CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 OLD VERSION

I recently purchased version X4. I also use Photoshop CS2, Microsoft Publisher, and other design software. I use these programs to do design & graphics for my home business. I'm an 'intermittent' user, meaning I don't do graphics stuff day in & day out, just as it's needed (sometimes nightly, other times I'll go months).I picked up Corel Draw X4, and just love it. I bought version X4 because with the recent release of X5, copies of version X4 have been discounted way down so the price is right.As an intermittent user I don't have all the features of my design software memorized, and I usually up thumbing through help files to get me where I need to go. I've had Corel Draw for about a week and have been using it nightly. Two nights ago, while editing a photo, I went to Photoshop out of familiarity(it's been my main app for a few years) . It took me about an hour to get the picture buttoned up, most of that time was spent looking up help files how to do what I needed. Just out of curiosity, I decided to try the same task in Corel Draw/ Photo Paint (the photo editor that comes bundled with Corel Draw) and it took about 5 minutes. The difference? their help files are much easier to use, better laid out, and more intuitive.The end result was the same with both pictures; but the Corel version took much less time and was fairly painless. I'm finding this to be the case with the main application as well - Corel Draw. The help options are easily accessible, abundant,and intuitive. It's also very powerful; I'm having fun with all the new editing features this suite offers. Corel Draw can also read my CAD files for my CNC work (I'm a woodworker). This is a HUGE plus.Don't get me wrong, Photoshop is a great program, powerful and all that; but so is CorelDraw. And it's much easier to navigate.

I BOUGHT THIS THROGH AMAZON AND IT WAS A PIRATED COPY. That's over $250.00. I had to fight like hell with amazon to get my money back; I had to go through to Jeff B. to finally get it back. The seller could not be contacted. Amazon's main help people just wanted to give me $10 and $20 refund. After going through 200 extra high blood pressure pills and big stress, I finally got my money back. I suggest always get software directly from MFG.

CorelDraw! and Photo are great programs, but they continue to have many bugs. I'm using a brand new Dell Inspiron with 4 gigs of RAM and have occasional refreshing issues (this happened in my last 2 version of Corel - and not in any other program, art or otherwise), and, in Photopaint, the Freehand Mask Tool has stopped working -- this is also common. In a much earlier version, it was the Square Mask Tool. I forget what it was in the in-between version I had (I went back to the earlier one as it had less program bugs).Don't know about you, but I can't work w/out a freehand mask tool. Perhaps there's an online patch for it -- but I recommend finding out before purchase. My copy is going back.

This is an older version of Corel Draw so I should have posted my review earlier. I have to state upfront that I'm way more experienced with Adobe products so I'm sure that influenced my learning curve on this program. That said, it's still a nice graphic program with many intuitive features. If I wasn't already so invested in my Adobe learning, I would definitely consider using it long-term.

AS a past user of both Corel 3 and 4...I can't say enough about X4. Well worth the money and the time to learn as much as you can about using it. This is by far the most powerful graphics program available to the public. I use it for everthing from business cards, flyers, brochures, layout drawings.....etc. I could go on and on.

Older version but works great. I bought it to work my a laser engraver at work and it loaded my my older windows XP machine and ran perfectly. No Problems with windows or licenses.

Corel Draw is an excellent graphics software package. This release is no exception. Buying an earlier version of the tool is a great way to save money and you get all the features you really need.

When I contacted Corel to register this product, they told me that the product key I supplied was disabled because the copy I purchased is illegal. I was not going to bother to report it, but a friedn of mine told me that I should because Amazon would take corrective action. I still have the CD and can ship it back to you if you if you will give me a refund. Let me know.Jonathan.