Quickly divide a page into three sections in CorelDRAW

April 24th, 2009 Val

Today I needed to create a bulletin insert for the church. It had to fit on 1/3 sheet of paper in landscape orientation so we could cut the paper and make three inserts per page. I thought I’d share the quickest way I know to do that if you don’t already have a template set up. I believe this works in just about every version of CorelDRAW since at least 5, probably before that.

Open CorelDRAW with a new document.

Set the paper orientation if it isn’t right (Layout -> Switch Page Orientation) or use the icons in the document property bar when nothing is selected and the Pick tool is active.

Drag out four vertical guidelines from the vertical ruler. Select them all with the Pick tool.

Open the Align and Distribute dialog from the Property bar icon or the Arrange Menu.

On the Distribute tab, check Spacing at the top of the dialog and activate Extent of Page in the Distribute To: section. Click Apply.

You now have a page evenly divided into three sections.

Learn more great tips and tools by taking CorelDRAW classes at LVS Online!

Registration is now open for the May-June session. Six weeks instructor led classes. No video or specific class times. $25US includes six jam packed lessons of 30-50 pages in PDF format, message board for asking questions and interacting with other students and the instructor, and free web hosting space for posting assignments. Certificates are available for each class for $5 extra.

Classes taught by Val P.:

Introduction to CorelDRAW X4 Part 1:
http://www.lvsassociates.com/register/product_info.php?products_id=269

Introduction to CorelDRAW X4 Part2 (Part1 must be taken first.)
http://www.lvsassociates.com/register/product_info.php?products_id=277

CorelDRAW – Continuing the Adventure (requires 1 intro class for v.12 or X3 and both for X4) This is also listed as CorelDRAW Continued. It’s the same class, just a shorter name.
http://www.lvsassociates.com/register/product_info.php?products_id=208

Classes by Val P. now in Self Study due to low participation ($11.25US and work at your own pace, but no instructor or student interaction):

Introduction to CorelDRAW X3
http://www.lvsassociates.com/register/product_info.php?products_id=186

Introduction to CorelDRAW v.12
http://www.lvsassociates.com/register/product_info.php?products_id=160

Other CorelDRAW Graphics Suite classes available for self study:

CorelDRAW 9/10/11
http://www.lvsassociates.com/register/product_info.php?products_id=2

PhotoPAINT Basics
http://www.lvsassociates.com/register/product_info.php?products_id=212

Have fun!

Val P.

Posted in CorelDRAW, CorelDRAW Continued, CorelDRAW Intro | No Comments »

Register now for CorelDRAW classes for newbies!

March 6th, 2009 Val

If you’re having trouble learning CorelDRAW, you’re not alone. It’s a huge program and a lot to learn all at once. Where do you start? In my introductory classes, we don’t assume you know much at all except basic Windows skills. (And you can get those from the FREE Windows class I also teach!)

Each week a new lesson is posted on the “classroom” page with exercises and assignments for you to work through. There’s a message board for you to ask questions and free web hosting if you need it to upload your assignments. We don’t use complicated video or telephone methods, or even chat sessions, so you can work at your own speed completing each lesson sometime during the week.

Do plan on spending a three or four hours a week working through the lessons. Each PDF is 30-50 pages long! When all six lessons are over, you get to keep the PDFs to refer back to later. That’s like getting a whole textbook included with the course price of only $25US for six lessons.

If you’ve taken the introductory lessons (there are two sets for CorelDRAW X4), you can sign up for the newly updated CorelDRAW – Continuing the Adventure where we go into more depth on some tools that will surely increase your productivity and spur your creativity.

Here are the links for the class descriptions. Sign up right from these pages!

CorelDRAW X3 Introduction

CorelDRAW X4 Introduction Part 1
CorelDRAW X4 Introduction Part 2

CorelDRAW – Continuing the Adventure

Free Windows XP class

Free Vista class

The classrooms open on Monday, March 9 and the first lesson is posted Saturday March 14. That gives you time to figure out the classroom and discussion boards and meet your fellow students before you really get to work.

Come have fun with us!
Val P.

Posted in CorelDRAW, CorelDRAW Continued, CorelDRAW Intro | 2 Comments »

February 16th, 2009 Val

One more reminder that registration is open at LVS Online. This only happens five times a year, so take advantage of it while you can!

Classrooms open March 9.

Registration closes March 11.

