CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X5 (Guidebook and DVD) (PC)

For years I've been using the embarrassingly out-of-date and low-wattage Paint Shop Pro 7 graphic program from JASC Software which came out in 2001. Corel have owned JASC since 2004, so you could call X5 an evolution. The main thing that's been putting me off learning the tools of newer, better programs is that it takes a long time and a LOT of patience to develop the skill needed to utilize the software correctly. CorelDRAW X5 is no exception, but what a program it is if you do have the patience.

I do a lot of photo-manipulation for fun, and I have been frequently disappointed at how little functionality the old Paint Shop programs offered. Upon examining the features in X5 all I can say is WOW! THIS is a slick, innovative and thoroughly modern software package that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to professionals or beginners. But if you are a beginner I must stress again that a lot of practice and trial and error is necessary to fully explore and understand all of the features. You want loads of fonts? You got 'em. Need to play with clip-art? It offers thousands of images. Need to access multiple file types? X5 can manage it.

And it doesn't just offer the ability to manipulate private photos either, X5 enables the user to design everything from company logos all the way to webpage ads. It offers so much that it basically fills the needs of everyone who is searching for a reliable graphic program that won't quickly go out of date. So many computers and laptops come with generic graphic programs built-in that offer very, very little functionality. This is NOT the case with X5, make no mistake, this is a high-spec professional package. Though I must point out that a fast, high end computer is necessary to operate X5 smoothly. Windows 7 actually offers touch-screen functionality.

The physical package itself is MASSIVE. X5 doesn't come in a DVD-sized Amaray case. It's literally the size and weight of a pavement slab. A guidebook is included, and there's 2 hours worth of training videos, so even if you're an absolute beginner you'll be able to gradually get the hang of it with the tutorials and guidebook to answer your questions.

Unless you can afford the software used by Industrial Light and Magic or Pixar I'd say that X5 is certainly the most powerful and accessible graphic program available to the public. A necessity for professional web designers and photographers.

CorelDRAW is one of the most comprehensive suit of graphics software available. While the package no longer includes desktop publishing software (this was dropped some time ago), it comes with in addition to the DRAW, Corel Photo-Paint, Corel Connect, Core Connect, a duplexing wizard, Bitstream Font Navigator, and a vast array of fonts and clip-art. There is also a free plug-in available once you register, the Corel KPT collection, which provides a range of effects for both still and animated images, quite a bargain with a price tag of £99.00

CoreDRAWx5 comes with a well produced, and heavy, guidebook which is well illustrated throughout. There is also a manual accessible via Adobe Reader from the software which includes a print out of all the fonts available, as well as the clip-art.

Corel is easy to use, and a lot easier than some of the competition, comprehensive and versatile. For me it has always been the first choice since CorelDRAW3, its first serious illustration package which included True Type fonts. Even then it was way ahead in the PC drawing software field, and a great deal easier to use the the Mac based Adobe; a situation that has changed little over the years, and I have upgraded through CorelDRAW4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, X3, X4 and now X5.

There is no doubt in my mind that Corel is the best, but the real question as far as I am concerned is, is the upgrade from X4 to X5 worth it? Well there are some improvements. On screen colours are supposed to more accurate, in practice I find this a case of swings and roundabouts, some are much more accurate, others less so than previously. There are a few refinements to the drawing tools and a few new ones, including a new tool that enables you to link objects by connecting them with a line. PowerTRACE allows you to convert bitmaps into editable vector images with a claimed greater accuracy. Shaped corners to rectangles preserve their integrity even when the rectangle is stretched. The Mesh-Fill tool is more versatile and there is a new transparency option. There are a few more new or improved drawing tools as well as customisable arrow heads.

Photo-Paint, seems to be little changed, although the colour and grey-scale options are improved, there are new photo effects and lenses, and new corner options for rectangles. There are improvements in the Web options with improvemed support for Web formats. There is also better file support. But in general terms, as far as photo-editing is concerned there is not much that is different. One thing that has not improved is the speed of editing RAW images, it can still be very slow to apply edits, and saving the image as a jpeg is still not straight forward. By comparison Adobe Photoshop CS2 is considerably faster, and much easier to save the image in jpeg. I find this disappointing as otherwise I much prefer Photo-Paint to Photoshop.

Font Nav is the same version as that shipped with X4, version 6.0.0. As this still does not seem to recognise the font groups in the existing installation from X3, version 5.0.0, I will continue to use that rather than go through the hassle of creating them all over again (unless I can find a way to import them).

If you are looking to buy for the first time, I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending CorelDRAWX5, I have used others, but there is none to compare. However if you already have X4, unless you are desperate for some of the refinements that X5 offers, it really is not worth upgrading.

Pros:Accurate Colors and Controls, Easy To Collaborate Across Programs, Easy To Customize, Easy To Navigate, Fully Rich Versatile, Perfect for Windows 7, Versatile
Best Uses:Educational Purposes, Presentations, Professional Quality

Primary use:Personal/Business
Bottom Line:Yes, I would recommend this to any friend

Comments about CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X5:

Full, rich & versatile product that's packed with many fantastic features! It is easy to collaborate across programs, and very easy to both navigate and customize. Amazing color schemes and controls.