Today there is a fair amount of various graphic editors created for different needs. Some of them are free, others are quite expensive. Some editors were created for vector graphics, other for raster. Today we will talk about one of the most popular graphic editors - CorelDraw. What is CorelDraw? What can CorelDraw be used for? Let’s find the answers to these questions!
What is CorelDraw?
First of all, we shall answer the question “What is CorelDraw definition?”. It is quite simple. This program is a vector graphics editor that is mostly used to create and edit two-dimensional images, for example, posters and logos. CorelDraw was released on 16 of January 1989. Can you believe that? The release was 28 years ago! Since that time, a fair amount of artist have fallen in love with CorelDraw.
It is known that CorelDraw currently fully supports only Windows. It used to be on Mac OS and Mac Os X, but the versions were discontinued because of poor sales. However, there is a version that is compatible with Mac OS. There were also versions on Linux that didn’t last long as well.
There are different versions of CorelDraw for Windows.
For Illustration & Design:
- CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X8 - Small Business Edition;
- CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2017;
- CorelDRAW Home & Student Suite X8;
For creating websites:
- Corel Website Creator;
For technical Graphics:
- CorelDRAW Technical Suite 2017;
- CorelCAD 2017.
What is CorelDraw software used for?
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Basically, CorelDraw can do anything a graphic designer need to do. But let’s cover some examples:
- Basic graphics creation: posters, brochures, logos, signs, decals, case inserts, various art, etc.;
- Adding text to digital and scanned pictures;
- Adding scanned and vectorized signatures;
- Altering .pdf files;
- Importing .ai files for changes;
- Resizing, resampling and cropping images;
- Image processing for web site;
- Printing setups;
- Vectorising scanned illustrations;
- Adding various plugins.;
- Creating books and monographs.
CorelDraw is used by educators, professional artist, and the general public. It is quite often used to create illustrations with graphic tablets, but you can work with it without a graphic tablet which is great for people who are just getting into art. With its functionality, CorelDraw is quite similar to Adobe Illustrator, which is also a vector editor. However, they are some differences:
- Tools;
- Some people claim that CorelDraw works faster than Adobe Illustrator.
- Some designers claim that CorelDraw is more user-friendly.
- Because Adobe Illustrator is made by Adobe, you can easily work with other products such as InDesign and Photoshop. Especially after the release of Adobe Creative Cloud.
- CorelDraw is cheaper which can be a big deal of a lot of people.
- CorelDraw support export in different formats, including .ai, .psd, .eps and .pdf. Adobe Illustrator can’t export or save files in .cdr format (which is CorelDraw’s format).
- You can customize the interface of CorelDraw to a great extent that Adobe Illustrator.
- It is effortless to set shortcuts in CorelDraw, and there are no limitations.
However, it is still hard to say which one is better. We think that it’s the matter of preference.
How to use CorelDraw?
There are numerous things that you can do in CorelDraw - starting from simple logos and ending with beautiful art and books.
We have to say that you won’t be able to learn how to use CorelDraw only by reading tutorials (that you can find here). You will need a lot of practice and time to become really good and drawing. Who knows, maybe one day you will be a professional graphics designer.
We will show you some tips and tricks that will be quite useful when it comes to creating your own art.
Tips and tricks
1. It can be challenging to find an idea for an illustration. The best way to solve this problem is to find some inspiration - watch different movies, play games with fine art, read books. Look at different paintings of famous artist and don’t forget to visit exhibitions.
2. Use Freehand tool to sketch your drawings. You can also draw on a piece of paper and then scan it to CorelDraw. The great thing about CorelDraw is that you can trace your sketch and convert it into a vector drawing with the trace function.
3. Use different tools to help yourself - Color Eyedropper, Freehand, Transparency and Interactive Fill.
4. In the beginning, try to use references as often as possible. Especially when it comes to people or clothing.
5. If you are using references, then look for different pictures and combine their parts. Experiment with those part and create something unique. Don’t copy the work of others.
6. If you decided to draw from your imagination, don’t forget about the practical part.
7. Pay attention to details. Don’t add too much, but don’t forget about them.
8. If you have a complex drawing, then try to draw all of your elements using the same technique.
9. Use different shapes to make your characters look more “alive” if you don’t want them to look like they came out of a cartoon.
10. Don’t forget about layers! Use layers to create different parts of your drawing. You have a digital graphic editor, use the advantage. It’s not a piece of paper and a pencil, you can edit various parts, cut, reshape and resize with no problem. Just use layers.
CorelDraw is a great vector graphics editor for both professionals and those who just started to draw. Just remember - creating a beautiful art will take a lot of time and practice. If you really want to become an artist, then be ready to dedicate yourself to it. And don’t give up under any circumstances! A lot of people gave up their dreams just because other people were criticizing them. Remember that there is a difference between quality criticism and hatred. Be strong and follow your dreams.
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