Corel Photo Paint - X8 Operation Manual
User Guide
Copyright © 2016 Corel Corporation. All rights reserved.
Corel® PHOTO-PAINT® X8 User Guide
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Contents
Getting started.................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Installing CorelDRAW Graphics Suite.................................................................................................................................................... 17
System requirements.......................................................................................................................................................................17
Preparing for installation................................................................................................................................................................ 18
Installing CorelDRAW Graphics Suite applications...........................................................................................................................18
Installation options......................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Modifying and repairing installations..............................................................................................................................................20
Uninstalling CorelDRAW Graphics Suite.......................................................................................................................................... 21
Frequently Asked Questions............................................................................................................................................................ 21
Corel accounts and services..................................................................................................................................................................23
Authenticating CorelDRAW Graphics Suite..................................................................................................................................... 23
Checking account settings and product details...............................................................................................................................24
Updating Corel products................................................................................................................................................................ 24
Upgrade Program........................................................................................................................................................................... 24
Changing user credentials...............................................................................................................................................................24
Corel Support Services.................................................................................................................................................................... 25
About Corel.................................................................................................................................................................................... 25
What’s new in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X8?.................................................................................................................................... 27
Jump in.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 27
Craft............................................................................................................................................................................................... 30
Personalize......................................................................................................................................................................................32
Finding out what was new in previous versions............................................................................................................................. 35
Learning resources................................................................................................................................................................................ 37
Getting help................................................................................................................................................................................... 37
Using the Help and tooltips........................................................................................................................................................... 38
Using Hints.....................................................................................................................................................................................40
Learning tours................................................................................................................................................................................ 40
Welcome screen............................................................................................................................................................................. 41
Accessing eBooks............................................................................................................................................................................41
Contents | 1
Quick Start Guide........................................................................................................................................................................... 42
Insights from the Experts................................................................................................................................................................42
Video learning resources.................................................................................................................................................................42
Community website for developers.................................................................................................................................................43
Network deployment guide............................................................................................................................................................ 43
Web-based resources......................................................................................................................................................................43
Starting and setting up........................................................................................................................................................................ 45
Starting and quitting Corel PHOTO-PAINT...................................................................................................................................... 45
Changing the language.................................................................................................................................................................. 45
Changing startup settings...............................................................................................................................................................46
Corel PHOTO-PAINT workspace tour.....................................................................................................................................................47
Corel PHOTO-PAINT terms.............................................................................................................................................................. 47
Corel PHOTO-PAINT application window........................................................................................................................................ 48
Choosing a workspace....................................................................................................................................................................50
Toolbars..........................................................................................................................................................................................51
Toolbox...........................................................................................................................................................................................53
Property bar....................................................................................................................................................................................62
Dockers...........................................................................................................................................................................................62
Color palette...................................................................................................................................................................................64
Status bar.......................................................................................................................................................................................64
Setting options..................................................................................................................................................................................... 67
Changing workspace options..........................................................................................................................................................67
Disabling warning messages........................................................................................................................................................... 68
Bringing images into Corel PHOTO-PAINT.............................................................................................................................................69
Opening images............................................................................................................................................................................. 69
Importing files................................................................................................................................................................................ 71
Scanning images............................................................................................................................................................................ 73
Creating images..............................................................................................................................................................................74
Working with multiple images........................................................................................................................................................76
Working with vector graphics.........................................................................................................................................................76
Displaying images and image information............................................................................................................................................ 79
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Viewing images.............................................................................................................................................................................. 79
Zooming.........................................................................................................................................................................................81
Viewing image information............................................................................................................................................................ 82
Refreshing the image window........................................................................................................................................................ 83
Detecting and embedding Digimarc watermarks............................................................................................................................ 83
Using the guidelines, grid, and rulers...................................................................................................................................................85
Setting up guidelines......................................................................................................................................................................85
