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can anyone advise if corel 11 is worth buying please?
I use signlab and it does most things well. But I find it limiting when it comes to designing new artwork etc.(I spent 4 ruddy hours tonight editing nodes on some dodgy artwork). 😡
So would corel do the job better/faster, will it give me more options? Need advice please on this or any other software that might do the job. Thanks
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41 Replies
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Hi Wardie,
Do you use corel at the moment? There are tools in corel too reduce and join nodes and many other node tools. Corel 9 has got all of
these tools and is far less expensive in you just want too try it, and then just upgrade too 11 if you like it.chris (lisa)
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Hi Chris, Never used corel before or seen it in action. Looking for something where i can draw vector graphics from scratch, i find signlab to be a bit basic in this area.
Good idea regarding buying v9 then upgrading though.Cheers -
Wardie,
I use Signlab e6 I have two full working copies, but I would not be without my CorelDraw 11, and don’t just buy CorelDraw make sure you buy the full graphics package including Corel PhotoPaint which I think is better than Adobe’s Photoshop version.
I think in this country because of the pricing structure of the Corel products or the fact that the print industry was blinked by Apple Macs a few years ago that certain designers look down their noses at it and prefer to lay out bundles for Adobe products and the simply awful Quark Express (sorry I have tried to use it but I hate the program).
CorelDraw is a fantastic suite of programs and I use it every single day and version 11 was a massive step up from 10. I use it for everything from doing 24 up with cropmarks, automatically set up business cards on an A3 sheet to massive A0+ plus posters.
The print engine is superb, better than any I have seen, the print preview is worth the money alone. I don’t know if you work with pdf’s at all but version 11 (and it is the only program I know outside Adobes own full version of Acrobat) will allow you to edit and break apart a pdf, and that is even if you are working o a PC and the pdf was generated on Quark express on a Mac. I could not believe it when I first tried it it is an awesome facility. Just for the import facilities on this suite of programs it is worth having amd incidently it will produce a perfect .pdf file as well.
One brief working example of this power, I used to do a lot of Autocad drawings for a company in Croydon (i’m in Harrow) until recently, well they had no way of previewing the drawings before I went to hard copy as they did not have Autocad. Enter corel draw, I saved the file from Autocad in one of it’s only export filters wmf (windows meta file), import into Corel , make a pdf and send to the client. Result they have a prefectly readable and printable file their end in a tight low sized form suitable for emailing. I also use Corel with my embroidery program as it imports hpgl files from Corel, excellent.
I could go on and on and have only scratched the surface, but my advise to you is to buy it as soon as you can and use it alongside Signlab they make perfect bed fellows.
Incidently did you know Corel own Signlab and also if you load Signlab on your machine first, then Coreldraw you can set up a direct link to Signlab from corel and the SIgnlab logo appears in the application launcher of Corel. Then once you have produced the file in Corel, you click on the link, Signlab will boot up ready for you to place the automatically imorted file, neat huh.
Hope this has helped.
Allan -
when did Corel take over Cadlink ??????
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As far as I know about 2 years ago, They are both Canadian companies I believe.
Allan
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Wardie,
Sorry mate I think that is poor advise going the upgrade path. Corel are not very (if at all) genorous with upgrades. Forget Corel 9, 11 is SO much better it is worth going straight there in one hit. Alos Photopaint 11 is vastly improved in 11 even more so prehaps than Coreldraw it’s self. Try the automatic redeye filter it is awsome. Also the cut out facility, brilliant.
Allan
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Allen, that is just what i needed to know.
I get sent loads of pdf files & at the moment i have to print/scan/trace/edit before i can even think of using it as artwork.I love signlab, but like you said i feel that investing in corel will really help move things along. Thanks -
Is there any difference between full retail versions and academic versions of corel ?
The reason I ask is because again “on ebay” you can buy the full accademic corel 11 graphics suite for £175 qui9te a saving!
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I always thought that Cadlink was started by 2 ex Corel employees, I know the 2 companies have always worked closely and I think they across the street from each other.
Wardie I’ve been using Corel Draw since version 3 came out but find Signlab a lot easier to draw with, been using Signlab 7 years and Corel for 12. How long have you been using Signlab ? -
Atually Steve, I will agree with you there, I missed Wardies bit on actual drawing sorry. I have always found drawing and editing nodes very good in signlab and have owned it like you for years. That would be my first choice application for that over Coreldraw. It is just I do a lot of print work (large and small format) and that is where Corel comes into it’s own.
I am pretty sure Corel acquired Cadlink a few years back, I read it in a trade mag somewhere and I am sure I have spoke with someone from the companies on it, but I am more than prepared to stand corrected.
