Corel Corel Draw - X8 Operation Manual

User Guide

Copyright © 2016 Corel Corporation. All rights reserved.

CorelDRAW® X8 User Guide

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Patents: www.corel.com/patent

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Contents | 1

Contents

Getting started.................................................................................................................................................................................... 17

Installing CorelDRAW Graphics Suite.................................................................................................................................................... 19

System requirements.......................................................................................................................................................................19

Preparing for installation................................................................................................................................................................ 20

Installing CorelDRAW Graphics Suite applications...........................................................................................................................20

Installation options......................................................................................................................................................................... 20

Modifying and repairing installations..............................................................................................................................................22

Uninstalling CorelDRAW Graphics Suite.......................................................................................................................................... 23

Frequently Asked Questions............................................................................................................................................................ 23

Corel accounts and services..................................................................................................................................................................25

Authenticating CorelDRAW Graphics Suite..................................................................................................................................... 25

Checking account settings and product details...............................................................................................................................26

Updating Corel products................................................................................................................................................................ 26

Upgrade Program........................................................................................................................................................................... 26

Changing user credentials...............................................................................................................................................................26

Corel Support Services.................................................................................................................................................................... 27

About Corel.................................................................................................................................................................................... 27

What’s new in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X8?.................................................................................................................................... 29

Jump in.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 29

Craft............................................................................................................................................................................................... 32

Personalize......................................................................................................................................................................................34

Finding out what was new in previous versions............................................................................................................................. 37

Learning resources................................................................................................................................................................................ 39

Getting help................................................................................................................................................................................... 39

Using the Help and tooltips........................................................................................................................................................... 40

Using Hints.....................................................................................................................................................................................42

Learning tours................................................................................................................................................................................ 42

Welcome screen............................................................................................................................................................................. 43

Accessing eBooks............................................................................................................................................................................43

Quick Start Guide........................................................................................................................................................................... 44

2 | CorelDRAW X8 User Guide

Insights from the Experts................................................................................................................................................................44

Video learning resources.................................................................................................................................................................44

Community website for developers.................................................................................................................................................45

Network deployment guide............................................................................................................................................................ 45

Web-based resources......................................................................................................................................................................45

Starting and setting up........................................................................................................................................................................ 47

Starting and quitting CorelDRAW................................................................................................................................................... 47

Changing the language.................................................................................................................................................................. 47

Changing startup settings...............................................................................................................................................................48

CorelDRAW basics................................................................................................................................................................................ 49

Understanding vector graphics and bitmaps...................................................................................................................................49

Starting and opening drawings...................................................................................................................................................... 50

Scanning images............................................................................................................................................................................ 53

Working with multiple drawings.................................................................................................................................................... 54

Undoing, redoing, and repeating actions....................................................................................................................................... 55

Zooming, panning, and scrolling.................................................................................................................................................... 56

Previewing drawings.......................................................................................................................................................................58

Choosing viewing modes................................................................................................................................................................60

Working with views........................................................................................................................................................................ 61

Saving drawings............................................................................................................................................................................. 62

Working with locked files............................................................................................................................................................... 64

Backing up and recovering files...................................................................................................................................................... 65

Adding and accessing drawing information....................................................................................................................................66

Closing drawings............................................................................................................................................................................ 66

Exploring basic tasks.......................................................................................................................................................................67

CorelDRAW workspace tour..................................................................................................................................................................69

CorelDRAW terms........................................................................................................................................................................... 69

Application window....................................................................................................................................................................... 70

Standard toolbar............................................................................................................................................................................ 73

Exploring the toolbox..................................................................................................................................................................... 75

Property bar....................................................................................................................................................................................90

Contents | 3

Dockers...........................................................................................................................................................................................90

Status bar.......................................................................................................................................................................................93

Choosing a workspace....................................................................................................................................................................93

Finding and managing creative tools and content................................................................................................................................95

Acquiring applications, plug-ins, and extensions.............................................................................................................................95

Finding content with the Get More docker.................................................................................................................................... 97

Accessing content...........................................................................................................................................................................99

Browsing and searching for content............................................................................................................................................. 101

Viewing content........................................................................................................................................................................... 104

Using content...............................................................................................................................................................................105

