USER GUIDE
Copyright © 2017 Corel Corporation. All rights reserved.
CorelDRAW® 2017 User Guide
Product specifications, pricing, packaging, technical support and information (“specifications”) refer to the retail English version only. The
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Patents: www.corel.com/patent
2060127
Contents
Getting started.................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Installing CorelDRAWGraphics Suite.....................................................................................................................................................21
System requirements.......................................................................................................................................................................21
Preparing for installation................................................................................................................................................................ 22
Installing CorelDRAW Graphics Suite applications........................................................................................................................... 22
Installation options......................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Modifying and repairing installations..............................................................................................................................................24
Uninstalling CorelDRAW Graphics Suite.......................................................................................................................................... 25
Frequently Asked Questions............................................................................................................................................................ 25
Corel accounts and services.................................................................................................................................................................. 27
Authenticating CorelDRAW Graphics Suite..................................................................................................................................... 27
Checking account settings and product details...............................................................................................................................28
Updating Corel products................................................................................................................................................................ 28
Upgrade Program........................................................................................................................................................................... 28
Changing user credentials...............................................................................................................................................................28
Corel Support Services....................................................................................................................................................................29
About Corel....................................................................................................................................................................................29
What’s new in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite?..........................................................................................................................................31
Jump in.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 31
Craft............................................................................................................................................................................................... 33
Personalize......................................................................................................................................................................................39
Finding out what was new in previous versions............................................................................................................................. 44
Learning resources................................................................................................................................................................................45
Getting help................................................................................................................................................................................... 45
Using the Help and tooltips........................................................................................................................................................... 46
Using Hints.....................................................................................................................................................................................48
Learning tours................................................................................................................................................................................ 48
Welcome screen............................................................................................................................................................................. 49
Accessing eBooks............................................................................................................................................................................49
Quick Start Guide...........................................................................................................................................................................50
Contents | 1
Insights from the Experts................................................................................................................................................................50
Video learning resources.................................................................................................................................................................50
Community website for developers.................................................................................................................................................51
Network deployment guide............................................................................................................................................................ 51
Web-based resources......................................................................................................................................................................51
Starting and setting up........................................................................................................................................................................ 53
Starting and quitting CorelDRAW................................................................................................................................................... 53
Changing the language..................................................................................................................................................................53
Changing startup settings...............................................................................................................................................................54
CorelDRAW basics................................................................................................................................................................................ 55
Understanding vector graphics and bitmaps...................................................................................................................................55
Starting and opening drawings...................................................................................................................................................... 56
Scanning images............................................................................................................................................................................ 59
Working with multiple drawings.................................................................................................................................................... 60
Undoing, redoing, and repeating actions....................................................................................................................................... 61
Zooming, panning, and scrolling.................................................................................................................................................... 62
Previewing drawings.......................................................................................................................................................................64
Choosing viewing modes................................................................................................................................................................66
Working with views........................................................................................................................................................................67
Saving drawings............................................................................................................................................................................. 68
Working with locked files............................................................................................................................................................... 70
Backing up and recovering files......................................................................................................................................................71
Adding and accessing drawing information....................................................................................................................................72
Closing drawings............................................................................................................................................................................ 72
Exploring basic tasks.......................................................................................................................................................................73
CorelDRAW workspace tour..................................................................................................................................................................75
CorelDRAW terms...........................................................................................................................................................................75
Application window....................................................................................................................................................................... 76
Standard toolbar............................................................................................................................................................................ 79
Exploring the toolbox..................................................................................................................................................................... 81
Property bar....................................................................................................................................................................................96
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Dockers...........................................................................................................................................................................................96
Status bar.......................................................................................................................................................................................99
Choosing a workspace....................................................................................................................................................................99
Finding and managing creative tools and content..............................................................................................................................101
Acquiring applications, plug-ins, and extensions...........................................................................................................................101
Finding content with the Get More docker.................................................................................................................................. 103
Accessing content.........................................................................................................................................................................106
Browsing and searching for content.............................................................................................................................................108
Viewing content........................................................................................................................................................................... 111
Using content...............................................................................................................................................................................112
Installing fonts..............................................................................................................................................................................114
Managing content........................................................................................................................................................................114
Syncing trays with OneDrive......................................................................................................................................................... 116
Content types............................................................................................................................................................................... 117
Touch and Surface Dial.......................................................................................................................................................................121
Using touch..................................................................................................................................................................................121
Using Microsoft Surface Dial........................................................................................................................................................ 123
Lines, shapes, and outlines................................................................................................................................................................125
Working with lines, outlines, and brushstrokes...................................................................................................................................127
Drawing lines................................................................................................................................................................................127
Drawing calligraphic and preset lines........................................................................................................................................... 136
Sketching naturally with intelligent stroke adjustment.................................................................................................................. 138
Formatting lines and outlines....................................................................................................................................................... 143
Adding arrowheads to lines and curves........................................................................................................................................ 147
Copying, converting, and removing outlines.................................................................................................................................149
Applying brushstrokes.................................................................................................................................................................. 150
Applying brushstrokes that respond to pen pressure, tilt, and bearing......................................................................................... 151
Spraying objects along a line........................................................................................................................................................153
Drawing connector and callout lines............................................................................................................................................ 155
Drawing dimension lines.............................................................................................................................................................. 158
Using pressure-sensitive pens and devices.................................................................................................................................... 161
Contents | 3
Drawing shapes..................................................................................................................................................................................165
Drawing rectangles and squares................................................................................................................................................... 165
Drawing ellipses, circles, arcs, and pie shapes.............................................................................................................................. 168
Drawing polygons and stars......................................................................................................................................................... 170
Drawing spirals.............................................................................................................................................................................172
Drawing grids...............................................................................................................................................................................172
Drawing predefined shapes.......................................................................................................................................................... 173
Drawing by using shape recognition............................................................................................................................................ 174
Shaping objects.................................................................................................................................................................................. 177
Using curve objects...................................................................................................................................................................... 178
Selecting and moving nodes........................................................................................................................................................ 178
Manipulating segments................................................................................................................................................................ 180
Joining curves...............................................................................................................................................................................181
Copying and cutting segments..................................................................................................................................................... 183
Adding, removing, joining, and aligning nodes............................................................................................................................ 183
Using node types..........................................................................................................................................................................185
Transforming nodes...................................................................................................................................................................... 186
Breaking the path of curve objects...............................................................................................................................................187
Mirroring changes in curve objects...............................................................................................................................................188
Skewing and stretching objects.................................................................................................................................................... 189
Smudging and smearing objects.................................................................................................................................................. 190
Roughening objects......................................................................................................................................................................193
Smoothing objects........................................................................................................................................................................195
Shaping objects by attracting or pushing away nodes..................................................................................................................196
Applying distortion effects............................................................................................................................................................197
Adding twirl effects......................................................................................................................................................................200
Shaping objects by using envelopes............................................................................................................................................. 200
Cropping and erasing objects....................................................................................................................................................... 203
Splitting objects............................................................................................................................................................................206
Trimming objects.......................................................................................................................................................................... 209
Filleting, scalloping, and chamfering corners................................................................................................................................ 211
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Welding and intersecting objects..................................................................................................................................................213
Creating PowerClip objects........................................................................................................................................................... 214
Setting options for nodes, handles, and previews........................................................................................................................ 220
Objects, symbols, and layers............................................................................................................................................................. 223
Working with objects......................................................................................................................................................................... 225
Selecting objects...........................................................................................................................................................................226
Transforming objects.................................................................................................................................................................... 229
Copying, duplicating, and deleting objects...................................................................................................................................232
Creating objects from enclosed areas........................................................................................................................................... 235
Creating a boundary around selected objects............................................................................................................................... 235
Using object coordinates to draw and modify objects.................................................................................................................. 236
Copying object properties, transformations, and effects............................................................................................................... 244
Cloning objects.............................................................................................................................................................................245
Positioning objects........................................................................................................................................................................246
Aligning and distributing objects..................................................................................................................................................248
Applying object hinting................................................................................................................................................................ 251
Snapping objects.......................................................................................................................................................................... 251
Using dynamic guides.................................................................................................................................................................. 254
Using alignment guides................................................................................................................................................................258
Changing the order of objects......................................................................................................................................................262
Sizing and scaling objects............................................................................................................................................................ 263
Rotating and mirroring objects..................................................................................................................................................... 264
Using the Object Properties docker to modify objects.................................................................................................................. 266
Grouping objects..........................................................................................................................................................................267
Combining objects........................................................................................................................................................................269
Locking objects.............................................................................................................................................................................270
Finding and replacing objects.......................................................................................................................................................270
Hiding and displaying objects.......................................................................................................................................................271
Constraining objects..................................................................................................................................................................... 272
Inserting bar codes.......................................................................................................................................................................273
Inserting and editing QR codes.......................................................................................................................................................... 275
Contents | 5
Inserting QR codes....................................................................................................................................................................... 275
Editing QR codes..........................................................................................................................................................................276
Validating QR codes..................................................................................................................................................................... 278
Working with layers............................................................................................................................................................................281
Creating layers..............................................................................................................................................................................281
Changing layer properties.............................................................................................................................................................285
Moving and copying layers and objects........................................................................................................................................288
Working with symbols........................................................................................................................................................................291
Creating, editing, and deleting symbols........................................................................................................................................291
Using symbols in drawings........................................................................................................................................................... 293
Managing collections and libraries............................................................................................................................................... 295
Reference: Working with symbols.................................................................................................................................................296
Linking and embedding objects..........................................................................................................................................................299
Inserting linked or embedded objects...........................................................................................................................................299
Editing linked or embedded objects............................................................................................................................................. 300
Managing projects..............................................................................................................................................................................301
Setting up the project database................................................................................................................................................... 301
Assigning and copying object data...............................................................................................................................................302
Viewing an object data summary................................................................................................................................................. 303
Color, fills, and transparencies...........................................................................................................................................................305
Working with color............................................................................................................................................................................ 307
Understanding color models......................................................................................................................................................... 307
Understanding color depth...........................................................................................................................................................309
Choosing colors............................................................................................................................................................................310
Using the Document palette.........................................................................................................................................................316
Creating and editing custom color palettes.................................................................................................................................. 319
Organizing and displaying color palettes......................................................................................................................................322
Displaying or hiding color palettes in the Palette libraries............................................................................................................. 323
Setting the properties of color palettes........................................................................................................................................ 325
Filling objects......................................................................................................................................................................................327
Applying uniform fills................................................................................................................................................................... 327
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Applying fountain fills.................................................................................................................................................................. 328
Applying pattern fills.................................................................................................................................................................... 331
Applying texture fills.....................................................................................................................................................................335
Applying PostScript fills................................................................................................................................................................ 337
Applying mesh fills....................................................................................................................................................................... 338
Applying fills to areas................................................................................................................................................................... 341
Working with fills.........................................................................................................................................................................342
Changing the transparency of objects................................................................................................................................................ 345
Applying uniform transparency..................................................................................................................................................... 345
Applying fountain transparency.................................................................................................................................................... 346
Applying pattern transparency...................................................................................................................................................... 348
Applying texture transparency...................................................................................................................................................... 351
Copying, freezing, and removing transparencies........................................................................................................................... 351
Applying merge modes................................................................................................................................................................ 352
Managing and sharing fills and transparencies................................................................................................................................... 357
Managing fills and transparencies................................................................................................................................................ 357
Saving and sharing fills and transparencies.................................................................................................................................. 360
Using color management................................................................................................................................................................... 361
Understanding color management............................................................................................................................................... 361
Getting started with color management in CorelDRAW................................................................................................................ 365
Installing, loading, and embedding color profiles......................................................................................................................... 368
Assigning color profiles................................................................................................................................................................ 370
Converting colors to other color profiles...................................................................................................................................... 370
Choosing color-conversion settings...............................................................................................................................................371
Soft proofing................................................................................................................................................................................371
Working with color management presets.....................................................................................................................................374
Working with color management policies.....................................................................................................................................375
Managing colors when opening documents.................................................................................................................................376
Managing colors when importing and pasting files......................................................................................................................377
Managing colors for print............................................................................................................................................................ 377
Using a safe CMYK workflow....................................................................................................................................................... 378
Contents | 7
Managing colors for online viewing............................................................................................................................................. 378
Special effects....................................................................................................................................................................................379
Using lenses with objects................................................................................................................................................................... 381
Applying lenses.............................................................................................................................................................................381
Editing lenses............................................................................................................................................................................... 383
Adding 3D effects to objects..............................................................................................................................................................385
Contouring objects....................................................................................................................................................................... 385
Applying perspective to objects.................................................................................................................................................... 388
Creating extrusions....................................................................................................................................................................... 389
Creating bevel effects................................................................................................................................................................... 393
Creating drop shadows................................................................................................................................................................ 395
Blending objects........................................................................................................................................................................... 398
Text.....................................................................................................................................................................................................405
Adding and manipulating text............................................................................................................................................................407
Importing and pasting text...........................................................................................................................................................407
Adding artistic text.......................................................................................................................................................................409
Adding paragraph text................................................................................................................................................................. 409
Adding columns to text frames.................................................................................................................................................... 413
Combining and linking paragraph text frames..............................................................................................................................414
Aligning text by using the baseline grid....................................................................................................................................... 416
Selecting text................................................................................................................................................................................417
Finding, editing, and converting text............................................................................................................................................418
Shifting, rotating, mirroring, and flipping text..............................................................................................................................420
Moving text..................................................................................................................................................................................421
Wrapping text.............................................................................................................................................................................. 422
Fitting text to a path.................................................................................................................................................................... 423
Inserting special characters, symbols, and glyphs..........................................................................................................................425
Embedding graphics.....................................................................................................................................................................429
Working with legacy text..............................................................................................................................................................430
Formatting text...................................................................................................................................................................................431
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Choosing typefaces and fonts.......................................................................................................................................................431
Formatting characters...................................................................................................................................................................434
Changing text color......................................................................................................................................................................436
Kerning a range of characters...................................................................................................................................................... 437
Changing text case.......................................................................................................................................................................438
Working with OpenType features..................................................................................................................................................439
Adjusting character and word spacing......................................................................................................................................... 443
Adjusting line and paragraph spacing.......................................................................................................................................... 445
Adding bullets to text.................................................................................................................................................................. 446