Allan
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Been using Signlab 6 since 2000. Maybe its me, maybe im looking for the Holy Grail of design software. But i just find signlab a bit limiting. 😥
Maybe its time get a MAC!! 😮 👿 😀
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Heres a Signlab tip to make life a bit easier, to reduce nodes, go to node edit – sweep select all nodes – press U on the keyboard this then selects every other node and then press delete, very good at tidying stuff up. Try it. 🙂
Oh and I hate to disallusion you but there’s no such this as the
quote :Holy Grail of design software.Practice mate, practice. 😉
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Wardie,
Good advise from Steve and here is another bit as this feature is only appeared on later versions of SignLab and if you did not know about it, it is easy to overlook.
When editing convert object to a polygon, older versions of Signlab only worked with Polygons whereas E6 defaults to Polyarcs. I find it much easy to edit as a Polygon than a Polyarcs and this threw me a bit when I first started using E6.
Allan
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Cheers Chaps, But there is a pot of Gold at the end of the rainbow….Isn’t there?? 😆
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No mate the tooth fairy nicked it!! 😆 😆
The only short cuts availabe are the ones on your desktop. 🙂 -
quote lorraine:Is there any difference between full retail versions and academic versions of corel ?
The reason I ask is because again “on ebay” you can buy the full accademic corel 11 graphics suite for £175 qui9te a saving!
YES AS WITH MOST PACKAGES ACADEMIC VERSIONS ARE CUT DOWN OR/ AND REQUIRE INDEPENDENT LICENCING ARRANGEMENTS. eDUCATION NORMALLY RECEIVES 50% OFF RETAIL VERSIONS. hENCE THE PRICE DIFFERENCE – KIND REGARDS
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quote Wardie:I use signlab and it does most things well. But I find it limiting when it comes to designing new artwork etc.(I spent 4 ruddy hours tonight editing nodes on some dodgy artwork). 😡
So would corel do the job better/faster, will it give me more options? Need advice please on this or any other software that might do the job. Thanks
WITH COREL PHOTOPAINT / TRACE AND MANY OTHER TOOLS IT WOULD PROBABLY SAVE YOU A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME. hAVE USED COREL 4, 6,7,8,9,10 FULL VERSIONS ARE ADVISED UPGRADES CAN CAUSE CERTAIN ISSUES TO ARISE. aDVISE IF YOU DO TAKE THIS PATH THEN ENSURE YOU INSTALL INTO A SEPERATE DIRECTORY. ASLO KPT 2 AND PHOTOPAINT ARE ON OFFER FOR FREE WHEN PURCHASING AND WATCH OUT FOR FULL VERSION RETAIL, ACADEMIC, WITHOUT PAINT, UPGRADE, OEM AND WITH OR WITHOUT LICENCE ANY MORE NEEDED JUST ASK.
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Corel 11 is a serious upgrade and I would advise going straight there.
Don’t take that as read that Photopaint comes included, it does not in 11 don’t make the mistake I did though, I was using 9 and was shopping around for 11 found what I thought was a good buy from Amazon but I did not read the small print. When it arrived, no PhotoPaint. Now no one sells Photopaint on it’s own so I had to buy direct from Corel, cost me a fortune! 🙁
If you buy make sure you order Corel Graphics Suite, not Coreldraw on it’s own or it may not be the bargain you thought!
Allan
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I purchased corel draw 11 , academic which included the following corelDRAW11. corel PHOTO-PAINT11 and corelRAVE2.
I paid £125.00 and got a FREE Epson stylus C42 Plus printer.
Bought from PC World around 8 months ago.
Cheers
Danny -
Danny,
Are you a student then?? I though Academic versions were only available to education establishments and their students.
Tony commented that the eductaion version is cut down – do you find this?
Tony whats cut down about it? and what difference does independant licencing mean.
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Lorraine,
No I am not a student, I am self employed.
I bought the package from PC World at Lakeside, Thurrock. I don’t know if they were delivered there by mistake, hence the great deal?.As for the version being trimmed down, I don’t know, but it does everything I want it to!.
And good luck with the job hunting, anything sorted yet?
All the best for the New Year 🙂
Cheers
Danny -
Have a look at pc world, corel 11 suite academic is £119.99inc vat
chris 🙂
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Sounds like a good deal – but nobody seems to have answered the questions about these “educational” editions.
i.e. Are they full versions ? If not whats missing ?
Do you have to produce any ID to prove you’re a student etc ?
Are there any licence issues ? etcSurely somebody must know out there …..
Nigel
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There should’nt be any difference at all to the versions.
I dont know whether checks are made on purchase ?
If not this could be a good deal.
The only thing I would suggest would be not to register the product.
These versions on ebay are student trying to make a bit of money,
buying a product they dont want and selling on at profit.Hope this Helps
Been using Corel since version 3 , love it!
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I’ve got an academic version of 3d studio max cost £300 instead of £2500 ( i was a student when i bought it!!). It clearly states it’s for non-commercial use only and the registation only lasts 18months. So if corel’s the same it depends how you view software………
Phil
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Interesting, if the registration only lasts 18 months what happens after that? I’m asuming you no longer get support and updates am i right??