First lesson posts March 14.

All classes include six weeks of instruction and close to 200 pages of PDFs you can keep for future reference. $25US or $20 for returning students includes lessons, instructor interaction via message board, and free web hosting for assignments. No video, telephone, or microphone needed! (Self study classes for earlier versions $11.25 include PDFs, but no instructor interaction.)

CorelDRAW – Continuing the Adventure (also known as CorelDRAW Continued)
NEWLY UPDATED to include X4!
http://www.lvsassociates.com/register/product_info.php?products_id=208

This session we’ll have the new CorelDRAW – Continuing the Adventure class that is updated to include version X4. It’s still open to those of you who have taken the v.12 and X3 intro classes, but now the students who have taken both the CorelDRAW X4 intro classes can also benefit from this course. To continue the adventure, we talk a bit about using macros and VBA scripts, data merge, styles, and several other things we didn’t have room for in the intro classes. There’s also an emphasis on using the skills you have learned in new and creative ways.

Introduction to CorelDRAW X4
Part 1
http://www.lvsassociates.com/register/product_info.php?products_id=269
Part 2
http://www.lvsassociates.com/register/product_info.php?products_id=277

Written for the complete beginner, between the two parts, we introduce students to the basic tools and dockers of CorelDRAW X4. Our focus is on actually using the tools and we start working on practical projects starting with the fourth week of the Part 1 class. These classes have been completely updated and re-written from the X3 intro class which was already too full. Plan to take both, one each session. There just isn’t enough time or space to introduce even the basics of X4 in only one class. Both parts are prerequisite for the Continuing the Adventure class.

Introduction to CorelDRAW X3
http://www.lvsassociates.com/register/product_info.php?products_id=186

If you’ve still not updated to X4, but want to learn the basics of X3, we’re here for you! This is a jam packed course full of practical projects covering a broad range of uses for CorelDRAW X3 while introducing all the toolbox tools and many of the basic dockers. If you’ve taken this course and still want more, the CorelDRAW Continued course is your next step. (see above)

There are also self study courses available for CorelDRAW v.9/10/11/and 12 as well as PHOTO-PAINT Basics. Check them out here:
http://www.lvsonline.com/schedule.shtml#self

Our great instructors are also offering great courses on some other Corel software including Painter, PhotoImpact, KPT, and PaintShop Pro. The complete list of courses offered this session is here:
http://www.lvsonline.com/schedule.shtml

Have fun!
Val P.

Posted in CorelDRAW, CorelDRAW Continued, CorelDRAW Intro, General LVS info | No Comments »

Updates and Opportunities for CorelDRAW users

February 12th, 2009 Val

Well, since CorelDRAW is now 20 years old, all sorts of good things are happening. In my last post, I told you about the Design contest that will be running through May 31st. That link will get you to a blog on CorelDRAW.com that lists the links for specific details for the contest in several languages.

As another part of the celebration, you can also purchase a special Anniversary Edition of CorelDRAW that includes a Wacom Intuos3 A6 (4×6) pen tablet and the new Corel Painter Sketch Pad software all in the same package. If you need to update to X4 anyway and need a new tablet, this might be the way to go. I use the Intuos A6 myself and enjoy it.

One of those in the know at LVS has also told up that Corel is currently offering free shipping on orders over $99 if you use the coupon code COREL99. I don’t know how long that offer lasts or any more details, but it’s certainly worth a shot at checkout!

I also mentioned in my last post that SP2 is now out for CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4. The easy way to find it is to open CorelDRAW to the Welcome Magazine and look on the Updates tab. Click the little Product Updates icon or link. You’ll find a link there for your particular language version. This update will be LARGE (somewhere around 62MB for the English version.) It will update the whole suite, not just CorelDRAW. If you’ve turned off the Welcome Mag, clicking on the Help/Updates menu will also get you to the same place. Of course, you’ll need to have an internet connection running for CorelDRAW to be able to find the update information. If you don’t get the update link through CorelDRAW itself, check the Patches and Updates link at Corel.com.

