Corel Paint Shop Pro 2023

What is included in Corel PaintShop Pro 2023?

AfterShot Lab – Built-in RAW workspace replaces a separate RAW converter.
Layers and Masks – Raster, vector, adjustment and mask layers for compositing.
AI Photo Tools – Upsampling, Denoise, Artifact Removal, Style Transfer, Background Replacement.
Focus Stacking – Merges differently focused shots into one sharp image.
Core Capacity – RAW support for over 800 camera models.
Important – Windows only: no macOS version, no native CMYK editing.

What are the main benefits of Corel PaintShop Pro 2023?

Corel PaintShop Pro 2023 is a Windows photo editor and graphic design program that combines RAW development, layer-based compositing and AI-assisted repair in one application. It is the standard edition of the 2023 family and contains the same core editing tools as the Ultimate edition, which only adds bonus applications, content and the Sea-to-Sky Workspace.

One RAW Workflow – Develop RAW files and retouch without switching applications.
Faster Repetitive Edits – Scripts and batch processing resize or watermark entire folders.
Photoshop Ecosystem Access – Use PSD files, ABR brushes and 64-bit plugins.
Precise Selections – Refine Brush selects hair-level detail, now 30% faster.
Content-Aware Repair – Object Remover, Magic Fill and SmartClone hide distractions.
Pen Tablet Support – Works with WinTab graphics tablets and Windows Ink.

What does Corel PaintShop Pro 2023 do?

Corel PaintShop Pro 2023 is a Windows photo editor that also covers everyday graphic design work such as text layouts, vector shapes and template-based projects. In one program you can develop RAW files in AfterShot Lab, retouch portraits, remove unwanted objects with content-aware tools and build multi-layer composites. Built-in templates cover collages, greeting cards, social media images, web banners, brochures and business cards. For a photographer who also produces the occasional flyer or social media post, this replaces the usual chain of RAW converter, retouching tool and separate layout program.

What is new in PaintShop Pro 2023 compared with 2022?

The 2023 release adds AfterShot Lab for RAW editing, Focus Stacking, Snap to Objects and a real-time Blend Mode preview in the Layers palette, and it enhances the Frame Tool. The Frame Tool can now convert preset shapes, vector objects and text into clipping shapes that you fill with photos, patterns or colors. Corel also states a 30 percent performance improvement for the Refine Brush, along with support for newer cameras. The AI tools such as AI Background Replacement, AI Portrait Mode and AI Style Transfer already arrived in version 2022, so owners of 2022 should judge the upgrade mainly on AfterShot Lab and Focus Stacking.

How well does PaintShop Pro 2023 handle RAW photos?

PaintShop Pro 2023 opens RAW files from over 800 camera models, including CR2, CR3, NEF, ARW, RAF, ORF, RW2 and DNG files. New in this version is AfterShot Lab, a full RAW editing workspace integrated directly into the program, alongside the existing non-destructive RAW Lab. Because RAW development and pixel-level retouching happen in the same application, there is no export-and-reopen round trip between two programs. Owners of very recent camera bodies should check Corel's official RAW model list or test their files in the trial version, because cameras released after the last 2023 update may not be recognised.

Who is PaintShop Pro 2023 best suited for?

PaintShop Pro 2023 suits Windows users who need layer-based editing and RAW development but do not work in a CMYK print-production environment. Photographers using 360° cameras can straighten and flatten panoramas and remove the tripod automatically, while photo restoration is covered by Scratch Remover, Fade Correction and AI Artifact Removal for heavily compressed JPEGs. Small businesses producing web graphics get templates, text on a path and batch watermarking in the same tool. Users who switch between Windows and a Mac, or who must deliver prepress-ready CMYK artwork, should choose different software.

What is the difference between PaintShop Pro 2023 and PaintShop Pro 2023 Ultimate?

Both editions contain the same core editing features, including AfterShot Lab, Focus Stacking, layers, vector tools and all AI tools. Ultimate adds a bundle of separate extras: Painter Essentials 8, PhotoMirage Express, Highlight Reel, MultiCam Capture 2.0 Lite, 50 additional fonts, the Corel Creative Collection and the Sea-to-Sky Workspace for drone and underwater photos. If your work happens entirely inside PaintShop Pro itself, the standard edition covers it. Ultimate makes sense if you also want beginner painting software, photo animation or quick highlight videos.

What limitations or missing features should you know before buying PaintShop Pro 2023?

PaintShop Pro 2023 runs only on 64-bit Windows 11 and Windows 10; Corel offers no macOS version, so Mac users cannot run it natively. The program cannot create or edit images in the CMYK color model: it works in RGB and offers only CMYK channel splitting, printing of CMYK separations and CMYK TIFF output for handover to a print shop. Text-prompt generative image creation is not built in; Corel sells the Vision FX plugin separately for that purpose. The standard edition also contains no video editor, as full video editing requires VideoStudio, which Corel sells separately or in the Photo Video Bundle.

Which file formats does PaintShop Pro 2023 support?

PaintShop Pro 2023 imports and exports Adobe Photoshop PSD files, so layered projects can move between it and Photoshop. It also opens iPhone HEIC and HEIF photos as well as WebP, SVG, AI, EPS and PDF files, and it exports to formats including JPEG, PNG, TIFF, WebP, GIF and its own layered PSPIMAGE format. Photoshop brushes in ABR format can be imported alongside PaintShop's own PSPBRUSH format. In practice, this means files from Adobe-using clients or straight from an iPhone can be edited without a prior conversion step.

Frequently asked questions about Corel PaintShop Pro 2023

Which interface languages does PaintShop Pro 2023 support?

Corel lists eight supported interface languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Traditional Chinese and Japanese. If you need a specific language, confirm it matches the version you are buying.

Can I keep my brushes, scripts and plugins from an older PaintShop Pro version?

Yes, the built-in content migration transfers previously installed plugins, scripts, brush tips, color palettes, gradients, patterns, textures and effects. Note that PaintShop Pro 2023 supports 64-bit third-party plugins, so older 32-bit filters need a 64-bit version from their developer.

Does PaintShop Pro 2023 include photo management?

Yes, the Manage workspace lets you add keyword tags, create catalogs, rate photos, review metadata and edit several photos at once. It handles organising within the editor, but it is not a replacement for a dedicated large-scale photo cataloguing program.

Can PaintShop Pro 2023 be used on a touchscreen device?

Yes, the Photography Workspace is designed to be touch-ready and focuses on quick photo edits with a Split View for before-and-after comparison. For detailed work, the Essentials and Complete workspaces offer the full toolset, and pen input via WinTab tablets or Windows Ink is supported.