That doesn’t bother me as i’ve never used support for corel as it’s such a user friendly prog and the help files are great. And up dates – within in 18 months there is sure to be a new version out !?!?
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Possibly as you say Lorraine or maybe they put a time limit on the use of the product full stop. I recently purchased a new copy of Sage accounting which only works for 30days from when you install it unless you ring and register it with them – they give you a unlock code and it then becomes permenant but only on one computer.
I guess somebody must have tried it and have the answers though !Nigel
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Danny Is there anything that came with your Accademic corel that said there was limited licence period or support??
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I think the main thing with academic software is the clause about it being used non-commercially. How Corel could determine whether or not each and every person who owns an academic version were using it for commercial projects is beyond me, but it should all be written on the box and/or in the manual supplied with the software. End User Agreement I think. 🙄
Cheers, Dewi
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Academic versions of software like Microsoft Office and Corel Draw are simply not licensed for commercial use.
It used to be with Office that you actually bought an empty box except for a form, this was signed by teacher/head of school and you sent it off before receiving the CD to install.
Nowadays, the disks are in the boxes.
Technically, if you are using a bought and paid for Academic version of Corel Draw in a shop, company or commercial organisation, you do not have a legal copy. The license specifically excludes you. You are simply not licensed to use the software for commercial use. Apart from the fact you paid them some money, you might as well have a pirate copy.
In the extremely unlikely event that F.A.S.T., (or whatever the copyright police are called these days), visit you after tip-off from the the junior you fired last week, then you are in trouble and will simply have to purchase the full version after making out you were unaware of the error, plead "oh dear" and pay up.
In a million parallel universes, you got away with the Academic version and Corel got a little bit of cash which is better than nothing.
Regards
Ivan
(Spent far too long in the IT industry)
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about 4 years too long :lol1:
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maybe i’ve missed the post that says so…… but….
why has nobody questioned why Wardie wants 11, when 12, or even X3 are both available,12 is available too on ebay, if you feel you need to go that route. i started out with the ‘educational’ version, knowing no different. people told me there were alot of differences between the two, so i bought a second user ‘full version’ corel 12 which was, to my eyes, exactly the same !
either way, why stop at 11, get 12 or X3, both are similar prices, and both are more advanced than 11.
jmho.
Hugh
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you seen the previous dates on this post Hugh
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quote Chris Wool:you seen the previous dates on this post HughYes Hugh check the dates :lol1:
That’s why the 4 years too long comment is there 😀
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let alone the one of the previous posters 😉
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Groundhog Day 😀
Peter
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I just installed student version X19
works a treat….Peter
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x19 thats a car i used to want to own.
now on version K9 dog of a program
c
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quote Brian Hays – Impact:quote Chris Wool:you seen the previous dates on this post HughYes Hugh check the dates
That’s why the 4 years too long comment is thereYes, a somewhat old thread. Ivan, for threads like this, the preferred etiquette is to start a new thread, rather than cause an old thread to be "raised from the grave" like this. You can see that it has confused people. If you have a fondness for the old thread, then perhaps better to include a link.
Still, here are a couple comments to clarify from the old discussion:
1) Tracing images to line art in SignLab
I get the impression that it is the number of nodes that is requiring so much time to edit. Typically, you want to turn the Tolerance setting down to avoid creating an excessive number of nodes.
2) Two separate companies: Corel and CADlink
It is coincidence that both these companies are both in Ottawa, Ontario. Otherwise, there is no relation aside from CADlink providing an Application Launcher tool for bringing CorelDraw designs into SignLab.
3) With respect to printing support
(Forgive me for reusing comments from another thread. They are pertinent.)
SignLab 7.1 is now provided with a Print and Cut Manager back-end, which includes high-end quality reproduction without requiring you to delve into the esoteric side of digital printing. Further, it is a simple process to configure the Print and Cut Manager as a destination for your third-party printing and/or cutting needs, and there’s quite a bit of automated features.
We’ve been receiving joyful comments about the quality of output that is possible. SignLab is provided with probably the widest collection of color profiles for all manner of media and inks, and includes Calibration Wizard support that is considered easiest to use with profiling equipment to create your own color profiles for any media or ink manufacturer that you choose.
There are hundreds of wide format printer supported by CADlink products, so be cautious of any FUD that suggests otherwise. If in doubt, then contact CADlink Sales with a description of your equipment and work requirements, so as to obtain good feedback about the tools you need.
Cheers,
Rod at CADlink
http://www.cadlink.com -
don’t worry,,,,, i’m easily confused !! 😳 😳 😳 😳
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lol! I missed that date too. I’ve just joined and was browsing the Forums!
Don’t worry, I’m member of quite a few car forums (Nurburgring) and Moderator (BMW) so I know not to raise threads from the dead.
I just slipped up on this one as I didn’t realise how old they were as I scrolled down the page or the Corel Forum!!!
Ivan
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