Setting up the grid.........................................................................................................................................................................88
Setting up the rulers...................................................................................................................................................................... 90
Undoing, redoing, repeating, and fading actions................................................................................................................................. 93
Undoing and redoing actions......................................................................................................................................................... 93
Reverting to an earlier image state.................................................................................................................................................94
Repeating and fading actions......................................................................................................................................................... 95
Saving and closing............................................................................................................................................................................... 97
Saving images................................................................................................................................................................................ 97
Exporting images to other file formats........................................................................................................................................... 99
Working with locked files............................................................................................................................................................. 100
Closing images............................................................................................................................................................................. 100
Finding and managing creative tools and content..............................................................................................................................103
Acquiring applications, plug-ins, and extensions...........................................................................................................................103
Finding content with the Get More docker.................................................................................................................................. 105
Accessing content.........................................................................................................................................................................107
Browsing and searching for content.............................................................................................................................................109
Viewing content........................................................................................................................................................................... 112
Using content...............................................................................................................................................................................113
Installing fonts..............................................................................................................................................................................114
Managing content........................................................................................................................................................................ 115
Syncing trays with OneDrive......................................................................................................................................................... 116
Content types............................................................................................................................................................................... 118
Editing images................................................................................................................................................................................... 121
Contents | 3
Changing image dimensions, resolution, and paper size.................................................................................................................... 123
Changing image dimensions.........................................................................................................................................................123
Changing image resolution...........................................................................................................................................................124
Changing paper size..................................................................................................................................................................... 125
Cropping, stitching, scaling, and changing orientation....................................................................................................................... 127
Cropping images.......................................................................................................................................................................... 127
Stitching images together.............................................................................................................................................................129
Scaling images by using Smart Carver.......................................................................................................................................... 130
Straightening images.................................................................................................................................................................... 133
Correcting perspective distortions................................................................................................................................................. 135
Rotating and flipping images....................................................................................................................................................... 136
Retouching......................................................................................................................................................................................... 139
Improving scanned images........................................................................................................................................................... 139
Removing red-eye......................................................................................................................................................................... 140
Removing dust and scratch marks................................................................................................................................................ 141
Cloning image areas..................................................................................................................................................................... 144
Sharpening images....................................................................................................................................................................... 146
Removing artifacts and noise from JPEG images...........................................................................................................................148
Erasing image areas......................................................................................................................................................................148
Smearing, smudging, and blending colors....................................................................................................................................150
Adjusting color and tone....................................................................................................................................................................153
Using the Image Adjustment Lab................................................................................................................................................. 153
Using individual color-adjustment effects and tools...................................................................................................................... 158
Exploring adjustment filters.......................................................................................................................................................... 162
Working with color channels........................................................................................................................................................ 166
Working with lenses........................................................................................................................................................................... 169
Creating lenses............................................................................................................................................................................. 169
Editing lenses............................................................................................................................................................................... 173
Combining lenses with the image background............................................................................................................................. 175
Reshaping image areas....................................................................................................................................................................... 177
Smearing image areas.................................................................................................................................................................. 177
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Adding twirl effects...................................................................................................................................................................... 178
Reshaping image areas by pulling or pushing away pixels............................................................................................................ 179
Color, fills, and transparencies...........................................................................................................................................................181
Working with color............................................................................................................................................................................ 183
Understanding color models.........................................................................................................................................................183
Understanding color depth...........................................................................................................................................................185
Choosing colors............................................................................................................................................................................ 186
Using the Image palette............................................................................................................................................................... 192
Creating and editing custom color palettes.................................................................................................................................. 194
Organizing and displaying color palettes...................................................................................................................................... 197
Displaying or hiding color palettes in the Palette libraries............................................................................................................. 199
Setting the properties of color palettes........................................................................................................................................ 200
Using spot color channels............................................................................................................................................................ 201
Changing color modes....................................................................................................................................................................... 205