Inserting drop caps.......................................................................................................................................................................448
Changing character position and angle........................................................................................................................................ 449
Aligning text.................................................................................................................................................................................450
Adding tabs and indents.............................................................................................................................................................. 452
Working with text styles............................................................................................................................................................... 453
Hyphenating text.......................................................................................................................................................................... 453
Inserting formatting codes........................................................................................................................................................... 456
Displaying nonprinting characters................................................................................................................................................. 457
Working with text in different languages........................................................................................................................................... 459
Formatting Asian text................................................................................................................................................................... 459
Using line-breaking rules for Asian text........................................................................................................................................ 460
OpenType support for Asian text.................................................................................................................................................. 461
Formatting multilingual text......................................................................................................................................................... 461
Displaying text correctly in any language......................................................................................................................................463
Managing fonts..................................................................................................................................................................................465
Changing the default font............................................................................................................................................................ 465
Substituting fonts.........................................................................................................................................................................466
Embedding fonts..........................................................................................................................................................................467
Viewing fonts............................................................................................................................................................................... 467
Filtering fonts............................................................................................................................................................................... 469
Searching for fonts.......................................................................................................................................................................470
Acquiring more fonts................................................................................................................................................................... 471
Contents | 9
Identifying fonts........................................................................................................................................................................... 473
Choosing fonts with Font Playground...........................................................................................................................................474
Using Corel Font Manager............................................................................................................................................................476
Using writing tools.............................................................................................................................................................................477
Using QuickCorrect.......................................................................................................................................................................477
Using the spelling checker and Grammatik...................................................................................................................................479
Using the thesaurus......................................................................................................................................................................481
Working with languages...............................................................................................................................................................482
Customizing the writing tools...................................................................................................................................................... 482
Using checking styles....................................................................................................................................................................483
Using rule classes......................................................................................................................................................................... 486
Analyzing a drawing.....................................................................................................................................................................487
Using word lists............................................................................................................................................................................488
Checking statistics........................................................................................................................................................................ 491
Reference: Using writing tools...................................................................................................................................................... 491
Templates and styles..........................................................................................................................................................................497
Working with templates..................................................................................................................................................................... 499
Searching for templates................................................................................................................................................................499
Using templates............................................................................................................................................................................501
Creating templates....................................................................................................................................................................... 502
Editing templates..........................................................................................................................................................................502
Working with styles and style sets......................................................................................................................................................505
Creating styles and style sets........................................................................................................................................................ 506
Applying styles and style sets....................................................................................................................................................... 508
Editing styles and style sets.......................................................................................................................................................... 509
Managing default object properties..............................................................................................................................................510
Exporting and importing style sheets............................................................................................................................................511
Assigning keyboard shortcuts to styles or style sets...................................................................................................................... 512
Finding objects that use a specific style or style set...................................................................................................................... 512
Breaking the link between objects and styles or style sets.............................................................................................................512
Working with color styles................................................................................................................................................................... 515
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Creating and applying color styles................................................................................................................................................515
Editing color styles....................................................................................................................................................................... 518
Viewing color styles......................................................................................................................................................................522
Exporting and importing color styles............................................................................................................................................ 524
Breaking the link between a color style and an object..................................................................................................................524
Pages and layout............................................................................................................................................................................... 525
Working with pages and layout tools.................................................................................................................................................527
Specifying the page layout........................................................................................................................................................... 527
Choosing a page background.......................................................................................................................................................530
Adding, duplicating, renaming, and deleting pages..................................................................................................................... 531
Inserting page numbers................................................................................................................................................................533
Using the rulers............................................................................................................................................................................535
Calibrating the rulers....................................................................................................................................................................536
Setting up the document grid...................................................................................................................................................... 537
Setting up the baseline grid......................................................................................................................................................... 538
Setting up guidelines....................................................................................................................................................................539
Modifying guidelines.................................................................................................................................................................... 542
Setting the drawing scale............................................................................................................................................................. 543
Working with tables...........................................................................................................................................................................545
Adding tables to drawings........................................................................................................................................................... 545
Selecting, moving, and navigating table components...................................................................................................................547
Inserting and deleting table rows and columns............................................................................................................................549
Resizing table cells, rows, and columns........................................................................................................................................ 550
Formatting tables and cells...........................................................................................................................................................551
Working with text in tables.......................................................................................................................................................... 554
Converting tables to text.............................................................................................................................................................. 555
Merging and splitting tables and cells.......................................................................................................................................... 555
Manipulating tables as objects..................................................................................................................................................... 557
Adding images, graphics, and backgrounds to tables...................................................................................................................557
Importing tables in a drawing...................................................................................................................................................... 558
Contents | 11
Bitmaps.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 561
Working with bitmaps........................................................................................................................................................................563
Converting vector graphics to bitmaps......................................................................................................................................... 563
Importing bitmaps........................................................................................................................................................................565
Cropping bitmaps.........................................................................................................................................................................565
Changing the dimensions and resolution of bitmaps.................................................................................................................... 565
Straightening bitmaps.................................................................................................................................................................. 567
Correcting perspective distortions................................................................................................................................................. 570
Using Digimarc watermarks to identify bitmaps........................................................................................................................... 571
Removing dust and scratch marks from bitmaps..........................................................................................................................572
Applying special effects in bitmaps...............................................................................................................................................572
Working with colors in bitmaps................................................................................................................................................... 578
Using the Image Adjustment Lab................................................................................................................................................. 580
Adjusting color and tone..............................................................................................................................................................585
Using the Tone Curve filter...........................................................................................................................................................586
Transforming color and tone........................................................................................................................................................ 587
Editing bitmaps with Corel PHOTO-PAINT.....................................................................................................................................588
Working with bitmap color modes.....................................................................................................................................................589
Changing the color mode of bitmaps...........................................................................................................................................589
Changing bitmaps to black-and-white images..............................................................................................................................590
Changing bitmaps to duotones.................................................................................................................................................... 591
Changing bitmaps to the paletted color mode.............................................................................................................................592
Tracing bitmaps and editing traced results......................................................................................................................................... 597
Tracing bitmaps............................................................................................................................................................................ 597
PowerTRACE controls....................................................................................................................................................................600
Previewing traced results.............................................................................................................................................................. 602
Fine-tuning traced results............................................................................................................................................................. 602
Adjusting colors in traced results..................................................................................................................................................604
Setting default tracing options..................................................................................................................................................... 607
Tips for tracing bitmaps and editing traced results....................................................................................................................... 607
Working with RAW camera files.........................................................................................................................................................609
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Using RAW camera files............................................................................................................................................................... 609
Bringing RAW camera files into CorelDRAW................................................................................................................................. 610
Adjusting the color and tone of RAW camera files.......................................................................................................................613
Sharpening and reducing noise in RAW camera files.................................................................................................................... 615
Previewing RAW camera files and obtaining image information................................................................................................... 616
Printing.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 619
Printing basics.................................................................................................................................................................................... 621
Printing your work........................................................................................................................................................................621
Laying out print jobs.................................................................................................................................................................... 622
Previewing print jobs....................................................................................................................................................................623
Applying print styles.....................................................................................................................................................................624
Fine-tuning print jobs...................................................................................................................................................................625
Printing colors accurately..............................................................................................................................................................626
Printing to a PostScript printer..................................................................................................................................................... 628
Using print merge........................................................................................................................................................................ 630
Viewing preflight summaries........................................................................................................................................................ 634
Preparing files for print service providers............................................................................................................................................635
Preparing a print job for a print service provider.......................................................................................................................... 635
Working with imposition layouts.................................................................................................................................................. 636
Printing printers’ marks................................................................................................................................................................ 638
Maintaining OPI links................................................................................................................................................................... 641
Printing color separations............................................................................................................................................................. 641
Working with color trapping and overprinting............................................................................................................................. 642
Specifying In-RIP trapping settings................................................................................................................................................645
Printing to film.............................................................................................................................................................................647
Preparing banners for printing..................................................................................................................................................... 648
Working with a print service provider...........................................................................................................................................650
Web graphics.....................................................................................................................................................................................651
Creating objects for the web..............................................................................................................................................................653
Exporting bitmaps for the web.....................................................................................................................................................653
Contents | 13
Saving and applying web presets................................................................................................................................................. 660
Exporting objects with transparent colors and backgrounds......................................................................................................... 660
Creating rollovers..........................................................................................................................................................................661
Adding bookmarks and hyperlinks to documents......................................................................................................................... 662
Adding hotspots and alternate text to objects..............................................................................................................................664
Exporting to HTML............................................................................................................................................................................. 667
Setting preferences for exporting images to HTML.......................................................................................................................667
Creating web-compatible text....................................................................................................................................................... 668
Previewing and verifying files before exporting to HTML...............................................................................................................668
Exporting to HTML....................................................................................................................................................................... 669
File formats........................................................................................................................................................................................671
Importing and exporting files............................................................................................................................................................. 673
Importing files.............................................................................................................................................................................. 673
Exporting files...............................................................................................................................................................................676
Exporting to PDF................................................................................................................................................................................ 679
Exporting documents as PDF files.................................................................................................................................................679
Including hyperlinks, bookmarks, and thumbnails in PDF files.......................................................................................................682
Reducing the size of PDF files...................................................................................................................................................... 682
Working with text and fonts in PDF files......................................................................................................................................683
Specifying an encoding format for PDF files................................................................................................................................. 685
Specifying a viewing option for EPS files...................................................................................................................................... 685
Specifying color management options for exporting PDF files.......................................................................................................686
Setting security options for PDF files............................................................................................................................................ 687
Optimizing PDF files..................................................................................................................................................................... 688
Viewing preflight summaries for PDF files.................................................................................................................................... 689
Preparing PDF files for a print provider.........................................................................................................................................690
Working with office productivity applications.....................................................................................................................................693
Importing files from office productivity applications..................................................................................................................... 693
Exporting files to office productivity applications..........................................................................................................................693
Adding objects to documents...................................................................................................................................................... 693
Supported file formats........................................................................................................................................................................695
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Adobe Illustrator (AI)....................................................................................................................................................................696
Adobe Type 1 Font (PFB).............................................................................................................................................................. 698
Windows Bitmap (BMP)................................................................................................................................................................699
OS/2 Bitmap (BMP).......................................................................................................................................................................700
Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM)..............................................................................................................................................700
CorelDRAW (CDR).........................................................................................................................................................................701
Corel Presentation Exchange (CMX).............................................................................................................................................. 701
Corel PHOTO-PAINT (CPT)............................................................................................................................................................. 702
Corel Symbol Library (CSL)............................................................................................................................................................ 702
Cursor Resource (CUR)..................................................................................................................................................................703
Microsoft Word (DOC, DOCX, or RTF).......................................................................................................................................... 703
Microsoft Publisher (PUB)............................................................................................................................................................. 705
Corel DESIGNER (DES, DSF, DS4, or DRW).................................................................................................................................... 705
AutoCAD Drawing Database (DWG) and AutoCAD Drawing Interchange Format (DXF).................................................................706
Encapsulated PostScript (EPS)....................................................................................................................................................... 708
PostScript (PS or PRN)...................................................................................................................................................................712
GIF................................................................................................................................................................................................712
JPEG (JPG).................................................................................................................................................................................... 713
JPEG 2000 (JP2)........................................................................................................................................................................... 714
Kodak Photo CD Image (PCD).......................................................................................................................................................715
PICT (PCT).....................................................................................................................................................................................716
PaintBrush (PCX)...........................................................................................................................................................................717
Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF)...................................................................................................................................... 718
HPGL Plotter File (PLT).................................................................................................................................................................. 720
Portable Network Graphics (PNG)................................................................................................................................................. 721
Adobe Photoshop (PSD)............................................................................................................................................................... 722
Corel Painter (RIF)......................................................................................................................................................................... 723
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG).....................................................................................................................................................723
Adobe Flash (SWF)....................................................................................................................................................................... 726
TARGA (TGA)................................................................................................................................................................................727
TIFF...............................................................................................................................................................................................728
Contents | 15
Corel Paint Shop Pro (PSP)............................................................................................................................................................728
TrueType Font (TTF)....................................................................................................................................................................... 729
Visio (VSD)....................................................................................................................................................................................729
WordPerfect Document (WPD)......................................................................................................................................................730
WordPerfect Graphic (WPG)..........................................................................................................................................................730
RAW camera file formats..............................................................................................................................................................731
Wavelet Compressed Bitmap (WI).................................................................................................................................................731
Windows Metafile Format (WMF).................................................................................................................................................731
Additional file formats..................................................................................................................................................................732
Recommended formats for importing graphics.............................................................................................................................733
Recommended formats for exporting graphics............................................................................................................................. 733
General notes on importing text files........................................................................................................................................... 734
Customizing and automating............................................................................................................................................................735
Setting basic preferences....................................................................................................................................................................737
Disabling warning messages......................................................................................................................................................... 737
Viewing system information......................................................................................................................................................... 737
Customizing CorelDRAW.................................................................................................................................................................... 739
Saving and restoring defaults....................................................................................................................................................... 739
Creating workspaces.....................................................................................................................................................................740
Importing and exporting workspaces............................................................................................................................................740
Customizing workspace appearance............................................................................................................................................. 741
Customizing keyboard shortcuts................................................................................................................................................... 744
Customizing menus...................................................................................................................................................................... 745
Customizing toolbars....................................................................................................................................................................747
Customizing the toolbox.............................................................................................................................................................. 750
Customizing the property bar.......................................................................................................................................................750
Customizing the status bar...........................................................................................................................................................751
Customizing filters........................................................................................................................................................................752
Customizing file associations........................................................................................................................................................ 753
Using macros to automate tasks........................................................................................................................................................ 755
Working with macros................................................................................................................................................................... 755
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Reference........................................................................................................................................................................................... 763
CorelDRAW for Adobe Illustrator users...............................................................................................................................................765
Comparing terminology................................................................................................................................................................765
Comparing tools...........................................................................................................................................................................766
Using the Adobe Illustrator workspace......................................................................................................................................... 769
Glossary.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 771
Contents | 17
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Getting started
Installing CorelDRAWGraphics Suite...................................................................................................................................................... 21
Corel accounts and services...................................................................................................................................................................27
What’s new in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite?...........................................................................................................................................31
Learning resources................................................................................................................................................................................. 45
Starting and setting up......................................................................................................................................................................... 53
CorelDRAW basics..................................................................................................................................................................................55
CorelDRAW workspace tour...................................................................................................................................................................75
Finding and managing creative tools and content...............................................................................................................................101
Touch and Surface Dial........................................................................................................................................................................121
Getting started | 19
20 | CorelDRAW 2017 User Guide
Installing CorelDRAWGraphicsSuite
This section contains the following topics:
• “System requirements” (page 21)
• “Preparing for installation” (page 22)
• “Installing CorelDRAW Graphics Suite applications” (page 22)
• “Installation options” (page 22)
• “Modifying and repairing installations” (page 24)
• “Uninstalling CorelDRAW Graphics Suite” (page 25)
• “Frequently Asked Questions” (page 25)
System requirements
The following list includes the minimum system requirements. Note that for optimum performance, you need more RAM and hard disk
space than indicated in the list.
• Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10, in 32-bit or 64-bit, with the latest updates and service pack
• Intel Core i3/5/7 or AMD Athlon 64
• 2 GB RAM
• 1 GB hard disk space
Electronic software downloads require more space to allow for the download, the uncompressed setup files, and the actual installation,
which includes copies of the source files as well.