Installing fonts..............................................................................................................................................................................107

Managing content........................................................................................................................................................................ 107

Syncing trays with OneDrive......................................................................................................................................................... 109

Content types............................................................................................................................................................................... 110

Lines, shapes, and outlines................................................................................................................................................................113

Working with lines, outlines, and brushstrokes...................................................................................................................................115

Drawing lines................................................................................................................................................................................115

Drawing calligraphic, pressure-sensitive, and preset lines.............................................................................................................. 124

Formatting lines and outlines....................................................................................................................................................... 126

Adding arrowheads to lines and curves........................................................................................................................................130

Copying, converting, and removing outlines.................................................................................................................................132

Closing multiple line segments..................................................................................................................................................... 133

Applying brushstrokes.................................................................................................................................................................. 134

Spraying objects along a line........................................................................................................................................................135

Drawing connector and callout lines............................................................................................................................................ 138

Drawing dimension lines.............................................................................................................................................................. 141

Using pressure-sensitive pens and devices.................................................................................................................................... 144

Drawing shapes.................................................................................................................................................................................. 147

Drawing rectangles and squares................................................................................................................................................... 147

Drawing ellipses, circles, arcs, and pie shapes.............................................................................................................................. 150

Drawing polygons and stars......................................................................................................................................................... 152

4 | CorelDRAW X8 User Guide

Drawing spirals............................................................................................................................................................................. 154

Drawing grids............................................................................................................................................................................... 154

Drawing predefined shapes.......................................................................................................................................................... 155

Drawing by using shape recognition............................................................................................................................................ 156

Shaping objects.................................................................................................................................................................................. 159

Using curve objects...................................................................................................................................................................... 159

Selecting and moving nodes........................................................................................................................................................ 160

Manipulating segments................................................................................................................................................................ 162

Copying and cutting segments..................................................................................................................................................... 163

Adding, removing, joining, and aligning nodes............................................................................................................................ 163

Using node types..........................................................................................................................................................................165

Transforming nodes...................................................................................................................................................................... 166

Breaking the path of curve objects............................................................................................................................................... 167

Mirroring changes in curve objects...............................................................................................................................................168

Skewing and stretching objects.................................................................................................................................................... 168

Smudging and smearing objects.................................................................................................................................................. 170

Roughening objects...................................................................................................................................................................... 173

Smoothing objects........................................................................................................................................................................174

Shaping objects by attracting or pushing away nodes..................................................................................................................176

Applying distortion effects............................................................................................................................................................177

Adding twirl effects...................................................................................................................................................................... 179

Shaping objects by using envelopes............................................................................................................................................. 180

Cropping and erasing objects....................................................................................................................................................... 183

Trimming objects.......................................................................................................................................................................... 186

Filleting, scalloping, and chamfering corners................................................................................................................................ 187

Welding and intersecting objects..................................................................................................................................................190

Creating PowerClip objects........................................................................................................................................................... 191

Objects, symbols, and layers............................................................................................................................................................. 197

Working with objects......................................................................................................................................................................... 199

Selecting objects...........................................................................................................................................................................200

Transforming objects.................................................................................................................................................................... 203

Contents | 5

Copying, duplicating, and deleting objects................................................................................................................................... 206

Creating objects from enclosed areas........................................................................................................................................... 209

Creating a boundary around selected objects............................................................................................................................... 209

Using object coordinates to draw and modify objects.................................................................................................................. 210

Copying object properties, transformations, and effects............................................................................................................... 218

Cloning objects.............................................................................................................................................................................219

Positioning objects........................................................................................................................................................................220

Aligning and distributing objects..................................................................................................................................................222

Applying object hinting................................................................................................................................................................ 225

Snapping objects.......................................................................................................................................................................... 225

Using dynamic guides.................................................................................................................................................................. 228

Using alignment guides................................................................................................................................................................ 232

Changing the order of objects......................................................................................................................................................236

Sizing and scaling objects............................................................................................................................................................ 237

Rotating and mirroring objects..................................................................................................................................................... 238

Using the Object Properties docker to modify objects.................................................................................................................. 240

Grouping objects.......................................................................................................................................................................... 241

Combining objects........................................................................................................................................................................243

Splitting objects............................................................................................................................................................................244