Changing the color mode of images............................................................................................................................................ 205
Converting images to the black-and-white color mode.................................................................................................................207
Converting images to the paletted color mode.............................................................................................................................207
Converting images to the duotone color mode............................................................................................................................ 210
Using color management................................................................................................................................................................... 213
Understanding color management............................................................................................................................................... 213
Getting started with color management in Corel PHOTO-PAINT....................................................................................................217
Installing, loading, and embedding color profiles......................................................................................................................... 218
Assigning color profiles................................................................................................................................................................ 220
Converting colors to other color profiles...................................................................................................................................... 220
Choosing color-conversion settings............................................................................................................................................... 221
Soft proofing................................................................................................................................................................................ 221
Working with color management presets..................................................................................................................................... 224
Working with color management policies.....................................................................................................................................225
Managing colors when opening documents.................................................................................................................................226
Managing colors when importing and pasting files...................................................................................................................... 227
Contents | 5
Managing colors for print............................................................................................................................................................ 227
Using a safe CMYK workflow....................................................................................................................................................... 228
Managing colors for online viewing............................................................................................................................................. 228
Filling images......................................................................................................................................................................................229
Applying uniform fills................................................................................................................................................................... 229
Applying fountain fills.................................................................................................................................................................. 230
Applying bitmap pattern fills........................................................................................................................................................ 233
Applying texture fills.....................................................................................................................................................................235
Applying transparency patterns to fills..........................................................................................................................................237
Working with transparency.................................................................................................................................................................239
Applying uniform transparency.....................................................................................................................................................239
Applying fountain transparency.................................................................................................................................................... 240
Applying bitmap pattern transparency..........................................................................................................................................242
Applying texture transparency...................................................................................................................................................... 244
Applying transparency by using brushstrokes............................................................................................................................... 245
Making selected colors in objects transparent.............................................................................................................................. 246
Blending objects........................................................................................................................................................................... 246
Managing and sharing fills and transparencies...................................................................................................................................249
Managing fills and transparencies................................................................................................................................................ 249
Saving and sharing fills and transparencies.................................................................................................................................. 252
Masks and paths............................................................................................................................................................................... 253
Working with masks...........................................................................................................................................................................255
Distinguishing protected and editable areas................................................................................................................................. 255
Defining editable areas................................................................................................................................................................. 257
Defining editable areas by using color information.......................................................................................................................261
Expanding and contracting editable areas.................................................................................................................................... 264
Inverting and removing masks......................................................................................................................................................266
Moving and aligning editable areas..............................................................................................................................................267
Transforming editable areas.......................................................................................................................................................... 269
Adjusting the edges of editable areas.......................................................................................................................................... 271
Adjusting the transparency of masks............................................................................................................................................ 274
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Cutting out images.......................................................................................................................................................................274
Using paths to define image areas.....................................................................................................................................................279
Creating paths.............................................................................................................................................................................. 279
Managing paths........................................................................................................................................................................... 281
Shaping paths.............................................................................................................................................................................. 283
Adding and deleting path nodes.................................................................................................................................................. 285
Joining and breaking paths.......................................................................................................................................................... 286
Changing node types................................................................................................................................................................... 286
Applying brushstrokes to paths.................................................................................................................................................... 288
Working with clipping paths........................................................................................................................................................ 289
Managing multiple masks with alpha channels.................................................................................................................................. 291
Creating and editing alpha channels............................................................................................................................................ 291
Saving masks and alpha channels................................................................................................................................................ 292
Loading masks and alpha channels.............................................................................................................................................. 293
Managing alpha channels.............................................................................................................................................................294
Painting and special effects............................................................................................................................................................... 297
Drawing and painting........................................................................................................................................................................ 299
Drawing shapes and lines.............................................................................................................................................................299
Applying brushstrokes.................................................................................................................................................................. 303
Spraying images........................................................................................................................................................................... 306
Painting symmetrical patterns and orbits...................................................................................................................................... 309
