The Fillet/Scallop/Chamfer feature is a hidden gem!! It should have been on the top of the new features list!! Go into the Window drop down menu and check under dockers it's buried there!
Other new or enhanced features I tried so far.
The real time fit text to path is a great improvement!
Contouring is better only in that it is not as node heavy, but it tends to create a lot of random "node hairs" that you have to clean up. Converting outlines to object creates the same "hairs". They really need to fix this one.
The bevel feature is nice but real entry level.
The smart fill tool is a real time saver!
The create boundary feature is the same as convert to curves as far as I can tell. It just places a duplicate on top of the original.
The extrude function is much improved, but still needs node reduction on curves!
A simple Step and Repeat function (in the edit menu)is something we have needed for a long time - finally!
I haven't really dug into the trace feature yet (next day or two) but it seems to be an improvement.
OK anyone else have any comments or hidden features??
posted
You need to check your fonts that you are contouring when you get the fly aways. If you leave the contour attached next time and node edit the font you will see what is causing your problem.
keep digging there is lots of improvements. Photopaint has some nice changes. Image adjustment lab is fantastic for digital picture editing. Also the cutout tool is Corel knockout built into the program.
posted
Here is one I'd like to know if they have changed? Not sure if I'm explaining it wright, but I'll try. When you convert text to an object, and want to perform modifications to each leter as an individual object, ya got to unlock the string of objects, ie...converted text (or seperate the objects, don't remember the exact command) As soon as you do that, any letters that contain center cut outs, such as R,O,P...etc, disapear. Yes they are still there, its just an extra step in the process to weld them together with the main letter before doing anything else with it. I own SignLab and when you convert text to Graphic, its one step...boom your done, everthing is an individual object and ya don't have to go find the centers and seperatly weld then together. For this reason alone, I might completely give up SignLab...NA, in my opinun, nothing beats SignLab for node editing. Robin
-------------------- Robin Sharrard Sharrard Graphics & Sign Fallon, Nevada rds@phonewave.net "Proud $$$ Supporter" Posts: 282 | From: Fallon, Nevda, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
| IP: Logged |
In Corel you can break the text apart right down to the letter without even having to convert it to a curve. Once you are done your editing you can convert it if you like or just export it to cut. In the new program you will see a hint docker that works well.
posted
Robin I have used Signlab version 5 and it was out around the sametime as CorelDraw version 7 I think. Well you must be living in a different world if you really think Signlab has better node editing than CorelDraw. Dose anyone think Signlab is better for node editing?
As for your example try it this way first remove the fill and then maybe put on an outline then you will be able to see the centre parts of the letters or work in wireframe mode. I put a button on a tool bar to change from normal view to wireframe mode. Also what Doug said will help you out.
-------------------- Steve Eisenreich Dezine Signs PO BOX 6052 Stn Forces Cold Lake, Alberta T9M 2C5 Posts: 774 | From: Cold Lake | Registered: Mar 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks, Guys...its like is said over and over on this forum, it's what you started with that is the most comfortible to use. I spent 3 years with SignLab before I got serious with Corel Draw. I always find myself going back to SignLab, cause thats what I'm most comfortible with. The text thing, for me, just seems like an extra step in the process that is not necessary, and very frustrating at certain times. Guess that is the price you pay for having options with text manipulation in Corel, that are more difficult to perform in other programs. Robin
-------------------- Robin Sharrard Sharrard Graphics & Sign Fallon, Nevada rds@phonewave.net "Proud $$$ Supporter" Posts: 282 | From: Fallon, Nevda, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Laura - No. Luckily it installed OK for me.
Robin - Yes. You can install it without removing your current version. The installation uses a completely different set of directories. Also, i started with SignLab and moved to Corel and initially i liked the node editing in SignLab. But if you spend some time with Corel node editing i think you will find it is very intuitive and (IMHO) better than SignLab. Corel can be a bit daunting because it does so much but it is very consistent in the way features work so once you get used to the "mindset" of the program things work exactly like you think they should.
Also, i suggest you watch the training videos on Lynda.com. I revisit them periodically and always learn (or relearn) something new.
-------------------- Steve Racz Racz's Handcarved Signs Posts: 1078 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
I crashed it three times in three minutes and went back to Corel 12 for the project I'm working on. I had hoped it would save me some time on this job.
I'm designing a complicated sign package for a major corporation's training center. Among all the other elements, I have plenty of paragraph text, with different sizes of text in the paragraphs, that I have to rescale since this customer's preferences have been a moving target. I haven't found out an easy way to rescale paragraph text when I rescale the object--I always have to manually resize the text in each paragraph.
It sounds like there's some nice enhancements in X3 but it's too buggy for my use at this point.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5084 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
I had to re-down load it ,, to get it to install,, Thats nothing to sweat.. So far it runs good for me.. I like it ..
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
I luv the Font previews.. and the perfect shapes. and the autofill.. the font list options..
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
I had problems with an illustrator file. Once I imported the illustrator file it stopped working. I could work on other files illustrator files though so I figured it had problems with specific features or versions of illustrator.
I was just testing Corel Draw 12 when I downloaded X3 by mistake. Figured i'd try it anyway. It saved me on one file and then I had the illustrator problem on another.
- denis
-------------------- Denis de Leon Creative Signcrafters 125 Railroad Avenue, suite 4 Hightstown, NJ 08520 Posts: 128 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
quote:Any idea on how long it will take Roland to figure out a way to create a cut line?
Scott...I'm not sure what you mean specifically, but Being able to cut with a Roland cutter from CorelDraw has nothing to do with the version of CorelCraw, but rather, the operating system you are using.
At this point, drivers are available for virtually every Windows operating system.
If you are using Windows, you can cut from any version of Draw, including this newest version.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
The very best news we could all hear is that Corel is finally recognizing how many sign shops use their program. We are hoping they will see the benefits of having a paid rep here in Letterville to answer questions.
-------------------- Steve Shortreed 144 Hill St., E. Fergus, Ontario Canada N1M 1G9 519-787-2673
posted
If you use the Corel Newsgroups and you should that is where you will hear about all of the issues that are popping up. One that bugs me is the export to swf filter is not right and needs fixing. I think the vector hairs I can deal with right now I am sure my plotter would just ignore them.
-------------------- Steve Eisenreich Dezine Signs PO BOX 6052 Stn Forces Cold Lake, Alberta T9M 2C5 Posts: 774 | From: Cold Lake | Registered: Mar 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
The vector 'hairs' that you are referring to are simply a tool. When two nodes are in very close proximity, corel x3 will create a false control node separated by a short 'hair' that makes it easier to select or manipulate the nodes individually. If you zoom (maximum zoom) in on the hairs in wireframe mode you'll see what I mean.
-------------------- Mike O'Neill
It has yet to be proven that intelligence has any survival value. - Arthur C. Clarke
posted
I have not had time to check yet do they print out with an inkjet printer or a laser as spikes?
If they do not then they are not an issue. But that being said Corel Draw does not NEED to put 2 nodes so close together.
-------------------- Steve Eisenreich Dezine Signs PO BOX 6052 Stn Forces Cold Lake, Alberta T9M 2C5 Posts: 774 | From: Cold Lake | Registered: Mar 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
They don't print or cut, they're not even visible on screen unless the node editing tool is selected, and as far as needing 2 nodes so close together I can see the necessity if one is a cusp and one is smooth, that's part of the algorithm in the software to work out. It's not like X3 is creating a whole lot of nodes, ther're way fewer than any previous version. All in all it's a non-issue.
-------------------- Mike O'Neill
It has yet to be proven that intelligence has any survival value. - Arthur C. Clarke
posted
Thanks for clearing that up Mike. That would explain why the same file would have them in X3 and not in 12. They are probably handy, but they will take some getting used to. I find them distracting when I am tring to guage the overall flow of the lines. It seemed like far too big a thing to have slipped through.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
| IP: Logged |
![[I Don t Know]](graemlins/dunno.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic