Desktop Publishing (Advanced)
CorelDraw, vector vs bitmap graphics, tools, importing/exporting and text
- Study time
- 32 min
- Expected marks
- 8–12 marks
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Revision status
- —
Subjective Questions
Priority 1: Core Concepts (Highest Mark Probability)
CoralDraw is a graphic designing software developed by Coral Corporation to develop vector graphics.
It enables users to create professional designs with vector illustrations, layout, photo editing, typography, template tools and more.
This feature includes contrast adjustments, color balancing, 3D, transformation, rotation, graphical lines, adding more effects. For Example - borders to images and it is capable of working with multiple layers and multiple pages.
CoralDraw is a versatile graphics application for creating high quality logo designs.
CorelDraw = Vector graphics software → by Coral Corporation → logos, layout, typography, multiple layers & pages.
Always start the answer with the definition (vector graphic designing software by Coral Corporation), then list features, then finish with the logo-design line.
Writing that CorelDraw edits pixels. It is vector based — Photoshop is the pixel/raster based one.
- 01Vector graphics software
- 02Coral Corporation
- 03Illustrations, layout, photo editing, typography
- 043D, rotation, transformation, effects
- 05Multiple layers & multiple pages
- 06High quality logo designs
CorelDraw vs Photoshop
8 points: Definition, Popularity, Developer, Language Used, File Format, Used for, Type of program, Used By.
For 5 marks write the answer as a table with all 8 paired points — one point on each side counts as one difference.
Writing only 3–4 points. A 5-mark difference question needs all 8 paired differences.
- 01Vector (Corel) vs Pixel/Raster (Photoshop)
- 02Coral Corporation vs Adobe Incorporation
- 03C++ vs Pascal + C++
- 04CDR vs PSD/PSB
- 05Logos & business cards vs Special effects
- 06Graphic designers vs Professional photographers
- 07Popularity: Less vs More
Components of CoralDraw
Contains pull-down menu options. To execute a command, the appropriate menu should be selected.
When we select any tools in Coral Draw then the property option related to this tool appears in this bar. This enables you to access commands that are specific to the current tool.
This toolbox consists of many tools which provide different function in CoralDraw.
The toolbar consists of the standard option icons just like save, copy and cut.
The printable area inside the drawing window.
The Coral color palette by default is located to the right of the work window. It is an easy and quick way to apply the color to any object.
Menu bar → Property bar → Toolbox → Toolbar → Drawing page → Color palette (6 components).
Write all 6 components with one line of explanation each — never just name them.
Mixing up Toolbar (save, copy, cut icons) with Toolbox (drawing and editing tools).
- 01Menu bar
- 02Property bar
- 03Toolbox
- 04Toolbar
- 05Drawing page
- 06Color palette
Pixel = picture element (pix + el). PPI = Pixels Per Inch (density).
Define both separately, then add one line: pixel is a unit, PPI is a measure of how many units fit in an inch.
Writing PPI as 'Pictures Per Inch'. It is Pixels Per Inch.
- 01Pixel = smallest unit of display
- 02pix = picture, el = element
- 03PPI = Pixels Per Inch
- 04PPI = pixel density of image/screen
Bitmap Graphics vs Vector Graphics
Bitmap = pixels, large size, loses quality, real looking, .bmp. Vector = objects, small size, no quality loss, cartoon-like, .svg.
Write all 7 paired points in table form, and always include the file format rows — they carry easy marks.
Saying vector images lose quality on resizing. Only bitmap images do.
- 01Pixels vs Objects
- 02Edit pixels vs Edit objects
- 03Large vs Small file size
- 04Loses quality vs No quality loss
- 05Real vs Cartoon-like
- 06.bmp vs .svg
- 07.bmp/.dib/.jpeg/.gif/.tiff/.png vs .cgm/.svg/.eps/.xml
Four essential CorelDraw tools
The tool can be used in clipping the region of an image that is not needed.
This tool allows you to pick or select the object and transform it. You can position the object too.
It helps you change the level of magnification in the illustration window to look at the object more intently. In simple words, it is used as a magnifying glass, zoom to any minute part of the shape or text that is being created or edited.