Locking objects.............................................................................................................................................................................246

Finding and replacing objects....................................................................................................................................................... 246

Hiding and displaying objects.......................................................................................................................................................247

Constraining objects..................................................................................................................................................................... 248

Inserting bar codes....................................................................................................................................................................... 249

Inserting and editing QR codes.......................................................................................................................................................... 251

Inserting QR codes....................................................................................................................................................................... 251

Editing QR codes.......................................................................................................................................................................... 252

Validating QR codes..................................................................................................................................................................... 254

Working with layers............................................................................................................................................................................255

Creating layers.............................................................................................................................................................................. 255

Changing layer properties.............................................................................................................................................................259

6 | CorelDRAW X8 User Guide

Moving and copying layers and objects........................................................................................................................................262

Working with symbols........................................................................................................................................................................ 265

Creating, editing, and deleting symbols........................................................................................................................................265

Using symbols in drawings........................................................................................................................................................... 267

Managing collections and libraries............................................................................................................................................... 269

Reference: Working with symbols................................................................................................................................................. 270

Linking and embedding objects..........................................................................................................................................................273

Inserting linked or embedded objects........................................................................................................................................... 273

Editing linked or embedded objects............................................................................................................................................. 274

Managing projects..............................................................................................................................................................................275

Setting up the project database................................................................................................................................................... 275

Assigning and copying object data...............................................................................................................................................276

Viewing an object data summary................................................................................................................................................. 277

Color, fills, and transparencies...........................................................................................................................................................279

Working with color............................................................................................................................................................................ 281

Understanding color models.........................................................................................................................................................281

Understanding color depth...........................................................................................................................................................283

Choosing colors............................................................................................................................................................................ 284

Using the Document palette.........................................................................................................................................................290

Creating and editing custom color palettes.................................................................................................................................. 293

Organizing and displaying color palettes...................................................................................................................................... 296

Displaying or hiding color palettes in the Palette libraries............................................................................................................. 297

Setting the properties of color palettes........................................................................................................................................ 299

Filling objects......................................................................................................................................................................................301

Applying uniform fills................................................................................................................................................................... 301

Applying fountain fills.................................................................................................................................................................. 302

Applying pattern fills.................................................................................................................................................................... 305

Applying texture fills.....................................................................................................................................................................309

Applying PostScript fills................................................................................................................................................................ 311

Applying mesh fills....................................................................................................................................................................... 312

Applying fills to areas...................................................................................................................................................................315

Contents | 7

Working with fills......................................................................................................................................................................... 316

Changing the transparency of objects................................................................................................................................................ 319

Applying uniform transparency.....................................................................................................................................................319

Applying fountain transparency.................................................................................................................................................... 320

Applying pattern transparency......................................................................................................................................................322

Applying texture transparency...................................................................................................................................................... 325

Copying, freezing, and removing transparencies...........................................................................................................................325

Applying merge modes................................................................................................................................................................ 326

Managing and sharing fills and transparencies...................................................................................................................................331

Managing fills and transparencies................................................................................................................................................ 331

Saving and sharing fills and transparencies.................................................................................................................................. 334

Using color management................................................................................................................................................................... 335

Understanding color management............................................................................................................................................... 335

Getting started with color management in CorelDRAW................................................................................................................ 339

Installing, loading, and embedding color profiles......................................................................................................................... 342

Assigning color profiles................................................................................................................................................................ 344

Converting colors to other color profiles...................................................................................................................................... 344

Choosing color-conversion settings............................................................................................................................................... 345

Soft proofing................................................................................................................................................................................ 345

Working with color management presets..................................................................................................................................... 348

Working with color management policies.....................................................................................................................................349

Managing colors when opening documents.................................................................................................................................350

Managing colors when importing and pasting files...................................................................................................................... 351

Managing colors for print............................................................................................................................................................ 351

Using a safe CMYK workflow....................................................................................................................................................... 352

Managing colors for online viewing............................................................................................................................................. 352

Special effects.................................................................................................................................................................................... 353

Using lenses with objects................................................................................................................................................................... 355

Applying lenses.............................................................................................................................................................................355

Editing lenses............................................................................................................................................................................... 357

Adding 3D effects to objects..............................................................................................................................................................359