Repeating brushstrokes.................................................................................................................................................................310
Creating custom brushes.............................................................................................................................................................. 311
Using pressure-sensitive pens and devices.................................................................................................................................... 313
Understanding merge modes....................................................................................................................................................... 315
Applying special effects...................................................................................................................................................................... 319
Working with special effects.........................................................................................................................................................319
Applying preset styles................................................................................................................................................................... 321
Applying color and tone effects................................................................................................................................................... 322
Special effects categories.............................................................................................................................................................. 322
Contents | 7
Applying Bevel effects...................................................................................................................................................................329
Applying the Bokeh Blur effect..................................................................................................................................................... 329
Applying Lens Flare effects........................................................................................................................................................... 331
Applying Lighting effects.............................................................................................................................................................. 331
Adding photo frames................................................................................................................................................................... 332
Gallery of special effects............................................................................................................................................................... 333
Managing plug-ins....................................................................................................................................................................... 345
Objects...............................................................................................................................................................................................347
Working with objects......................................................................................................................................................................... 349
Creating objects............................................................................................................................................................................350
Changing object properties...........................................................................................................................................................351
Selecting objects...........................................................................................................................................................................352
Moving, copying, and deleting objects......................................................................................................................................... 354
Displaying and arranging objects..................................................................................................................................................355
Aligning and distributing objects..................................................................................................................................................357
Using alignment guides................................................................................................................................................................ 358
Locking objects.............................................................................................................................................................................361
Grouping and combining objects................................................................................................................................................. 361
Choosing a merge mode for grouped objects.............................................................................................................................. 363
Working with clipping groups...................................................................................................................................................... 364
Modifying objects............................................................................................................................................................................... 367
Transforming objects.................................................................................................................................................................... 367
Cropping objects.......................................................................................................................................................................... 371
Changing the edges of objects..................................................................................................................................................... 372
Adding drop shadows to objects..................................................................................................................................................374
Using clip masks...........................................................................................................................................................................377
Protecting the area around an object........................................................................................................................................... 379
Linking and embedding objects..........................................................................................................................................................381
Inserting linked or embedded objects into another application.....................................................................................................381
Editing linked or embedded objects............................................................................................................................................. 382
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Text.....................................................................................................................................................................................................383
Creating and formatting text.............................................................................................................................................................. 385
Adding and selecting text.............................................................................................................................................................385
Adding color to text.....................................................................................................................................................................387
Formatting text.............................................................................................................................................................................388
Working with OpenType features..................................................................................................................................................390
Inserting special characters, symbols, and glyphs..........................................................................................................................394
Kerning, shifting, and rotating text...............................................................................................................................................397
Aligning text.................................................................................................................................................................................398
Adjusting line, character, and word spacing................................................................................................................................. 398
Anti-aliasing text...........................................................................................................................................................................399
Fitting text to a path....................................................................................................................................................................399
Working with legacy text..............................................................................................................................................................401
Managing fonts..................................................................................................................................................................................403
Viewing fonts............................................................................................................................................................................... 403
Filtering fonts............................................................................................................................................................................... 404
Searching for fonts....................................................................................................................................................................... 406
Identifying fonts........................................................................................................................................................................... 407
Choosing fonts with Font Playground...........................................................................................................................................407
Using Corel Font Manager............................................................................................................................................................410
Working with text in different languages........................................................................................................................................... 411
Modifying encoding settings to display text correctly................................................................................................................... 411
Working with Asian and Middle Eastern text................................................................................................................................412
OpenType support for Asian text.................................................................................................................................................. 413
Web images and movies................................................................................................................................................................... 415
Creating and editing movies............................................................................................................................................................... 417
Opening and playing movies........................................................................................................................................................ 417
Creating movies............................................................................................................................................................................ 418
