The Tribune

CORELDRAW, still a 'hot-shot' program, was first released in January 1989, running on the Windows 2.x operating system.

Today, the software is still used by many people, with the latest version primarily still designed for Windows.

There were several releases for macOS and macOS X, but poor sales resulted in their discontinuation. There was also a port to Linux in 2000, requiring a modified version of Wine to run the software.

CorelDraw in the

professional world

As a vector graphics editor, CorelDraw is used primarily for marketing and advertising businesses, particularly those that specialise in print advertising development. Outside of logos, CorelDraw is a program used to create brochures, newsletters and various other printable documents using its page layout features as well. The program is also used to create complex drawings.

As a design program, CorelDraw provides users with different tools to create original images or drastically edit them. Some of the things users are able to do with the program are QR code generation, page layout and adding various special effects.

Furthermore, CorelDraw is also compatible with other programs in the CorelDraw Graphics Suite, such as Corel PHOTO-PAINT, which allows users to create even more complex images. As of 2015, CorelDraw X7 is one version of the program and it is available for Windows operating systems.

CorelDraw (styled CorelDRAW) is a vector graphics editor developed and marketed by Corel Corporation. It is also the name of Corel's Graphics Suite, which bundles CorelDraw with bitmap-image editor, Corel Photo-Paint, as well as other graphics-related programs

Vector Graphics Editor

Vector graphics use primitives of geometry, such as curves, shapes and lines. These primitives allow the user to create images that can be magnified without reducing quality. In addition to this, images exported from the program keep their vector graphics qualities and can be used in other forms of editing software as well.

Simply put, CorelDraw as a vector graphics editor is made for users to create logos for use in various images and items, such as posters, logos and business cards.

Working with CorelDraw

One of the key components of CorelDraw is its brushes. CorelDraw uses specially-designed brushes to help with detailed image creation. These brushes give the designer the ability to create realistic or incredibly stylised images.

In addition to its various brushes, CorelDraw also incorporates the use of layers.

Through such layers, graphics designers are able to create pictures that overlap each other without interacting. Layers help with different aspects of image creation, such as shading and colouring.

Using CorelDraw

with other programs

CorelDraw is made to work with other programs. Some of these programs, such as Corel PHOTO-PAINT, are intended to make design easier in CorelDraw with its ability to do more with graphic design and editing outside of the use of geometric primitives.

Images created in CorelDraw are usable in other programs as well. CorelDraw images may be exported in formats such as PNG and CDR, which can be opened in programs such as Adobe Illustrator. These formats make collaboration with other designers, and the alteration of images on other devices, easier.

Advantages of using

Corel Draw

Moving towards the cyber world is the 'in thing' now, and Corel Draw is one such move. The canvas, paper, ink and pencil functions of media are now replaced by Corel Draw, a computer program for people to express their ideas in picture and graphic form. Several advantages can be obtained where one uses Corel Draw, such as:

• For a program of its size, Corel Draw uses very limited computer memory on any machine. This means the machine works to its full capacity, requiring much less down time, and the performance never is an issue. It is also very easy to install on most machines and is OS independent. You could be using a Windows OS, Linux or any other, but your work still gets done with equal speed and dexterity.

• For a program of its size and capabilities, Corel Draw is rather easy to learn. It is partly due to the way it is structured and, in equal measure, is due to its extremely good tutorial and help guides.

• As widely-used software, the number of publications catering to it is huge. One can have any number of books on the subject, according to your needs and understanding capabilities.

• The creators of this excellent program have seen to it that future versions support work done in older ones, and have made the entire processing and saving a delight. Until we meet again, fill your life with memories as opposed to regrets. Enjoy life and stay on top of your game.

NB: The columnist welcomes feedback at deedee21bastian@gmail.com

ABOUT THE COLUMNIST: Deidre Marie Bastian is a professionally trained Graphic Designer/Marketing Coordinator with qualifications of M.Sc., B.Sc., A.Sc. She has trained at institutions such as: Miami Lakes Technical Centre, Success Training College, College of The Bahamas, Nova South Eastern University, Learning Tree International, Langevine International and Synergy Bahamas.