Hi all!
I'm using CorelDraw since V4 :)
Using it to design multiple page documents holding text + graphics designs + some tables. It could be similar to Corel's own Content Manual or some kind of Catalog anyway.
So I'm preffering to keep each class element on its own layer (ie, text on text, lines on lines, one graphics element on other layer etc). In many cases document must been updated, new elements added and old shifted to to other pages ie I'm doing cut and paste operations locking certain layers and staying at one to be sure, it will be coped on right layer. Then I need select only one class, say text, and adjust on several pages..
Now imagine how the new system (what I found in X4) helps Me?
Every layer on every page is seperated, its properties (locked, visible etc) and even current layer!!
Yes, there are Master layers, which can be locked, hided etc at all pages. But the content of Master layere also are on all pages! In some documents its very helpfull to have independent guidelines on each page, but c'mon guys! You've maded multiple page document as multiple-file one!! I really hope, that SP1 will have some fix for that.
There are few sugestions to UI designers, how to made X4 usable for such cases again:
1) Allowing to select multiple pages again (ie "select all pages" and then made changes in layer properties, even maybe virtually - only in object manager)
2) Making one more checkbox "have the same conent on all pages" for master layers properties or making even third class of layers ("croslayers")
3) Let users choose the layer system (we can choose workspace, why not the layer system?)
But right now I'm searching for my Designer 12 instalation (which btw was most stable version from all before), becouse new layer system makes my work completely senselessness :(
PS. While searching for solution of this problem, I've read some references to "hard" discussions about new layer system, but as it appears, its only at beta forum?
Honestly I dont see your problem with the new layer system.I like it a lot. ANd it is not so difficult as you seem to think to have all your preferable objects, text and guidleines apart from each other. If you like to have everything shown on all pages in a multy page document, then place them on the Master Page, layer. And if you dont then place it on the other. Maybe I missunderstood you, but I cant see a problem here. I like the new layer system very much.And to answer your last question; yes, in the Beta forum we have all discussed very hard to give our point of view on a wide variaety of issues. Its been hard but very open and fun and inspiring.Its been very fruitful!Corel people have made a very good job in my opinion. A great job! This is by far the best version of CorelDRAW Graphic Suite.
Also don't see any problems with the new layering system, it's making my life better! If you want your guidelines to be the same on all the pages, just drag the guidelines you have on page one into the master page and they will be on all the pages.
I am sure going to be very dissapointed if Corel decides to take the layering system away!
As with everything, we have to go forward - rather learn how to use the new system than to step back a few steps and stagnate!
I totally agree with Stefan, X4 is the best version by far!
I described problem with Catalog like document, where all is designed in certain order, with many objects and texts. The text and object are the seperated with certain lines, which also is cool to keep in seperate layer! Probably there are no many peoples, that works with large multipage documents in Corel.. maybe they are using other apps? Hm..
The problem is in selection and order of things - I wanna select certain objects and then paste in other page just like it was in previous.
In old system I locked other layers, made my selection and then continued work with my "certain" objects - copy, pasting in other pages, adjusting position etc. Plus, when I moving to other page, my choosen layer always was the current one, not that I leave mess of "current" layers in all pages, when I wanting to paste something.
I agree, its the step forward and I'm not stagnat :) Corel just forgot to add some tiny details and flexibility. Its like "- You wanted seperate layers on each page, You got it! No whining please!" What about just tiny rightclick meny, where we can pick "lock this layere on all pages"? "Make current on all pages"? I don't wanna back whole system back, just some handy features, that this system had!
Corel forgot, that pages can be just pages in book, magazine, catalog, so they needs to be somehow similar with the same order of layers etc.
Hello, I use CorelDRAW X4 for create some books and magazines. Of course, it's a multi-page documents (I made all in a one document, if it's possible). I don't see any problem with the new Objet Manager. In fact, it's much better than never.
Of course, it's not perfect, and I'm believe that I'm understand you. For example, if you have a multi-page document, you have allways a Master Layer, in all pages. You can't specify: "in all pages, except page 3" for example. Or: "I need a header only in some pages, for example, the start of each chapter". Sorry, you can't do this, only manually. The new feature is good, but is not perfect and I'm sure it's not finished yet. For next versions, we need some basic features, like a real page numbering, headers, footers, and a lots more.
have a nice day!
Ariel