CorelDRAW X4 “The Official Guide” arrives on my doorstep
October 3rd, 2008 Val Posted in CorelDRAW |
Many thanks to the good folks at Corel corporation for sending me a copy of the recently released CorelDRAW X4, The Official Guide by Gary David Bouton. It just arrived a few minutes ago, so obviously this isn’t a full review. Hopefully I’ll get some time in the near future to go over the book more fully.
As with the Official Guide for version 12, there are only a few pages of color images, and they are completely new images demonstrating color models and how different combinations of effects can be used effectively on finished projects.
Just thumbing through the 800+ page book, it looks like Mr. Bouton has given a LOT of thought into not only how the various tools work, but how they can be used in the real world by real people, not just in simple exercises that don’t apply outside the computer screen. While the graphics and screen shots are in black and white except for those few color pages, there are a lot of them.
The basic outline is pretty much the same as the version 12 book, but everything has been redone and much seems to have been added, and not just added coverage of the new tools in X4. I’m looking forward to spending some time with this volume.
The book is available from Amazon, Corel, or your favorite bookseller. It should also be available soon through an LVS link. I’ve seen prices from just over $25 US to just under $50, so look around for the best deal.
Have fun!
Val P.
October 4th, 2008 at 7:48 am
Thank you, Val—
I didn’t have much say about how many pages would make up the color signature; the ones that are featured I tried to make the most relevant to the book’s content.
I think readers will find a departure in approach to documenting this rev of CorelDRAW—it’s indeed contextual, not that a tool is good (we presume this) but rather what a tool is good *for*. I also spent a good deal of coverage directed toward the “Accidental Art Director”, the person at a SMB who has the typically unrealistic deadline for a logo or collateral material, and has to get something beautiful finished…yesterday :).
We support the book at our site and also offer downloads of not only the book’s tutorial files but also some bonus material: hand-crafted background scenes, typefaces, and other goods free for the asking.
Have fun with the book! Creating art should be a sport, not a chore!
My Best,
Gary David Bouton
October 4th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Thanks for stopping by, Gary! I do look forward to spending some time with you through your book, and I did discover your site at TheBoutons.com as well when researching the book. Looks like a great resource!
Thanks so much for putting all these things together for the CorelDRAW X4 community.
Have fun!
Val P.
October 4th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Val, glad that the book found your way and thank you again for your active participation on http://CorelDRAW.com.
Gérard @ Corel
October 4th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Thanks, Gérard! We had a bit of a snafu with Fed-Ex delivering it to the wrong address first (I’m in a new housing development) but I’m glad to get it. Hopefully I can spend some quality time in the near future both with the book and with http://CorelDRAW.com .
Val P.