• Mouse, tablet, or multi-touch screen
• Display resolution
• 1280 x 720 screen resolution at 100% (96 dpi)
• 1920 x 1080 at 150%
• 2560 x 1440 at 200%
• DVD drive (required for installing the box version of the software)
• Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 or later
• Internet connection is required to sign in to authenticate CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, receive performance and stability updates, access
online content, and use some features, such as QR Codes or the Content Exchange.
Installing CorelDRAWGraphicsSuite | 21
If the Microsoft .NET Framework is not available on your computer, it will be installed during product installation.
Preparing for installation
• Make sure that your system’s date and time are set correctly.
• Make sure that your system has the latest updates installed.
• Close all applications, including all virus detection programs and applications that are open in the system tray or on the Windows
taskbar. Not doing so may increase the installation time and interfere with the installation.
• Log in as a user with administrative privileges.
• Make sure that you have enough free disk space available on the drive where you want to install the application.
• Delete the contents of the system’s TEMP folders to avoid file and memory conflicts. To navigate to the Temp folders, type %temp% in
the Search box on the Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 10 Start menu, or the Windows 8.1 desktop.
• Install CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite in its own directory to avoid conflicts with previous versions.
Installing CorelDRAW Graphics Suite applications
The installation wizard makes it easy to install CorelDRAW Graphics Suite applications and components. You can choose a typical installation
to quickly install the suite, or you can customize the installation by choosing different options.
To install CorelDRAW Graphics Suite applications
1 Close all applications, including all virus detection programs.
For smooth installation, we recommend that you restart Windows. This action will ensure that no restart is required by the latest system
updates and there are no memory issues.
2 Do one of the following:
• Insert the DVD in the DVD drive.
If the installation wizard does not start automatically, browse to the root of the DVD, you must locate setup.exe on the DVD, and
double-click the file. Be sure to navigate to the folder that corresponds to the version of your operating system: x64 for 64-Bit or x86 for
32-Bit.
• Download the product.
3 In the installation wizard, review the End User License Agreement and the Terms of Service by clicking the corresponding links.
4 Enable the I agree to the End User License Agreement and the Terms of Service check box, and click Accept .
5 Type your name in the Full name text box.
6 Type your serial number in the Serial number text box.
The serial number is not case-sensitive, and the dashes are optional.
7 Click Next.
8 Follow the instructions for installing the software.
Installation options
You can choose between the following types of installations:
• Typical installation — automatically installs the main programs and utilities of the suite to a default location in the Program Files folder.
If later you need a component that is not installed, you can modify your installation.
• Custominstallation — lets you choose additional features, exclude components that you don’t need, and specify where to install the
suite.
• Deployment — available only for multiseat purchases. This option lets you create a server image for installing the software to individual
workstations. For more information, see the CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2017 Deployment Guide.
22 | CorelDRAW 2017 User Guide
Programs
The following table lists the programs that are installed by default. To exclude a program from the installation, you must choose Custom
installation.
Program Description
CorelDRAW®
An intuitive and versatile graphics application for creating highquality vector illustrations, logo designs, and page layouts
Corel® PHOTO-PAINT®
A complete image-editing application that lets you retouch and
enhance photos as well as create original bitmap illustrations and
paintings
Corel® CONNECT™
An application that provides easy access to content such as clipart,
photos, and fonts
Corel® CAPTURE™
An easy-to-use application for capturing images from your
computer screen
Corel Font Manager™
An application for finding, organizing, and managing fonts
Program features and utilities
The following table lists the program features that you can install. Not all components are available in all versions of the software.
Feature or utility Description Notes
Writing Tools Include Spell Checker, Thesaurus, and
Grammatik in various languages to help you
proofread and edit documents
Writing tools in the language of the
operating system are required and installed
by default. For example, the English writing
tools are installed by default on an English
operating system.
Duplexing Wizard Lets you configure a printer for two-sided
printing
Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications 7.1 A subset of the Microsoft Visual Basic
(VB) programming environment, which is
suitable for beginners.
Microsoft Visual Studio Tools for
Applications (VSTA)
A built-in program environment that allows
developers and other programming experts
to use VSTA for creating the most advanced
macro projects
To install additional languages, you must
choose Custom installation, or modify your
installation later.
Included with the Typical installation
You can use VBA to create basic macros
for personal use, but you can also use it to
create more advanced macro projects.
To use VSTA with CorelDRAW Graphics
Suite, you must have your own copy of
Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 installed.
Installing CorelDRAWGraphicsSuite | 23
Feature or utility Description Notes
If you install Microsoft Visual Studio after
installing CorelDRAW Graphics Suite,
you must re-install the VSTA feature by
modifying your CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
installation. For more information, see “To
modify or repair a CorelDRAW Graphics
Suite installation” on page 25.
Windows Shell Extension Lets you view thumbnails of native Corel
files such as CorelDRAW (CDR), Corel
PHOTO-PAINT (CPT), pattern fill (FILL), and
other native file.
GPL Ghostscript Highly recommended if you import EPS
If you have installed CorelDRAW Graphics
Suite or CorelDRAW Technical Suite
before, this option does not appear in the
installation wizard.
Included with the Typical installation
and PDF files in your documents. This
feature lets you isolate and use individual
elements of imported EPS files rather than
only header images. It also improves the
import of PDF files generated by third-party
applications.
Additional options
The following table lists additional installation options.
Option Description Notes
Language packs Let you use the programs and Help in two
or more languages
This option is included only with
multilingual versions of the software and
requires Custom installation.
Install desktop shortcuts Adds product icons to your desktop for easy
Included with the Typical installation
access
Copy installation files Lets you maintain and update the software
Included with the Typical installation
without using the installation disc
Modifying and repairing installations
You can also use the installation wizard to do the following:
• modify the current installation by adding or deleting components
• repair the current installation by fixing errors such as missing or corrupt files as well as inaccurate shortcuts and registry entries
Repairing an installation is helpful when you encounter problems in using the application, or when you suspect that the installation is
corrupt.
24 | CorelDRAW 2017 User Guide
Before repairing an installation, try resetting the current workspace to the default settings by holding down F8 while starting the
application. Note that when you reset the workspace, all workspace preferences are reset.
To modify or repair a CorelDRAW Graphics Suite installation
1 Close all applications.
2 On the Windows Control Panel, click Uninstall a program.
3 Double-click the suite’s name on the Uninstall or change a program page.
4 Enable the Modify option or the Repair option in the wizard that appears, and follow the instructions.
Components that are already installed do not appear in the wizard, or their check boxes appear disabled.
Certain features, such as Copy installation files and Install desktop shortcuts, cannot be added by modifying your installation.
Uninstalling CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
You can uninstall CorelDRAW Graphics Suite from the Control Panel. If you want to uninstall the product and then reinstall it with the same
serial number on another computer, make sure to uninstall while being connected to the Internet. This will restore by one the number of
computers on which you can legitimately install the product.
To uninstall CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
1 On the Windows Control Panel, click Uninstall a program.
2 Double-click the suite’s name on the Uninstall or change a program page.
3 Enable the Remove option in the wizard that appears, and follow the instructions.
To completely uninstall the product by removing user files, such as presets, user-created fills, and customized files, enable the Remove
user files check box.
Any additional components and applications that you installed with the suite, such as the Corel Graphics - Windows Shell Extension
or Microsoft Visual Studio Tools for Applications (VSTA), must be uninstalled separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your question is not included in the list below, visit Corel® Support Services, and search the Corel® Knowledge Base.
• “I am upgrading my version of the software. Do I need to uninstall the previous version?” (page 25)
• “What is the difference between an upgrade and an update?” (page 26)
• “What if I lost my serial number and need to reinstall the software?” (page 26)
• “What is the difference between Typical and Custom installation? Which type of installation is suitable for me?” (page 26)
• “Why do you ask me to update my operating system with the latest service packs and critical updates?” (page 26)
• “How do I deploy CorelDRAW Graphics Suite to my organization’s network?” (page 26)
I am upgrading my version of the software. Do I need to uninstall the previous version?
No, you don’t need to uninstall the previous version. By default, the new version is installed to a separate folder, which ensures that you
can work with both versions. Do not change the installation folder to install the upgrade and the previous version to the same folder.
Installing CorelDRAWGraphicsSuite | 25
What is the difference between an upgrade and an update?
An upgrade lets you install the latest major version of the software. After a major version is released, updates usually follow to offer
defect fixes, and performance and stability improvements. Updates have the name of the major version with a number appended — for
example, .1. By default, the application notifies you when a product update is available, but you can also check for updates by clicking
Help Updates.
What if I lost my serial number and need to reinstall the software?
For download versions, check the email you received from Corel when you purchased the product.
Sign in on corel.com to access Your Account page.
If you purchased a box, check the cover of the installation disk.
What is the difference between Typical and Custom installation? Which type of installation is suitable for me?
See “Installation options” on page 22.
Why do you ask me to update my operating system with the latest service packs and critical updates?
We ask you to install the latest service packs and critical updates in order to:
• protect your computer from malicious software
• resolve Windows issues and defects
• ensure smooth operation of the operating system and your Corel software
• help meet the minimum system requirements
• help speed up the installation process, sometimes bypassing prerequisites such as .NET Framework 4.6 and Microsoft Visual C++
2015
• reduce the likelihood of needing to restart your operating system
• ensure that system drivers are up-to-date and optimized for the suite.
How do I deploy CorelDRAW Graphics Suite to my organization’s network?
If you purchased multiple licenses of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, you have the option of deploying the applications to your organization’s
network. The CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2017 Deployment Guide provides more information about network installations. To purchase a
volume license of the software and obtain its deployment guide, please contact Corel Support Services.
26 | CorelDRAW 2017 User Guide
Corel accounts and services
This section contains the following topics:
• “Authenticating CorelDRAW Graphics Suite” (page 27)
• “Checking account settings and product details” (page 28)
• “Updating Corel products” (page 28)
• “Upgrade Program” (page 28)
• “Changing user credentials” (page 28)
• “Corel Support Services” (page 29)
• “About Corel” (page 29)
Authenticating CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
Authentication lets you access online features and content that are included with your software. You can authenticate CorelDRAW Graphics
Suite after the suite installation, before starting an application, or while using an application.
To authenticate CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, you must sign in with your Corel.com account. This action associates your product with your
account. If you don’t have a Corel.com account or you want to associate your product with a new account, you need to create an account
before signing in.
After you install and authenticate CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, the product appears in Your Account page on corel.com. If you want
to associate the product with a different account, you must change your user credentials. For more information, see “Changing user
credentials” on page 28.
To authenticate CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
1
Click Help Product Details .
The Welcome screen appears open at the Product Details page.
2 On the Account tile, click Sign in to Authenticate.
3 In the dialog box that appears, do one of the following:
• Follow the instructions to create an account, and sign in.
• Sign in by entering the email address and the password associated with your Corel.com account.
You can now access online features and content provided you have Internet connection.
Corel accounts and services | 27
Checking account settings and product details
You can check your account settings by accessing Your Account page from within the application. On Your Account page, you can find out
more about the products associated with your account, access support, and set your communication preferences.
From the Product Details page of the Welcome screen, you can access detailed information about your product status, available updates and
upgrade plans, your account, and more. For example, if you have purchased a subscription, you can quickly find out how many days you
have until your subscriptions expires.
To check your corel.com account
•
In CorelDRAW or Corel PHOTO-PAINT, click Help Account Settings .
To access detailed product information
•
In CorelDRAW or Corel PHOTO-PAINT, click Help Product Details .
Updating Corel products
Product updates, formerly known as service packs, include performance and stability improvements that enhance your product experience.
By default, you are automatically notified when product updates and news become available.
To view information about product updates and change update preferences, click Help Updates, and then view the Updates tile
on the Product Details page of the Welcome screen.
Upgrade Program
With the Upgrade Program, you always stay up-to-date by receiving the next major product version as soon as it becomes available. The
Upgrade Program replaces the Premium Membership, offered with versions X6 and X7 of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite.
You can access former premium content from version X6, X7, or X8 in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2017 while your Premium Membership
is active. If you want to maintain access to former premium content after your membership expires, you need to purchase the Upgrade
Program.
To purchase the Upgrade program, click Help Product Details, and click the Upgrade Program tile on the Product Details page of
the Welcome screen.
Changing user credentials
As a user and owner of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, you must know your user credentials:
• your product serial number — lets you install and reinstall your product. The serial number is the unique identifier of your product
license.
• the email address associated with your Corel.com account. For each Corel.com account, a unique email address and password are
required. When you authenticate your product to access online features and content, you sign in with a specific Corel.com account,
associating the product with that account and its email address.
28 | CorelDRAW 2017 User Guide
This topic describes two typical cases in which you need to change your account settings and then update your user credentials in the
installed product to match the new account settings. Updating your user credentials ensures that you don’t need to uninstall and reinstall
the product.
You want to merge two product subscriptions that you purchased with the same Corel.com account at a different time so that the
subscriptions have the same renewal date.
In this case, each subscription is associated with a different serial number. You must first go to Your Account page, and then associate both
subscriptions with one of the serial numbers. Second, you must edit the user credentials in the product that now has an obsolete serial
number.
Step 1: Go to Your Account page by signing in on corel.com, and then click Merge in the Product Status area. On the Subscriptions page,
select the subscriptions that you want to merge. Proceed to the Confirm selection page, and choose the serial number that you want to
keep.
Step 2: Start the version of CorelDRAW or Corel PHOTO-PAINT that now has an obsolete serial number. Click Tools Options, and in the
Global list of categories, click User Credentials . Next, click Edit Credentials, and in the dialog box, type the serial number that you chose in
step 1.
You have two Corel.com accounts associated with different email addresses, and you want to merge the two accounts.
First, you must call Corel Support Services to merge the accounts for you, and then you must update your email address through the
product.
Step 1: Contact Corel Support Services with a request to merge the two accounts for you. You will be asked to provide an active email
address for your merged account. If you have subscriptions or Upgrade Programs in each account, they are associated with different serial
numbers so you need to choose one of the serial numbers.
Step 2: Start the version of CorelDRAW or Corel PHOTO-PAINT that is now associated with an obsolete account and email address. Click
Tools Options, and in the Global list of categories, click User Credentials. Click Edit Credentials, and in the dialog box that appears, type
the email address that you chose for your merged account. Type your password. If necessary, type the serial number that you chose in step 1.
Corel Support Services
Corel Support Services can provide you with prompt and accurate information about product features, specifications, pricing, availability,
services, and technical support. For the most current information on support services available for your Corel product, please visit
www.corel.com/support.
About Corel
Corel is one of the world’s top software companies providing some of the industry’s best-known graphics, productivity and digital media
products. Boasting the most comprehensive portfolio of innovative software, we’ve built a reputation for delivering solutions that are easy
to learn and use, helping people achieve new levels of creativity and productivity. The industry has responded with hundreds of awards for
innovation, design and value.
Used by millions of people around the world, our product lines include CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, CorelDRAW Technical Suite, Corel®
Painter®, Corel® PaintShop® Pro, Corel® VideoStudio® and Corel® WordPerfect® Office. For more information on Corel, please visit
www.corel.com.