Modifying frame sequence and frame display time...................................................................................................................... 421
Contents | 9
Saving movies...............................................................................................................................................................................423
Creating images for the web..............................................................................................................................................................427
Exporting images for the web...................................................................................................................................................... 427
Saving and applying web presets................................................................................................................................................. 433
Creating palette-based images with transparent colors and backgrounds..................................................................................... 434
Slicing images...............................................................................................................................................................................435
Creating and editing rollovers.......................................................................................................................................................438
E-mailing images.......................................................................................................................................................................... 441
Printing.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 443
Printing basics.................................................................................................................................................................................... 445
Printing your work........................................................................................................................................................................445
Laying out print jobs.................................................................................................................................................................... 446
Previewing print jobs.................................................................................................................................................................... 447
Applying print styles..................................................................................................................................................................... 448
Fine-tuning print jobs................................................................................................................................................................... 449
Printing colors accurately.............................................................................................................................................................. 450
Printing to a PostScript printer..................................................................................................................................................... 452
Viewing preflight summaries........................................................................................................................................................ 453
Preparing files for print service providers............................................................................................................................................ 455
Preparing a print job for a print service provider.......................................................................................................................... 455
Working with imposition layouts.................................................................................................................................................. 456
Printing printers’ marks................................................................................................................................................................ 458
Printing color separations............................................................................................................................................................. 460
Working with color trapping and overprinting............................................................................................................................. 461
Printing to film............................................................................................................................................................................. 462
Preparing images for canvas printing........................................................................................................................................... 463
Working with a print service provider...........................................................................................................................................463
File formats........................................................................................................................................................................................465
Exporting to PDF................................................................................................................................................................................ 467
Exporting documents as PDF files................................................................................................................................................. 467
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Including hyperlinks, bookmarks, and thumbnails in PDF files.......................................................................................................469
Reducing the size of PDF files...................................................................................................................................................... 470
Specifying an encoding format for PDF files................................................................................................................................. 471
Specifying color management options for exporting PDF files.......................................................................................................471
Setting security options for PDF files............................................................................................................................................ 472
Optimizing PDF files..................................................................................................................................................................... 473
Viewing preflight summaries for PDF files.................................................................................................................................... 474
Preparing PDF files for a print provider.........................................................................................................................................474
Working with office productivity applications..................................................................................................................................... 477
Exporting files to office productivity applications..........................................................................................................................477
Adding objects to documents...................................................................................................................................................... 477
Working with RAW camera files......................................................................................................................................................... 479
Using RAW camera files............................................................................................................................................................... 479
Bringing RAW camera files into Corel PHOTO-PAINT.....................................................................................................................480
Adjusting the color and tone of RAW camera files....................................................................................................................... 483
Sharpening and reducing noise in RAW camera files.................................................................................................................... 485
Previewing RAW camera files and obtaining image information................................................................................................... 486
Supported file formats........................................................................................................................................................................489
Adobe Illustrator (AI).................................................................................................................................................................... 490
Windows Bitmap (BMP)................................................................................................................................................................490
OS/2 Bitmap (BMP).......................................................................................................................................................................491
Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM)..............................................................................................................................................491
CorelDRAW (CDR)......................................................................................................................................................................... 492
Corel Presentation Exchange (CMX).............................................................................................................................................. 492
Corel PHOTO-PAINT (CPT)............................................................................................................................................................. 493
Cursor Resource (CUR).................................................................................................................................................................. 493
AutoCAD Drawing Database (DWG) and AutoCAD Drawing Interchange Format (DXF).................................................................493
Encapsulated PostScript (EPS)....................................................................................................................................................... 494
PostScript (PS or PRN)...................................................................................................................................................................496
GIF................................................................................................................................................................................................497
Contents | 11
JPEG (JPG).................................................................................................................................................................................... 498
JPEG 2000 (JP2)........................................................................................................................................................................... 499
Kodak Photo CD Image (PCD).......................................................................................................................................................500
PICT (PCT)..................................................................................................................................................................................... 501
PaintBrush (PCX)........................................................................................................................................................................... 502
Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF)...................................................................................................................................... 503
HPGL Plotter File (PLT).................................................................................................................................................................. 503
Portable Network Graphics (PNG)................................................................................................................................................. 504