If you haven’t upgraded to SP1 yet, SP2 includes the SP1 patch so you only need do the one download. :)

Now let me remind you that registration is open at LVS. Starting this session, the CorelDRAW – Continuing the Adventure class is now available for those using CorelDRAW X4 as well as versions 12 and X3. Folks using X4 should take both parts of the Introduction to CorelDRAW class first. Here are the direct links to this session’s CorelDRAW classes:

CorelDRAW X4 Introduction – Part 1

CorelDRAW X4 Introduction – Part 2

CorelDRAW X3 Introduction – (only 1 intro course for X3)

The X3 introduction course or BOTH parts of the X4 Introduction course are required for the NEWLY UPDATED

CorelDRAW – Continuing the Adventure (otherwise known as CorelDRAW Continued)

There are also Self Study courses for those of you using older versions of CorelDRAW. You can find those and other great LVS courses on this page.

Have fun!

Val P.

Posted in CorelDRAW, CorelDRAW Continued, CorelDRAW Intro, General LVS info | No Comments »

CorelDRAW Classes at LVS – Register now!

December 28th, 2008 Val

Hi y’all!
It’s time once again to shamelessly promote the CorelDRAW classes at
LVS “where learning is fun!”. There are no new classes this session, but some of you may have
gotten CorelDRAW X4 for Christmas and would like a brush-up on the new
software. Classrooms open January 5 and Registration ends January 7,
so sign up now!

You can find the class information here:

CorelDRAW X4 Intro – Part 1
http://www.lvsassociates.com/register/product_info.php?products_id=269

CorleDRAW X4 Intro – Part 2
http://www.lvsassociates.com/register/product_info.php?products_id=277

For those of you with older versions, we’ve still got most of you covered.

CorelDRAW X3 Intro
http://www.lvsassociates.com/register/product_info.php?products_id=186

CorelDRAW Continued (v.12 and X3)
http://www.lvsassociates.com/register/product_info.php?products_id=208

CorelDRAW 12 Intro (Self Study)
http://www.lvsassociates.com/register/product_info.php?products_id=160

and, not by yours truly
CorelDRAW 9/10/11 (Self Study)
http://www.lvsassociates.com/register/product_info.php?products_id=2

Also, there is a FREE Intro to Windows
http://www.lvsassociates.com/register/product_info.php?products_id=68
and a FREE Intro to Vista class
http://www.lvsassociates.com/register/product_info.php?products_id=255
both designed for the first time computer user, but I guarantee even
long-time Windows users will learn something in the first two lessons
or your money back!

Have fun!
Val P.
http://lvsassociates.com

Posted in CorelDRAW, CorelDRAW Continued, CorelDRAW Intro | 1 Comment »

Register now for CorelDRAW Classes!

September 29th, 2008 Val

Time has flown and registration is now open for the November session at LVS. The current session has been great with wonderful participation by the students who have been producing some incredible work in the early weeks of the Introductory classes. Here’s the information about the upcoming session.

    Classrooms open Oct. 27, 2008
    Registration closes Oct. 29, 2008
    First lesson posts Nov. 1, 2008

For those of you using CorelDRAW X3 or X4, I am teaching introductory classes in those versions. The X3 Intro class is one single six week class. The X4 Intro is two classes, Part 1 and Part 2. Be sure you take Part 1 before you take Part 2!

There are also self study introductory classes in Version 12 and another for previous versions.

CorelDRAW X3 Intro

CorelDRAW X4 Intro Part 1

CorelDRAW X4 Intro Part 2 – NEW!

Self Study CorelDRAW 12 Intro

Beyond the Intro classes is the Self Study CorelDRAW 9/10/11Continuing the Adventure class. You must have taken either the Intro classes for v.12 or X3, or both parts of X4 before starting the Continued class. Having lots of experience with the program doesn’t count. ;)

I wrote and teach all the LVS Instructor led classes and wrote the version 12 class. I did not write the version 9/10/11 class, but can recommend it to those of you still using those versions. I’d also recommend that you upgrade soon!

Don’t forget that LVS students are eligible for the Academic version of CorelDRAW X4 Graphics Suite. It’s a great buy at just $99 US or CAD and includes the full DVD version of the program. The only thing it doesn’t include is the printed manuals. Note: The Academic version is not licensed for commercial use and you cannot use it to later purchase an upgrade copy of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite when version X5 or later comes out.

If you have questions about the classes, please let me know, either by commenting on this blog (preferable) or sending an email to val@lvsonline.com.

Have fun! I hope to see YOU in the halls of LVS!

Val P.

Posted in CorelDRAW, CorelDRAW Continued, CorelDRAW Intro | No Comments »

Registration is open for CorelDRAW and FREE Vista classes!