Corel accounts and services | 29
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What’s new in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite?
The new and enhanced features of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X8 and CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2017 are described in the following topics:
• “Jump in” (page 31)
• “Craft” (page 33)
• “Personalize” (page 39)
For information about features and tools that were introduced or improved in earlier versions of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, see “Finding out
what was new in previous versions” on page 44.
Jump in
Whether you’re a first-time user or an experienced designer, CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite 2017 makes it easy to get started. Learn the basics
or see what’s new with a Startup tour, and be productive immediately with a workspace that matches your workflow needs. Benefit from
high-quality content and versatile in-product learning resources to enrich your projects. Take advantage of the added power from Windows
10, multi-monitor viewing and the 4K displays support.
Take a tour
You can get to work quickly thanks to a series of interactive start-up tours. Whether you are new to graphics software, an experienced user,
or someone familiar with other graphics applications, there's a start-up tour to help you quickly get up to speed and take full advantage of
the features and tools of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2017. For more information, see “Learning tours” on page 48.
What’s new in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite? | 31
Take a tour to get started smoothly.
Support for UltraHD 4K displays
Support for 4K monitors means that you can comfortably view CorelDRAW and Corel PHOTO-PAINT on even the most high-definition
monitors, including UltraHD. This allows you to edit photos at their native resolution and see the subtlest details in the image. And with
more pixels at your disposal, you can open several windows side-by-side for an efficient workflow.
Support of Windows 10
Thanks to our relentless pursuit of delivering the highest quality user experience, CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2017 is fully compliant with and
certified for Windows 10. Corel delivers the same reliability and performance that users have come to expect when working on world’s most
popular operating system.
Hints docker
The Hints docker is a hub of valuable learning resources designed to help reduce the learning curve for new users. It dynamically displays
context-sensitive information on the currently selected tool and provides links to related information. The Hints docker gives you quick access
to additional resources such as video hints, longer videos, and written tutorials, so you can learn more about a tool or feature without
having to search. For more information, see “Using Hints” on page 48.
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Hints topics let you access additional resources about tools.
Advanced multi-monitor support
Per-Monitor UI scaling and improvements to multi-monitor support allow graphics professionals to take advantage of the sharpness and
fidelity of new High-DPI monitors and laptops while still using lower-DPI monitors to maximize design space (requires supported hardware
and Windows 8.1 or later). This ensures that UI elements scale properly and appear crisp and legible on screens of all resolutions. For
example, you can drag a document out of the application window and place it within a second screen, dedicating one monitor to a drawing
or image and the other to frequently used dockers and toolbars.
Learn about the product and your account in the updated Welcome Screen
The Product Details page in the Welcome screen is your one-stop source for the latest on the suite and your user account. It provides
important information about your product or subscription, account status, product updates, and the Upgrade Program.
Access e-Books
The CorelDRAW 2017 User Guide and Corel PHOTO-PAINT 2017 User Guide are available as eBooks. Published to the EPUB and MOBI file
formats, the eBooks bring the most comprehensive information about product features to your eBook reader. Following the user guides on
an eBook reader saves you switching between program windows on your system, allows you to keep learning on the go, and ensures access
to the suite’s Help files when you don’t have Internet access. For more information, see “Accessing eBooks” on page 49.
Craft
Make the most of your design dexterity with the high-caliber, yet intuitive, features of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2017. Design using handdrawn vector curves right from the get-go with the LiveSketch tool. Harness the creative possibilities of a number of real-time stylus input
What’s new in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite? | 33
factors. Sketch on the fly and make quick adjustments using touch or a stylus with Tablet Mode support and the Touch workspace. Edit
objects and effects more efficiently using enhanced previews, nodes, and handles that don't get lost in the background colors of your
design. Quickly find fonts for any project with the enhanced font search and filtering feature. Work faster with the Knife tool that helps
you split vector objects, text and bitmaps along any path. Refine your photos with the Healing Clone tool in Corel PHOTO-PAINT 2017 and
correct perspective distortions in the Straighten Image dialog box.
New in 2017
LiveSketch™ tool
The LiveSketch™ tool is perfect for kick-starting a project. Great when working with a stylus or on a touch-enabled device, it combines the
speed of sketching with flexible stroke-adjustment controls so you can begin your design concepts using hand-drawn vector curves right
from the get-go.
If you've ever used a scanned sketch as the basis for a project, you'll quickly see the creative and time-saving possibilities that the LiveSketch
tool offers. Not only does it eliminate the need to scan and trace a drawing, but it also gives you total control over how your strokes are
adjusted and converted to curves. Intuitive settings let you easily fine-tune how CorelDRAW 2017 meshes with your sketching cadence.
Strokes created with the LiveSketch tool are adjusted and added to existing curves based on the time and distance between them. You can
set the time it takes to activate stroke adjustment after you've stopped drawing and the distance at which strokes are automatically added to
existing curves. You also have the option of combining all strokes drawn within the specified time frame into a single curve, regardless of the
distance between them. If you want to extend an existing curve, simply hover over it until turns red and continue to sketch. The subsequent
stroke is seamlessly added to the existing curve, allowing you to sketch, adjust and edit on the fly.
Regardless of your sketching experience, you'll be amazed how quickly you can produce impressive results. In no time, you'll be capturing
an inspiration or an idea just as you had imagined it. For more information, see “Sketching naturally with intelligent stroke adjustment” on
page 138.
The LiveSketch tool lets you capture design concepts using hand-drawn vector curves.
Stylus tilt, bearing, and rotation
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2017 makes it easier than ever to get the most out of your stylus and harness the creative possibilities of a
number of real-time input factors. A redesigned UI gives instant access to relevant controls and the ability to quickly choose which stylus
properties to leverage.
In CorelDRAW 2017, the new Expression mode of the Artistic Media tool lets you use pressure, tilt, and bearing to vary brushstrokes.
Powerful editing flexibility makes it simple to perfect anything that you've drawn with a stylus. You can use the property bar to precisely finetune an existing curve, or you can use the Shape tool to adjust only a segment of the curve by dragging nodes, but still retain all the tilt and
bearing values used when it was created. You can also get more out the Eraser tool by controlling the width, flatness, and rotation of the
nib with your stylus. You can also dictate bearing and tilt values before using either tool to set a brush nib of fixed flatness and rotation. For
more information, see “Using pressure-sensitive pens and devices” on page 161.
34 | CorelDRAW 2017 User Guide
Stylus support has also been enhanced in Corel PHOTO-PAINT 2017. You can take advantage of pressure, bearing, tilt, and rotation for
the touch-up tools, Effect tool, Eraser tool, and a number of brush tools. What's more, you can pump up rotation, flatness and elongation
settings to get an even greater range of artistic possibilities.
Increased support for real-time input factors lets you get more out of your stylus.
Support for Real-Time Stylus (RTS)
You can use your RTS-compatible pen tablet or device to capture whatever inspires you on the fly. Support for the Windows Real-Time Stylus
delivers truly responsive pressure sensitivity and tilt and gives you full control of your brushstrokes in CorelDRAW and Corel PHOTO-PAINT.
What’s more, there’s no stylus driver to install, so you can get to work right away. For more information, see “Using pressure-sensitive pens
and devices” on page 161.
New in 2017
Touch-friendly UI
Tablet Mode support makes it easy to sketch on the fly and make quick adjustments using touch or a stylus. The new Touch workspace,
activated when switching to Tablet Mode, streamlines the UI to maximize the size of the drawing window by displaying only the tools
and commands that you're most likely to use in the field on a tablet. All other features are still accessible in a couple of taps. And when
you reattach the keyboard, the UI reverts to the default desktop setup. And if you prefer working with one of the desktop workspaces
when you're in Tablet mode, you can choose whatever UI configuration works best for you. You can now also save time and work faster by
panning and zooming in a single gesture. For more information, see “Using touch” on page 121.
What’s new in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite? | 35
The Touch workspace offers a touch-friendly environment with access to all the essentials.
New in 2017
Microsoft Surface Dial support
If a Microsoft Surface Dial is part of your workflow, CorelDRAW 2017 offers native support to give you a greater range of ways to create and
interact with technology.
Enhanced vector previews, nodes, and handles
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2017 simplifies shaping curves and objects with redesigned nodes and handles that are easier to see and
manipulate. Enhanced vector previews help you edit more efficiently by ensuring nodes and curves stand out against background colors in
your design.
Enhanced previews, nodes, and handles don't get lost in background colors.
Prominent interactive sliders
It's easier than ever to work with object fills, transparencies, blends, extrusions, drop shadows and more thanks to enhanced interactive
sliders that are more visible.
36 | CorelDRAW 2017 User Guide
Prominent interactive sliders simplify working with object fills, transparencies, and more.
Hide and display objects
CorelDRAW 2017 lets you hide objects and groups of objects so that only the sections you want or need to see in a project are displayed.
When working with complex designs, the ability to hide a particular element in your drawing can be a great time-saver. It ensures that you
don’t inadvertently select and edit an object that you hadn’t intended to work on, and it lets you experiment with your designs more easily.
For more information, see “Hiding and displaying objects” on page 271.
Split objects
With the Knife tool, you can split vector objects, text and bitmaps along straight, freehand or Bézier lines. You can create a gap between the
split objects or have them overlap. You can also choose whether to convert outlines into curve objects that can be manipulated or keep them
as outlines. And if you’re unsure, CorelDRAW can eliminate any guesswork by automatically choosing the option that best preserves outline
appearance. For more information, see “Splitting objects” on page 206.
Splitting objects with the enhanced Knife tool
Font list box
Finding the right font for your project is easy in CorelDRAW and Corel PHOTO-PAINT. Using the Font list box, you can quickly view, filter, and
find the specific font you need. You can also sort fonts based on weight, width, supported scripts, and more. Font-searching capabilities
have also been enhanced, allowing you to use keywords to locate fonts. For more information, see “Filtering fonts ” on page 469 and
“Searching for fonts” on page 470.
Select adjacent nodes
CorelDRAW 2017 offers node selection that simplifies working with complex shapes. You can select adjacent nodes on curves by using the
Shape tool while holding down Shift. You can also change the direction in which the nodes are selected.
What’s new in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite? | 37
Selecting adjacent nodes
Copy curve segments
Another time-saver in CorelDRAW 2017 is ability to copy or cut a specific part of a curve segment. You can then paste it as an object,
making it easy to create new adjacent shapes with similar contours. For more information, see “Copying and cutting segments” on page
183.
Copying curve segment
Drop shadows with Gaussian Blur feathering
Drop shadows are a great way to enhance elements in your designs. In CorelDRAW 2017, you can create more realistic drop shadows that
have natural-looking feathered edges in an instant thanks to the Feathering direction button on the property bar. For more information, see
“Creating drop shadows” on page 395.
38 | CorelDRAW 2017 User Guide
A drop shadow with Gaussian Blur feathering
Healing Clone
It’s easy to ensure that your photo subjects always look their best thanks to the Healing Clone tool. It discreetly removes unwanted spots
and imperfections from an image by painting with sampled texture and matching it to the color of the area that you’re retouching. In a few
clicks, you can seamlessly repair and blend a blemish or scar into the rest of the photo.
Correct perspective distortions
With the Straighten Image dialog box in CorelDRAW and Corel PHOTO-PAINT, you can correct perspective distortions in photos that have
straight lines and flat surfaces. In a few clicks, you can easily fix photos of buildings, landmarks, or objects that appear in the wrong
perspective or that were taken from an angle other than directly in front. For more information, see “Correcting perspective distortions” on
page 570.
Gaussian Blur lens
The Gaussian Blur special effect in Corel PHOTO-PAINT is available as a lens, so you can blur images without overwriting the original image.
When you create a lens, the changes you make are non-destructive, so any edits are displayed on the screen through the lens rather than
applied to the image pixels. The lens is created as a separate object on a layer above the image background so you can edit the lens and the
background image separately, maintaining the original’s data and quality.
Personalize
Feel right at home with all of your favorite tools! Adapt your design space to your needs with the updated interface and custom icon size,
desktop and window border color. Import CorelDRAW and Corel PHOTO-PAINT workspaces that were created in versions X6, X7, and
X8. Explore and organize fonts for your projects with the help of the Corel Font Manager, plus expand your collection of creative tools by
purchasing apps, plugins and macros from within the application.
Corel Font Manager
When the number of fonts on your system become less of a benefit and more a hassle, Corel Font Manager is the answer. It lets you
easily handle, organize, and explore your typeface and font collections by giving you the tools to control every aspect of your typography
workflow. Whether you want to find and install fonts for your projects, organize fonts for easy access, or manage unneeded fonts, Corel
Font Manager has the tools you need. You can browse and search online and local fonts, preview font glyph sets, create font collections,
and more. For more information about Corel Font Manager, see the Help.
What’s new in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite? | 39
Corel Font Manager
New in 2017
Import legacy workspaces
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2017 lets you reuse CorelDRAW and Corel PHOTO-PAINT workspaces that were created in versions X6, X7, and
X8. You have the flexibility of importing some workspace elements and excluding others. You also have the option of adding them to your
current workspace or creating a totally new UI configuration. And choosing which workspace elements to import or export is faster than
ever. For more information, see “Importing and exporting workspaces” on page 740.
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You can import workspaces that were created in versions X6, X7, and X8.
New in 2017
Custom node shapes
CorelDRAW 2017 simplifies shaping curves and objects by assigning each node type a unique shape, making it easy to identify smooth,
cusp, and symmetrical nodes. You can tailor the look of nodes to best suit your workflow or project with new options for customizing their
shape, size, and color. You can also accelerate modifying elements in your designs by choosing to show the direction of curves and using a
range of drawing tools to edit nodes. For more information, see “Setting options for nodes, handles, and previews” on page 220.
You can assign each node type a unique shape, making them easy to identify.
What’s new in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite? | 41
New in 2017
Custom colors for previews and curve editing
New color personalization options help you edit objects more efficiently by letting you choose the colors for nodes, handles and previews
that will stand out against underlying colors, making them easier to see. For more information, see “Setting options for nodes, handles, and
previews” on page 220.
You can choose custom colors for nodes, handles, and previews.
Fully customizable UI
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2017 offers UI customization that allow you to tailor your design space to create a unique work environment.
You can scale icons up to 250% and lighten or darken the application background by choosing a theme. For more information, see
“Customizing workspace appearance” on page 741.
Customize the desktop color
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2017 offers flexible desktop color scheme options. You can change the color of the area surrounding the drawing
page in CorelDRAW or the image in Corel PHOTO-PAINT to set up the optimal environment for each project, reduce the overall workspace
contrast, or increase the legibility of design elements.
Customize the color of window borders
You can customize the color of window borders in CorelDRAW and Corel PHOTO-PAINT to match your personal preference. If you use both
applications simultaneously, you can set different border colors for each, which lets you quickly identify them when switching programs.
