CorelDraw Graphics Suite 17: A Revolutionary Vector-Based Illustration Program

Released in 1989, CorelDraw Graphics Suite 17 marked a significant milestone in the development of vector-based illustration programs. This groundbreaking software was initially designed to bundle with desktop publishing systems and has since become an industry standard for production art in various fields.

Multi-page capabilities allow users to work on complex projects with ease

Powerlines enable precise control over lines and shapes

Graphic tablets provide a more natural drawing experience

Clone tool makes it simple to duplicate objects and edit them quickly

Elastic node editing enables flexible manipulation of curves and shapes

Envelope tool allows for distortion of text or objects using primary shapes

Blend, Extrusion, and Perspective tools simulate realistic effects in objects

Comprehensive Suite

CorelDraw Graphics Suite 17 includes a range of powerful applications, including:

Photo-Paint: A bitmap-image editor for editing and enhancing images

CorelSHOW: A program for creating on-screen presentations and visual aids

CorelCHART: A tool for designing graphic charts and diagrams

Mosaic: A software for vectorizing bitmaps and converting them into vectors

CorelTRACE: Another tool for converting bitmaps to vectors, offering advanced editing capabilities

Font Management

The inclusion of Type 1 PostScript fonts and TTF TrueType formats in CorelDraw Graphics Suite 17 marked a significant departure from the proprietary WFN format used in previous versions. This change allowed users to take advantage of system-installed outline fonts without requiring third-party software.

Unix Compatibility

CorelDraw Graphics Suite 17 also became available for Unix, expanding its reach and capabilities even further.

Innovative Features

This version introduced several innovative features, including backups on save, the ability to draw rectangles from their center, and a total of two new fonts in Corel's proprietary WFN format. The WFNBOSS file font manager made it easier to manage fonts and ensure consistent formatting throughout projects.

Impact

The inclusion of TrueType in Windows 3.1 transformed CorelDraw Graphics Suite 17 into a serious illustration program capable of using system-installed outline fonts without requiring third-party software. This marked the beginning of an all-in-one graphics suite that would go on to revolutionize the industry.

Availability and Compatibility

CorelDraw Graphics Suite 17 was compatible with Windows 3.x and ran under Windows 2.x and 3.0. Reduced-feature Standard and Essentials versions were also offered, making it accessible to a wider range of users.

Industry Applications

Today, CorelDraw is commonly used in various industries, including:

Signmaking

Vinyl and laser cutting and engraving

Print-on-demand

And other industry processes

It serves as a digital painting platform, desktop publishing suite, and vector graphics editor, offering a wide range of creative possibilities.

Coreldraw graphics suite 17