I start this post thinking about the request for a new version. Not only "corrections" but one more step: How do ypu chage CorelDRAW to develop a more powerful program? what kind of features, programs, tools, effects, dou you want? 3D features? Web design? page layout? not only "the same of other programs", but think on something differnte: what other programs can't do, and what CorelDRAW can do differente.
Hi.
Great and needed thread.
Throwing ideas around is great. I love even the unthought-out and frivolous ones too.
Remember to be realistic in what you think the end result can be. The more that is packed into the program, the slower and more buggy it will be.
Removing or simplifying parts of the program can be just as important in order to make room for new and better features.
Also remember that vba (macros) can add functionality to the CGS without adding much weight. So... if it can be done with vba then sometimes, that may be the best way to go.
-John
When CorelDRAW did away with recording scripts and allowed for VBA macros, I was so annoyed, and realised that Corel didn't give a stuff about the end user. I am not a mathematician or programmer. What use are VBAs to the average ordinary designer? I would say none at all. Oh, and why should I be paying 3rd parties even more for add-ons?
Instead of pushing out a new version of CorelDRAW / PAINT each year, Corel Corp. should spend some time on listening to its customers, and getting the product stable and effective. I'm working with X3, and problems that DRAW had at the beginning have still not been resolved. Yet, each time a new version comes along, us fools pay hundreds of dollars for what? You can't even create a chart easily in DRAW. That was done away with, God knows how many versions back.
At the beginning of my career in design, I trained and worked on Dicamed's D80 Imaginator. I also worked extensively with Zenographics Mirage, which was brilliant in its day. Okay, things have changed and grown, and both had their limitations and flaws. The D80 Imaginator was so clever with grouping objects - something that CorelDRAW appears to be 1000 years behind. The Imaginator could group by numbers. An object or objects could be part of numerous groups. For example "group 87" and more. So if you needed to grab mutiple objects on the screen, you could simply use the puck to select by "group - 87". Some of the same objects may have been part of "group - 88" - no limits. Saved images recorded all this data too.
CorelDRAW cannot do anything similar, and to select objects with different shapes, colours, outlines etc, is like being on a mission impossible.
So let's see Corel bring:
I know that a change to Adobe will be costly, but I currently feel so disenchanted and cheated. I'm not the only loyal Corel supporter considering a move.
Steve said:When CorelDRAW did away with recording scripts and allowed for VBA macros
HI Steve.
Because VBA is much easier to program and more univeral. It is also much faster.
Steve said: I was so annoyed, and realised that Corel didn't give a stuff about the end user.
I disagree. I think the change was good. Version 9 incorporated VBA for the first time but also left CorelScript in too.
All Corel script commands are still there to this day. No reason to be annoyed.
Steve said:What use are VBAs to the average ordinary designer?
Steve said:I would say none at all.
You have to learn about them to find out. There's links all over the place. Learn about them and then make an educated decision if they are right for you. No need to bash something in ignorance. Ignorance meaning that you are making conclusions and opinions about something you are not familiar with.
Steve said:I would say none at all. Oh, and why should I be paying 3rd parties even more for add-ons?
Because the possibilities surpass even a large company like corel. Only a Global communtiy can think of everything, or can they. Hence, there will always be new ideas for program function. VBA makes this possible. If you decide the guy who wrote the macro or add-on is offering his idea (his product) and you don't need it then don't buy it.
I'll let someone else dissect the rest of your opinions and try to open the door to your mind.
PS. There's a solution for your groups but your not ready for it yet. Study, study study and open your mind to new ideas.
~John
"There's a solution for your groups but your not ready for it yet. Study, study study"
Mate, I am not interested in studying VBA. I don't have the time or that inclination. Some people have it, others don't. It doesn't mean that I am less.
Steve said:Some people have it, others don't. It doesn't mean that I am less.
HI.
You definitely are not less. I wasn't bashing your pride and I'm sorry if it hurt you.
I was offering my contradictory opinion based on my experiences and trying to open your mind to the fact that many designers use different methods and tools. The program itself is highly capable of supporting many workflows. Whereas one person will be "annoyed" thousands will be empowered and happy.
The possibilities open up dramatically, Corelscript is much more limited. But it's true that more knowledge is required to program in VBA. However, the dedicated folks can do it if they like.
Steve said:Oh, and why should I be paying 3rd parties even more for add-ons?
About half the macros at macromonster.com are free. Other ones are affordable (we think). In the big scheme of life, CorelDRAW macros are a specialized thing. We make new features for CorelDRAW that didn't exist before. If nothing at the site appeals to you, then there is no cost to you.
Steve said:You can't even create a chart easily in DRAW. That was done away with, God knows how many versions back.
I think version 5. This is very long time ago, they had CorelChart. But it was a separate utility, like Corel Texture and Corel Move etc.
If charts are important, maybe this commercial macro is worth it. But you are in control to decide that:
Steve said:CorelDRAW cannot do anything similar, and to select objects with different shapes, colors, outlines etc, is like being on a mission impossible.
No... perhaps you should see this: you can select items across groups. The price is within your means... free! :-D
Steve said:I know that a change to Adobe will be costly, but I currently feel so disenchanted and cheated. I'm not the only loyal Corel supporter considering a move.
But what are you really moving too? Illustrator is far more frustrating to use IMO.
John - It's okay mate. I'm probably more hurt about the fact that I once did have the capacity to learn so much more, but illness (incl. epilepsy) has now left me so much slower, and battling to cope with some of the simpler things. I understand why those who could learn VBA would find it useful. Do one thing pleeez. Have some fun with VBA on my behalf.
Jeff - Thank you for your comments and suggestions too, especially your pointer to the charting macro. Do you know if there is one that will edit all the text that has been selected? Example: I have fifteen different artistic text objects on the screen, and I want to change the wording one by one by selecting all those text objects first. Sort of like a quick text edit that would reflect the change immediately after the first item has been altered.
Cya later guys