I am a profesional user of Corel Draw Graphics Suite X3 and am thinking of upgrading to X4. I use PP and Draw for all graphics that I do. Lately I've had some trouble importing CS3 AI files into CD X3. I have Adobe CS3 (mostly for InDesign) so i've been opening the AI files in Illustrator and exporting them to something CD can open.

What I'm really wondering is what are the major differences between X3 and X4? Is the file compatibility more up to date? Are there any significant new features in PP or draw? Are there any new bugs in X4 that would make me want to stick with X3?

I'm probably going to upgrade, I just wanted to know what to expect.

-Ephraim, Norman, OK

Here is a helpful pdf file that will show the new features of X4, against previous version of CorelDRAW:

http://www.corel.com/content/pdf/cdgsx4/CDGSX4_Upgrade_Matrix_Matrix_ENG-5087-11_printable.pdf

 

Hi,
Someone would say no need to, I would say yes of course. And exactly because what you say. Its much more compatible to open Adobe CS3 files. If you use both CorelDARW and Photo-Paint as I do, which you said, then I would upgrade. I would even say that Corel itself doesnt list all that is new. There are still issues about importing eps files that are transparant, because of the differens in how they are made in illustrator vs coreldraw, but there are workarounds. But X4 open ai files from CS3.

You can always download a trial version from corel.com .  I believe its still available. But there are a lot of great new things with X4.
I work as an illustrator making a wide variatey of illustration assignments. And also do graphic design, and for me its much more fun to work with X4.

Here is the press release that highlights some of the new stuff
coreldraw.com/blogs/press/archive/2008/01/22/coreldraw-174-graphics-suite-x4-unveiled-today.aspx

If you do upgrade, just be sure to save your AI CS3 files with NO compression. Using compression makes direct AI-file opening in Draw impossible.

Stefan Lindblad:

But X4 open ai files from CS3.

 

What about InDesign files? I sometimes get ads made in ID and the PDF:s from ID are not very good so I have tried EPS and they are better, but not perfect. Wouldn't an ID filter be good?

Tja Lars,

I dont think you can open Indesign files, I think I tried once with no good result. A PDF would probably work better. But this is an important question, and I really dont remember about Indesign files per say. Lets try. If I can get a new InDesign file from my girlfriend.

 Yes, do try a PDF from InDesign. Make sure it contains both text and bitmaps. My experience is that bitmaps are chopped up in pieces and that text can be mirrored, grouped and combined in all sorts of strange ways, this no matter if the PDF is created by Distiller or from ID directly. This problem is geting bigger and bigger since files like ads are often created in ID, not Illustrator.

There is no direct import for InDesign files. I recently had to work with
one myself and found the clipboard to be the best answer along with Alex's
AI clipboard macro. Yes, it would be good to have a direct ID filter.

FosterCoburn:

Yes, it would be good to have a direct ID filter.

That would be one massive reverse engineering job and would have to be updated with every act by Adobe. I WON"T be throwing my hat in for any RE filters.

1. Past efforts on complex RE filters have been pretty 'barely usable'.

2. They have development curves that are outside of Draw's development cycles

Keep ID files in ID.

Far better that effort goes into PDF import functions and make that the preferred import filter for other apps then you cover all the problem children in one go.

Foster I think we need to discourage even the thought of RE filters. And really push for the best PDF import that can be achieved.

 

Yani:

Far better that effort goes into PDF import functions and make that the preferred import filter for other apps then you cover all the problem children in one go.

Foster I think we need to discourage even the thought of RE filters. And really push for the best PDF import that can be achieved.

 

 You have a point here. It woud be very practical if we could use PDF as a common exchange file format. However, my experience tells me that PDF:s from ID are not reliable. They have all sorts of strange faults. Do you think this can be overcome by better PDF import filters?

I'm all for improvement for PDF filters.

The problem with importing layout files is that text is broken into
individual lines and often into words. So importing a PDF and rebuilding it
is a painful process. An InDesign import filter is certainly not at the top
of my list, but it would be a welcome addition. That said, I'd say it is
highly doubtful we'll see one anytime soon.

A major issue with trying to import ID files derictly would be if the bitmaps are not embedded. If someone can't send you a decent PDF file, then you can be certain they won't be able to gather all the bitmaps together along with the fonts, and send that to you.

The biggest issue I've had when working with Adobe users, is that many know little to nothing about how to properly send their files. Often I can't even open them in the native program.

Frank Olivio
AmiGraphics

My opinion is not to go for X4, there are only a few updated commands available in X4 and the version  crashes some time and the save/print/copy buttons wont function if its not a boxed version...

 

X3 is cool... keep it intact.

spsam:

My opinion is not to go for X4, there are only a few updated commands available in X4 and the version  crashes some time and the save/print/copy buttons wont function if its not a boxed version...

 

X3 is cool... keep it intact.

Hi,

Yes, X3 is a great version. Not bad at all. But at the same time regarding upgrading or not.
In all friendliness, why do you think its just a few updated commands? I disagree totally.
And when you say it crash some times: I seriously havent had X4 crashing as of yet.

Questioner was also saying he/she was using BOTH CorelDRAW and PHOTO-PAINT. Therefore we have to answer accordingly. And as a side note, not towards you in person, but generally, I dont understand why people dont use Photo-Paint more. I used to use Photoshop up on till 5.5 and my girlfriend both have her own copy of, and educates the Adobe CS3 and the upcoming CS4. So I know what Photoshop can do, and also what Photo-Paint can do. Well for my own needs anyway. And I work as an illustrator as well as doing graphic design. And in my work I paint, draw and layout. And image adjust my own original illustration work, and image adjust photos. and all the blah, blah, blah 

And it is indeed more compatible with the Adobe CS3 version, which was also the question, if it was.