8 | CorelDRAW X8 User Guide

Contouring objects....................................................................................................................................................................... 359

Applying perspective to objects.................................................................................................................................................... 362

Creating extrusions....................................................................................................................................................................... 363

Creating bevel effects................................................................................................................................................................... 367

Creating drop shadows................................................................................................................................................................ 369

Blending objects........................................................................................................................................................................... 372

Text.....................................................................................................................................................................................................379

Adding and manipulating text............................................................................................................................................................381

Importing and pasting text...........................................................................................................................................................381

Adding artistic text....................................................................................................................................................................... 383

Adding paragraph text................................................................................................................................................................. 383

Adding columns to text frames.................................................................................................................................................... 387

Combining and linking paragraph text frames..............................................................................................................................388

Aligning text by using the baseline grid....................................................................................................................................... 391

Selecting text................................................................................................................................................................................ 392

Finding, editing, and converting text............................................................................................................................................ 392

Shifting, rotating, mirroring, and flipping text..............................................................................................................................394

Moving text.................................................................................................................................................................................. 396

Wrapping text.............................................................................................................................................................................. 397

Fitting text to a path....................................................................................................................................................................398

Inserting special characters, symbols, and glyphs..........................................................................................................................400

Embedding graphics..................................................................................................................................................................... 404

Working with legacy text..............................................................................................................................................................405

Formatting text...................................................................................................................................................................................407

Choosing typefaces and fonts.......................................................................................................................................................407

Formatting characters................................................................................................................................................................... 410

Changing text color...................................................................................................................................................................... 412

Kerning a range of characters...................................................................................................................................................... 413

Changing text case....................................................................................................................................................................... 414

Working with OpenType features..................................................................................................................................................415

Adjusting character and word spacing......................................................................................................................................... 419

Contents | 9

Adjusting line and paragraph spacing.......................................................................................................................................... 421

Adding bullets to text.................................................................................................................................................................. 422

Inserting drop caps.......................................................................................................................................................................424

Changing character position and angle........................................................................................................................................ 425

Aligning text.................................................................................................................................................................................426

Adding tabs and indents.............................................................................................................................................................. 428

Working with text styles............................................................................................................................................................... 429

Hyphenating text.......................................................................................................................................................................... 429

Inserting formatting codes........................................................................................................................................................... 432

Displaying nonprinting characters.................................................................................................................................................433

Working with text in different languages........................................................................................................................................... 435

Formatting Asian text................................................................................................................................................................... 435

Using line-breaking rules for Asian text........................................................................................................................................ 436

OpenType support for Asian text.................................................................................................................................................. 437

Formatting multilingual text......................................................................................................................................................... 437

Displaying text correctly in any language......................................................................................................................................439

Managing fonts..................................................................................................................................................................................441

Substituting fonts......................................................................................................................................................................... 441

Embedding fonts.......................................................................................................................................................................... 442

Viewing fonts............................................................................................................................................................................... 443

Filtering fonts............................................................................................................................................................................... 444

Searching for fonts....................................................................................................................................................................... 445

Identifying fonts........................................................................................................................................................................... 447

Choosing fonts with Font Playground...........................................................................................................................................447

Using Corel Font Manager............................................................................................................................................................450

Using writing tools............................................................................................................................................................................. 451

Using QuickCorrect....................................................................................................................................................................... 451

Using the spelling checker and Grammatik...................................................................................................................................453

Using the thesaurus......................................................................................................................................................................455

Working with languages...............................................................................................................................................................456

Customizing the writing tools...................................................................................................................................................... 456

10 | CorelDRAW X8 User Guide

Using checking styles....................................................................................................................................................................457

Using rule classes......................................................................................................................................................................... 460

Analyzing a drawing.....................................................................................................................................................................461

Using word lists............................................................................................................................................................................462

Checking statistics........................................................................................................................................................................ 465

Reference: Using writing tools...................................................................................................................................................... 465

Templates and styles..........................................................................................................................................................................471

Working with templates..................................................................................................................................................................... 473

Searching for templates................................................................................................................................................................473

Using templates............................................................................................................................................................................475

Creating templates....................................................................................................................................................................... 476

Editing templates..........................................................................................................................................................................477

