The Paint Shop Pro Workspace Setting Up Your Workspace

First I want to remind you to review the PSP help section within the program. This area alone is like a college course for PSP and is worth the time. Now I will show you what the Paint Shop Pro Program Workspace actually looks like. Then I will show you how to set up PSP X2 work area by only using the pallets, and tools that are needed most often. The instructions below are for new users of Paint Shop Pro X2 that are not familiar with the basic format of the program

This is also helpful for those that are interested in purchasing or upgrading the program, but would like a quick preview before installing a trial or purchase. Reading the below information will allow you to leave here with enough information on the program so that you have more confidence in using the program. I will quickly explain what is meant by "Layers" and also have you view the main PSP menu, and toolbar. We also have an active page that shows you what the PSP X2 main menu and the PSP X2 toolbar contains.

First take a look at the image below to get familiar with the workspace I am using. Take note to the areas I've marked as those areas are some of the most important sections while using the program. After viewing the image I suggest you review the suggestions below.

Samples of PSP Workspace
Please note this is just a very low quality sample. Use this link to see the higher quality image. Graphics made with Paint Shop Pro by Corel

Setting Up The Workspace Lets Setup Paint Shop Pro

What windows should you have open in PSP? When you first open the program you will notice it has several overwhelming areas that might confuse you. Not only are they a bit confusing, they sure can use up a lot of space in your work area. I am going to show you how you can set up the program without all the confusing pallets, and to gain the valuable workspace. Please note that the learning center opens by default, and it is very helpful. This is your choice to leave the learning center open, but I prefer to have my visitors close the learning center so that they learn more about the program by having to actually locate the tools and options on their own.

You can always return your workspace back to the default settings by going to File, Workspace, and choose to load the Corel Paint Shop Pro X2 Default.PspWorkspace file. Lets get started!

The Best PSP User Interface Settings? Please use the above sample image as a guide to locate the areas mentioned below.

1. Go to View, choose Toolbars, and make sure "Tools" is chosen.

2. Go to View, choose Pallets, and make sure these three are chosen, Layers, Materials, and Tool options.

3. Look at your workspace now, and you will see these pallets open on your PSP desktop called Materials & Layers. You can now resize these windows so that they do not clutter your viewing area.

Note: Sometimes I like to have the history palette open, but that is your choice. As for the others palettes listed I rarely have them open all the time. I suggest closing all other palettes as you do not want all those windows open to clutter your work area.

The goal is to have a workspace that is clear of clutter. You can always open up the other tools when needed, but the settings I've given here are the standard. This also helps older computers as it requires less memory and resources.

Here is an important PSP tip When new users try PSP for the first time they always ask "Where is the selection tool". Take a look a the PSP main toolbar, and look at the tool buttons. Please notice the small downward pointing arrow. When we click on that itsy bitsy arrow, we see the other types of selection tools.  Many tutorials ask you to choose the magic wand, but yet the magic wand may not always be showing in the toolbar until you click that little arrow to choose it. I just wanted to make sure I pointed this out as it can confuse new users.

Design your own workspace

Set up a workspace you like and save it! As you become more familiar with Paint Shop Pro, you will know what toolbars, and pallets you need open often. You may even prefer to have a special workspace for different projects. Someone that uses the paintbrush and tips often may like to have a workspace just for painting. You may also find you liked a workspace for image manipulation, and want to save it.

To Save Workspaces

1. Go to View, choose Toolbars, and open/close the toolbars you prefer.

2. Go to View, choose Pallets, and open/close the Pallets you prefer.

3. If you like the workspace you can now save it.

Time to Save: Go to File, Workspace, Save. Name the workspace with a descriptive name so that you know what it is for.

Open a Workspace: To load a saved workspace simply go to File, Workspace, Load, and locate your saved workspace and load it.

Learn even more The PSP Toolbar and Menus

The popular Paint Shop Pro program has an easy to understand Toolbar and base Menus. We have a section on the PSP Toolbar and the PSP Menus. You can visit them by following these links. The Paint Shop Pro Toolbar and The Paint Shop Pro Menu.