Prepare images for canvas printing
One of the best ways to show off a great photo is to print it to canvas. With the Prep and Stretch docker in Corel PHOTO-PAINT 2017,
you can prepare your photos and images for canvas printing in three easy steps. By resizing, fine-tuning, and stretching the image, you
can achieve the perfect composition for your wall art. To use the Prep and Stretch docker, you must first download the Prep and Stretch
extension.
Expand your collection of creative tools
Expand your collection of creative tools by downloading for free or purchasing applications, plug-ins, and extensions directly from within
CorelDRAW and Corel PHOTO-PAINT. You can download your free license of Corel Website Creator, purchase AfterShot Pro for the ultimate
RAW workflow, experience Corel ParticleShop for amazing bitmap effects, and more. In order to access this collection of creative tools, you
need to be connected to the Internet. For more information, see “Finding content with the Get More docker” on page 103.
42 | CorelDRAW 2017 User Guide
Expand your collection of creative tools with the Get More docker.
Open documents in floating windows
So you can set up your workspace in the way that best suits your style, Corel PHOTO-PAINT offers options for how your photos open. You
can have a number of documents visible simultaneously in floating windows. Or if you want to focus on one image at a time, you can open
files in a the default tabbed view.
Move the status bar
You can place the status bar at the top of the application window, making it easier to see useful information about selected objects, such as
color, fill type, outline, and more. For more information, see “To change the position of the status bar” on page 752.
Community website for developers
With support from the new Developer Community site, you can create your own automation tools. There's a variety of useful resources,
including in-depth programming articles and code samples, which can help you automate tasks with macros and create custom features.
And when you have questions, you can turn to a community forum, knowledge base, or the FAQ page.
Visit http://community.coreldraw.com/sdk/ to get started.
Prepare banners for printing
CorelDRAW 2017 accelerates the workflow of production professionals with the Border and Grommet dialog box, which simplifies preparing
banner designs for printing. It has intuitive controls for precisely creating the perfect border for the job, whether it’s stretching or mirroring
the document edges or setting a color. This feature also simplifies adding grommets, which are rings or edge strips inserted into holes
What’s new in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite? | 43
through thin material used to insert ropes and properly hang a banner. The Border and Grommet dialog box even gives you the flexibility to
create a banner from entire active page or just selected objects. For more information, see “Preparing banners for printing” on page 648.
To use the Border and Grommet dialog box, you must first download the Border and Grommet extension. For more information, see “To
acquire an extension” on page 102.
Finding out what was new in previous versions
You can easily identify what features have been improved or introduced since the last version of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite that you used.
To find out what was new in previous versions of CorelDRAWGraphicsSuite
•
Click Help Highlight what’s new , and click one of the following commands:
• Since version X7— highlights menu commands and tools for features introduced or improved in version X8 and 2017
• Since version X6 — highlights menu commands and tools for features introduced or improved in version X7, X8, and 2017
• Since version X5— highlights menu commands and tools for features introduced or improved in version X6, X7, X8, and 2017
• No highlight — removes highlighting from menu commands and tools in the toolbox
44 | CorelDRAW 2017 User Guide
Learning resources
You can learn to use the product in various ways: by reading the Quick Start Guide; by accessing the Help and tooltips, by viewing video
tutorials, and by exploring the resources on the Corel website (www.corel.com). On the website, you can access tips, additional tutorials, and
training and integration resources. You can also check the Readme file (readme.html ), which is installed with the software.
This section contains the following topics:
• “Getting help” (page 45)
• “Using the Help and tooltips” (page 46)
• “Using Hints” (page 48)
• “Learning tours” (page 48)
• “Welcome screen” (page 49)
• “Accessing eBooks” (page 49)
• “Quick Start Guide” (page 50)
• “Insights from the Experts” (page 50)
• “Video learning resources” (page 50)
• “Community website for developers” (page 51)
• “Network deployment guide” (page 51)
• “Web-based resources” (page 51)
Getting help
Various learning resources are available. The following table can help you decide what learning resources to consult when you need
assistance. You can access more information about some resources by clicking the corresponding links.
To See
Start learning the applications “Video learning resources ” on page 50
“Quick Start Guide ” on page 50
“Learning tours ” on page 48
Learn about new and enhanced features “Video learning resources ” on page 50
Learning resources | 45
To See
“Learning tours ” on page 48
Obtain additional information about product tools and features “Using the Help and tooltips ” on page 46
“Web-based resources ” on page 51
“Using Hints ” on page 48
“Accessing eBooks ” on page 49
Advance your knowledge of the suite by learning from graphics
design experts
“Insights from the Experts ” on page 50
“Web-based resources ” on page 51
Learn to automate tasks by using macros Community website for developers
Find information about deploying the suite on a network “Network deployment guide ” on page 51
Find specific information about the latest version of the suite Readme file, which is accessible from the installation wizard
Using the Help and tooltips
The Help provides comprehensive information about product features from within the application. If you are connected to the Internet, the
application displays the web-based Help, which contains the latest updates. If no Internet connection is available, the application displays
the local Help, which was copied to your computer during product installation.
You can browse through the entire list of topics, look up tools and topics in the index, or search for specific words. You can also access the
Corel Knowledge Base on the Corel website and other online resources from the Help window.
Tooltips provide helpful information about application controls when you position the pointer over icons, buttons, and other user interface
elements.
Documentation conventions
The following table describes important conventions used in the documentation.
Convention Description Examples
Menu Menu command
A menu item and menu command that you
Click File Open .
need to click in sequence
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Convention Description Examples
A note contains important information
that is relevant to the preceding steps. It
may describe conditions under which the
procedure can be performed.
A compound blend cannot be copied or
cloned.
If you click the Equal margins button, you
must specify values in the Top/left margin
boxes.
A tip contains suggestions for performing
the preceding steps. It may present
alternatives to the steps, or other benefits or
uses of the procedure.
Trimming an object can reduce the drawing
file size.
You can change the number of swatches in
the color grid by dragging the Size slider.
To use the Help
1
Click Help Product Help .
2 Click one of the following tabs:
• Contents — lets you browse through topics in the Help. To open a topic, click the topic heading in the left pane.
• Index — lets you use the index to find a topic
• Search — lets you search the full text of the Help for a particular word or phrase
You can also
View context-sensitive Help from within a dialog box Click the Help button in the dialog box.
Print a specific Help topic Open a Help topic, click the page that you want to print, and click
Print at the top of the Help window.
You can also access the Help by pressing F1 .
You can also access the Help from the Welcome screen.
To search the Help
1
Click Help Product Help .
2 Click the Search tab, and type a word or phrase in the search box.
For example, if you are looking for information about the RGB color mode, you can type “RGB” to display a list of relevant topics. To
search for a phrase, type the phrase, and enclose it in quotation marks (for example, type “dynamic guides” or “color mode”).
3 Choose a topic from the list that appears.
If your search results do not include any relevant topics, check whether you spelled the search word or phrase correctly. Note that
the English Help uses American spelling (for example, “color,” “favorite,” “center,” and “rasterize”), so searching for British spellings
(“colour,” “favourite,” “centre,” and “rasterise”) produces no results.
Learning resources | 47
Using Hints
Hints provide information about tools in the toolbox from within the application. When you click a tool, a hint appears, telling you how to
use the tool. If you need additional information about a tool, you can access relevant learning resources such as a Help topic, video hint,
longer video or written tutorial.
Hints are displayed in the Hints docker on the right side of the application window, but you can hide them when you no longer need them.
For information about working with dockers, see “Dockers” on page 96.
To use Hints
To Do the following
Display or hide Hints
Click Help Hints .
When the Hints command is enabled, the Hints docker appears
and provides information about the active tool in the toolbox.
Display information about a tool Click the tool, or perform an action with a tool that is already
active.
Get additional information about the active tool In the Learn more section, click a link to a relevant Help topic,
video, or a written tutorial.
Navigate to previously viewed topics Click the Back and Forward buttons at the bottom of the Hints
docker.
Learning tours
Whether you are new to graphics software, upgrading from a previous version of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, or transitioning from other
graphics software; there is a learning tour designed to help you get started quickly. You can take a tour when you start an application or
later.
Tours are easy to navigate, allowing you to go through consecutive steps or navigate to a specific step. You can stop a tour at any point and
save the results so that you can continue from where you stopped later.
To complete a tour
1
Click Help Take a Tour.
2 Choose any of the following tours:
• Learn the Basics — for users who are new to graphics and photo-editing applications
• Tour New Features — for users who are familiar with earlier versions of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
• Transition to Corel — for users who are familiar with other graphics and photo-editing applications
You can also
Navigate to a specific step Click a step in the progress bar.
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You can also
Exit an unfinished tour and save the results Click Quit, and click Yes in the dialog box that asks you if you want to
save the results.
Resume a tour Click the tour title, and click Continue in the dialog box that appears.
You can also access a tour from the Start Creating screen when you start the application for the first time, or from the Welcome
screen.
To show or hide tour links in the Welcome screen
1
Click Tools Options. In the Workspace list of categories, click General.
2 Enable or disable the Show tours in Welcome Screen check box.
Welcome screen
The Welcome screen gives you easy access to learning resources, including the Discovery Center, and lets you quickly complete common
tasks, such as opening files and starting files from templates. You can find out about the new features in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2017
and get inspired by graphic designs featured on the Gallery page. In addition, you can check the latest product updates, find detailed
information about your product, and more.
To access the Welcome screen
•
Click Help Welcome screen .
To view and access the available resources, click the links on the left side of the Welcome screen.
You can also access the Welcome screen by clicking the Welcome screen button on the tab bar. If you want to hide the Welcome
screen button from the tab bar, click Tools Options, click General in the Workspace list of categories, and disable the Show
Welcome Screen button on tab bar check box.
To stop displaying the Welcome screen each time you start the application, disable the Always show the Welcome screen at launch
check box in the lower-left corner.
Accessing eBooks
The CorelDRAW 2017 User Guide and Corel PHOTO-PAINT 2017 User Guide are available as eBooks. Published to the EPUB and MOBI file
format, the eBooks bring the most comprehensive information about product features to your eBook reader.
The user guides are now available in EPUB and MOBI file format.
Learning resources | 49
To access an eBook
1 Sign in to your corel.com account.
2 On Your Account page, click Downloads, and proceed to download the eBook you want.
Quick Start Guide
The Quick Start Guide, available in PDF format, can help you get started quickly with the suite by introducing you to useful tools and
features.
To access the Quick Start Guide
•
Click Help Quick Start Guide .
Insights from the Experts
The Insights from the Experts is a series of tutorials by graphic design professionals who use CorelDRAW Graphics Suite in their everyday
work. You can access these online tutorials as individual PDF files directly from the Help menu.
To access Insights from the Experts
•
Click Help Insights from the Experts .
Video learning resources
Two types of video learning resources are available: short videos, known as video hints, and video tutorials.
The short videos show you how to complete basic tasks such as drawing, shaping, and coloring objects in CorelDRAW, or masking and
cropping in Corel PHOTO-PAINT. The videos do not have sound, but they include captions that provide useful tips and help you understand
the features that are shown. The length of a short video does not exceed two minutes.
The video tutorials show you how to get the most out of features such as such as font management, fills and transparencies, Content
Exchange, alignment tools, QR codes, photo effects, and more. Whether you are a new or long-time user, you will find useful demos and
tips to boost your productivity and expand your experience.
To access a video
1
Click Help Video tutorials .
2 Click a title in the Videos pane.
You can also
Pause a video Click the Pause button on the control bar.
Display full screen Click the Full screen button in the lower-right corner of the video
window.
Jump to a specific frame in the video Point to the bottom of the video window, and click the progress
bar.
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Community website for developers
Whether you are automating tasks by using macros, creating custom tools, or developing commercial solutions that integrate with
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite; the developer community website can help you with its wealth of useful resources: a programming guide,
detailed Object Model reference documentation with code samples, and in-depth programming articles.
You can use either Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) or Microsoft Visual Studio Tools for Applications (VSTA) to create macros and
customized solutions for CorelDRAW and Corel PHOTO-PAINT.
Network deployment guide
The CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2017 Deployment Guide is a step-by-step resource for deploying CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2017 to a
network. This guide is provided to customers who purchase a volume (“multi-seat”) license of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2017 for their
organization. To purchase a volume license of the software and obtain its deployment guide, please contact Corel Support Services.
Web-based resources
The following web-based resources can help you get the most out of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite:
• Corel Knowledge Base — articles written by the Corel Technical Support Services Team in response to questions by users
• Community.CorelDRAW.com — an online environment to share your experience with the product, ask questions, and receive help and
suggestions from other users
• Tutorials on the Corel website — in-depth tutorials in which CorelDRAW Graphics Suite experts share their knowledge and techniques
An active Internet connection is required to access web-based resources.
Learning resources | 51
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Starting and setting up
This section contains the following topics:
• “Starting and quitting CorelDRAW” (page 53)
• “Changing the language” (page 53)
• “Changing startup settings” (page 54)
Starting and quitting CorelDRAW
You can start CorelDRAW from the Windows taskbar and end a CorelDRAW session from the application window.
To start and quit CorelDRAW
To Do the following
Start CorelDRAW Do one of the following:
• (Windows 7 and Windows 10) From the Windows
taskbar, click Start Programs CorelDRAW Graphics
Suite2017 CorelDRAW.
• (Windows 8) Click the CorelDRAW 2017 tile on your
desktop.
Quit CorelDRAW
Click File Exit .
Changing the language
If an application has been installed in more than one language, you can change the language of the user interface and Help at any time.
If you did not install a specific Writing Tools language when you first installed the product, you can do so now.
To change the language of the user interface and Help
1
Click Tools Options.
Starting and setting up | 53
2 In the list of categories, click Global.
3 Choose a language from the Select the language for the user interface list box.
If you want to change the language of the user interface and Help when you start the application, enable the Ask me the next time the
software starts check box.
4 Restart the application.
If there is only one language available in the Select the language for the user interface list box, you must first install the additional
languages that you want. For more information, see “To modify or repair a CorelDRAW Graphics Suite installation” on page 25.
To add a language for Writing Tools
1 Close any open applications.
2
On the Windows taskbar, click Start Control Panel.
3 Click Uninstall a program.
4 Double-click CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2017 on the Uninstall or change a program page.
5 Enable the Modify option in the installation wizard, and click Next.
6 In the Writing tools area on the Program features page, open the list box, and enable the check box next to the language that you
want to install.
7 Follow the instructions in the installation wizard.
Changing startup settings
You can specify the startup settings for CorelDRAW, which control how the application appears when it’s opened. For example, you can start
the application with the Welcome screen open or a new blank document.
To change startup settings
1
Click Tools Options.
2 In the Workspace list of categories, click General.
3 In the Getting started area, choose an option from the On CorelDRAW start-up list box.
If you want to hide the Create a new document dialog box when starting documents, disable the Show New Document dialog box
check box.
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CorelDRAW basics
CorelDRAW lets you create and edit drawings. In this section, you can find information about commonly performed tasks.