Working with styles and style sets......................................................................................................................................................479

Creating styles and style sets........................................................................................................................................................480

Applying styles and style sets....................................................................................................................................................... 482

Editing styles and style sets.......................................................................................................................................................... 483

Managing default object properties..............................................................................................................................................484

Exporting and importing style sheets............................................................................................................................................485

Assigning keyboard shortcuts to styles or style sets...................................................................................................................... 486

Finding objects that use a specific style or style set...................................................................................................................... 486

Breaking the link between objects and styles or style sets.............................................................................................................486

Working with color styles................................................................................................................................................................... 489

Creating and applying color styles................................................................................................................................................ 489

Editing color styles....................................................................................................................................................................... 492

Viewing color styles...................................................................................................................................................................... 496

Exporting and importing color styles............................................................................................................................................ 498

Breaking the link between a color style and an object..................................................................................................................498

Pages and layout............................................................................................................................................................................... 499

Working with pages and layout tools.................................................................................................................................................501

Specifying the page layout........................................................................................................................................................... 501

Contents | 11

Choosing a page background.......................................................................................................................................................504

Adding, duplicating, renaming, and deleting pages..................................................................................................................... 505

Inserting page numbers................................................................................................................................................................507

Using the rulers............................................................................................................................................................................ 509

Calibrating the rulers.................................................................................................................................................................... 510

Setting up the document grid...................................................................................................................................................... 511

Setting up the baseline grid......................................................................................................................................................... 512

Setting up guidelines....................................................................................................................................................................513

Modifying guidelines.................................................................................................................................................................... 516

Setting the drawing scale............................................................................................................................................................. 517

Working with tables........................................................................................................................................................................... 519

Adding tables to drawings........................................................................................................................................................... 519

Selecting, moving, and navigating table components................................................................................................................... 521

Inserting and deleting table rows and columns............................................................................................................................ 523

Resizing table cells, rows, and columns........................................................................................................................................ 524

Formatting tables and cells...........................................................................................................................................................525

Working with text in tables.......................................................................................................................................................... 528

Converting tables to text.............................................................................................................................................................. 529

Merging and splitting tables and cells.......................................................................................................................................... 529

Manipulating tables as objects..................................................................................................................................................... 531

Adding images, graphics, and backgrounds to tables...................................................................................................................531

Importing tables in a drawing...................................................................................................................................................... 532

Bitmaps.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 535

Working with bitmaps........................................................................................................................................................................ 537

Converting vector graphics to bitmaps......................................................................................................................................... 537

Importing bitmaps........................................................................................................................................................................539

Cropping bitmaps.........................................................................................................................................................................539

Changing the dimensions and resolution of bitmaps.................................................................................................................... 539

Straightening bitmaps.................................................................................................................................................................. 541

Correcting perspective distortions................................................................................................................................................. 544

Using Digimarc watermarks to identify bitmaps........................................................................................................................... 545

12 | CorelDRAW X8 User Guide

Removing dust and scratch marks from bitmaps.......................................................................................................................... 546

Applying special effects in bitmaps...............................................................................................................................................546

Working with colors in bitmaps................................................................................................................................................... 552

Using the Image Adjustment Lab................................................................................................................................................. 554

Adjusting color and tone..............................................................................................................................................................559

Using the Tone Curve filter........................................................................................................................................................... 560

Transforming color and tone........................................................................................................................................................ 561

Editing bitmaps with Corel PHOTO-PAINT.....................................................................................................................................562

Working with bitmap color modes..................................................................................................................................................... 563

Changing the color mode of bitmaps...........................................................................................................................................563

Changing bitmaps to black-and-white images..............................................................................................................................564

Changing bitmaps to duotones.................................................................................................................................................... 565

Changing bitmaps to the paletted color mode.............................................................................................................................566

Tracing bitmaps and editing traced results......................................................................................................................................... 571

Tracing bitmaps............................................................................................................................................................................ 571

PowerTRACE controls....................................................................................................................................................................574

Previewing traced results.............................................................................................................................................................. 576

Fine-tuning traced results............................................................................................................................................................. 576

Adjusting colors in traced results..................................................................................................................................................578

Setting default tracing options..................................................................................................................................................... 581

Tips for tracing bitmaps and editing traced results....................................................................................................................... 581

