SHARED PLUGIN FILTERS Configure PSP 7 and 8 to use the same filters (No need to install them twice!)

Paint Shop Pro Tutorials by Karen

If like me you were already using PSP 7, and have a multitude of special effects plugin filters installed- then when PSP8 came out recently, you were faced with the prospect of reinstalling filters etc for 8 to use. Don`t panic and install them all again... PSP 8 can happily work alongside 7, and share the filters you already have, a godsend when you think of the amount of space taken up on your hard disk!... all you have to do is configure them both to point to the same folder containing all your plugins. This tutorial will show you how to do this...

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I hope you enjoyed this tutorial which is written for PSP V 7 and V8

First, it is best if your folder is not kept within either version... this will make the program/s run quicker and help lessen the "freeze" of an overloaded memory. Navigate to your existing plugins folder, probably already within V7 example : my computer / c:local disk / program files / JASC software / Paint Shop Pro 7 / Plugins Do not open the folder but right click it and select "copy" Now navigate to a location on your computer where you want to place the folder.. where you will find it easily but not likely to accidentally delete it example my computer / c:local disk / program files now go edit / paste... the folder containing all your plugins will now be placed in the new location. To reclaim some disk space, you can now go back and delete the same folder within V7, you don`t need it twice! That`s your plugins relocated!

TO CONFIGURE V7 Open PSP7. Now go file / preferences / file locations. Click on "plugin filters" then "browse" Navigate to your new folder location then click OK. (fig 1) Click OK again.

PSP will now load the information and you will now be able to use your plugins from the new location. If you have any information in "folder 2 / 3" you can remove it, you only need to point to the one folder (providing it contains all the plugins you want to use!.)

TO CONFIGURE V8 Open PSP8 and go file / preferences / file locations. 1...Under "File Types" on the left, click "Plugins" 2...Click "Add" 3... Click "Browse" 4...Navigate to your newly relocated folder as before. (Fig 2)

Click on "OK" then "OK" again. PSP will load the information and you can now use the same filters in V8! You can uncheck the boxes for the default plugins folder as in fig 2... there should be no filters in it! How useful to be able to use the one set of plugins for both versions... saves a lot of disk space and confusion! Now whenever you install new filters, make sure you send them to the New Location so you can use them in both versions!