Is v3.5 slower?

[0rac1e]

I have just upgraded to v3.5, but notice that some functions appear to take longer than they did previously. In particular, I find that the "merge layer down" facility is a lot slower. Any comments on this? Or maybe it's me.

[LJXD]

One of the main improvements in Paint.NET v3.5 (apart from the refreshed UI) is performance improvements.

Check this out, in particlular:

Performance and memory usage have been extensively optimized throughout the entire program.

As to why it is running slow, I don't have much of a clue. But it is unusual for it to be running slower than v3.36, unless you whacked HEAPS of plugins in. Hope that helped

[Rick Brewster]

If you have a slow CPU then it's possible this particular function will be slower. The reason is that Paint.NET is applying GZIP compression to the history files, instead of relying on the file system's (NTFS) built-in compression (which is fast, but doesn't work well vs. GZIP). This results in much lower disk space use and less disk I/O, but at a cost of more CPU time. For most systems it will be a net positive gain, with respect to performance (either for fast CPUs, or slow disks -- and most disks are slow). Using less disk space also improves reliability, because Paint.NET does not handle running out of disk space (it'll crash).

[0rac1e]

Thanks for the input. No, I haven't added any plug-ins since upgrading. It takes about a quarter of a minute, now, for the Merge Layers function to run its course. Must be my PC. It's only a problem because I do a lot of layer work, and it seems like an eternity. I'll be upgrading my PC in the near future, anyway. so hopefully that will show an improvement. That said, the program is incredible. I have a link to it on my website at http://www.artus-fh.co.uk/source/Freebies%20Page.html It's first on the list!

[mattmcmullen1]

When I updated to v3.5 mine got faster.

If you have a CPU then it is possible for it to be slower.

Also, if you have too many plugins installed on Paint.NET it will be slower.

Or, if you use to many layers on a picture, or if you have too many pictures on your computer, it will slow down.

If you don't use it a lot, which might be your problem, because if a program isn't used often the program will take longer to open up because of the usage you haven't used on it yet.

Hope this helped,

mattmcmullen1

[Simon Brown]

If you don't use it a lot, which might be your problem, because if a program isn't used often the program will take longer to open up because of the usage you haven't used on it yet.

If it seems to open up faster when you use it a lot that's probably because of SuperFetch.

[Rick Brewster]

Or just general I/O caching during the same session.

If it's too slow, then ... to be honest ... it's probably time for a CPU upgrade. I highly recommend making the jump to at least a Core 2 Duo and a 64-bit version of Windows 7.

[david.atwell]

^^ agreed. It runs like a champ.