In Photo-Paint, the Objects Docker, LENS:
New Photo filter, New Black & White filter, New Gradient Map filter adn the new and higly improved Tone Curve! The new Document Properties, The new Object Manager in CorelDRAW, And more. Corel doesnt say all new things in their pressrelease inmy opinion, but here is all the New things Corel highlights (copy & paste from their website):


New! Live text formatting: CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 introduces live text formatting, allowing users to preview  text formatting options before applying them to a document. With this time-saving feature, users can now preview many different formatting options, including fonts, font size, and alignment, removing the “trial-and-error” typically associated with the design process.

• New! Font identification: CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 now integrates with WhatTheFont™, the online font identification service from MyFonts.com. Users can save time by quickly identifying the font used in existing bitmap designs, artwork or other images received from clients.

• New! Independent page layers: Users can now control and edit layers independently for each page of a document, reducing the occurrence of pages with empty layers. Users can also add independent guidelines for individual pages and master guidelines for an entire document. This gives users the ability to create different layers on a page-specific basis, unconfined by a single document structure.

• New! Interactive tables: The new, interactive Table tool in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 lets users create and import tables to provide a powerful, structured layout for text and graphics. Users can easily align, resize, or edit tables and table cells to suit their designs. In addition, users can convert delimited text and easily add and adjust images in individual cells.

• Enhanced! Windows Vista® integration: CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is the only professional graphics suite Certified for Windows Vista®. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 has been designed to take advantage of the latest innovations from Windows Vista, while still offering a superior experience for Windows® XP users. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 integrates with the desktop search capabilities of Windows Vista directly from within the Open and Import dialog boxes, enabling users to search for files by author, subject, file type, date, keywords, or other file properties. Users can also easily add their own keywords, ratings or other notes when saving files in order  to better organize their projects.

• New! CorelDRAW® ConceptShare™ integration: The new CorelDRAW® ConceptShare™ docker, accessible from within CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, integrates a valuable online collaboration tool directly within the user workflow. In a Web-based environment, CorelDRAW ConceptShare lets users share their designs and ideas with colleagues or clients in real time. Users can easily create multiple workspaces, upload their designs, and invite others to provide feedback or submit their own ideas without
 sending large files over email.

• New! File format support: CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 maintains its position as market leader in file format compatibility by adding support for Microsoft® Office Publisher. Users can also expect seamless compatibility with Microsoft Word 2007, Adobe Illustrator® Creative Suite® 3, Adobe Photoshop® CS3, PDF 1.7 (Adobe® Acrobat® 8), AutoCAD® DXF™ and AutoCAD® DWG™, and Corel Painter™ X, making it easier than ever to exchange files with clients and colleagues.

• New! Professionally designed templates: CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 includes 80 professionally designed and customizable templates, giving users a springboard to the design process. Flexible and easy to customize, the templates are accompanied by Designer Notes that provide information on the design choices made for the template, tips for outputting a design based on the template, and instructions for customizing the template while still adhering to design principles.

• New! Specialized fonts: An extended selection of new fonts in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 helps users ensure their output is optimized for its intended audience. This specialized collection of fonts includes single-line engraving fonts and OpenType® cross-platform fonts, which offer enhanced language support for Latin, Greek, and Cyrillic outputs in WGL4 format.

• New! Welcome screen: With a new Welcome screen, CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 provides users with a centralized location to access recently used documents, templates, and learning tools, which include Tips & Tricks and video tutorials. To inspire users, the Welcome screen also includes a gallery that showcases designs created by CorelDRAW Graphics Suite users from around the world.

New Additions  to Corel PHOTO-PAINT®

• New! RAW camera file support: Corel PHOTO-PAINT® now includes support for RAW camera file formats, enabling users to import RAW camera files directly from their digital camera.  With support for approximately 300 different camera types and interactive controls that provide real-time previews, users can view file properties and camera settings, adjust image color and tone, and improve image quality, all from within Corel PHOTO-PAINT X4 and CorelDRAW X4.

• New! Straighten image: Using Corel PHOTO-PAINT, users can quickly and easily straighten images that were scanned or photographed at an angle. With interactive controls, a grid with vertical and horizontal guidelines, and an integrated histogram that provides results in real time, PHOTO-PAINT  makes it easier than ever to straighten crooked images. In addition, users can choose to have their images automatically cropped.

• Enhanced! Tone Curve adjustments: With the enhanced Tone Curve dialog box, Corel PHOTO-PAINT X4 users can adjust their images with greater precision. With an integrated histogram, users now receive real-time feedback as they make adjustments to their images. In addition, the new Eyedropper tool lets users pinpoint specific color locations on the tone curve of their image, as well as select, add, or delete nodes along the tone curve.

 

 

 

 

 

Foster that does sux with PDF import.

But if all the energy that had gone into 'other' RE imports had gone into PDF import and if there was perhaps some smarts added to preprocess the file it could be resolved.

If the only issue was broken text as lines that could be resolved either with some post processing or pre processing as per what occurs in OCR apps where you map out a text flow.

But at least with PDF import Corel are working with a published file format that can be read as text. It must surely send a shiver up the spine of programmers when it's suggested that a complex binnary format that has no published details and is changed at the whim of another company be converted by a RE filter. Even were everything perfect you would always be 6 months behind the latest release of X (ID in this case).

I think the mix of filters is pretty right generally. There is certain scope for some improvement in what exists now.

If there was big energy put into PDF import that would lead to greater understanding of PDF as a format which would translate into other areas. IE Oh look X does this like that we could use that technique too.