Customer Reviews

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X3 [OLD VERSION]

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

CorelDraw was my first foray into vector graphics back when version 3 showed up on my desk at the small "Mom and Pop" screenprinting shop i worked at. Back then, Corel came with OODLES of free fonts, clipart, manuals ... not to mention FREE technical support via a toll-free number.

i stayed with Corel exclusively until version 10 ... enduring countless patches, bugs and the dreaded "odd-numbered" curse (if you tried version 5 or 7, you feel my pain). Adobe Photoshop was always my photo-editing program of choice ... CorelPhotoPAINT just never quite "did it" for me.

Industry demands eventually delegated that i delve into Adobe Illustrator. Being already familiar with Adobe Photoshop's features, tools and "look and feel", Illustrator didn't present a huge, overbearing learning curve. In Illustrator, i found the same robust features as CorelDraw ... which wasn't what impressed me about Illustrator. Adobe's intuitive programs, and their ability to interact with one another ... seamlessly ... THAT is what won me over to Illustrator. Illustrator's ability to edit/create PDF's in their native format? WOW! Exporting LAYERED vector files to Photoshop ... with layers INTACT??? WOW!!! (i could go on)

Now, that being said ... there are STILL things that i prefer in CorelDRAW compared to Illustrator. The EXTRUDE function in corel is MUCH easier to utilize. The PowerClip function is more user friendly than Illustrator's "make clipping mask" function. The ability to customize/edit/add shortcut keys is an amazing feature. (again ... i could go on) (EDIT: i learned this IS possible in Illustrator CS2 via the EDIT/Keyboard Shortcuts, or Alt+Shift+Ctrl+K)

In regards to importing and exporting files from other applications, CorelDRAW wins, hands down. It boasts a ROBUST set of import and export filters, my favorite being the .eps import filter which lets you import an .eps while converting the fonts to curves DURING the import. This is a MUST HAVE if you work with an .eps file created on another computer whose fonts you lack. If i had a dollar for every .eps that pulls into Illustrator with fonts blown out ... i'd be independently wealthy. WHY Illustrator has never implemented this is beyond me.

So, to sum it up ... CorelDRAW is a great program ... but i can't imagine it being my ONLY vector drawing program. Just like in real life, you need a great team. This program, paired with Adobe Creative Suite, meets my needs perfectly.

As an artist for a t-shirt screen printer, I have used CorelDRAW since version 2, so know it quite well and this latest version is by far the most impressive update yet. Corel's tracing program was always superior to other vendors, but the new built-in version in DRAW is even better and easier to use. Has saved me hours of re-creating time already.

I have always found Corel's user interface to be far more intuitive than Illustrator's. In fact, I avoid using Illustrator at all costs except for the few files created with some tools that don't import into Corel correctly. That brings up another thing that Corel is superior at: Importing other file types. Corel will import (and export) most any file type out there. It can open directly most all PDF's, AI and EPS files.

I must correct a couple of items form other reviewers.

Scott Carmichael says that all pages must be the same size, this is not true, they can be any size or orientation (Options>Document>Page>Size, select Resize current page only)

Also says: Typographic features unimpressive - can't change kerning/leading multiple times in the same text box (universally changes all text in container). Also not true. Select text, press F10, then can select any letters or groups and apply any effect you want to them, with no limit. As with any new high end program it takes a while to find all the features (how many of us actually read the whole manual or go through the whole tutorial?) and some items are often hidden deep in some setup menu. It is definitely worth it to go through Corel's Tools>Options menu and explore all the settings available.

No boubt PhotoShop is the best program of it's type, but it's nice that in DRAW, if you have a bitmap object and click Edit, it will automatically open CorelPaint. You can make your edits and then it will automatically save it back to the image in DRAW.

Another feature I prefer in DRAW is that all tools are around the side of the screen instead of floating around and cluttering up my work area. And all tool bars are totally customizable so you can group the tools you use most often in one place and/or eliminate ones you never use.

A big plus is the info bar at the bottom of the screen. In one place I can see everything I need to know about the currently selected object: Object type, special effects applied, outline color and outline width, fill color. If it's a bitmap, the type, the color mode, the resolution, etc.

I highly recommend this software.

I've been using graphics apps since they were invented and I remember well who has been the first to invent new features in the major drawing apps. In the old days illustrator had almost no market share because, well lets just say it had no market share. it is in my humble opinion the most difficult program to learn and to use I have ever seen. Freehand by contrast was adroit, thus it had all the market share on the mac platform and has for instants always been united press internationals world standard. with the release of version 7 of freehand macromedia announced that in order to reduce the apps growing tool set they would now build controls into objects. perhaps this is why some neophyte reviewers think coreldraw is a knockoff of freehand but in point of fact this was corels original innovation in version one of corel draw many many years before freehand copied it. Some of illustrators newest features like the ability to add spot colors to a bitmap were in version 3 or earlier of the corel package. Draw was the first program to offer true transparent vector objects, gradient transparency of vector or raster objects, interactive controls and draws vector lens effects are simply incomparable. The list could go on for days. Corel Draw today is by far the most capable app in the world. It's feature set is unapproached by illustrator. It's output to any device is always flawless and for my money it's lightyears ahead.

