Top 13 PhotoScape X Tips and Tricks

PhotoScape X is a hidden gem. I’ve been using it for years and have never bothered to replace it with another photo editing software. You may ask why. Well, because it has everything you could want in an image editing software. With 1000+ filters and effects, 100+ tools, 200+ shapes, stickers and shapes, PhotoScape X editor is mind-blowing. And the best part – most of the functions are free.

Every time you use it, you discover something new. We’ve compiled the 13 best PhotoScape X tips and tricks to save time. Since PhotoScape has a huge video library on them, we leave out the features of using effects, filters and tools. Here we’ll cover features that require a bit of research to explore and experiment with to understand how they work.

note

Lets start.

1. Remove Tools

All tools and effects open on the right in the editor screen. However, some do not occupy a fixed position. They can be moved and stored wherever you prefer. In other words, you can remove tools.

To do this, click on the Undock icon in the upper right corner. Similarly, if you want to place them, click the same button while in the detached position.

If you check the screenshot carefully, there is a name under each tool icon. This makes it easier to use than other image editing packages that expect you to remember the shortcuts, and you have to hover over the icons to understand the tools. This is one of the reasons why I prefer PhotoScape X.

2. Save Cropped Area

PhotoScape X offers basic crop utilities such as various crop sizes and circular/perspective crop. On top of that, it allows you to directly save the cropped area, thus saving time. You can also copy the cropped portion directly to the clipboard.

3. Change Circular Crop Background

In Circular Crop, PhotoScape X lets you choose the background for the four corners from solid colors, gradient, and themes.

To do this, first check the Circular Crop box under the Crop function. Then choose the background you want from the options provided.

4. Add Transparent Background

Wherever PhotoScape X lets you choose a background for any effect or tool, you can set it to transparent instead of using a color or theme.

To do this, select the fourth option under Background label – Transparency. In the screenshot below, I set a transparent background for a Text layer mask.

5. Duplicate Objects

PhotoScape X lets you add stickers, images, shapes and text to your images. Sometimes you want to add the same object twice or even more than that. For that, you don’t repeatedly click the menu to add them. You can use the repeat feature.

After adding an object, click the Duplicate icon in the same window. You can use it as many times as you want.

6. Work with Layers

When you add multiple objects to your image, you will see the Layer option on the left. It does not appear otherwise. Then you can edit each layer individually by unchecking the checkbox next to it. Then selecting all the checkboxes will merge these layers to show you the final image.

7. Quick Menu

Under the Edit tab you will find many editing options neatly placed under the different sections. PhotoScape X includes a ton of features, making some of them difficult to access directly from the main window. Fortunately, the Quick Menu comes to the rescue, where you can access many features directly from a single window.

To use it, go to the Edit tab and then tap the Quick Menu icon.

8. View and Compare Original

While editing PhotoScape X allows you to view the original file at any time. Just click the Original icon at the bottom.

Similarly, if you add multiple filters and effects and want to compare the edited image with the previous preview, click the Compare icon or press Spacebar.

9. Save Project

Similar to featured photo editors, you can save your images as projects. Then, whenever you need to make any changes to them, open the project file and continue editing.

Click the Save button to save an image as a project. Then click Save Project. Of course, you can also use the keyboard shortcut Alt+Shift+S.

10. Use the Color Picker Anywhere

PhotoScape X offers a color picker tool. Now you must be wondering what every photo editor does. What makes PhotoScape’s color picker different is that you can use it outside of software. It can be used on websites, file browser, any image viewer, etc. You can use it to define the color.

Click Tools in the top bar of PhotoScape X. Choose Color Picker from the menu.

You get interesting features like being able to change the zoom strength of the magnifying glass and selecting multiple colors using the spacebar.

11. Batch Rename Files

Another great feature PhotoScape X offers is batch renaming of files. Add files from Tools > Rename and set preferred naming options.

12. Change Editor Theme

Not everyone is a fan of the dark theme. Readability often goes for a snack and my eyes hurt. Fortunately PhotoScape X offers the ability to switch between light and dark theme.

To do this, click on the Setting icon in the upper right corner. Then select Light or Dark under Theme from the dialog box.

13. Use as Photo Viewer

You can also use this photo editor as a photo viewer on both Windows 10 based PC and macOS installed Mac. I don’t like the Windows 10 Photos app. Sometimes I use PhotoScape as a photo viewer among other Windows 10 Photo alternatives.

PhotoScape X reminds you of Google’s Picasa. Even though Picasa was shut down in 2016, you can still download the desktop app. As a photo viewer, PhotoScape X offers various viewing modes, add to favorites, easy scrolling, etc. It offers features such as While viewing photos, tap the dual mode icon to see two images together.

Beautify Your Pictures

What I love about PhotoScape X is that it’s easy to use. You get great features that you can apply with one click. And it offers much more than you might expect.

We hope these tips will make your editing process in PhotoScape X even easier.