Guys,
I first want to say that I started off using Adobe Illustrator in the gap where I now use CorelDRAW and although there are things that I love about CorelDRAW, I will say that it is the MOST unpredictable and flaky program I have ever worked with. I miss my Illustrator and even though CorelDRAW is better suited for my industry (sign design) I need a solid platform to get my work done. That is why I am here because I have to think that this program could not be as popular as it is if it were the disastrous failure that it is becoming with me.
I have literally lost all my comfort in using this program as I now EXPECT it to crash irregularly, but very very VERY constantly. I'm sure it may have crashed while I was typing this.
We have 3 design areas here, two on quad core beasts and one average computer that cannot seem to not crash with CorelDRAW. In trying to rule out the symptoms it has been inconclusive. At first I thought it may be our server connection timing out while Corel is trying to communicate with it. I was SURE that had to be the problem. I started saving locally on the hard drive and sure enough, CRASH. Crash after crash. Its becoming so regular that if I cannot find a solution I'm going to find another program and never look back.
The only thing I have not tried, and will tomorrow, is to disable the Scrapbook because I noticed that is a live feed and if there IS a communication error or timeout with our server then perhaps this could be part of the issue? I don't know. I'm just looking for a solution.
If someone cares to chime in on this be forewarned:
* Updated the service packs on all computers
* Tried the F8 trick > no dice
* Reinstalled, all computers still have random crashes (with no real consistent variable.. other than the server)
* Tried to not save on the server, BLAMMO. CRASH.
Thanks in advance for your input,
Ethan
Also,
I set up the scrapbook to be used for our designers to easily grab templates etc from the same source for consistency. Should this be changed to be on the local drives?
Ethan, I feel your pain. My CD would go POOF with no warning, rendering my file corrupt. However, I noticed that in the file's directory there would be a file with a very odd name, but identifiable as a CorelDraw file. In complete desperation, I renamed the extension of the file to cdr, and Viola! There was my file. I'd open and resave it under the correct name. I haven't had this problem since sp3, which then brought back other bugs that had been fixed. *sigh*.
I have been using CorelDraw for 14 years since version 4. Can't live with it, can't live without it.
Are you referring to these:
@@@CDRW.TMP
That DOES work when you end up with that particular file. I was okay with that work around. The new thing that is happening is when it crashes while saving it does not turn into the @@@CDRW.TMP but rather looks like any other file, however, when opening it gives me this: "Encountered improper argument". The file is unusable and not able to be opened.
I've also noticed a few weird things going on like the bottom right of my screen has a "Processing" bar that has an almost static progress in place of where my Fill and Stroke options SHOULD be.
Have you had issues with files (especially that have measurements in them using the measurement tool) that when opened at a later date say there are missing linked items? I have this happen and there are objects randomly locked down that cannot be unlocked, only deleted. This is strange because it is in a CorelDRAW file created in Corel and says it was created in another program. Whats up with that?
~Ethan
Yes, that's the file I was talking about.
ethan newton said: Also, I set up the scrapbook to be used for our designers to easily grab templates etc from the same source for consistency. Should this be changed to be on the local drives?
Hi Ethan,
I strongly recomend, like a old scrapbook user myself, that you set everything up using Corel CONNECT and the Corel TRAY. It will be WAY much better workflow for you and every designer.
Like Scrapbook you can easily grab images and files via the scrapbook, similar workflow, but you can also use multiple of TRAYS (X6 version) in the Corel TRAY. Look for yourself under Trav and the TABS in the Tray. Go Corel CONNECT/Tray and you will never go back to Scrapbook. Promiss.
Lok at this video showing the thing in action http://community.coreldraw.com/blogs/gerard/archive/2012/03/02/upcoming-coreldraw-sneak-peek-3.aspx