Working with RAW camera files......................................................................................................................................................... 583

Using RAW camera files............................................................................................................................................................... 583

Bringing RAW camera files into CorelDRAW................................................................................................................................. 584

Adjusting the color and tone of RAW camera files....................................................................................................................... 587

Sharpening and reducing noise in RAW camera files.................................................................................................................... 589

Previewing RAW camera files and obtaining image information................................................................................................... 590

Printing.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 593

Printing basics.................................................................................................................................................................................... 595

Printing your work........................................................................................................................................................................595

Laying out print jobs.................................................................................................................................................................... 596

Contents | 13

Previewing print jobs.................................................................................................................................................................... 597

Applying print styles..................................................................................................................................................................... 598

Fine-tuning print jobs................................................................................................................................................................... 599

Printing colors accurately.............................................................................................................................................................. 600

Printing to a PostScript printer..................................................................................................................................................... 602

Using print merge........................................................................................................................................................................ 604

Viewing preflight summaries........................................................................................................................................................ 608

Preparing files for print service providers............................................................................................................................................ 609

Preparing a print job for a print service provider.......................................................................................................................... 609

Working with imposition layouts.................................................................................................................................................. 610

Printing printers’ marks................................................................................................................................................................ 612

Maintaining OPI links................................................................................................................................................................... 615

Printing color separations............................................................................................................................................................. 615

Working with color trapping and overprinting............................................................................................................................. 616

Specifying In-RIP trapping settings................................................................................................................................................619

Printing to film............................................................................................................................................................................. 621

Preparing banners for printing..................................................................................................................................................... 622

Working with a print service provider...........................................................................................................................................624

Web graphics.....................................................................................................................................................................................625

Creating objects for the web..............................................................................................................................................................627

Exporting bitmaps for the web.....................................................................................................................................................627

Saving and applying web presets................................................................................................................................................. 634

Exporting objects with transparent colors and backgrounds......................................................................................................... 634

Creating rollovers..........................................................................................................................................................................635

Adding bookmarks and hyperlinks to documents......................................................................................................................... 637

Adding hotspots and alternate text to objects..............................................................................................................................638

Exporting to HTML............................................................................................................................................................................. 641

Setting preferences for exporting images to HTML....................................................................................................................... 641

Creating web-compatible text.......................................................................................................................................................642

Previewing and verifying files before exporting to HTML...............................................................................................................642

Exporting to HTML....................................................................................................................................................................... 643

14 | CorelDRAW X8 User Guide

File formats........................................................................................................................................................................................645

Importing and exporting files............................................................................................................................................................. 647

Importing files.............................................................................................................................................................................. 647

Exporting files...............................................................................................................................................................................650

Exporting to PDF................................................................................................................................................................................ 653

Exporting documents as PDF files................................................................................................................................................. 653

Including hyperlinks, bookmarks, and thumbnails in PDF files.......................................................................................................656

Reducing the size of PDF files...................................................................................................................................................... 656

Working with text and fonts in PDF files...................................................................................................................................... 657

Specifying an encoding format for PDF files................................................................................................................................. 659

Specifying a viewing option for EPS files...................................................................................................................................... 659

Specifying color management options for exporting PDF files.......................................................................................................660

Setting security options for PDF files............................................................................................................................................ 661

Optimizing PDF files..................................................................................................................................................................... 662

Viewing preflight summaries for PDF files.................................................................................................................................... 663

Preparing PDF files for a print provider.........................................................................................................................................664

Working with office productivity applications..................................................................................................................................... 667

Importing files from office productivity applications..................................................................................................................... 667

Exporting files to office productivity applications..........................................................................................................................667

Adding objects to documents...................................................................................................................................................... 667

Supported file formats........................................................................................................................................................................669

Adobe Illustrator (AI).................................................................................................................................................................... 670

Adobe Type 1 Font (PFB).............................................................................................................................................................. 672

Windows Bitmap (BMP)................................................................................................................................................................673

OS/2 Bitmap (BMP).......................................................................................................................................................................674

Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM)..............................................................................................................................................674

CorelDRAW (CDR)......................................................................................................................................................................... 675

Corel Presentation Exchange (CMX).............................................................................................................................................. 675

