Since there are a number of issues right from application crash to File not opening from the last known location, i just request and wish that we get the latest version of corel thats X5 that could be much faster and also minus all the known Issues n bugs.
I am sure there will be a number of members who are wishing the same
I hope corel guys are listening
Well we thought just as you did and purchased the new x5 package. A few things have gotten better however the shutting down issue in the middle of working HAS NOT BEEN FIXED! I have been an avid Illustrator user since the beginning of time and in the last year have been introduced to Corel. I have to say it is the worst software I have ever used. It has so many little bugs in it that it makes it very frustrating to use. I work at a sign company who does a lot of ADA interior signs which most of the engraving softwares we use will only work with Corel files. They definitely have some kind of racket going on here with the engraving software people. The only thing Corel has is the ability to make a multiple page format that works much like a multiple page PDF. Another thing I have noticed is a lot of times if you set up a model to follow for say 100 signs and you go into each sign to edit text without using the pulldown text editor if you change upper to lower case it will switch it right back to what you had originally???? The only way it will change is by the pulldown. This drives me nuts! The other thing that drives me nuts is the fact that you can't shut the layers off. In the sign business we do a lot of cutting and pasting because a lot of the signs are similar so rather than redrawing everything we will pull graphics from a different job. When they are pasted into a new document the layering of the file goes bonkers and moves stuff all over the place. Not being able to select an object behind a box even though it has no fill is a pain in the A$$! My recommendation is if you don't have to use Corel, then DON'T, Use Illustrator it is much more user friendly. True it is more expensive but the time you save by not having to deal with little bugs that have been issues through all Corel versions it will be worth the extra bucks.
Sorry to hear about your problems :-(
I have to use both Corel and AI on a daily basis, and have to say IMO that Corel is so much easier to use, in interface to workflow. Corel is just easier, way faster, more versatile and all-around more fun.
For clicking to objects below other objects just hold the alt key and click through things.
To turn off layers open the "Object Manager" docker (same as layers in ai) and you can do whatever you need there. I usually only use layers if I'm needing to export to photo shop or something and prefer to just use the "bring to front/send to back" etc. Using the alt+click is super handy for digging into projects instead of fishing through a bunch of layers.
I've not had the font issues or crashes, even on files that are well over a gig, and I use Corel probably 10 hrs a day. That could be a bad installation or an OS issue. Corel X5 does seem to work better on Windows 7 than it did on Vista, and having at least 2 to 4 gigs of ram in your box helps too.
I'm the only one in our firm that uses Corel but my production is far quicker and more efficient. I am always needing to share my files and never have a problem exporting to other programs for others to use, or to various vendors we use for offset printing etc. My theory is that if a person is more comfortable in one software vs another, then the price of the software rarely out weighs the productivity - it's all just business sense. If you do like Ai better, then do your work there, then export it (ai or eps vs 8 imports nicely into Corel) allowing you to rip it to the printer or plotter or whatever that requires you to use Corel. I hop between several software apps during a day, it's just about finding what works for you for what you're doing, and frustration just isn't good for design juju. But generally I can do almost everything in Corel and don't experience the bugs your reporting, and I just have "fun" in the program - it just feels more freeing than any other software I've used.
I hope you are able to find out what is bugging your computer / Corel software, because the program has so much to offer, and really isn't the ugly step-brother of the design world the adobe users make it out to be.
Fitz: Thanks alot for your reply it is appreciated. The alt button thing is priceless . As far as the layers, I opened the object manager but see no option for turning off the layers in the pulldown? There are several other options in there just not the shut off layers option. Is it possible that by not opening the object manager you are basically turning off the layers function? Or do I need to turn the layer option off as a preference? I couldn't even find this topic in the help pulldown. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks alot!
By default Corel doesn't use multiple layers, even with the Object Manager open, you would have to actively create a new layer, make it selected then paste into that layer or draw on it.
The default in Corel is just like in Illustrator as far as i can tell, the order of objects for any layer is just first come first serve with the ability to arrange them behind or in front of other things. If you are working in layers commands like "send to back" will only send it to the back of the selected layer.
If you are working in layers after having created the extra layers you can turn off the layer just like in ai, by closing the "eye". You should also be able to make layers not printable by clicking the printer icon next to the eye at the side of each layer name. About the only difference i can see besides the name of layer docker is that you can turn off the entire layer, but not hide individual objects on a specific layer.
What i've done in the past if i did accidently start with a file that has layers, things can get put on funny layers, so i just copy everything on the art board and paste it into a new document, and everything will go to the default layer 1. You can select anything on all layers on your artboard without actively having a specific layer highlighted.
Another thing you can do is go to the "arrange" drop down menu and go to "order" and "In Front of" will place objects in front of another object vs just "bring forward", or "bring to front" keys. I find this so handy i created "F" as a short key for this function. Doing this will also warn you if you are placing it to another layer. This is handy for working in layers too because if you have multiple objects on your artboard and several layers you dont have to fish through the layers manually in the object manager docker looking for which layer it might be on.
But over all i try not to use layers too much in corel unless i have a template on layer 1, working on layer 2 or getting ready to export a file to photoshop where i want to have the individual layers to be able to use specific layer effects there.
Fitz said:But over all i try not to use layers too much in corel unless i have a template on layer 1, working on layer 2 or getting ready to export a file to photoshop where i want to have the individual layers to be able to use specific layer effects there
Hi Jason, I work the same way.. in fact, to the degree that if I am given a file with numerous layers, often I "simplify" the file by using this free macro which has a function to "consolidate layers".
To be honest, the time many artists take setting up guidelines, layers etc... I'm 1/3 finished the job. LOL.
All that stuff just gets in my way, and I also get rid of the rulers too.
Jeff Harrison said:To be honest, the time many artists take setting up guidelines, layers etc... I'm 1/3 finished the job. LOL.
Hi.
Yes. I agree.
When you have the power of macros you don't need layers as much.
-John
I love your guys macros you have listed, the problem i have with macros is that I work on an extremely secure network. Every time my computer is rebooted, all of the "foriegn" things loaded are just gone. This includes everything from photo shop actions/plugins to macros, some times my Carrara 3D models and even quick time. It can be frustrating at times! Reloading quick time is a necessity because After Effects won't even work. But with so many macro options out there it's hard to keep up on continually reloading, so I just don't bother. Right now i'm internally working on the ability just to be able to load fonts without an IT admin that's located at another facility or an hour long LARP process (talk about a pain HAHA).
Luckily Corel is so "natural" I never have a problem, and I've become very fast at using the program, so with a few hotkeys set up I'm good to go! The other thing about my particular job is that I'm rarely doing the same type of project on a regular basis, the work load is just all over the place - very fun, very challenging, very diverse scope. But I can say nearly all projects I work on are at least some how touched by Corel from presentations to 3D animations, to videos or product design, illustration, you name it Corel has been vital to my work flow.