Install Plugins In Paint Shop Pro 9: A Step-By-Step Guide

Paint Shop Pro 9 is a photo editing software that allows users to add plugins to increase functionality and add new features. Installing plugins can be simple, but there are some challenges. Some plugins are auto-install executable files, which can be installed by double-clicking the file and following the prompts. Non-executable plugins need to be copied to the plugin folder. If you have more than one version of Paint Shop Pro installed, you don't need to reinstall plugins; simply point them to the Paint Shop Pro folders. This article will guide you through the process of installing plugins in Paint Shop Pro 9 and provide solutions to common issues.

How to enable plugins in PSP9

To enable plugins in PSP9, you must first install them. There are two types of plugins: auto-install executable files, which have the extension .exe, and non-executable plugins. To install auto-install executable files, simply double-click the file and follow the prompts. Non-executable plugins need to be copied to your plugin folder. These files usually have filenames that end in .8bf and do not have a .exe file.

Once you have installed your plugins, you need to tell PSP9 where to find them. To do this, go to Files > Preferences > File Locations. In the File Locations settings, you can direct PSP9 to the specific folders where you have saved your plugins. Select the plugin option on the left pane and, if the specific folder for your plugin is not already added, click 'Add' and 'Browse' to the location of your plugins folder. Ensure that you tick the 'Enable' and 'Use sub-folder' options.

If you are having trouble finding your plugin folder, click on the "Search For Files Or Folders" option in your Windows Start menu. Then, search for files or folders named "Plugins" (make sure it is spelled exactly like this). You should get a list of folders, one of which is your PSP9 plugin folder.

If your plugin is installed but not working, it may be disabled or "grayed out" in the menu. In this case, you should uninstall the plugin or delete its .8bf file. Alternatively, you can remove the folder containing the plugin from PSP's preferences by going to File Menu > Preferences > File Locations and clicking 'OK'.

If you have more than one version of PSP installed, you do not need to reinstall plugins. Simply point them to where they are in your PSP folders.

Installing executable files

Select the plugin option on the left pane. If the specific folder for your plugin is not listed, click "Add" and "Browse" to navigate to the location of your plugins folder. Make sure to tick the "Enable" and "Use sub-folder" options. If you are importing plugins from a previous version, ensure that they are included in this menu.

Some plugins are auto-install executable files with the .exe extension. To install these, simply double-click the file and follow the prompts. For example, Eye Candy and Alien Skin plugins are installed by double-clicking and following the installation instructions.

Non-executable plugins, typically older plugins with .8bf filenames, need to be copied to your plugin folder. These plugins are generally installed in the Corel plugin folders, located in your Program Files folder on the C Drive. If you are using a 32-bit operating system, the plugins will be in the Program Files (x86) folder, while 64-bit plugins are in the Program Files folder.

Installing non-executable files

Once you have confirmed that you are dealing with a non-executable plugin, you need to copy the plugin file to your plugin folder. The location of this folder may vary depending on your operating system. For example, on a 32-bit operating system, the Windows system folder is usually located under C:\Windows\System32\. On the other hand, if you are using a 64-bit operating system, the 32-bit system folder can be found under C:\Windows\SysWow64\.

After copying the non-executable plugin file to the appropriate folder, you need to ensure that Paint Shop Pro 9 is directed to that location. To do this, go to Files > Preferences > File Locations in the software. Here, you can specify the folder path where your plugins are stored. Make sure to tick the "Enable" and "Use sub-folder" options for the plugin to work correctly.

Additionally, it is important to check that your plugins are compatible with your system. Verify if you have the correct DLLs installed and if they are 32-bit or 64-bit plugins. Older plugins may not work with 64-bit versions of Paint Shop Pro 9, so ensure that you are using the correct version of the software.

Finally, some plugins may require updates to function properly. For instance, in some cases, JASC has released patches for Paint Shop Pro 9 to enable the use of certain plugins. Make sure that you are running the latest version of the software to avoid compatibility issues.

Locating the plugins folder

First, it's important to understand that the location of the plugins folder can vary depending on the version of Paint Shop Pro you are using. For Paint Shop Pro 9, the default installation path typically leads to the following folder structure: C:\Program Files\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 9\PlugIns\. Within this "PlugIns" folder, you will find the various plugins available for the application.

To manually locate this folder, begin by opening the "Start" menu on your Windows system. From there, navigate to "Programs" and locate the "Paint Shop Pro 9" folder. Right-click on the application and select "Open file location." This action will bring you to the installation directory of Paint Shop Pro 9. From here, you can navigate to the "PlugIns" folder.

Alternatively, you can use the Windows search functionality to locate the plugins folder. Click on the "Start" menu and select "Search." Enter "Paint Shop Pro 9 plugins" or "PlugIns" in the search field. If the indexing is up to date, Windows will display the "PlugIns" folder within the Paint Shop Pro 9 directory.

Once you have located the "PlugIns" folder, you can proceed with installing or managing your plugins. It is important to note that some plugins may have specific installation instructions, so be sure to refer to the documentation provided by the plugin developer. Additionally, always exercise caution when downloading plugins from third-party sources to prevent any potential security risks or compatibility issues.

If you have multiple versions of Paint Shop Pro installed, you can centralize your plugins in one location. This approach eliminates the need for reinstallation and simplifies the process. Simply direct Paint Shop Pro to the location of your plugins folder by going to "Files > Preferences > File Locations." In the File Locations settings, specify the path to your centralized plugins folder and ensure that the "`Enable` and `Use sub-folder` options are selected.

Troubleshooting installation issues

If you are facing issues while installing plugins in Paint Shop Pro 9, here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:

First, check if you have any other third-party plugins working in Paint Shop Pro. If other plugins are working, then the issue is likely specific to the plugin you are trying to install.

Make sure that you have enabled plugins in Paint Shop Pro. Go to the "Plug-in file folders" settings and ensure that the plugin you are trying to install is enabled there.

Verify the compatibility of the plugin with Paint Shop Pro 9. Some plugins may not be compatible with older versions of the software. Check the plugin's documentation or website to confirm if it is compatible with Paint Shop Pro 9.

Check if the plugin is installed in the correct folder. The location of the plugin folder depends on whether you are using 32-bit or 64-bit plugins and whether you are using Program Files or Program Files (x86). Ensure that the plugin is placed in the correct folder and that you have added this location to the PSP Preferences > File Locations.

If you are using a 32-bit operating system, check if you have Msvcrt10.dll installed in your Windows 32-bit system folder (usually C:\Windows\System32). If you have it, do not overwrite it when installing new plugins.

If you are facing compatibility issues with Paint Shop Pro 9 on Windows 10, you can try installing older GPU drivers or adjusting your graphics card settings. Right-click on the setup file and choose "Run as administrator." If that doesn't work, right-click the setup file again, choose Properties, go to the Compatibility tab, and check "Run this program in Compatibility mode."

If you have multiple versions of Paint Shop Pro installed, ensure that you point the plugins to the correct Paint Shop Pro folders.

If you are still facing issues, check with the plugin developer or the Paint Shop Pro community forums for specific troubleshooting steps related to the plugin you are trying to install.

Frequently asked questions