| CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 [DVD] | ![CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 [DVD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51VF4KhO7lL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | From: Corel
Category: Software
List Price: $429.00
Buy New: $289.07
You Save: $139.93 (33%)
New (26) Used (2) from $199.95
Avg. Customer Rating:  76 reviews
Sales Rank: 786
Format: Dvd-rom
Platforms: Windows Vista, Windows Xp
Media: DVD-ROM
Edition: Standard
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 6
Dimensions (in): 117 x 96 x 36
MPN: CDGSX4ENPC
Model: CDGSX4ENPC
UPC: 735163119206
EAN: 0735163119206
ASIN: B0012KZKZC
Release Date: February 22, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Customer Reviews:
 An unprecedented combination of graphics design power and usability November 26, 2008
I have to admit that I've bad-mouthed Corel more than once in my life, especially back before my employer saw the light and dumped WordPerfect Suite for Microsoft Office, but I have nothing but praise for CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4. Not only is this an impressive, powerful suite of graphics design tools, Corel doesn't throw you under the bus as soon as you install the software. If you're like me and don't have a single artistic bone in your body (I can't draw a straight line with a ruler), you would expect a fancy-pants software package like this to leave you dumbfounded from the start, with no clue on how to get started. Much to their credit, Corel throws you lifelines as soon as you jump in the pool and makes a diverse set of rescue resources near at hand for you at all times. I'm not saying you'll be a graphics design guru after a couple of hours - this is a really advanced, powerful set of programs here - but you would have a hard time finding a piece of software with more impressive built-in support. The first of several excellent video tutorials is available on the Welcome screen, and you can choose to have a built-in docket of usage tips available for every function you choose. Users of previous versions of the software will have no problem recognizing the changes this upgrade brings with it, as you can choose to have every single change and addition from your previous version highlighted on the screen. That doesn't sound like much, but it is a big help. You also have What's New and Learning Tools readily available to you from the Welcome screen as well as from inside each of the featured programs. Of course, you also have a complete help file available but you won't need to resort to using that very often.
As I'm sure you can tell by the price, you don't buy this program if you just want to take the redeye out of your vacation photos or create a cute little Christmas card to send to friends. You can certainly do those things with this, but Corel Photo-Paint X4, impressive as it is, is overshadowed by the primary CorelDRAW application. (If all you want is a powerful photo editor, I would still recommend Fireworks - my favorite - or Photoshop.) I would like to have seen a few more built-in templates included, but CorelDRAW actually succeeds in making graphics design possible for even artistically inept folks like me. This is one powerful program which actual graphics professionals should take to like fish to water. Professionals may be the primary target audience for this software package, but Corel does a great job of making these powerful tools available and actually useable by anyone.
I also have to mention several additional software applications and features included in this suite deal. Corel PowerTRACE X4 is of enormous help in turning traced bitmaps into images you can convert into editable vector images. Corel CAPTURE X4, as you might guess, is a powerful screen capture utility. The Bitstream Font Navigator is a comprehensive font manager that even helps you identity scanned fonts from an outside source. You even get a Duplexing Wizard to aid you in optimizing the appearance of your document when printing two-sided copies. Vista users will also welcome the integration of this software package with the Vista operating system, as the search and preview options by themselves should be of great convenience to them.
What about file formats and the age-old question of compatibility? After all, the odds are that some if not many of your associates are working with different file formats in non-Corel software. Well, Corel has worked to make CorelDRAW Graphic Suite X4 software as compatible as possible with other users and systems. In this release, the list of additional new formats includes Word and Publisher 2007, AutoCAD DXF and AutoCAD DWG, and Adobe CS3.
I could go on writing paragraph after paragraph about this product, but I could never begin to describe all of its many impressive features. Is it the best graphics design software on the market? I don't know, as I have no experience using any comparable graphics design programs. Even if I had, I don't think anyone short of a professional graphics designer would be able to judge the comparative pros and cons. What I do know is that anyone who is serious about graphics design in any of its various facets would do well to give CorelDRAW Graphic Suite X4 a long and serious look.
 An excellent product with one drawback November 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Writing this review has been on my to-do list for a long time. That's because this is a wonderful product, with one big drawback. I've been hoping either to find other drawbacks that could justify a less enthusiatic review, or a solution to that one flaw.
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite will do everything you want it to do, whether you're creating brochures or websites or scrapbook pages. The learning curve is no steeper that it has to be for a product with this robust a range of options. The images and fonts included will come in handy over and over.
The only problem is: everyone else you work with will probably be using Adobe. You will have issues when you collaborate with others, you won't find tutorials that work for you, you won't be able to swap tips at the water cooler.
If that doesn't matter to you, then this is pretty much the perfect graphics package.
An amateur's perspective October 16, 2008
I'm no artist. I want to be. But, I'm not. I do, however, have a need to create and customize graphics, especially for websites now.
So, I picked up a copy of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4.
I've used Adobe Photoshop in the past, and although I know it is the industry leader among graphics software, I find it difficult for a novice like myself to learn.
When I call myself a novice, it is strictly in the realm of computer artistry. I'm very adept technically, and work in the IT industry as a senior systems engineer. I know software.
I figured that with the tutorials and help system in the CorelDRAW software, I should be able to easily learn what I needed to know. Corel didn't disappoint me.
Not only are the commands a bit more intuitive than those in Adobe Photoshop, but the help system has quickly answered all of my questions so far regarding how to do anything I've needed. Watching the video tutorials has helped teach me graphics concepts that may never have occurred to me to explore on my own.
The tools in this suite have aided me in creating custom banners, graphics, and editing pictures. I've found the process to be easy and fun.
The program is a bit slow to open, even on a PC with a 3 GHz processor and 2 GB of RAM. Once open, however, it responds very well. The slowness to launch seems to be standard with such programs, however, so I am not sure it is really a fault with the software or if it is simply the nature of the beast.
There you have it - an amateur's perspective. I'm not knowledgeable enough with graphics to review every little nuance, but for those of you who hope to be able to muddle your way through graphics creation, as I hoped, you will find this a useful and informative tool.
CorelDRAW GS X4 October 11, 2008
I've been a CorelDRAW owner since version 1. V100 camee on one floppy. This product is a serious 2 DVD set. I love it.
 Very good product but it's not Adobe. September 20, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
The product offers similar features to Adobe's Illustrator but lacks in special effects such as easy type warping and 3-D objects. It did not allow me to save as a pdf file. This software was easy to use even for a beginner. It has some of the same tools you would find in a vector program i.e. pen, line, shapes, selections, etc. Building new color swatches was a snap too. When you needed to look for a feature or option, they were also easy to find, and you did not have to waste a lot of time digging. Overall a very good product.
|
|
|