July 28th, 2008 Val

September registration is now open at LVS Online Classes!

FREE Windows and Vista classes!

New for the Fall session, the Windows Vista class is now FREE. The Intro to Windows (XP and previous versions) is still free as well. These courses are set up for the first time computer user, but long time users will still learn something or your money back! ;) You’ll still need to sign up for a student account with LVS, but there is NO CHARGE for this process, and you won’t be hassled with Spam for the rest of your life, though you may choose to get announcements from LVS if you want them. These courses DO include instructor support for all six lessons and a forum to ask questions. You can work at the six lessons at your own speed as well. What more could you ask from a free course?

NEW CorelDRAW X4 Introduction Part 1

The new introductory course for CorelDRAW X4 is also available for this session. It has been completely re-written from the old X3 classes and split into two classes to cover all that material as well as the new features in X4. If you took the old version 12 or X3 class, you know it packed a LOT into six lessons. Most folks had trouble finishing the class in six weeks, so I’ve made the adjustment many folks have asked for! The second, Part 2, class will be available in November, right after this session ends. Don’t worry, Part 1 is still chocked full of good information, lots of exercises, and plenty of new screen shots as well as being updated to X4. You’ll have just about everything you need to keep going at the end of the term. Part 2 will look at more of the tools and effects we didn’t get to cover in Part 1 as well as many more practical applications.

Classrooms will open on Aug. 25, 2008. Registration ends on Aug. 27, 2008. The first lesson will post on Aug. 30, 2008. I hope to see you there!

Have fun!

Val P.

Posted in CorelDRAW, CorelDRAW Intro, Windows Vista | No Comments »

Macros and X4

May 30th, 2008 Val

In the CorelDRAW – Continuing the Adventure class, I introduce students to the world of Macros. We don’t actually write any with the exception of using the Undo Docker, but we do look at a few that are included with the software. In his May 22 blog at Graphics Unleashed, Foster Coburn mentions several popular macros that have been updated for X4. One of those is the Calendar Wizard by Alex Vakulenko – a master macro builder. There is a Calendar Wizard included in the CorelDRAW VBA installation, but it is a pale version of the one on Alex’s OberonPlace site. (You can also get it from Foster’s site.) If you print calendars in your line of business, it may well be worth taking a look at the “pro” version of the Calendar Wizard. While you’re at Oberon, be sure to check out his other scripts and tutorials. If you use macros much, be sure to check out his online forum.

As for those of you who are beginners, don’t be afraid to venture into Macro Land. (My own term for a state of mind where macros are not scary pieces of code, but simply one more tool in the great CorelDRAW toolbox.) Sign up for Continuing the Adventure this fall, and we’ll ease you into it gently.

Have fun!

Val P.

Posted in CorelDRAW, CorelDRAW Continued, CorelDRAW Intro | 5 Comments »

CorelDRAW Open/Import & Save As/Export/Publish

May 24th, 2008 Val

One of the things that frequently confuses new users of CorelDRAW is that there are at least two different ways to get documents into the program (not counting copy/paste) and at least another three to get documents from the program out to data storage. Let’s look at getting existing documents INTO CorelDRAW to start out with.

CorelDRAW can open gobs of file formats. If you install CorelDRAW without using the custom install, you may not have the full set. Even if you did install the full set, you can turn some of them off and on in the Tools/Options Global -> Filters dialog. Feel free to explore that list sometime, but right now, we’re headed to the File menu.

In the File menu are two kinds of document open commands. The first is File/Open (Ctrl+O). Use Open to open formats that CorelDRAW thinks of as primarily VECTOR files. This list will vary depending on your version of CorelDRAW, but includes not only the native CDR and CMX files, but AI, EPS, PDF (in some versions) DWG, PUB, WMF and a bunch of others that you may or may not think of as primarily vector in nature.

The second menu command is File/Import (Ctrl+I). One thing you need to know about this one is that you must have an already open document in CorelDRAW to import a file. The file being imported will be placed into that open document rather than as an independent document. When you Import a document, you’ll get a little cursor showing where the top left of your file will go. Attached to that cursor will be some descriptive information about your imported file and some hints about where to put it. You can place the imported file with your mouse by moving that corner cursor to where you want it and simply click to place the file at it’s full size there. Alternatively, you can tap your Enter key and that will place your file centered on the page. Finally, you can click and drag to resize your file proportionally. For some files, pressing the Space bar will place the file centered on the page. For others, it will place the file wherever it was originally placed on a page in it’s original formatted file.