Corel PHOTO-PAINT (CPT)............................................................................................................................................................. 676

Corel Symbol Library (CSL)............................................................................................................................................................676

Cursor Resource (CUR).................................................................................................................................................................. 677

Contents | 15

Microsoft Word (DOC, DOCX, or RTF).......................................................................................................................................... 677

Microsoft Publisher (PUB)............................................................................................................................................................. 679

Corel DESIGNER (DES, DSF, DS4, or DRW).................................................................................................................................... 679

AutoCAD Drawing Database (DWG) and AutoCAD Drawing Interchange Format (DXF).................................................................680

Encapsulated PostScript (EPS)....................................................................................................................................................... 682

PostScript (PS or PRN)...................................................................................................................................................................686

GIF................................................................................................................................................................................................686

JPEG (JPG).................................................................................................................................................................................... 687

JPEG 2000 (JP2)........................................................................................................................................................................... 688

Kodak Photo CD Image (PCD).......................................................................................................................................................689

PICT (PCT)..................................................................................................................................................................................... 690

PaintBrush (PCX)........................................................................................................................................................................... 691

Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF)...................................................................................................................................... 692

HPGL Plotter File (PLT).................................................................................................................................................................. 693

Portable Network Graphics (PNG)................................................................................................................................................. 694

Adobe Photoshop (PSD)............................................................................................................................................................... 695

Corel Painter (RIF)......................................................................................................................................................................... 696

Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG).....................................................................................................................................................697

Adobe Flash (SWF)....................................................................................................................................................................... 700

TARGA (TGA)................................................................................................................................................................................701

TIFF...............................................................................................................................................................................................702

Corel Paint Shop Pro (PSP)............................................................................................................................................................702

TrueType Font (TTF).......................................................................................................................................................................703

Visio (VSD)....................................................................................................................................................................................703

WordPerfect Document (WPD)......................................................................................................................................................703

WordPerfect Graphic (WPG)..........................................................................................................................................................704

RAW camera file formats..............................................................................................................................................................705

Wavelet Compressed Bitmap (WI).................................................................................................................................................705

Windows Metafile Format (WMF)................................................................................................................................................. 705

Additional file formats.................................................................................................................................................................. 705

Recommended formats for importing graphics.............................................................................................................................706

16 | CorelDRAW X8 User Guide

Recommended formats for exporting graphics............................................................................................................................. 707

General notes on importing text files........................................................................................................................................... 708

Customizing and automating............................................................................................................................................................ 709

Setting basic preferences.................................................................................................................................................................... 711

Disabling warning messages......................................................................................................................................................... 711

Viewing system information......................................................................................................................................................... 711

Customizing CorelDRAW.................................................................................................................................................................... 713

Saving defaults............................................................................................................................................................................. 713

Creating workspaces.....................................................................................................................................................................714

Customizing workspace appearance............................................................................................................................................. 715

Customizing keyboard shortcuts................................................................................................................................................... 717

Customizing menus...................................................................................................................................................................... 719

Customizing toolbars....................................................................................................................................................................720

Customizing the toolbox.............................................................................................................................................................. 723

Customizing the property bar.......................................................................................................................................................724

Customizing the status bar...........................................................................................................................................................725

Customizing filters........................................................................................................................................................................ 726

Customizing file associations........................................................................................................................................................ 727

Using macros to automate tasks........................................................................................................................................................ 729

Working with macros................................................................................................................................................................... 729

Reference........................................................................................................................................................................................... 737

CorelDRAW for Adobe Illustrator users............................................................................................................................................... 739

Comparing terminology................................................................................................................................................................ 739

Comparing tools........................................................................................................................................................................... 740

Using the Adobe Illustrator workspace......................................................................................................................................... 743

Glossary.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 745

Getting started | 17

Getting started

Installing CorelDRAW Graphics Suite..................................................................................................................................................... 19

Corel accounts and services...................................................................................................................................................................25

What’s new in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X8?..................................................................................................................................... 29

Learning resources................................................................................................................................................................................. 39

Starting and setting up......................................................................................................................................................................... 47

CorelDRAW basics..................................................................................................................................................................................49

CorelDRAW workspace tour...................................................................................................................................................................69

Finding and managing creative tools and content................................................................................................................................. 95

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18 | CorelDRAW X8 User Guide

Installing CorelDRAW Graphics Suite | 19

Installing CorelDRAW Graphics Suite

This section contains the following topics:

• “System requirements” (page 19)

• “Preparing for installation” (page 20)

• “Installing CorelDRAW Graphics Suite applications” (page 20)

• “Installation options” (page 20)

• “Modifying and repairing installations” (page 22)

• “Uninstalling CorelDRAW Graphics Suite” (page 23)

• “Frequently Asked Questions” (page 23)

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, 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.

