The team at Corel is hard at work on the first Service Pack for CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X5. In addition to answering to the main feedback we have receive since the launch of X5, we will be adding a few new things to this release. One of the extras included with Service Pack 1 that we will release over the summer (sorry, I cannot give a firm date) is a great enhancement to Corel CONNECT. As you know, Corel CONNECT is a new application that was introduced with X5 to enable you to find the different graphical components that you want to use in your designs. With the version of CONNECT we shipped at launch, you had the option to search your local hard drive, a local network as well as the DVD that came with CorelDRAW Graphics Suite. With the version that will be included with Service Pack 1, we will be extending the concept of "searching for the stuff you want to use in your designs" to the next level by adding the capability to search online sites as well. Instead of typing long explanations, here is a small video to show it (it is available in HD on YouTube):
With Corel CONNECT included in Service Pack 1, we will be adding the integration to search three major online photo providers: Flickr (only for creative commons content), Fotolia and iStockPhoto. We are looking at additional services that you would like us to integrate with Corel CONNECT in the future, and I will follow-up with you once the Service Pack 1 has been released to get your feedback and better understand the services you would like to have added.
I don't think the x5 problems are solely related to windows 7 as I've also had a terrible time with it under vista. I've crashed x5 several times already simply taking it for a spin, while x3 has been rock solid for me for years. I've been a corel user since version 3, ten versions now (I skipped 9 and 11). With the sole exception of a version 6 file corruption bug, I've always had a wonderful time with corel over the last 15 years. Both draw and photopaint. With X5 I find I can't print any of my projects with facing pages and with photopaint I can't open any of my TIFF files. So I have the retail box still sitting on my desk reminding me that it is coming soon. If I can't print without corruption, I can't use draw x5. If I can't open tiff files which have worked fine with every version since 3, I can't use paint x5. I always like new features, but I wonder if with the level of complexity of current software there could be a faster way to roll out specific bug fixes rather than having to wait many months for the 1 or 2 service packs? The new features will be icing on the cake, but I hope SP1 focuses on stable and bug free (as stable and bug free as previous versions if not more so) so we can actually start to use the new version.