CorelDRAW Developers Explain Custom Add-Ons

Behind any major software project are numerous talented engineers. Most of the time they remain behind the scenes. Recently one of the engineers from the CorelDRAW team posted information about one of the coolest features in CorelDRAW X4. Go ahead and memorize the list of features publicized by the marketing department. Try to figure out which feature we're talking about. Got your answer?

Well, this isn't a feature that has been heavily promoted by Corel and that's really too bad. CorelDRAW X4 allows any developer to create a custom add-on and/or a custom Docker. Prior to CorelDRAW X4, add-on features didn't always mesh completely with the program. By putting the add-on in a custom Docker, there is really no way to tell that the feature wasn't built-in to the product. For novice users, this also make it easier to work with add-ons.

I'll warn you, the information on this feature is a bit technical and is geared towards developers. But I think it is worth reading by all users, even if you never plan on developing your own. It will describe to you what is possible and I'm excited about all the cool new stuff we'll see down the road.

So, follow along as Henrik Wagenaar explains the process of creating a custom add-on and/or a custom Docker. Look carefully and you'll see a cool example of a Docker for custom tables that you can download. If you regularly visit the MacroMonster.com site, you'll know that several cool custom Dockers are already available and Jeff has told me about several more that are in the works. I'll certainly cover some of the best in my Macro Monday posts.

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CoCut Cutting Add-On Released for CorelDRAW X4

The CoCut add-on for CorelDRAW, Adobe Illustrator, Macromedia Freehand and AutoCAD has been updated to work with the latest versions of the supported software including CorelDRAW X4. It is available in two versions. The regular version of CoCut provides a driver that works with Allen Datagraph, Anagraph, Gerber, Graphtec, Ioline, Mimaki, Mutoh, Roland, Summagraphics, Wild, Zund and more cutters. For users looking for more control over their output, CoCut Pro adds even more features. With CoCut, you can turn CorelDRAW into full-blown cutting software. Use the graphics tools you know and output to your favorite cutter.

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Unleashed FX X4 Now Available

The Unleashed FX add-on for Corel PHOTO-PAINT has been updated to work with Corel PHOTO-PAINT X4. As Unleashed FX works with the macro language inside PHOTO-PAINT, it is very version specific. Both a full version and an upgrade are available.

If you aren't already familiar with Unleashed FX, it puts 300 special effects available at the push of a button. Those effects can be applied to any existing object in Corel PHOTO-PAINT or they can be automatically applied to a new piece of text in the font and size of your choice. Now you can create really cool effects with minimal effort.

Check out the Web page for Unleashed FX. You can find information about how it works, tips, samples and more. Give it a try by downloading a trial version including the full documentation.

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Add-On Brings CAD Functionality to CorelDRAW

I learned of a new add-on for CorelDRAW this week that adds CAD-type tools to CorelDRAW. The add-on works in CorelDRAW 11, 12 and X3 as well as Corel Designer 10 and 12. It is called CADinTools and is available as a trial download. New features included a number of tools for selecting different type of objects in a drawing, scaling functions, in-depth information on the selected objects, curve editing shortcuts, additional transformation functions, more ways to modify movement and rotation, stretching, mirroring, skewing, working with lines and arcs, isometic transformations, shape development, calculations and much more. Give it a try and post your thoughts on the product. If you simply want to buy, the price is $50 US.

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Beware the Academic Version of CorelDRAW

I got an e-mail last night from someone asking why they were unable to get the Jigsaw Puzzle Creator add-on to CorelDRAW to work. I noticed that the e-mail came from someone with a .edu e-mail address and asked if he was using the Academic version. Sure enough, that was the problem.

Just so we're clear, the special version is called CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X3 Student and Teacher Edition. It is created so those in the academic community with limited budgets can still afford to work with CorelDRAW. Most of the popular software packages are available in Academic versions. Anyone who is a student or teacher, and can prove it, is eligible to buy. The package retails for $99 and sells for only $79.99 at Amazon.

Now let's talk about why it truly costs less and why you shouldn't be buying it. There are no printed manuals included. Obviously Corel can save money by not having to print the books and the decrease in the box weight helps on shipping costs. The hidden trap is that VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) is not included. It is a Microsoft product and Corel has to pay licensing fees to include it. So by leaving it out, they save a few more bucks on this special edition. This is what bit the person posing the e-mail question to me. For the most part, this eliminates all plug-ins and add-ons for CorelDRAW from working!

There are also some legalities about the Academic version that are often overlooked. You can't use it to make money. How many people are buying it to save money that are truly going to be using it for their business? My guess is that a large percentage of sales would violate this rule. The Academic version is not eligible for upgrades. So when you realize that VBA is not included or that you shouldn't be using it, you must buy the full version.

From time to time I hear grumbling about the "high cost" of CorelDRAW. The people who tend to complain the most are those using it to run their business. They have machines costing tens of thousands of dollars being run entirely by CorelDRAW...which costs $399 for the full version before discounts. Sure sounds like a bargain to me.

So before you run out and buy the Student and Teacher Edition, think about how you will be using it and what is missing. If you own any previous (non-Academic) version of CorelDRAW, you are eligible for the upgrade. It lists for $179 and sells for $159.99 at Amazon. For those of you who have been using an Academic version or if you are simply a new user, you'll need the full version. It lists for $399 and sells for $306.99 at Amazon. I just hate to see users who can't realize the full power of CorelDRAW because they decided to save a few bucks and thus missed out on all the cool stuff that VBA brings to the table.

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