• Multi-touch screen, mouse, or tablet

• 1280 x 720 screen resolution at 100% (96 dpi), 1920 x 1080 at 150%, and 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.

If the Microsoft .NET Framework is not available on your computer, it will be installed during product installation.

20 | CorelDRAW X8 User Guide

Preparing for installation

• Make sure that your system’s date and time are set correctly.

• 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 or Windows 10 Start menu or the Windows 8 desktop.

• Install CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite X8 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.

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: 64-Bit or 32-Bit.

• Download the product.

3 In the installation wizard, scroll down to read the license agreement, and then accept the terms by enabling the check box.

4 Click Next.

5 Type your name in the User 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.

• Custominstallation — lets you choose additional features, exclude components that you don’t need, and specify where to install the

suite. For example, you can install desktop shortcuts.

• 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 X8 Deployment 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.

Installing CorelDRAW Graphics Suite | 21

Program Description

CorelDRAW®

An intuitive and versatile graphics application for creating high-

quality 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.

To install additional languages, you must

choose Custom installation, or modify your

installation later.

Duplexing Wizard Lets you configure a printer for two-sided

printing

Requires Custom installation

Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications 7.1 A subset of the Microsoft Visual Basic

(VB) programming environment, which is

suitable for beginners.

You can use VBA to create basic macros

for personal use, but you can also use it to

create more advanced macro projects.

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 use VSTA with CorelDRAW Graphics

Suite, you must have your own copy of

Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 installed.

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

22 | CorelDRAW X8 User Guide

Feature or utility Description Notes

modify or repair a CorelDRAW Graphics

Suite X8 installation” on page 23.

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.

If you have installed CorelDRAW Graphics

Suite or CorelDRAW Technical Suite

before, this option does not appear in the

installation wizard.

GPL Ghostscript Highly recommended if you import EPS

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.

Included with the Typical installation

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.

Allow product updates Automatically downloads product updates

and asks you before installing them

Included with the Typical installation

Install desktop shortcuts Adds product icons to your desktop for easy

access

Included with the Typical installation

Copy installation files Lets you maintain and update the software

without using the installation disc

Included with the Typical installation

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.

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.

Installing CorelDRAW Graphics Suite | 23

To modify or repair a CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X8 installation

1 Close all applications.

2 On the Windows Control Panel, click Uninstall a program.

3 Double-click CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X8 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 CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X8 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 23)

• “What is the difference between an upgrade and an update?” (page 23)

• “What if I lost my serial number and need to reinstall the software?” (page 23)

• “What is the difference between Typical and Custom installation? Which type of installation is suitable for me?” (page 24)

• “How do I deploy CorelDRAW Graphics Suite to my organization’s network?” (page 24)

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.

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.

24 | CorelDRAW X8 User Guide

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 20.

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 X8 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.

Corel accounts and services | 25

Corel accounts and services

This section contains the following topics:

• “Authenticating CorelDRAW Graphics Suite” (page 25)

• “Checking account settings and product details” (page 26)

• “Updating Corel products” (page 26)

• “Upgrade Program” (page 26)

• “Changing user credentials” (page 26)

• “Corel Support Services” (page 27)

• “About Corel” (page 27)

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 26.

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.

26 | CorelDRAW X8 User Guide

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. In addition, with the default installation, the

application automatically downloads new product updates and asks you for permission to install them.

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 previous versions of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite.

You can access former premium content from version X6 or X7 in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X8 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.

If you have subscribed to the product, the Upgrade Program is included with your subscription. Subscription is a payment method that

allows you to use the product for a fixed period of time, with the option to renew.

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.

Corel accounts and services | 27

• 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.

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.

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