I think some of the reviewers here did not use the program more enough, am using it since version 2 till now as an illustrator this program can't be beated... gradient fill was so stupid to create in earlier versions of adobe illustrator u must create two objects then blend them together to form a gradient fill then you have to mask it within a path or the shape you are filling, one more thing the mask in corel "container" is a wonderful tool to have much better than the mask used in illustrator that sucks (u have to see me pulling out my hear if i made i mistake using it) do you want more i have a lot to mention.

Am using both program everyday know them very well and to be honest i do all the artwork in coreldraw then i export to illustrator for color separation and printing and that becuase the printers agancies in my country don't know how to use corel so i have to ride the wave and finalize thing in illustrator.

I do all detailed drawings precisely using the guidelines and grid (first in available in corel) creating layouts, realistic objects or models with shadings and shadowing as well with ease this software is so powerfull if you are a real artist you must get it

I use Corel Draw X3 everyday for designing logos & signs for my sign company. I can start from scratch and produce professional designs in a minimum amount of time. This program offers a wide variety of editing tools, great import/exporting options, photo editing and tracing options.
The more I use this program, the more impressed I get.

I have had the last two preceding versions, and this one far exceeds them in ease of use and stability. There are more cliparts, pictures and other things on several discs to give you most anything you are looking for.

I've been a Corel user since ver 5 or so. It's always been a decent graphics application, but Ver 12 and now 3X are the best I've ever seen. This program is SO INTUITIVE compared to others in this category. It;s particularly easier than Quarkxpress. I know Quark's a page layout app, but you can do the exact same stuff 95% of the time in Corel. Much better PDF's and a HUGE price advantage make this their best version yet. Indesign is also very good but pure useability gives Corel an edge.

I bought this software for the graphics capabilities and my husband is using Photo-Paint to edit our family pictures. This is the first version of CorelDraw I've used and am very pleased with the help features, find them intuitive and the whole package impressive.

The Short version:
If you are a casual user and plan on using this sparingly, or intend to use this in your T-Shirt or sign business without any interaction with anyone else - ever - then Corel is probably for you. If you want to design like a pro, and get your finished projects printed right the first time - then avoid this!

The LONG version:
First, Corel PhotoPaint is the better of the two programs - it is probably the equal to a full version of Photoshop - which you need only if you are doing heavy-duty work in the professional publishing business. If you're a casual user, looking for quick touch-ups of photos, or to prepare images for the web, Adobe Photoshop Elements will do the trick just as easily for less money - you can even get it free with some scanners and cameras.

Second, CorelDRAW is their answer to Adobe Illustrator - and it works well, to a point. Many common controls are buried in menus, or are not labeled clearly enough. The options to export your file as a .pdf or other mainstream publishing formats are unreliable at best - true, you will get a file other people can work with - but with missing bits, misaligned type, or slightly altered colors. In short, you will need to proof your work with extra care! From bitter experience, I know importing files from other programs can be error-prone as well! Be sure you have an extra large monitor since the palettes to control things such as style sheets (another buggy feature) fonts (which are not handled very well) and objects will suck up about three plus inches of real estate on the right hand side of the screen. It can handle multi-page documents - but I wouldn't trust it to go much beyond 30 pages. It is not a substitute for InDesign or QuarkXPress. If you're looking for an inexpensive alternative to those heavyweight graphic design programs, and you don't need illustrations for your book, go with the latest version of MS Word. As far as pure vector drawing goes, it does an adequate job as any program I've worked with- such as Freehand 5-10 or Illustrator 8-12.

The two programs do interface with each other quite well - that is a strong point. Photos are embedded into the CorelDRAW document, and can be edited in there - although you wind up with a much larger file. Interfacing with the rest of the programs out there - especially Adobe .pdf files, which is currently the gold standard of desktop publishing - it is sorely lacking. And as I noted, if you are sending your work outside of your place of business, be prepared to be disappointed!

The fact that Corel touts it as a viable alternative to the Adobe Suite is a gross misrepresentation in my opinion - but as there is no other all in one alternative to what Adobe offers (not even from Microsoft) it is something Corel is uniquely in a position to do. The fact that training and books on these programs are so scarce is a telling indication of it's limited use in the real world.

I am from Africa, specifically Liberia and have work with graphics (creating logos, ID cards & signs) for over 10yrs now. there's no one program I will compare to CorelDraw. This program is wonderful, it's user friendly. The page layout is just too perfect. It's like you doing the job with your hands on a table in your office; and it's easy to import/export to other applications, something I had serious problem with in the past.

Over the years before I came across this program, I had problems in doing page sitting with very large signs. Lets say: 20' x 40' signs. With graphics added to the mix, your work gets so heavy and huge, you can't work with it anymore. Getting them ready for the printing machines is like building a pyramid. CorelDraw made it so easy with the feature "Print as Tiles" from the "print preview menu". Very huge signs are setup and printed out for layout like a singe page. Corel is by far the best graphic software in it's class, hands down.

highly recommended

from Lewis, Ohio