Corel DRAW Graphics Suite X5 Upgrade

This product is the best so far out of the Corel X-series suites. Although it is not without some bugs, it is much better than the previous version we were using.

This new version does not come with a book for the Corel Graphics. The CD install disc is only for Multi-Layer players, so it may or may not work on your computer. I had to go buy another DVD player to install it. Otherwise the software is about the same as X3 for what I use it for. There may be some improvements I don't know about.

I'm a professional illustrator. I have to have a capable graphics program that is dependable and fast if I'm to make a living. My first choice of software (for many years) have been Photo-Paint. Corel has been sitting for years on this little gem (within the Draw suite of graphics programs). Photo-Paint is fast and easy to use, and permits customizing keyboard commands and graphic tablet use. It would seem perfect for a graphic artist. BUT... Corel never quit de-bugs its programs, instead releasing them early in their most buggy form and basically letting users serve as beta testers for the first year or two. Version X5 is no exception. I purchased a copy directly from Corel a year ago when X5 came out (upgrading from version 8). It was so crash prone and buggy as to prove useless. Returned it to Coreal and got my refund. Now, nearly a year later, I decided to give it another try - they have had two major fixes. Glowing reviews abound at web sites reviewing software. I decided maybe it was safe to try buying it again. Bought it from Amazon. And after taking two days to set up the newest version, found it better -- but still prone to crashing or locking up. Worse, the smear brushes which hardly worked at all a year ago still aren't right, with the screen not re-writing properly (or something) so that squares and lines often appear in pictures, acting like a layer that can't be removed. The bad news (I just discovered) that there is no return with software ordered through Amazon. So if you want to buy Draw X5 and get your money back if it proves too buggy to use, better order it directly from Corel. In the meantime, I'm going back to version 8, hoping perhaps a year from now there will be another bug fix that brings X5 up to speed. In the meantime, simply paint me as greatly, greatly disappointed both in Corel as well as in Amazon's non-return policy with a product that is without a doubt defective and not ready for sale.

You poor, poor baby! I have owned and used CorelDraw since version 3. No, I'm not a graphic artist or into CAD and such. I'm a regular person just like you. I use it to make real neat greeting cards, menus for a friends restaurant, tiled 44"X22" poster pictures of the grandkids. Signs for my club. Printed a Crime watch Newsletter. Crop and collage pictures for the wife's photo frame. (put comments on them too). Did I mention some really slick Ink jet tee shirt transfers? I also drew out the plans for a 12'x24' building and got my head wrapped around what I needed to buy. Need a banner for a party? Yup, it'll do it. As long as it's not over 150' (yes feet) long!! LOL This has been my swiss army knife since the days of the dot matrix ribbon printer. The initial cost seems high but it's really not. I upgrade every two or three versions or so. Now with all I do, I only know maybe 10% of what it is capable of. I used to ask myself, I wonder if I can do that on CorelDraw? Now I just go look to see how to do something. I've learned that if I can think it, it can do it!!

I have used Corel Draw since the first edition came out in 1989. I'm probably a bit prejudiced because of my loyalty but I think the manufacturers deserve it. I actually keep two versions installed. The older version is CorelDraw 7. When I need to do quick layouts or photo work version 7 works fast and simple but is still very powerful. The newer version CorelDraw15 is as powerful as I'll ever need and then some. It will do anything modern graphic software can do and rivals any Adobe software with ease. I'm running both of them on an old Pentium XP fast computer with a good vid card without any problems. I can have both versions and another professional sign software running at the same time without any conflicts. I don't think there's any graphic software available for the price that can come close to the power of Corel's software!