The text tool will create text characters and text boxes. You can edit them using the properties and formatting options displayed in the toolbar. You can also directly add a table with this tool in case you need to create text in a tabular form.
Crop = clip unwanted region. Pick = select/transform/position. Zoom = magnify. Text = characters, text boxes, tables.
One mark per tool — write one clear function line for each of the four tools.
Writing that the Zoom tool shapes objects. It only changes magnification.
- 01Crop → clipping
- 02Pick → select & transform
- 03Zoom → magnifying glass
- 04Text → characters, text boxes, tables
Priority 2: Operations & Practical Steps
To import the file, the steps are as follows
To export the files, the steps are as follows
Export checkboxes
- Export this page only — It exports the latest page within the multiple page file only.
- Selected only — It saves many objects to select within an active drawing only.
- Do not show filter dialog — It suppresses the dialog boxes which facilitate more advanced options for exporting.
Import: File > Import → folder → format → file name → Import. Export: File > Export → folder → Save as type → name → checkbox → Export.
Split the answer into two clear halves — Import steps and Export steps — and mention the three export checkboxes.
Forgetting the three export checkboxes; they are the difference between 3 and 5 marks.
- 01File > Import
- 02All file formats option
- 03Enter = centre, Drag = resize, Spacebar = original position
- 04File > Export
- 05Save as type
- 06Export this page only / Selected only / Do not show filter dialog
The steps to save a file are as follows
Go to file > Save ... and in the Save window, save your file as a CDR file if you want to edit it again in the future.
Go to: File > Publish to PDF in the PDF export window, choose Prepress from the PDF preset drop-down list > click on Save.
CDR = File > Save (editable later). PDF = File > Publish to PDF → Prepress → Save.
Mention both file types — CDR for editing, PDF for printing/publishing.
Writing 'File > Save as PDF'. In CorelDraw it is File > Publish to PDF.
- 01File > Save → CDR
- 02File > Publish to PDF
- 03PDF preset: Prepress
- 04CDR is re-editable
Steps to create a drawing
On the welcome screen, click Get started → New document. In the application window, click file → New.
Click file → Open. Locate the folder where the drawing is stored. Click a filename. Click Open.
New: Welcome screen → Get started → New document (or File → New). Existing: File → Open → folder → filename → Open.
Write both parts: creating a new drawing and opening an existing one.
Skipping the 'open an existing drawing' steps — they are part of the same answer.
- 01Start → All programs → CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
- 02Get started → New document
- 03File → New
- 04Name textbox
- 05File → Open for existing
There are two types of text you can add to designs in CorelDraw - Artistic Text and Paragraph Text.
- Used to add short lines of text.
- A wide range of effects can be applied, such as drop shadows.
- To add it, click anywhere in the drawing window by using Text tool insert and type.
- Used for larger bodies of text that have greater formatting requirements.
- To add it, click the text tool, drag in the drawing window to size the paragraph text frame and type.
Artistic = short text + effects (click and type). Paragraph = long text + formatting (drag a frame and type).
Name both types first, then explain their use and the exact way to add each.
Explaining only one type. The question expects both Artistic and Paragraph text.
- 01Artistic Text
- 02Short lines + drop shadows
- 03Click & type
- 04Paragraph Text
- 05Large bodies + formatting
- 06Drag frame & type
Toolbox contains all the drawing and editing tools necessary to create objects for an illustration.
The toolbox contains a range of tools that can be used for specific drawing and editing tasks. Some tools are used to apply colors, patterns, or fills to object.
Tool containing a small triangle in the corner produce a flyout. You can access the tools in a flyout by clicking the flyout arrow.
There are many tools available in CorelDraw with the help of which you can create logos, motifs, signs etc.
Toolbox = all drawing + editing tools. Small triangle = flyout. Used to create logos, motifs, signs.
Do not forget the flyout point — it is the line most students miss.
Confusing the toolbox with the toolbar (save/copy/cut icons).
- 01All drawing & editing tools
- 02Colors, patterns, fills
- 03Small triangle → flyout
- 04Flyout arrow
- 05Logos, motifs, signs