This section contains the following topics:
• “Understanding vector graphics and bitmaps” (page 55)
• “Starting and opening drawings” (page 56)
• “Scanning images” (page 59)
• “Working with multiple drawings” (page 60)
• “Undoing, redoing, and repeating actions” (page 61)
• “Zooming, panning, and scrolling” (page 62)
• “Previewing drawings” (page 64)
• “Choosing viewing modes” (page 66)
• “Working with views” (page 67)
• “Saving drawings” (page 68)
• “Working with locked files” (page 70)
• “Backing up and recovering files” (page 71)
• “Adding and accessing drawing information” (page 72)
• “Closing drawings” (page 72)
• “Exploring basic tasks” (page 73)
Understanding vector graphics and bitmaps
The two main types of computer graphics are vector graphics and bitmaps. Vector graphics are made of lines and curves, and they are
generated from mathematical descriptions that determine the position, length, and direction in which lines are drawn. Bitmaps, also known
as raster images, are composed of small squares called pixels; each pixel is mapped to a location in an image and has numerical color values.
Vector graphics are ideal for logos and illustrations because they are resolution-independent and can be scaled to any size, or printed and
displayed at any resolution, without losing detail and quality. In addition, you can produce sharp and crisp outlines with vector graphics.
Bitmaps are excellent for photographs and digital paintings because they reproduce color gradations well. Bitmaps are resolution-dependent
— that is, they represent a fixed number of pixels. They look good at their actual size, but they can appear jagged or lose image quality
when scaled, or when displayed or printed at a resolution higher than their original resolution.
You can create vector graphics in CorelDRAW. You can also import bitmaps (such as JPEG and TIFF files) into CorelDRAW and add them to
your drawings. For information about working with bitmaps, see “Working with bitmaps” on page 563.
CorelDRAW basics | 55
Top: A vector graphic consists of lines and fills. Bottom: A bitmap is made up of pixels.
Starting and opening drawings
CorelDRAW lets you start a new drawing from a blank page, a template, or an existing drawing. A blank page gives you the freedom to
specify every aspect of a drawing. A template provides you with a starting point and leaves the amount of customization up to you.
For information about starting a drawing from a template, see “To start a document from a template” on page 501. For more information
about creating and using templates, see “Working with templates” on page 499.
Notes for starting new drawings
When starting a new drawing, CorelDRAW lets you specify page, document, and color management settings. You can choose from a list of
preset settings, which are based on how you intend to use the drawing. For example, you can choose the Web option if you are creating
a drawing for the Internet, or the Default CMYK option if you are creating a document destined for commercial printing. However, if the
preset settings are not suitable for the drawing that you want to create, you can also customize the settings and save them for future use.
Notes for opening existing drawings
Basing a new drawing on an existing drawing lets you reuse objects and page settings. CorelDRAW lets you open existing drawings saved
to the CorelDRAW (CDR) format as well as drawings and projects saved to various file formats such as Corel DESIGNER (DSF or DES), Adobe
Illustrator (AI), Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), Encapsulated PostScript (EPS), and Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM). However,
you may not be able to open certain files, depending on their file type and contents. In such cases, you can try importing the files as objects
in an open drawing. For information about the file formats that you can import into CorelDRAW, see “Supported file formats” on page
695.
If the drawing you are opening is from an earlier version of CorelDRAW and contains text in a language different from the language of your
operating system, you can choose code page settings to ensure that text is properly converted according to the Unicode Standard. Code
page settings help you correctly display text such as keywords, file names, and text entries outside the drawing window — for example, in
the Object manager and Object data manager dockers. To display text correctly in the drawing window, you must use encoding settings.
For more information, see “Displaying text correctly in any language” on page 463.
If the drawing you are opening contains an embedded International Color Consortium (ICC) profile, the embedded color profile remains the
document’s color profile. For more information, see “Understanding color management” on page 361.
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You can search for drawings by different criteria, such as filename, title, subject, author, keyword, comment, text within the file, and other
properties attached to the file. For more information about searching for files, see the Windows Help. For more information about browsing
and searching for content, see “Browsing and searching for content ” on page 108.
You can also display previous versions of a drawing.
To start a drawing
1 Do one of the following:
•
On the Welcome screen, click Get started New document.
•
In the application window, click File New.
2 Type a filename in the Name text box.
3 From the Preset destination list box, choose an output destination for the drawing:
• CorelDRAW default — applies the CorelDRAW default settings for creating graphics that are destined for printing
• Default CMYK — applies settings for creating graphics that are destined for commercial printing
• Default RGB — applies settings for creating graphics that are destined for printing to a high-fidelity printer
• Web — applies settings for creating graphics that are destined for the Internet
• Custom — lets you customize destination settings for a document
You can also
Change the unit of measurement for the page Choose a unit of measurement from the Drawing units list box.
Change the page size Choose a page size for the drawing from the Size list box or type
values in the Width and Height boxes.
Change the page orientation Click one of the following page orientation buttons:
•Portrait
•Landscape
Set the number of pages Type a value in the Number of pages box.
Set the default color mode for the document to RGB or CMYK Choose a color mode from the Primary color mode list box.
Set the resolution for effects that will likely be rasterized, such as
transparency, drop shadow, and bevel effects
Choose a rendering resolution from the Rendering resolution list
box.
Choose the preview mode for the drawing Choose a preview mode from the Preview mode list box.
Choose an RGB profile for the drawing In the Color settings area, choose a default RGB profile from the
RGB profile list box.
Choose a CMYK profile for the drawing Choose a default CMYK profile from the CMYK profile list box.
Choose a Grayscale profile for the drawing Choose a default Grayscale profile from the Grayscale profile list
box.
CorelDRAW basics | 57
You can also
Choose a default method for out-of-gamut colors to be mapped
Choose an option from the Rendering intent list box.
into gamut
When you choose a color mode from the Primary color mode list box, it becomes the default color mode for the document. The
default color mode affects how colors work together in effects such as blends and transparencies. It does not restrict the type of
colors that you can apply to a drawing. For example, if you set the color mode to RGB, you can still apply colors from a CMYK color
palette to the document.
The primary color mode also specifies the default color mode for exporting documents. For example, if you choose the RGB color
mode and export a document as a JPEG, the color mode is automatically set to RGB.
The settings that are displayed in the Color settings area of the Create a new document dialog box are based on the settings that
are specified in the Default color management settings dialog box.
If you do not want to show the Create a new document dialog box and prefer to use the last used settings to create new
documents, enable the Do not show this dialog again check box.
You can restore the Create a new document dialog box when starting drawings by clicking Tools Options, clicking General in the
Workspace list of categories, and enabling the Show new document dialog box check box.
To create a custom preset
1
In the application window, click File New.
2 In the Create a new document dialog box, choose the settings that you want to save as a preset destination.
3
Click the Add preset button .
4 In the Add preset dialog box, type a name for the new destination preset.
You can delete a destination preset by choosing the preset name from the Preset destination list box and clicking the Remove preset
button.
To open a drawing
1
Click File Open .
2 Locate the folder where the drawing is stored.
3 Click a filename.
4 Click Open.
You can also
Extract an embedded International Color Consortium (ICC) profile
to the color folder in which the application is installed
Maintain layers and pages when you open files Enable the Maintain layers and pages check box.
Enable the Extract embedded ICC profile check box.
This option is not available for all file formats.
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You can also
If you disable the check box, all layers are combined in a single
layer.
This option is not available for all file formats.
View thumbnail of a drawing Click the arrow button next to the Views button, and click Extra
large icons, Large icons , Medium icons, or Small icons.
Choose a code page Choose a code page from the Select code page list box. This
option is not available for all file formats.
Search for a drawing Type a word or phrase in the search box.
The search box looks for files only in the current folder and
subfolders. To search for a drawing in another location, you must
first navigate to the folder where the drawing is stored.
Access a previous version of a file Right-click a file, and click Restore previous versions.
You can access a previous version of a file only if System Protection
is turned on.
For detailed information about accessing previous versions of files,
see the Windows Help.
You can view file information, such as version number and compression ratio. For example, a compression ratio of 80percent means
that the file size was reduced by 80 percent after the file was saved. You can also see in what application and language the drawing
was last saved, and you can view keywords and notes associated with a drawing.
To open a file you have recently worked on, click File Open Recent, and click the filename.
If you have multiple files open, you can navigate between them by clicking Window Document , and then clicking the name of the
file that you want to display in the drawing window.
Scanning images
You can scan images in CorelDRAW. CorelDRAW supports scanners that use Microsoft Windows Image Acquisition (WIA), which provides a
standard interface for scanning images.
If your scanner does not support WIA, but has a compatible TWAIN driver, you may be able to use this driver for scanning images in
CorelDRAW. TWAIN is supported by both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of CorelDRAW. However, note that there are very few 64-bit TWAIN
drivers available.
The software interfaces and options vary. For information about using the software associated with your scanner, see the manufacturer’s
documentation.
CorelDRAW basics | 59
To scan images
1
Click File Acquire image , and click one of the following commands:
• Select WIA source — for a scanner that uses a WIA driver
• Select TWAIN source — for a scanner that uses a TWAIN driver
A command appears disabled if a compatible WIA or TWAIN scanner driver is not installed.
2 Choose a scanner from the dialog box that appears.
3 Click Select.
4
Click File Acquire image Acquire .
5 Preview the image, and select the area that you want to scan.
WIA, in combination with some scanners, supports scanning of multiple areas to separate files.
6 Click Scan.
On your scanner’s interface, this button may have a different name, such as OK or Send.
To scan additional images during the same session, click File Acquire image Acquire.
Working with multiple drawings
Multiple drawings can be opened in a single drawing window, making it easy to handle many drawings simultaneously. You can access each
open drawing from its tab at the top of the drawing window, and you can start new drawings.
Open drawings appear docked, but you can undock any drawing you want and drag it inside or outside the application window.
You can also arrange drawings in overlapping (cascading) windows, side by side, or stacked vertically.
To work with multiple drawings
To Do the following
Switch to another open drawing At the top of the drawing window, click the tab that has the
filename you want.
Start another drawing Click the New button to the left of the last tab in the drawing
window.
Undock a drawing Drag the tab to a new position inside or outside the application
window.
To arrange multiple drawing windows
• Click Window, and click one of the following commands:
• Cascade— arranges drawings so that they overlap and the title bars are visible
• Tile Horizontally — arranges drawings side by side
• Tile Vertically — stacks drawings vertically
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Undoing, redoing, and repeating actions
You can undo the actions that you perform in a drawing, starting with the most recent action. If you don’t like the result of undoing an
action, you can redo it. Reverting to the last saved version of a drawing also lets you remove one or more actions. Certain actions applied to
objects, such as stretching, filling, moving, and rotating, can be repeated to create a stronger visual effect.
Customizing the Undo settings lets you increase or decrease the number of actions that you can undo or redo.
To undo, redo, and repeat actions
To Do the following
Undo an action
Redo an action
Undo or redo a series of actions
Click Edit Undo manager .
Click Edit Redo .
Click Edit Undo manager . In the Undo manager docker, click
the action that precedes all the actions that you want to undo, or
click the last undone action that you want to redo.
Revert to the last saved version of a drawing
Repeat an action
Click File Revert .
Click Edit Repeat .
When you undo a series of actions in the Undo manager docker, all actions listed below the action that you click are undone.
When you redo a series of actions in the Undo manager docker, the action that you click and all preceding undone actions are
redone.
You can repeat an action on another object or group of objects by selecting the object or objects and clicking Edit Repeat .
You can also undo or redo a series of actions by clicking the arrow button next to the Undo button or Redo button on the
Standard toolbar and choosing an action from the list.
To specify the Undo settings
1
Click Tools Options.
2 In the Workspace list of categories, click General.
3 In the Undo levels area, type a value in one or both of the following boxes:
• Regular — specifies the number of actions that can be reversed when you use the Undo command with vector objects
• Bitmap effects — specifies the number of actions that can be reversed when you work with bitmap effects
The value that you specify is limited only by your computer’s memory resources. The higher the value you specify, the greater the
demand on memory resources.
CorelDRAW basics | 61
Zooming, panning, and scrolling
You can change the view of a drawing by zooming in to get a closer look or by zooming out to see more of the drawing. You can
experiment with a variety of zoom options to determine the amount of detail you want.
You can also zoom in and out in preset increments by using common keyboard shortcuts, supported by web browsers and other
applications.
Panning and scrolling are two additional ways to view specific areas of a drawing. When you work at high magnification levels or with large
drawings, you may not be able to see the whole drawing. Panning and scrolling let you move the page around in the drawing window to
view previously hidden areas.
You can use the Pan tool to pan around a large image and view particular areas.
You can zoom in and out while you are panning, and you can pan while you are zooming. In this way, you can avoid having to alternate
between the two tools.
You can also use the Quick Pan mode to switch from any active tool to the Pan tool. This feature lets you pan without having to change
tools.
If you use a mouse wheel, the wheel zooms in and zooms out by default. You can also use the mouse wheel to scroll.
You can specify default zooming and panning settings.
To zoom
1
In the toolbox, click the Zoom tool .
2 On the property bar, click one of the following:
•
Zoom in
•
Zoom out
•
Zoom to selected
•
Zoom to all objects
•
Zoom to page
•
Zoom to page width
•
Zoom to page height
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The Zoom to selected button is available only if one or more objects are selected before you click the Zoom tool.
When you are not editing text, you can also access the Zoom tool by pressing Shift + Z .
Using the Zoom tool, you can also zoom in by clicking anywhere in the drawing window or dragging to select a specific area to
magnify. To zoom out, right-click in the drawing window, or drag with the right mouse button to select a specific area.
You can also zoom in by using the Pan tool and double-clicking in the drawing window. To zoom out, right-click in the drawing
window.
To zoom using keyboard shortcuts
• Do one of the following:
• To zoom in, press Ctrl+(+).
• To zoom out, press Ctrl+(-).
You can use these keyboard shortcuts to adjust the zoom level in the document window as well as in dialog boxes and labs that
feature preview windows such as the Print Preview dialog box, PowerTRACE, Image Adjustment Lab, and more.
To pan in the drawing window
1
In the toolbox, click the Pan tool .
2 Drag in the drawing window until the area you want to view appears.
When you are not editing text, you can also access the Pan tool by pressing the H key.
To pan in the drawing window while zoomed in on the drawing, click the Navigator button in the lower-right corner of the
drawing window.
You can quickly center the page in the drawing window by double-clicking the Pan tool in the toolbox.
Using the Navigator, you can display any part of a drawing without having to zoom out.
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To switch to the Quick Pan mode
1 Click any selection, drawing, or shaping tool, and start using it.
2 Hold down the middle mouse button or wheel, and drag in the drawing window.
To scroll by using a mouse wheel
• Do one of the following:
• To scroll vertically, press Alt while you move the wheel.
• To scroll horizontally, press Ctrl while you move the wheel.
