PSPIMAGE files are image files in the native format of the image editing software PaintShop Photo Pro. Like Photoshop's PSD format, PSPIMAGE is the standard format for PaintShop Photo Pro and the only one that can store all of PaintShop Photo Pro's information and functionality.
A PSPIMAGE file can contain both normal image information and vector graphics. In addition, of course, the levels, transparency values, filter settings and other image effects are also stored. The PSPIMAGE format supports RLE and LZ77 compression and can also embed an ICC color profile.
Due to the further development of the PaintShop Photo Pro program, the format has also changed, which unfortunately is not downwardly compatible. However, when saving, you can specify to which PaintShop Photo Pro version the PSPIMAGE file should be compatible. Under certain circumstances not all information of the image will be saved.
PSPIMAGE is a proprietary file format and apart from PaintShop Photo Pro can almost exclusively be read by several other Corel products. However, image display programs exist that can display and convert PSPIMAGE.
The older version of PaintShop Photo Pro still used as file extension psp. Pspimage was introduced with version 8, which is still simply PaintShop Pro here. Besides PSPIMAGE, Painshop Photo Pro also uses file extensions like pspbrush, pspshape.
Most often resolving problems with opening PSPIMAGE files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support PSPIMAGE files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of PSPIMAGE files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.
It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate PSPIMAGE files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the Corel Painter applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where Corel Painter has been installed.
Sometimes problems with opening PSPIMAGE files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as: