Signage industry kept in the loop with latest Corel release

9 February 2006

The software holds a respected reputation amongst designers involved in signage production, marketing and logo creation, and CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X3 boasts the addition of more than 40 new and enhanced features.

The focus for this edition of the graphics suite was customer interaction and input, with Corel team members working closely with customers, gathering their feedback and spending time at their desks to watch how they work.

Nick Davies, general manager for graphics at Corel, says his company is committed to releasing design and publishing software that delivers effective results, as well as being easy to use.

“The latest version of our award-winning suite is solid proof of the positive impact this philosophy has on our customers,” says Davies. “We've deepened our customer interaction, taking our understanding of users' needs to a whole new level. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X3 has raised the standard for ease of use and productivity across the graphics industry.”

Not unlike the Creative Suite from competitor Adobe, the latest version of the CorelDRAW Graphics Suite bundles a number of different programs together at a lower cost. The suite includes updated versions of CorelDRAW, Corel PHOTO-PAINT and Corel CAPTURE.

Some of the major enhancements in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X3 include:
  • PowerTRACE - enables users to convert bitmaps into editable vector graphics. For control and flexibility, the function generates a colour palette, enabling users to pick which colours appear in the traced result and quickly convert them to the appropriate colour mode (including spot colours).
  • Image Adjustment Lab - offers manual and automatic controls for common colour and tone corrections, making it easier to work with images that have poor colour balance and contrast.
  • Hints docker - provides context-sensitive information on the currently selected tool, making it easier to learn to use and provide longtime users on helpful tips that they might not have previously discovered.
  • Interactive 'fit text to path' - Makes it easier to attach text to a path with precision. With an improved user interface, the tool allows users to select text, move their pointer along a path, choose an offset distance if desired, and then click to set the text's position.
  • Text enhancements and features - significant improvements make it easier for users to select, edit, and format text.
  • Enahnced Cutout Lab - includes new controls to simplify the process of cutting out image areas and improving accuracy.
  • Bevel effect - The new docker dramatically reduces the time required to apply bevel effects to graphic or text objects and gives users quick access to Bevel styles and controls.
  • Enhanced Interactive Contour tool - users can quickly and easily contour, with the latest version reducing the nodes created.
  • Smart Fill tool - enables users to apply a fill to any enclosed area.
  • Crop tool -quickly lets users remove unwanted areas in objects and imported graphics, whether working with bitmap or vector graphics.
  • Enhanced spot colour support - Drop shadow, transparency, and mesh and fountain fills now support spot colours
  • Preview overprints - viewing mode simulates the colour of areas where overlapping objects were set to overprint, enabling users to output projects with confidence.
  • PDF Support for password-protected PDF files - Users can now set security options to protect their PDF output, controlling whether and to what extent a file can be accessed, edited, and reproduced.

    For more information about CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X3 or to download a full-featured, free trial version, please visit www.corel.com/cdgsx3.