The mouse wheel can be used for scrolling only if the Scroll option for the mouse is enabled. For more information, see “To establish
default setting for the mouse wheel” on page 64.
To specify default zoom settings
1
Click Tools Options.
2 In the Workspace list of categories, double-click Toolbox , and click Zoom, Pan tool.
3 To specify the action of the Zoom or Pan tool when you right-click in the drawing window, enable one of the following options:
• Zoom out — zooms out by a factor of 2
• Context menu — displays a menu of commands that let you zoom to a specific level
4 To specify how the page appears when the zoom is set to 100%, enable or disable the Zoom relative to 1:1 check box.
• When the option is enabled, a 100% zoom displays real-world dimensions.
• When the option is disabled, a 100% zoom displays the full page, regardless of real-world dimensions.
5 To specify how the page appears when you zoom in and out using the mouse wheel, enable or disable the Center mouse when
zooming with the mouse wheel check box.
• When the option is enabled, the area where the mouse pointer is located moves to the center of the screen as you zoom in and out
using the mouse wheel.
• When the option is disabled, the area where the mouse pointer is located stays in the same position as you zoom in and out using the
mouse wheel.
You can click Calibrate rulers to ensure that one inch on your screen equals one inch of real-world distance. For more information,
see “Calibrating the rulers” on page 536.
To establish default setting for the mouse wheel
1
Click Tools Options.
2 In the Workspace list of categories, click Display.
3 To specify the default action of the mouse wheel, choose Zoom or Scroll from the Default action for mouse wheel list box.
Previewing drawings
You can preview a drawing to see how it will look when printed or exported. When you preview a drawing, only the objects on the drawing
page and in the immediate area of the drawing window are displayed, and you can see all layers that are set to print in the Object manager
docker. If you want a closer look at specific objects in a drawing, you can select and preview them. When you preview selected objects, the
rest of the drawing is hidden.
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Before you preview a drawing, you can specify the preview mode. The preview mode affects the speed with which your preview appears as
well as the amount of detail displayed in the drawing window.
By default, the borders of a page are displayed in the drawing window, but you can hide them at any time. If a drawing is intended for print,
you can display the area that will actually print as well as the bleed, the part of the drawing that extends beyond the page border. Bleeds are
useful when a drawing contains a color page background or objects that are positioned on the page border. Bleeds ensure that no white
space appears between the edges of a drawing and the edge of the paper after the printer cuts, binds, and trims the document.
To preview a drawing
•
Click View Full-screen preview .
Click anywhere on the screen, or press any key, to return to the application window.
You can press Page up and Page down to preview pages in a multipage drawing.
To preview selected objects
1 Select the objects.
2
Click View Preview selected only .
Click anywhere on the screen, or press any key, to return to the application window.
If Preview selected only mode is enabled and no objects are selected, Full-screen preview displays a blank screen.
To choose a full-screen preview mode
1
Click Tools Options.
2 In the Workspace list of categories, click Display.
3 In the Full-screen preview area, enable one of the following options:
• Use draft view — Drawings appear without PostScript fills or high‑resolution bitmaps, and no anti-aliasing is used.
• Use enhanced view — Drawings appear with or without PostScript fills, and anti-aliasing is used to sharpen the display of the
drawings.
You can display PostScript fills when you preview a drawing in Enhanced mode by enabling the Show PostScript fills in enhanced
view check box.
To set the page display
1
Click Tools Options.
2 In the Document list of categories, click Page size.
3 Enable one of the following options:
• Show page border — displays page borders
• Show bleed area — displays the area of the drawing extending beyond the page border. To change the bleed area, type a value in the
Bleed box.
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When preparing a drawing for commercial printing, you may also need to set a bleed limit. For more information, see “To set a bleed
limit” on page 639.
You can also click View Page Page border, or View Page Bleed.
You can display the printable area of a drawing by clicking View Page Printable area. The printable area is usually indicated by
two dotted lines inside or around the page, depending on the current printer settings. One outline indicates the area that can be
printed on the current printer; the other outline indicates the paper size that your printer is set to use.
Choosing viewing modes
As you work, CorelDRAW lets you display a drawing in any of the following modes:
• Simple wireframe — displays an outline of the drawing by hiding fills, extrusions, contours, drop shadows, and intermediate blend
shapes; also displays the bitmaps in monochrome. This mode lets you quickly preview basic elements in a drawing.
• Wireframe — displays a drawing in simple wireframe mode plus intermediate blend shapes
• Draft — displays fills and bitmaps with a low resolution. This mode eliminates some detail to allow you to focus on the color balances in
a drawing.
• Normal — displays a drawing without PostScript fills or high-resolution bitmaps. This mode refreshes and opens slightly faster than the
Enhanced mode.
• Enhanced — displays a drawing with PostScript fills, high-resolution bitmaps, and anti-aliased vector graphics.
• Pixels — displays a pixel-based rendition of the drawing, which allows you to zoom in on an area of an object, and then position and
size the object more precisely. This view also lets you see what the drawing will look like when it is exported to a bitmap file format.
• Simulate overprints — simulates the color of areas where overlapping objects were set to overprint and displays PostScript fills, high-
resolution bitmaps, and anti-aliased vector graphics. For information about overprinting objects, see “To overprint selected color
separations” on page 644.
• Rasterize complex effects — rasterizes the display of complex effects, such as transparencies, bevels, and drop shadows when in
Enhanced view. This option is useful for previewing how the complex effects will be printed. To ensure the successful printing of complex
effects, most printers require complex effects to be rasterized.
The viewing mode you choose affects the amount of time it takes for a drawing to open or be displayed on the monitor. For example, a
drawing displayed in Simple Wireframe view takes less time to refresh or open than does a drawing displayed in Simulate Overprints view.
Simple wireframe viewing mode (left); Enhanced viewing mode (center), and Simulate overprints
viewing mode (right). The fill for the gray diamond shape and the cup’s shadow are set to overprint.
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To choose a viewing mode
• Click View, and click one of the following modes:
• Simple wireframe
• Wireframe
• Draft
• Normal
• Enhanced
• Pixels
• Simulate overprints
• Rasterize complex effects
If you are overprinting, it is important to preview the objects in the Simulate overprints mode before printing. The type of objects
you are overprinting and the type of colors you are mixing determine how overprinted colors are combined. For more information
about overprinting, see “Working with color trapping and overprinting” on page 642.
You can set the default viewing mode by clicking Tools Options , clicking General in the Document list of categories, and choosing
an option from the View mode list box.
You can quickly switch between the selected viewing mode and the previous viewing mode by pressing Shift + F9 .
Working with views
You can save a view of any part of a drawing. For example, you can save a view of an object at 230% magnification and then return to this
specific view at any time.
If a document contains multiple pages, you can view them all at once by using the Page Sorter view. You can also display consecutive lefthand and right-hand pages on the screen at the same time (facing pages) and create objects that span two pages.
To save a view
1
Click Window Dockers View manager.
2
Click the Add current view button .
You can also
Rename a view Double-click a view name, and type a new name.
Delete a saved view
If you disable the page icon next to a saved view in the docker, CorelDRAW switches to the magnification level only, not the
Click a view, and click the Delete current view button .
page, when you switch to that view. Similarly, if you disable the magnifying glass icon , CorelDRAWswitches to the page only,
not the magnification level.
CorelDRAW basics | 67
You can also save the current view by clicking the Zoom or Pan tool in the toolbox, clicking in the Zoom levels list box on the
standard toolbar, typing a name, and pressing Enter .
To switch to a saved view
1
Click Window Dockers View manager.
2 Click a view in the View manager docker.
You can also switch to a saved view by selecting it from the Zoom levels list box on the standard toolbar.
To view all pages in a multipage document
•
Click View Page sorter view .
To return to the default page view, click the Page sorter view button on the property bar.
To view facing pages
1
Click Layout Page setup .
2 In the Document list of categories, click Layout.
3 Enable the Facing pages check box.
4 Choose one of the following settings from the Start on list box:
• Left side — starts the document on a left-hand page
• Right side — starts the document on a right-hand page
You cannot view facing pages if the document uses a Tent Card or Top-fold Card layout style, or if it contains multiple page
orientations. The Leftside option is available only for the Full Page and Book layout styles.
When you enable the Facing pages check box, the content on the facing pages is merged on one page. The layer structure for
the merged page is based on the left-hand page. The layers from the right-hand page are inserted above the layers on the lefthand page. This rule also applies if you reorder the pages. If you disable the Facing pages check box, the layers and content are
redistributed across separate pages. Objects that cross both pages are assigned to a page according to where the center of the object
is found.
It is recommended that you avoid switching back and forth between individual pages and facing pages within the same document.
Saving drawings
By default, drawings are saved to the CorelDRAW file format (CDR) and are compatible with the latest version of the application. You can
also save a drawing that is compatible with an earlier version of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite and specify save options. Such options are useful
when the file contains new text, fill, outline, and transparency features that are not supported in earlier versions.
You can save a drawing to other vector file formats as well. If you want to use a drawing in another application, you must save it to a file
format that is supported by that application. For information about saving files to other formats, see “Exporting files” on page 676.
When saving a drawing, you can embed the used fonts to facilitate file sharing. By default, CorelDRAW embeds all used fonts, with the
exception of Asian fonts and fonts that do not have embedding permissions. For more information, see “Embedding fonts” on page 467.
When you save a drawing, CorelDRAW lets you add reference information so that you can easily find and organize drawings later on. You
can attach tags (also known as properties) such as title, subject, and rating.
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You can also save selected objects in a drawing. For large drawings, saving only the selected objects reduces the file size, which can decrease
the time it takes to load the drawing.
When saving a file, you can use advanced options to control how bitmaps, textures, and vector effects, such as blends and extrusions, are
saved with the drawing.
You can also save a drawing as a template, which lets you create other drawings with the same properties. For information about saving a
drawing as a template, see “Working with templates” on page 499.
To save a drawing
1
Click File Save as .
2 Type a filename in the File name box.
3 Locate the folder where you want to save the file.
If you want to save the drawing to a vector file format other than CorelDRAW (CDR), choose a file format from the Save as type list box.
You can also
Save only selected objects Enable the Selected only check box.
This option is available only if there are selected objects in the
drawing.
Embed fonts Enable the Embed fonts check box.
This check box is unavailable when you save a drawing to an earlier
version of CorelDRAW.
Add reference information Do any of the following:
•Type a title and subject in the corresponding box.
•Assign a rating to the file.
If you are using an expired trial version of CorelDRAW, you will not be able to save drawings.
Saving a drawing to a previous version of CorelDRAW may result in loss of certain effects that were not available in the previous
version of the application.
You can also save a drawing by clicking File Save .
You can also save a drawing by clicking the Save button on the Standard toolbar.
To use advanced options when saving
1
Click File Save as .
2 Click Advanced.
3 Enable any of the following check boxes:
• Save presentation exchange (CMX) — saves a drawing as a Corel® Presentations™ Exchange (CMX) file so that you can open and
edit it in other Corel applications, such as WordPerfect
• Use bitmap compression — reduces the file size by compressing bitmap effects, such as bitmap extrusions, transparencies, and drop
shadows
CorelDRAW basics | 69
• Use graphic object compression — reduces the file size by compressing vector objects, such as polygons, rectangles, ellipses, and
perfect shapes
Using compression increases the time required for opening and saving a drawing.
4 If a drawing contains texture fills, enable one of the following options:
• Save textures with the file — saves custom texture fills with the file
• Rebuild textures when opening the file — re-creates texture fills when you open the saved drawing
5 If a drawing contains blends and extrusions, enable one of the following options:
• Save blends and extrudes with the file — saves all blends and extrusions included in a drawing
• Rebuild blends and extrudes when opening the file — re-creates blends and extrusions when you open the saved drawing
Choosing to save textures, blends, and extrusions with the file increases the file size but lets you open and save a drawing more
quickly. Conversely, choosing to rebuild textures, blends, and extrusions when a saved drawing is opened decreases the file size but
increases the time required for saving or opening a drawing.
To save a drawing that is compatible with an older version of CorelDRAW
1
Click File Save as .
2 Type a filename in the File name box.
3 Locate the folder where you want to save the file.
4 Choose a version from the Version list box.
5 Click Save.
If the drawing includes new features; enable one of the following options in the Save to a previous version dialog box:
• Keep appearance — preserves the appearance of text, fills, outlines and transparencies when the file is opened in a previous version
of CorelDRAW. However, this option may limit editing.
• Keep editable — preserves the file editable. However, this option may change the appearance of text, outlines, fills, and
transparencies when the file is opened in a previous version of CorelDRAW.
You can also
Specify save settings
Click Tool Options. In the Workspace list of categories, click
Save, and enable one of the following options:
•Keep appearance (suitable for limited edits)
•Keep editable (may change appearance)
Disable the prompt that appears when saving to an earlier version
Click Tool Options. In the Workspace list of categories, click
Save, and disable the Ask when saving check box.
Working with locked files
In a corporate environment you may open a locked file that is already being edited by another user. You can save changes that you make to
a locked file in one of the following ways:
•
If the other user has modified the file or still has the file open, you must save the file with a new name by clicking File Save As .
•
If the other user has closed the file without modifying it, you can save the changes by clicking File Save .
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Backing up and recovering files
CorelDRAW can automatically save backup copies of drawings and prompt you to recover them in the event of a system error.
The auto-backup feature saves drawings that you have opened and modified. During any working session with CorelDRAW, you can set
the time interval for automatically backing up files and specify whether you want the files to be saved in your temporary folder (the default
location) or in a specified folder.
You can recover the backup files from the temporary or specified folder when you restart CorelDRAW after a system error. If you choose not
to recover the backup file, it is automatically erased when you quit the application.
To specify auto-backup settings
1
Click Tools Options.
2 In the Workspace list of categories, click Save.
3 Enable the Back up every check box, and choose a value from the Minutes list box.
4 In the Always back up to area, enable one of the following options:
• Temporary folder — lets you save auto-backup files in the temporary folder
• Specific folder — lets you specify the folder for auto-backup files
You can also
Create a backup file before saving Enable the Back up original file before saving check box.
Disable the auto-backup feature Choose Never from the Minutes list box.
Auto-backup files are named auto_backup_of_filename and can be saved in any folder you specify. Backup files are created when
you save a drawing. They are named backup_of_filename and are always stored in the same folder as the original drawing.
All open or modified files that are not in the CorelDRAW (CDR) file format are backed up as CorelDRAW files.
You can cancel the creation of an auto-backup file by pressing Esc while a file is being saved.
To recover a backup file
1 Restart CorelDRAW.
2 Click OK in the file recovery dialog box that appears.
The file recovery dialog box appears upon startup after a system error.
3 Save and rename the file in the specified folder.
If you click Cancel, CorelDRAW ignores the backup file and deletes it when you quit the application.
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Adding and accessing drawing information
CorelDRAW lets you add reference information, such as language, title, author, subject, keywords, rating, and other notes to a drawing.
Although adding document information is optional, doing so makes it easier to organize and locate drawings later on.
The application also lets you access other important document information, such as the number of pages and layers, fonts, object and text
statistics, and the types of objects the drawing contains. You can also view color information such as the color profiles that are used to
define document colors as well as the primary color mode and rendering intent.
To add drawing information
1
Click File Document properties.
2 In the Document properties dialog box, type text in any of the following boxes:
• Language
• Title
• Subject
• Author
• Copyright
• Keywords
• Notes
3 To specify a rating, choose a rating from the Rating list box.
4 Click OK.
You can modify the drawing information at any time.
To access drawing information
•
Click File Document properties.
Closing drawings
You can close one drawing, or multiple drawings, at any time before quitting CorelDRAW.
To close drawings
To Do the following
Close one drawing
Close all drawings
If you are unable to close a document, you may have a task, such as printing or saving, in progress or a task that has failed. Please
refer to the status bar to view the status of a task.
Click File Close .
Click File Close all .
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You can also close a drawing by clicking Window Close window .
You can also close all drawings by clicking Window Close all .
Exploring basic tasks
CorelDRAW has a virtually unlimited number of tools and capabilities to help you create drawings. The following table provides you with the
basic features of CorelDRAW to help you get started.
For information about See
Drawing lines “Formatting lines and outlines ” on page 143
Drawing shapes “Drawing shapes ” on page 165
Creating and manipulating objects “Working with objects ” on page 225
Adding color to objects “Filling objects ” on page 327
Adding text to a drawing “Adding and manipulating text ” on page 407
Creating drawings for use on the web “Exporting bitmaps for the web ” on page 653
Printing drawings “Printing basics ” on page 621
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CorelDRAW workspace tour
Becoming familiar with the terminology and workspace of CorelDRAW will help you easily follow this user guide’s concepts and procedures.
In this section, you’ll learn about
• “CorelDRAW terms” (page 75)
• “Application window” (page 76)
• “Standard toolbar” (page 79)
• “Exploring the toolbox” (page 81)
• “Property bar” (page 96)
• “Dockers” (page 96)
• “Status bar” (page 99)
• “Choosing a workspace” (page 99)
CorelDRAW terms
Before you get started with CorelDRAW, you should be familiar with the following terms.
Term Description
Object An element in a drawing such as an image, shape, line, text, curve,
symbol, or layer
Drawing The work you create in CorelDRAW; for example, custom artwork,
logos, posters, and newsletters
Vector graphic An image generated from mathematical descriptions that
determine the position, length, and direction in which lines are
drawn
Bitmap An image composed of grids of pixels or dots
CorelDRAW workspace tour | 75
Term Description
Docker A window that contains available commands and settings relevant
to a specific tool or task
Flyout A button that opens a group of related tools or menu items
List box A list of options that drops down when a user clicks the down
arrow button
Artistic text A type of text to which you can apply special effects, such as
shadows
Paragraph text A type of text to which you can apply formatting options, and
which can be edited in large blocks
Application window
When you launch CorelDRAW, the application window opens containing a drawing window. Although more than one drawing window can
be opened, you can apply commands to the active drawing window only.
The CorelDRAW application window appears below.
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Circled numbers correspond to the numbers in the following table, which describes
the main components of the application window. Artwork by Andrew Stacey.
Part Description
1. Toolbox A docked bar with tools for creating, filling, and modifying objects
in the drawing
2. Document tab A tab displays for each open document to allow you to quickly
move between documents
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Part Description
3. Title bar The area displaying the title of the currently selected drawing
4. Menu bar The area containing pull-down menu options
5. Toolbar A detachable bar that contains shortcuts to menu and other
commands
6. Drawing window The area outside the drawing page bordered by the scroll bars and
application controls
7. Property bar A detachable bar with commands that relate to the active tool or
object. For example, when the text tool is active, the text property
bar displays commands that create and edit text.
8. Docker A window containing available commands and settings relevant to
a specific tool or task
9. Rulers Horizontal and vertical borders that are used to determine the size
and position of objects in a drawing
10. Document palette A dockable bar that contains color swatches for the current
document
11. Document navigator The area at the bottom left of the application window that contains
controls for moving between pages and adding pages
12. Drawing page The rectangular area inside the drawing window. It is the printable
area of your work area.
13. Status bar An area at the bottom of the application window that contains
information about object properties such as type, size, color,
fill, and resolution. The status bar also shows the current cursor
position.
14. Navigator A button at the lower-right corner that opens a smaller display to
help you move around a drawing
15. Color palette A dockable bar that contains color swatches
To toggle between displaying and hiding the status bar, click Window Toolbars Status bar .
To toggle between displaying and hiding the rulers, see “To hide or display the rulers” on page 536.
You can customize the appearance of the application workspace by setting a scaling level, choosing a theme, and changing the color
of the desktop and the window borders. For more information, see “Customizing workspace appearance” on page 741.
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Standard toolbar
The standard toolbar, which appears by default, contains buttons and controls that are shortcuts to many of the menu commands. For
information about customizing the position, contents, and appearance of toolbars, see “Customizing toolbars” on page 747.
Click this button To
Start a new drawing
Open a drawing
Save a drawing
Print a drawing
Cut selected objects to the Clipboard
Copy selected objects to the Clipboard
Paste the Clipboard contents into a drawing
Undo an action
Restore an action that was undone
Display the Get More docker to acquire other creative tools or
search for content such as clipart, photos, fonts, and more
Import a drawing
Export a drawing
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Click this button To
Publish to PDF
Set a zoom level
Display Full-screen preview
Show or hide rulers
Show or hide grid
Show or hide guidelines
Enable or disable automatic alignment for the pixels, document
grid, baseline grid, guidelines, objects, and page
Open the Options dialog box
Start Corel applications, plug-ins, and extensions; or access the Get
More dialog box to download other creative tools
More about toolbars
In addition to the standard toolbar, CorelDRAW has toolbars for specific kinds of tasks. For example, the Text toolbar contains commands
relevant to using the Text tool. If you use a toolbar frequently, you can display it in the workspace at all times.
For information about customizing the position, contents, and appearance of toolbars, see “Customizing toolbars” on page 747.
The following table describes toolbars other than the standard toolbar.
Toolbar Description
Text Contains commands for formatting and aligning text
Zoom Contains commands for zooming in and out of a drawing page by
specifying percentage of original view, clicking the Zoom tool, and
selecting a page view
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Toolbar Description
Internet Contains commands for web-related tools for creating rollovers and
publishing to the Internet
Print merge Contains commands for print merge items that combine text with a
drawing such as creating and loading data files, creating data fields
for variable text, and inserting print merge fields
Transform Contains commands for skewing, rotating, and mirroring objects
Macros Contains commands for editing, testing, and running macros
To toggle between displaying and hiding a toolbar, click Window Toolbars, and click the command with the toolbar name.
To lock all toolbars so that you don’t inadvertently change their position, click Window Toolbars Lock toolbars .
Exploring the toolbox
The toolbox contains tools for drawing and editing images. Some of the tools are visible by default, while others are grouped in flyouts.
Flyouts open to display a set of related CorelDRAW tools. A small flyout arrow in the lower-right corner of a toolbox button indicates a
flyout. You can access the tools in a flyout by clicking the flyout arrow. After you open a flyout, you can easily scan the contents of other
flyouts by hovering over any of the toolbox buttons which have flyout arrows. Flyouts function like toolbars when you drag them away from
the toolbox. This lets you view all the related tools while you work.
In the default workspace, clicking the flyout arrow on the Shape tool opens the Shape edit flyout.
Some tools in the toolbox are not visible by default. You can choose which tools to display in the toolbox.
Locating tools in the toolbox
The following illustration shows the other flyouts in the default CorelDRAW toolbox and can help you locate tools more easily.
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To toggle between displaying and hiding the toolbox, click Window Toolbars Toolbox.
To hide or display tools in the toolbox, click the Quick customize button , and enable or disable the corresponding check boxes.
For more information, see “Customizing the toolbox” on page 750.
The following table provides descriptions of the tools in the CorelDRAW toolbox.
Pick tools
The Pick tool lets you select, size, skew, and
rotate objects.
The Freehand pick tool lets you select
objects by using a freehand selection
marquee.
Shape edit tools
The Free transform tool lets you transform
an object by using the Free rotation, Free
angle reflection, Free scale, and Free skew
tools.
The Shape tool lets you edit the shape of
objects.
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The Smooth tool lets you smooth curved
objects to remove jagged edges and reduce
the number of nodes.
The Smear tool lets you shape an object by
pulling extensions or making indents along
its outline.
The Twirl tool lets you create swirl effects by
dragging along the edge of objects.
The Attract tool lets you shape objects by
attracting nodes to the cursor.
The Repel tool lets you shape objects by
pushing away nodes from the cursor.
The Smudge tool lets you distort a vector
object by dragging along its outline.
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Crop tools
The Roughen tool lets you distort the
outline of a vector object by dragging along
the outline.
The Crop tool lets you remove unwanted
areas in objects.
The Knife tool lets you slice objects, groups
of objects, and bitmaps along any path you
specify.
Zoom tools
The Virtual segment delete tool lets you
delete portions of objects that are between
intersections.
The Eraser tool lets you remove areas of
your drawing.
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Curve tools
The Zoom tool lets you change the
magnification level in the drawing window.
The Pan tool lets you control which part
of the drawing is visible in the drawing
window.
The Freehand tool lets you draw single line
segments and curves.
The 2-point line tool lets you draw a
straight two-point line segment.
The Bézier tool lets you draw curves one
segment at a time.
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The Pen tool lets you draw curves one
segment at a time.
The B-spline tool lets you draw curved lines
by setting control points that shape the
curve without breaking it into segments.
The Polyline tool lets you draw lines and
curves in preview mode.
The 3-point curve tool lets you draw a
curve by defining the start, end, and center
points.
The Smart drawing tool converts your
freehand strokes to basic shapes and
smoothed curves.
The LiveSketch tool lets you sketch naturally
with intelligent stroke adjustment.
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Artistic Media tool
Rectangle tools
The Artistic media tool provides access to
the Preset, Brush, Sprayer , Calligraphic,
and Expression tools.
The Rectangle tool lets you draw rectangles
and squares.
The 3-point rectangle tool lets you draw
rectangles at an angle.
Ellipse tools
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The Ellipse tool lets you draw ellipses and
circles.
Object tools
The 3-point ellipse tool lets you draw
ellipses at an angle.
The Polygon tool lets you draw symmetrical
polygons and stars.
The Star tool lets you draw perfect stars.
The Complex star tool lets you draw
complex stars that have intersecting sides.
The Graph paper tool lets you draw a grid
of lines similar to that on graph paper.
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The Spiral tool lets you draw symmetrical
and logarithmic spirals.
The Basic shapes tool lets you choose from
a full set of shapes, including hexagram, a
smiley face, and a right-angle triangle.
The Arrow shapes tool lets you draw
arrows of various shape, direction, and
number of heads.
The Flowchart shapes tool lets you draw
flowchart symbols.
The Banner shapes tool lets you draw
ribbon objects and explosion shapes.
The Callout shapes tool lets you draw
callouts and labels.
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Text and Table tools
Dimension tools
The Text tool lets you type words directly on
the screen as artistic or paragraph text.
The Table tool lets you draw and edit tables.
The Parallel dimension tool lets you draw
slanted dimension lines.
The Horizontal or vertical dimension
tool lets you draw horizontal or vertical
dimension lines.
The Angular dimension tool lets you draw
angular dimension lines.
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Connector tools
The Segment dimension tool lets you
display the distance between end nodes in
single or multiple segments.
The 3-point callout tool lets you draw a
callout with a two-segment leader line.
The Straight-line connector tool lets you
draw a straight connector line.
The Right-angle connector tool lets you
draw a right angle connector line.
The Rounded right-angle connector tool
lets you draw a right-angle connector line
with curved corners.
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Interactive tools
The Edit anchor tool lets you modify
connector line anchor points.
The Drop shadow tool lets you apply a
drop shadow to an object.
The Contour tool lets you apply a contour
to an object.
The Blend tool lets you blend two objects.
The Distort tool lets you apply a Push or
Pull distortion, a Zipper distortion, or a
Twister distortion to an object.
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Transparency tool
The Envelope tool lets you shape an object
by dragging the nodes of the envelope.
The Extrude tool lets you apply the illusion
of depth to objects.
The Transparency tool lets you apply
transparencies to objects.
Eyedropper tools
Interactive fill tools
The Color eyedropper tool lets you select
and copy a color from an object on the
drawing window or the desktop.
The Attributes eyedropper tool lets you
select and copy object properties, such as
line thickness, size and effects, from an
object on the drawing window.
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The Interactive fill tool lets you apply
various fills.
The Mesh fill tool lets you apply a mesh
grid to an object.
The Smart fill tool lets you create objects
from enclosed areas and then apply a fill to
those objects.
Outline tool
Fill tool
The Outline tool opens a flyout that gives
you quick access to items such as the
Outline pen dialog box and Outline color
dialog box.
The Fill tool opens a flyout that gives you
quick access to items such as the fill dialog
boxes.
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Property bar
The property bar displays the most commonly used functions that are relevant to the active tool or to the task you’re performing. Although
it looks like a toolbar, the property bar content changes depending on the tool or task.
For example, when you click the Text tool in the toolbox, the property bar displays text-related commands. In the example below, the
property bar displays text, formatting, alignment, and editing tools.
You can customize the contents and position of the property bar to suit your needs. For more information, see “Customizing the property
bar” on page 750.
To toggle between displaying and hiding the property bar, click Window Toolbars Property bar .
To hide or display controls on the property bar, click the Quick customize button , and enable or disable the corresponding
check boxes.
Dockers
Dockers display the same types of controls as a dialog box, such as command buttons, options, and list boxes. Unlike most dialog boxes, you
can keep dockers open while working on a document, so you can readily access the commands to experiment with different effects. Dockers
have features similar to palettes in other graphics programs.
Dockers can be either docked or floating. A docked docker is attached to the edge of the application window, a toolbar, or a palette. A
floating docker is not attached to a workspace element. If you open several dockers, they usually appear nested, with only one docker fully
displayed. You can quickly display a docker hidden from view by clicking the docker’s tab.
You can move dockers, and you can collapse dockers to save screen space.
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An example is the Object properties docker. When this docker is open, you can click an
object in the drawing window to access various options for modifying object properties.
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In this example, the Object properties and the Object manager dockers
are docked and nested. The Transformations docker is floating.
To open a docker
•
Click Window Dockers , and click a docker.
To open or close dockers, you can also click the Quick customize button on the right side of a docker, and enable or disable the
corresponding check boxes.
You can also close a docker by clicking the X button on its title bar. Clicking the X button on the title bar closes all nested dockers in a
group. To close only a specific docker, click the X button on the docker’s tab.
To move dockers
To move Do the following
A docker Drag the docker’s tab to a new
location.
Multiple nested dockers Drag the title bar of the active docker
to a new location.
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