Adobe Photoshop (PSD)............................................................................................................................................................... 505
Corel Painter (RIF)......................................................................................................................................................................... 506
TARGA (TGA)................................................................................................................................................................................507
TIFF...............................................................................................................................................................................................508
Corel Paint Shop Pro (PSP)............................................................................................................................................................508
WordPerfect Graphic (WPG)..........................................................................................................................................................509
RAW camera file formats..............................................................................................................................................................509
Wavelet Compressed Bitmap (WI).................................................................................................................................................509
Windows Metafile Format (WMF)................................................................................................................................................. 509
Additional file formats.................................................................................................................................................................. 510
Recommended formats for importing graphics.............................................................................................................................510
Recommended formats for exporting graphics............................................................................................................................. 511
Customizing and automating............................................................................................................................................................ 513
Customizing Corel PHOTO-PAINT........................................................................................................................................................515
Creating workspaces.....................................................................................................................................................................515
Customizing workspace appearance............................................................................................................................................. 516
Customizing keyboard shortcuts................................................................................................................................................... 518
Customizing menus...................................................................................................................................................................... 520
Customizing toolbars....................................................................................................................................................................521
Customizing the toolbox.............................................................................................................................................................. 524
Customizing the property bar.......................................................................................................................................................524
Customizing the status bar...........................................................................................................................................................525
Customizing filters........................................................................................................................................................................ 527
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Customizing file associations........................................................................................................................................................ 527
Using macros and scripts to automate tasks...................................................................................................................................... 529
Working with macros................................................................................................................................................................... 529
Working with scripts.................................................................................................................................................................... 534
Reference........................................................................................................................................................................................... 539
Corel PHOTO-PAINT for Adobe Photoshop users.................................................................................................................................541
Comparing terminology................................................................................................................................................................ 541
Comparing tools........................................................................................................................................................................... 542
Glossary.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 545
Contents | 13
14 | Corel PHOTO-PAINT X8 User Guide
Getting started
Installing CorelDRAW Graphics Suite..................................................................................................................................................... 17
Corel accounts and services...................................................................................................................................................................23
What’s new in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X8?..................................................................................................................................... 27
Learning resources................................................................................................................................................................................. 37
Starting and setting up......................................................................................................................................................................... 45
Corel PHOTO-PAINT workspace tour...................................................................................................................................................... 47
Setting options...................................................................................................................................................................................... 67
Bringing images into Corel PHOTO-PAINT..............................................................................................................................................69
Displaying images and image information............................................................................................................................................. 79
Using the guidelines, grid, and rulers.................................................................................................................................................... 85
Undoing, redoing, repeating, and fading actions.................................................................................................................................. 93
Saving and closing.................................................................................................................................................................................97
Finding and managing creative tools and content............................................................................................................................... 103
Getting started | 15
16 | Corel PHOTO-PAINT X8 User Guide
Installing CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
This section contains the following topics:
• “System requirements” (page 17)
• “Preparing for installation” (page 18)
• “Installing CorelDRAW Graphics Suite applications” (page 18)
• “Installation options” (page 18)
• “Modifying and repairing installations” (page 20)
• “Uninstalling CorelDRAW Graphics Suite” (page 21)
• “Frequently Asked Questions” (page 21)
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.
Installing CorelDRAW Graphics Suite | 17
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:
• Typicalinstallation — automatically installs the main programs and utilities of the suite to a default location in the Program Files folder.
If later you need a component that is not installed, you can modify your installation.
• Custominstallation — lets you choose additional features, exclude components that you don’t need, and specify where to install the
suite. 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.
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Program Description
CorelDRAW®
An intuitive and versatile graphics application for creating highquality vector illustrations, logo designs, and page layouts
Corel® PHOTO-PAINT®
A complete image-editing application that lets you retouch and
enhance photos as well as create original bitmap illustrations and
paintings
Corel® CONNECT™
An application that provides easy access to content such as clipart,
photos, and fonts
Corel® CAPTURE™
An easy-to-use application for capturing images from your
computer screen
Corel Font Manager™ An application for finding, organizing, and managing fonts
Program features and utilities
The following table lists the program features that you can install. Not all components are available in all versions of the software.
Feature or utility Description Notes
Writing Tools Include Spell Checker, Thesaurus, and
Grammatik in various languages to help you
proofread and edit documents
Writing tools in the language of the
operating system are required and installed
by default. For example, the English writing
tools are installed by default on an English
operating system.
Duplexing Wizard Lets you configure a printer for two-sided
printing
Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications 7.1 A subset of the Microsoft Visual Basic
(VB) programming environment, which is
suitable for beginners.
Microsoft Visual Studio Tools for
Applications (VSTA)
A built-in program environment that allows
developers and other programming experts
to use VSTA for creating the most advanced
macro projects
To install additional languages, you must
choose Custom installation, or modify your
installation later.
Requires Custom installation
You can use VBA to create basic macros
for personal use, but you can also use it to
create more advanced macro projects.
To use VSTA with CorelDRAW Graphics
Suite, you must have your own copy of
Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 installed.
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
Installing CorelDRAW Graphics Suite | 19
Feature or utility Description Notes
modify or repair a CorelDRAW Graphics
Suite X8 installation” on page 21.
Windows Shell Extension Lets you view thumbnails of native Corel
files such as CorelDRAW (CDR), Corel
PHOTO-PAINT (CPT), pattern fill (FILL), and
other native file.
GPL Ghostscript Highly recommended if you import EPS
If you have installed CorelDRAW Graphics
Suite or CorelDRAW Technical Suite
before, this option does not appear in the
installation wizard.
Included with the Typical installation
and PDF files in your documents. This
feature lets you isolate and use individual
elements of imported EPS files rather than
only header images. It also improves the
import of PDF files generated by third-party
applications.
Additional options
The following table lists additional installation options.
Option Description Notes
Language packs Let you use the programs and Help in two
or more languages
This option is included only with
multilingual versions of the software and
requires Custom installation.
