CorelDraw X4 Graphics Suite Released

Corel has updated its CorelDraw package, which remains one of the few alternatives to Adobe’s Illustrator (and neighboring applications) for graphics enthusiasts. Version X4, the 14th generation of Draw, follows almost exactly two years after the introduction of X3 and includes several new features, more than 50 in total, according to Corel.

Noteworthy improvements included in the vector graphics applications Draw are the addition of text formatting with a live preview, a font identification feature, page-independent layer control as well as an interactive table control that simplifies the import and formatting of tables from other applications. CorelDraw now also integrates Windows Vista’s desktop search, which enables users to search for files by author, subject, file type, date, keywords, or other file properties, as well as an online collaboration tool called ConceptShare. Newly supported file formats include Microsoft Office Publisher, Illustrator CS3, Photoshop CS3, PDF version 8, AutoCAD DXF and DWG as well as Painter X.

The Draw package continues to include the applications Capture and Trace, a clipart gallery as well as the pixel editing component Paint. Paint keeps its distance to the entry-level picture editing software PaintShopPro X2 and introduces RAW camera file support and a few automation features such as "Straighten Image": Corel claims that this feature "can quickly and easily straighten images that were scanned or photographed at an angle" using "interactive controls, a grid with vertical and horizontal guidelines and an integrated histogram that provides results in real time."

The full version of the Corel Draw Graphics Suite X4 carries a MSRP of $429; the upgrade is priced at $199. Corel said English, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese versions will be available beginning in February 2008.