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It's here!!  The public beta for PSP 7.   There are TONS of changes and lots of new features added.  I will warn you it takes some getting used to if you are a seasoned user of PSP!!  I was fortunate enough to be picked as one of the private beta testers a few months ago.  It has been a wonderful and enlightening experience.   I have started adding a small section to the site for PSP 7. 

 The main issues that people seem to not like are the new color, now called style palette and how to use the fly outs.   There are some basic explanations there about some of the newer features and I will add to them as I can.  I have been trying to work on it a little every night after the kiddies go to sleep so be sure and bookmark it and keep checking back.  If you don't find the answer you need there be sure and visit the newsgroup that Jasc has set up especially for the public beta.  Most of us private testers are hanging around there as well as Jasc programmers and officials.  They DO listen to you.  Just please be patient, sometimes they need to take the image in house and try to duplicate effects or errors that are reported so sometimes they are not always able to respond immediately. The public beta download is located at Jasc if you want to dl it and give it a try.  The dl does NOT contain the presets for some of the filters.  I have made these available on my site as a convenience for the users of PSP 7.  This is strictly for convenience and done WITH permission from Jasc.  The files are located HERE.  DO NOT place these on your site WITHOUT permission from Jasc.   I also started compiling a list of links to PSP 7 tutorials, there is not a lot there yet but you are more than welcome to check them out if you like.  And if you have one you would like to see listed be sure to email me with the info !!  Also started a PSP 7 list for people who are needing help with the program.  You can subscribe to it HERE, there is also another list called Seventh Wonder that is related to PSP7.  Bill a fellow beta tester has also set up some stuff on his site for help if you can't make sense of the Bonesy babble on mine.

Don't kill your puter yet !!  Here are a few tips to get you started and help you make the transition to the new PSP 7.

 Installation Issues  There is an incompatibility with Nvidia GeForce 256 display drivers v. 4.12.01.0353, 4.12.01.0359 and 4.12.01.0377. The latest driver, version 4.12.01.0522, will correct the problem. An updated driver is available from NVIDIA.  Please report any other problems and issues to the newsgroup or at the beta defect form.

IE and Windows   If you are running IE and Windows 98 there have been problems reported for those who do not have the IE service pack 1 (vs 5,0,3105,106) installed and the Windows 98 security update version 5,0,3018,900. Both available at Microsoft.

 Making even lines   When you're in the styled line dialog box and have one of those thumbs selected, notice the value in the numeric edit control. It tells you how many pixels there are in that  gap or segment. Typing in the exact same number, would make them come out even.  Also pressing = will make the current dash or gap match the previous one.

 Drop Shadow Problems  Some people are experiencing trouble with drop shadows.  (self included)  One fix suggested by Joe is that you make sure to remove the check in the histogram functions that says SELECTION.

 Creating Shapes   This one is making everyone mad I think.  To create a circle choose the ELLIPSE (oval) and hold down the shift key at the same time to get the circle.  This tells PSP not to keep the aspect ratio and allows you to draw a circle.

 Workspaces   When you save the workspace a really handy thing to do is to save it to your desktop.  Then when you are ready to work again just click the icon on your desktop and PSP will open with the workspace.

 Additional Info   Here is the read me file that comes with the new beta.  It is available for download at Jasc if you would like to read it before you try or just to see what all is new.

If anyone is really in to doing shapes or just would like to learn more about shapes with vectors etc. click on over to Ron's site.  He has made some shapes up just special for PSP 7 !!  He also has some tuts and stuff that are sure to be a help for you !!   The image here is an example of one of the shapes that he has.

I have started a "Wish List" page for PSP 8.  I have NO CLUE when this will be released I don't even know if they have considered it, I am doing this merely for fun and hey ya never know we could always send it in to Jasc!!  What could it hurt ?  eh? <eg>  It will be located HERE if you want to add your wish to the list !!

 Incase you missed it.  The new groups/list for PSP 7 are at Egroups.

• Seventh Wonder

• PSP7Newbies

• PSP 7:  Presets

• Newsgroup for Public Beta

• Beta Defect Form

Thanks to all of you who subscribe to get the PSP Toybox site update monthly.  The regular July issue of the rest of the site will be sent by the end of this week.  Jasc's release of PSP 7 to the public warranted a "special edition" and it was such a huge amount of info that I decided to make it separate from the regular newsletter so stay tuned !  :o)  My apologies for the file size on this issue but there was just so much stuff to talk about !!  LOL