CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 SP 1 really is out!

June 24th, 2008 Val

The link in my previous post will work to get you there and you can download directly. Here is another link to it. If neither one works for you, follow the instructions below the link.

http://corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/en/Content/1153321224268?pid=1205332430735

So far on the Corel.com site, you’ve got to go to the Support link, choose Patches and Updates, then scroll down to the “Also available:” and click on the “Full list of updates for all products.” From there you can choose CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 and get the download. You’ll need to do this if you aren’t in the USA as the link above is the USA support link. (I THINK the download is the exact same one for all languages that CDGS X4 is available in currently, but better safe than sorry.)

The Automatic Update probably won’t become active until sometime later this week. For lots of specific information on SP1, I recommend Gérard’s blog about SP 1. (It includes the Read Me notes from the download.)

The official Press Release blog is here but it doesn’t tell you much.

I’m in the process of downloading it myself now, so I’ll let you know what I think when I get a chance to play with it. Unfortunately, as many of you know, I’m also in the process of moving to a new house, so computer time is at a bare minimum. If I see any other reviews of the SP1 pack I’ll let you know that, too.

Have fun!

Val P.

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SP1 available for CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4!

June 24th, 2008 Val

If you don’t have auto-update turned on, you may not notice that there is an important update for X4 out. SP-1 is now available and it fixes a lot of the niggling problems X4 has had since it’s release.

Find it here:

http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/en/Content/1157481830100?pid=1213733086367

(While you’re there, you’ll notice that they’ve revamped the Corel.com site!)

With SP 1, big improvements have been made in the way CorelDRAW X4 handles layers not only internally, but also when saving back to previous versions. This problem has kept a lot of folks from using X4 professionally, but layer names are now kept when saving to previous versions so long as they are consistent through the document. (Older versions couldn’t really handle layer names changing through the document, so saving back documents with changing layer names on various pages will probably result in lots of layers and loss of the naming scheme. I haven’t tried it out as of this writing as I’m writing before the SP comes out. If you try it, let me know how it goes. I’ll be working on moving this week.)

There are also lots of other improvements including improved TIF export and improved anti-aliasing in bitmap exports.

Corel PhotoPaint has also had some tweaking done, so SP1 will apply to that as well.

Do the update, check it out, and let me know what you think!

Have fun!

Val P.

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Sources of inspiration and things to think about

June 13th, 2008 Val

While you’re waiting for me to get my act together, you might want to check out a few other blogs in the meantime. Theres one at CorelDRAW.com highlighting some of the gallery work there. That’s a great place for inspiration and to get to know some of what’s possible with CorelDRAW.

There’s a nice little blog post about the Apple/Microsoft, Adobe/Corel controversy over at Accroya’s Blog. This is the only blog post on that site, but hopefully there will be more forthcoming.

Finally, something that has little to do with CorelDRAW, but is an interesting read by a CorelDRAW friend Rikk Flohr: When Disaster Strikes proves that you can get decent images even with a cell phone camera if you know what you’re doing.

Have fun! It’s back to packing and cleaning for me.

Val P.

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More info on the CorelDRAW Unleashed Mag.

June 12th, 2008 Val

Yesterday I mentioned that current the CorelDRAW Unleashed e-magazine was out, but I couldn’t find the articles. I sent a note to Foster, the author/editor of the magazine and he did indeed respond. It seems you’ve got to download the magazine to your hard drive to really read it. You do that by clicking on the graphic of the “front cover”. Instructions are actually on the page.

My apologies to Foster. Guess my brain is more fogged than usual with packing/moving arrangements.

Have fun!

Val P.

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CorelDRAW Unleashed Magazine out today

June 11th, 2008 Val

Hey y’all! Just wanted to alert you to a new issue of Foster Coburn’s CorelDRAW Unleashed Magazine. If you are not currently getting this emailed newsletter/magazine, you’re missing out on some great tips and tutorials. As with most of these sorts of things, it’s more advertising than meat at first glance, but take the time to browse through it and you’ll be sure to find something of worth. This month’s issue is primarily describing the CorelDRAW Unleashed user conference on the front page. There’s a list of other articles in the newsletter that’s usually a set of links, but if anyone can find the actual articles, please let me know! (I’ve sent Foster an email asking for clarification. I’m sure it will be forthcoming. We’ll let you know when I know. Some of those articles look interesting.)

Please forgive the dearth of blog posts lately. I’ve got a nice little tutorial on using text on a path coming when I can get my head above water, but right now I’m getting ready to relocate my household next week, so things are rather hectic around here.

Have fun!

Val P.

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