The challenger: Corel Graphics Suite X7

When it comes to graphics editing on a computer, it always applies to have to compete with the top dog Adobe. And even though Corel Draw last year celebrated its 25th anniversary, it offers in addition to the Adobe products such as Photoshop and Illustrator a niche. Is the role of the underdog justified in the graphics editing? X Boulevard has installed the entire suite and makes the big test.

Directly in front: The installation is only possible from a Windows-based system from Windows 7. Mac users have to deal with emulators like Parallels content Not exactly an ideal working environment in which runs on the Mac a Windows in a virtual machine on the then Corel Graphics Suite X7 can be installed. The good news for Windows users: The installation is ragged and much less annoying than that of colleague Adobe. The Adobe Installer is in the Internet community known for bringing the user quickly to the brink of despair. Corel demonstrates how it goes much much better.

The first impression
After entering his registration code and the software has enabled and updated kanns already go. For the RAM-hungry suite of manufacturer recommends 32GB by default. We are content for now with 8GB. Turns out, no problem. Only on complex graphics with over 400 vector objects to the limits of available memory show. Before, we had no problems with stuttering or long loading times.

The interface is clean and very clear. Pleasantly unlike the competitor Illustrator, which can be quickly overloaded with all kinds of possible and impossible little window to chaos Workbench. While offering the Graphics Suite as allow all functions simultaneously display in the workspace. But even then CorelDraw seems even fresher and clearer than the rival. Of course we're pleased with the crazy functionality provided by the vector editor.

Caution, do not confuse: Corel Draw is not a Photoshop rival
Corel Draw sends not as a Photoshop competitor in the race. Platzhirsch Photoshop is a bitmap-based image editor, Draw is a vector-based. The difference is that Photoshop is limited to the editing of the individual pixels of an image. With Corel Draw to edit vectors, ie mathematical descriptive forms. Similar to Adobe Illustrator to use it to create images can be scaled without loss. A big advantage when planning prints or plots far beyond A4. In addition, the output images have (industry standard is EPS, Encapsulated Postscript) in disk and create file transfer-friendly sizes.

Since Adobe Illustrator but, similar to Photoshop for bitmap based graphics, the quasi-industry standard, Corel Draw comes with the import function forth for all common Illustrator file formats, making a cross-platform work pleasantly simple.

Workflow: brisk work is unlimited creativity
Dei adaptability of the work environment is simply wonderful. In addition to various modes for the most popular ways of working a vector editor, Corel Draw offers even the possibility to replicate the work environment of Illustrator. For those who have become accustomed to the workflow of Illustrator and are not willing (or do not have the time) to become acquainted with the depths of another image editing software, a welcome feature.

The multi-monitor output is also handy as worth seeing. For graphic designers with more than one screen, which is likely to be the big, healthy majority, the Graphics Suite X7 now offers the possibility to its visual outpourings in HD on all screens to look away.

Conclusion: From Underdog to competitors helpful.
The Corel Graphics Suite X7 is a real, profitable challenger for top dog Adobe. What we find especially good that Corel does not try to make Adobe vain competition in terms of workflow and design. Rather, the software engineers at Corel managed to give the user a tool to the hand, with which he can enjoy themselves properly and effectively. Even if it comes from the other side of vector editing.