Allow product updates Automatically downloads product updates
Included with the Typical installation
and asks you before installing them
Install desktop shortcuts Adds product icons to your desktop for easy
Included with the Typical installation
access
Copy installation files Lets you maintain and update the software
Included with the Typical installation
without using the installation disc
Modifying and repairing installations
You can also use the installation wizard to do the following:
• modify the current installation by adding or deleting components
• repair the current installation by fixing errors such as missing or corrupt files as well as inaccurate shortcuts and registry entries
Repairing an installation is helpful when you encounter problems in using the application, or when you suspect that the installation is
corrupt.
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.
20 | Corel PHOTO-PAINT X8 User Guide
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 21)
• “What is the difference between an upgrade and an update?” (page 21)
• “What if I lost my serial number and need to reinstall the software?” (page 21)
• “What is the difference between Typical and Custom installation? Which type of installation is suitable for me?” (page 22)
• “How do I deploy CorelDRAW Graphics Suite to my organization’s network?” (page 22)
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.
Installing CorelDRAW Graphics Suite | 21
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 18.
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.
22 | Corel PHOTO-PAINT X8 User Guide
Corel accounts and services
This section contains the following topics:
• “Authenticating CorelDRAW Graphics Suite” (page 23)
• “Checking account settings and product details” (page 24)
• “Updating Corel products” (page 24)
• “Upgrade Program” (page 24)
• “Changing user credentials” (page 24)
• “Corel Support Services” (page 25)
• “About Corel” (page 25)
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 24.
To authenticate CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
1
Click Help Product Details.
The Welcome screen appears open at the Product Details page.
2 On the Account tile, click Sign in to Authenticate.
3 In the dialog box that appears, do one of the following:
• Follow the instructions to create an account, and sign in.
• Sign in by entering the email address and the password associated with your Corel.com account.
You can now access online features and content provided you have Internet connection.
Corel accounts and services | 23
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.
24 | Corel PHOTO-PAINT X8 User Guide
• 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.
Corel accounts and services | 25
26 | Corel PHOTO-PAINT X8 User Guide
What’s new in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X8?
The new and enhanced features of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X8 are described in the following topics:
• “Jump in” (page 27)
• “Craft” (page 30)
• “Personalize” (page 32)
• “Finding out what was new in previous versions” (page 35)
For information about features and tools that were introduced or improved in earlier versions of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, see “Finding out
what was new in previous versions” on page 35.
Jump in
Whether you’re a first-time user or an experienced designer, CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite X8 makes it easy to get started. Learn the basics or
see what’s new with a Startup tour, and be productive immediately with a workspace that matches your workflow needs. Benefit from highquality content and versatile in-product learning resources to enrich your projects. Take advantage of the added power from Windows 10,
multi-monitor viewing and the new 4K displays support.
Take a tour
You can get to work faster and more efficiently thanks to a series of interactive start-up tours. Whether you are new to graphics software, an
experienced user, or someone familiar with other graphics applications, there's a start-up tour to help you quickly get up to speed and take
full advantage of the features and tools of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X8. For more information, see “Learning tours” on page 40.
What’s new in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X8? | 27
Take a tour to get started smoothly.
Support for UltraHD 4K displays
An updated interface and support for 4K monitors means that you can comfortably view CorelDRAW and Corel PHOTO-PAINT on even the
most high-definition monitors, including UltraHD. This allows you to edit photos at their native resolution and see the subtlest details in the
image. And with more pixels at your disposal, you can open several windows side-by-side for an efficient workflow.
Support of Windows 10
Thanks to our relentless pursuit of delivering the highest quality user experience, CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X8 is fully compliant with and
certified for Windows 10. Corel delivers the same reliability and performance that users have come to expect when working on world’s most
popular operating system.
Improved Hints docker
The Hints docker is a hub of valuable learning resources designed to help reduce the learning curve for new users. It dynamically displays
context-sensitive information on the currently selected tool and provides links to related information. Enhanced in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
X8, the Hints docker now gives you quick access to additional resources such as video hints, longer videos, and written tutorials, so you can
learn more about a tool or feature without having to search. For more information, see “Using Hints” on page 40.
28 | Corel PHOTO-PAINT X8 User Guide
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