CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2024 with Video installation Guide

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2024 is a powerful vector graphics editor developed and marketed by Alludo (formerly Corel Corporation). This comprehensive graphics suite includes the bitmap-image editor Corel Photo-Paint and other related programs. It serves as a versatile platform for digital painting, desktop publishing, and production art used in signmaking, vinyl and laser cutting, engraving, print-on-demand, and various industry processes. Alongside the full suite, reduced-feature Standard and Essentials versions are also available.

History of CorelDRAW

CorelDRAW’s origins date back to 1987 when Corel engineers Michel Bouillon and Pat Beirne began developing a vector-based illustration program to complement their desktop publishing systems. The first version, CorelDRAW 1.0, launched in 1989 and initially ran under Windows 2.x and 3.0. Its evolution alongside Windows 3.1 and the inclusion of TrueType fonts transformed it into a serious illustration tool.

Early Versions and Development

• CorelDRAW 1.x and 2.x: Basic vector tools and compatibility with early Windows versions.

• CorelDRAW 3.0 (1992): Introduction of Corel Photo-Paint and CorelTRACE, forming the first full graphic suite.

• CorelDRAW 4 to 6: Expanded features including multi-page support, animation, and cross-platform compatibility (Windows and Macintosh).

• CorelDRAW 7 to 9: Added advanced design tools, color management, and support for Linux.

Features by Version

CorelDRAW has continuously evolved over the years, introducing new tools and compatibility enhancements:

Notable Feature Highlights

• Version 10 (2000): Web graphics tools, multilingual support, and SVG import/export.

• Version X3 (2006): Smart fill tool, image adjustment lab, and integrated PowerTrace.

• Version X7 (2014): New workspaces, training videos, and subscription-based licensing introduced.

• Version 2018: Symmetrical drawing mode, Block Shadow Tool, and publish to WordPress.

• Version 2024: Introduction of new Painterly Brushes for enhanced digital painting.

Platform and Compatibility

• Initially developed for Windows 2.1.

• Support extended to Windows 3.1x, OS/2, Power Macintosh, and later Linux.

• MacOS support reintroduced in 2019.

• As of 2024, supports Windows 10, Windows 11, and MacOS with native Apple silicon support.

Scripting and Automation

CorelDRAW has supported task automation since version 6 through its proprietary scripting language, Corel SCRIPT. Over time, support expanded:

• Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) introduced in version 9.

• Transition to Microsoft Visual Studio Tools for Applications (VSTA) starting with version X5.

• JavaScript support added in 2019 for cross-platform scripting, though with limited IDE support.

• Link to the official CorelDRAW site or product page:
  https://www.coreldraw.com/en/

CorelDRAW File Format

CDR File Format

CorelDRAW’s native file format is CDR, a proprietary vector graphic format that has evolved over time:

• Early versions used a custom format identified by “WL” bytes.

• Starting from CorelDRAW 3, the format adopted the RIFF container standard.

• Since version X4, the CDR file became a ZIP-compressed archive containing XML and RIFF-structured data.

Other Supported Formats

• CorelDraw Compressed (CDX)

• CorelDraw Template (CDT)

• Corel Presentation Exchange (CMX)

Compatibility and Import Support

• The open-source sK1 project has reverse-engineered the CDR format, providing import support in tools like Inkscape and Scribus.

• The libcdr library enables reading of CDR files in LibreOffice.

Summary

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2024 remains a leading professional vector graphics and digital design tool with a rich history of innovation, broad platform support, extensive scripting capabilities, and a continuously evolving file format. Whether for digital painting, print production, or web graphics, CorelDRAW offers powerful tools for creatives and professionals alike.