The Import command, unlike the Open command, is not limited to just Vector files or just Bitmap files. You can import a JPG image (or most other bitmaps) or you can import a multipage CDR file (or most of the other vector formats that CorelDRAW can open). If you import a file that has multiple pages, the pages will be created for you in your open file provided they don’t already exist. Layers are also created on the fly during the import process. Depending on the complexity of the file, Importing a file can take a bit of time, so be patient.

The one thing you cannot do in either Open or Import is to acquire a file that was created in a newer version of a program than was in existence when your version of CorelDRAW came out. This isn’t just true in CorelDRAW, but in just about any program out there. Older programs have no idea what to do with the features in newer programs. Also, in general, newer versions of CorelDRAW are more successful importing files in non-CorelDRAW Graphics suite formats.

As to those output options? If you want the file saved as a vector format, choose Save or Save As. If you need it in GIF, TIF, JPG, or PNG or any of several other bitmap formats, use the Export command. If you need a PDF, choose Publish to PDF. If you are creating an image map for the web, use the Publish to the Web option.

Also, keep in mind that though you may see what you’d normally think of as a vector file in the Export list, just about everything exported ends up as a bitmap. If you want vector, use Save As.

You CAN create a simple GIF or JPG using the Publish to the Web option, but in general, it’s more of a pain than it’s worth since you need to be working in 1:1 zoom mode if you want your graphics to be any specific size.

Well, I know I’ve probably oversimplified some things (and possibly made others more complex than they need to be) but I’d love to hear from you about your tips for getting images and documents into and out of CorelDRAW.

Have fun!

Val P.

Posted in CorelDRAW, CorelDRAW Intro | No Comments »

Time to register for May classes at LVS

April 28th, 2008 Val

My apologies for being absent so long from the blogosphere. I was out of town for a while, then came down with a nasty stomach virus. Fortunately, I’m starting to feel more human again. Meanwhile, I’m trying to get my house ready for sale so we can move in June AND write a new Introduction to CorelDRAW X4 class for September. Meanwhile, here’s a reminder that the May session is coming at LVS!

Registration for the May LVS session is closing soon, but there is still time to register for the Intro to CorelDRAW classes at LVS. We have self study intro classes for CorelDRAW 9-12 and an instructor led
class for CorelDRAW X3. I wrote the version 12 and X3 classes and can promise you’ll get your money’s worth.
http://www.lvsassociates.com/register/product_info.php?products_id=186

If you’ve already taken that class and want more, try the CorelDRAW – Continuing the Adventure class. It’s always a small class, so you get lots of individual attention.
http://www.lvsassociates.com/register/product_info.php?products_id=208

I’ll have a class on the new CorelDRAW X4 coming in September for anyone who has upgraded!

Also, new last session I’ve created a new Intro to Windows Vista class. It’s aimed at those who are brand new to computing, but just about anyone who has used Windows, even for years, can benefit from
the class.
http://www.lvsassociates.com/register/product_info.php?products_id=255

And don’t forget the FREE Intro to Windows class for Windows 98,ME, and XP. It’s a bit outdated, but if your first computer (or your mother’s first computer) is an older model, you certainly can’t beat
the price.
http://www.lvsassociates.com/register/product_info.php?products_id=68

All instructor led classes are $25 US, $20 for returning students. This includes all instructional materials, (not the CorelDRAW or Windows software, of course) a message board to ask questions and post
assignments to, free webhosting for your class assignments if needed, and the ability to ask the instructor any questions you want for six weeks plus a little.

Self study classes are $11.50 US and are just as good, but you don’t get the instructor. ;) The exception is the Intro to Windows 98-XP class which is not only FREE but I also pop in to answer any questions
you may have.

All contain six downloadable lessons jammed packed with information you can save or print out for you to use after the class is over.

Of course, if you’ve taken all of my classes, do check out the other classes offered by LVS. There is sure to be something you’ll want to learn!
http://www.lvsonline.com/schedule.shtml

Have fun!

Val P.
Instructor, LVS Associates – Where Learning Is Fun!
Authorized Corel Training Partner

Posted in CorelDRAW, CorelDRAW Continued, CorelDRAW Intro, Windows Vista | No Comments »

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