After installing CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2019 for Windows right after release, we had to revert to v2018 very quickly due to too many bugs in v2019. Since our company works on tight deadlines and fast turnaround times we really can't afford buggy software that slows us down, or worse: hamper us from using features we're used to that have been removed/broken in v2019.
I see that an Update 1 for v2019 has been released, but also see a LOT of frustration on the forums, so my questions are:
Is it "safe" to install CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2019 for Windows or should we rather wait for Update 2 before trying our luck again?
Community feedback welcome/encouraged, as we know what the official response from Corel would be :)
UPDATE: Update 2 has been released on https://www.coreldraw.com/en/support/updates/#cdgs-2019 and release notes are available on https://www.coreldraw.com/en/support/updates/cdgs2019/update2-win-64.html (Wiin 64).
The release notes look promising, but I'll keep checking the forums before dipping my toes into the murky waters that is Corel 2019 :)
I'd wait for update 3.
Yup, probably a good idea. Once bitten and all that. Since the rollback even v2018 is giving issues now (asks our two computers with two separate licences to re-authenticate every 24h) so I'm keen to move on, but not if we have to revert AGAIN.
Doesn't look like update 3 helped much. I think it's smarter to just stay with 2018. I think it's just a better release overall.
Not only does 2019 still have a ton of bugs, there are also many areas where 2019 is just a flat out downgrade.
Here are just are a few quick examples off the top of my head, NOT including the plethora of bugs.
1. The "Objects Properties" docker looks so much better in 2018 than the "Properties" docker in 2019. Especially the fills tabs. (not to mention you still can't change a texture fill in the docker even after 3 updates) With a few minor exceptions such as some cleaner icons in 2019.
2. The compass or degree chooser in all the effects dialogs was removed.
3. The options were all separated requiring a lot more clicks and frustration to find where the desired option is.
4. Wider dockers, why?! The only reason seems to be to accommodate the new inferior UI design. Some dockers now have scroll bars where none were previously necessary.
5. Tiny fill sample in the "edit fill" dialog making it harder to visually match a color.I'm still not sure I prefer the new edit fill dialog at all but this is my main annoyance.
6. The quick navigate arrow on the effects dialogs was removed.
7. The color styles color wheel was made way bigger for no apparent reason yet the selection nodes were made way smaller making it harder to select and edit a specific color.
8. You can't have side by side windows in CorelTRACE only top and bottom
9. The UI themes look better in 2018. Why the white rulers in the medium theme? It's awful.
10. The tone curve dialog is so big you have to buy a 4k video card and monitor just to fit it on screen or get a second monitor just for the dialog. (sarcasm of course)
11. The apply and lock/preview buttons were removed in many dockers instead of added to those that could benefit from it. Supposedly to make them "live" but why not just give users the choice to determine whether that makes sense in a specific scenario? All dockers - where it makes sense - should have a preview/lock button in my opinion.
I could easily go on and on with many many more examples but I'll end it there.
I love CorelDRAW and have been a user for well over 20 years and will continue to use the product but 2019 is just a huge disappointment that I personally just avoid and it's not only the bugs even though the poor quality control is pretty unacceptable.
I can't in good conscience recommend 2019 to anyone. And, I think that if Corel moves forward in punishing those who didn't upgrade to this complete waste of money by not allowing users to upgrade from older versions that it will be a HUGE mistake!
In my opinion of course.
paul batista said:I can't in good conscience recommend 2019 to anyone. And, I think that if Corel moves forward in punishing those who didn't upgrade to this complete waste of money by not allowing users to upgrade from older versions that it will be a HUGE mistake!
You said it! I and probably many others totally agree!
I don't have time to delve into 2019 anymore lately... so sticking with X7 & 2017 until I am guessing a "matured" v2020 with a few updates comes around? Such a shame to waste money on the 2019 upgrade PLUS the Upgrade Protection JUST TO GET ACCESS to v2020 (at non-full price of course) knowing 2019 is a sham.
Again, really seems legal action should be had somehow after the 30 day money back period.
I really just want them to fix these issues and make CorelDRAW GS better rather than breaking things that were already good and wasting so many resources on stuff nobody wants.
I'd like to see bugs squashed instead of allowed to fester from version to version. And also many refinements to the areas that desperately need it because they're lacking functionality or they're just dated or were crappy to begin with (I'm thinking of you bevel docker)
Then hopefully add some new useful features.
I'm sure I'm wrong but it comes across that they don't know what to change so they tinker with things that don't need it and often make it worse while many bugs and potential improvements go ignored.
Just a couple of quick examples:
Why can't you constrain a block shadow with ctrl to snap to certain angles. It seems obvious that you should be able to.
Or why can't we have a preview checkbox on the contour docker instead of having to use both the property toolbar and docker?
These seem like simple usability issues that would improve the software and make it more refined. And there are a ton of examples like this.
It seems like features that are introduced are rushed then never revisited and refined. I think it's fine to get a basic feature out but it really should be revisited constantly so that it's the best it can be within reason.
It seems like they're more focused on how they can market some tiny feature to sell more copies instead of focusing on quality and overall user experience.
Hit the nail on the head!
Especially with the mistakes made in coding many of the dialogs in 2019. As well as the keep desktop objects on layers feature
paul batista said:
It seems like they're more focused on how they can market some tiny feature to sell more copies instead of focusing on quality and overall user experience
Hear hear!!. Been saying that for a very long time. Corel would do well to listen now.
I would go a bit deeper, because output be it display, driver based print (postscript or GDI), RIP or digital front end have core concepts.
Corel seems to have misplaced the understanding of these core technologies so the thought process is irreparably flawed to begin with.
This can be seen over a few cycles with the font manager, pixel based work flow failures, slow to no changes in PDF support and the implementation of the keep desktop objects on layer feature.