender for both hobbyists and professionals alike.

Conclusion

If you’re seeking a budget friendly, feature packed photo editing solution, Corel PaintShop Pro is an outstanding choice. Whether you’re retouching portraits, designing graphics, or experimenting with AI enhanced effects, this software will help you unlock your creative potential without the steep learning curve of more expensive options. With its user-friendly interface, powerful features, and continuous updates, PaintShop Pro remains a top contender for both beginners and professionals in the world of photo editing.