This version was made quickly to try to win back users who have migrated to MAC from windows because of other software encroaching on the CorelDRAW family of products, and have found that programs like Affinity Designer are very capable at replacing CorelDRAW. Not only that, they have a version of AD that runs on ipad pro, so you can take it with you and use the superior Apple Pencil product. Ironically you can now use the ipad pro and apple pencil as a "wacom tablet" type device with the new IOS/MAC OS systems.
I have used CorelDRAW since 1.0x on windows 3.x back in the late 80s, early 90s. Back when you couldnt import a black and white bitmap without it crashing the program. We got on the beta program early because we ran a print shop and produced a yellow pages product using exclusively PC based graphics programs. (1 mac for 15k, or 3 pc workstations and a scanner with 2 laserprinters for the same money networked together. it made sense for productivity!). Most shops used illustrator and QuarkXpress to do the page layout. We used CorelVentura Publisher after it was purchased by Corel. In those days, Corel was very responsive and came out with patches very quickly using the patch programs of the day as they tried to build a brand and compete against illustrator.
Sadly, Corel has become a casualty of their own success. They still battle Adobe, but I will take CorelDRAW, buggy but usable, over a subscription Adobe product any day of the week. For what you get, Corel has always been the "kitchen sink" of graphics programs, doing just about anything and handling an incredible variety of file formats. In the end though, this version of CorelDRAW for MAC was rushed and needs a program manager that is not trying to "see the future" but instead is focused on "meet the requirements" of end users so the PC and MAC versions are truly in sync!!! WHERE ARE YOU PM OF MY DREAMS!??
So many features are not ready for prime time. The zoom and pan in the UI is so frustrating it makes me want to scream...with random movements, and slow redraw. Why would you eliminate the "manual refresh" of the screen when you have such a glaring issue in speed and panning?? I end up using zoom into all objects just to get it to stop. Making outline colors a two step process instead of one is just plain dumb. Dont get me starting on outlines of text being almost impossible to get to sometimes. Saving settings like turning off "automatic hyperlinking" for the next project as default just dont work. it acts like it's saving it to disk, as it takes a minute, but somehow skips this item and doesnt load at the next project.
I have faith that Corel will fix these issues because it's obvious that they have put a lot of time and financial resources into creating this version while releasing the PC counterpart at the same time. My continued issue with Corel is that WE end up being the beta (sometimes alpha) testers on a product they release and WE PAY for. A systemic problem in all of software development. Meeting a deadline in spite of being ready.
I think what makes me very sad is that the two service packs out for CorelDRAW 2019 have done almost NOTHING to address the UI issues and usability of the program.
My advice. Buy Affinity and integrate the best into Corel MAC...launch a CorelDRAW for IPad Pro version. But PLEASE. PLEASE, fix this dog.
Peter Richards
former graphics manager/CTO of Banana Pages of Seattle, WA
I don't think Corel became a "casualty of their own success." Rather I think the company and its software has been a victim of micro-management from venture capital parent companies who really don't have any expertise developing graphics software. With Vector Capital selling Corel off to KKR (another venture capital company) I'm not optimistic things are going to get any better. For all I know various applications and other properties in Corel's "portfolio" may get spun off for cash.
I don't know all the behind the scenes decision making that has been done with CorelDRAW in recent years, but I can't help but suspect the move to a yearly full version release schedule was pushed by people at Vector Capital. It smells like something "suits" would cook up. They did this despite the fact CorelDRAW and other applications in the suite were already very mature.
Even on a 2 year development cycle between full versions 2010's era upgrades of CorelDRAW could be fairly underwhelming in terms of new features. With everything accelerated to a yearly schedule that just compounds the difficultly to make one version of CorelDRAW stand apart from the other. The Windows version of CorelDRAW 2019 is not much different than CDR 2018 -other than CDR 2018 is more stable. So, yeah, the development team has even less time to root out bugs.
I disagree that Corel (or its new parent company KKR) should acquire Affinity and somehow incorporate it into CorelDRAW. They just need to be able to fix and properly maintain what they have, as well as study what is unique and good in rival programs and try to match it. I've been using CorelDRAW for nearly 30 years. But I've also been using Illustrator for 27 years and have used a few other drawing apps over the years. None of these applications have 100% feature overlap. None of them are 100% accurate at importing art files made in rival software.
I also own an iPad Pro; the only reason why I bought it was for the Apple Pencil. It's great. I don't use Affinity on the iPad, but use a few other apps (Adobe's "mobile" CC apps, Vectornator, ProCreate). An iPad is not a substitute for a full fledged PC (or Mac). Even the iPad keyboards are missing some important keys one needs for certain functions and shortcuts.
While it might be awesome for CorelDRAW to have an iPad counterpart I think Corel should stick to the traditional desktop. I think Corel's development team is already spread way way too thin as it is. Throwing in an iPad app will add even more of a burden. And the mobile thing is a big slippery slope that will make the suits drool like Pavlov's dog. It won't be enough for them to just have an iPad version of CorelDRAW. They'll want Android too for those tablets or for it to work on a freaking Samsung Note smart phone.