Corel's illustration package: the best has gotten better: adding Ventura 5 should make it even more appealing. (Corel Corp's CorelDraw Graphics and Publishing Suite) (includes related report card and product summary) (Software Review) (Reviews) (Evaluation)

REPORT CARD

Illustration software

CorelDraw Graphics and Publishing Suite, Version 5(*)

 
                            Weightings Score 
List price                             $695(1) 
Performance 
Design and artistic tools   175        Excellent   175.00 
Text editing                125        Excellent   125.00 
Tracing                      75        Very Good    56.25 
Import and export           100        Very Good    75.00 
Bit-map editing              75        Very Good    56.25 
Speed                        75        Satisfactory 37.50 
Output                      100        Very Good    75.00 
Documentation                75        Good         46.88 
Support 
Support policies             50        Satisfactory 25.00 
Technical support            50        Good         31.25 
Value                       100        Excellent   100.00 
Final score                                          8.0 
(*)Features InfoWorld Buyers Assurance Seal for Recommended 
Product. 
(1) List price is $695 for software on CDs; $895 for disks. 

Product Summary

Company: Corel Corp., in Ottawa, Ontario, can be reached at (800) 77-COREL; (613) 728-8200, fax: (613) 761-9176.

List price: $695 on CD or $895 on disk.

Requirements: Intel 80386 or compatible system, running Windows 3.1; VGA; 8MB RAM (16MB recommended); 8MB disk space (40MB for total installation).

Pros: More special effects, fonts, symbols, clip art than other drawing programs; ribbon bars, tab dialogs, roll-up menus increase ease of use; faster text handling.

Cons: Slower in file handling and screen redraws than previous version.

Summary: Version 5 is an incremental upgrade to the celebrated suite of illustration and publishing tools. The core drawing module picks up strength in the technical drawing arena as well as in 3-D effects and lenses. Virtually all the other modules have also been enhanced, and the integration of the whole suite is improved. The inclusion of Corel Ventura 5 (when available) in an already well-endowed package will make this version irresistible for many.

Bundling products is a boon for customers; software developers add value to core products, often without raising the price. Corel Corp. has added utilities to its outstanding CorelDraw illustration software for several years. Corel has now added another major application to its integrated illustration, charting, and presentation package, CorelDraw Graphics and Publishing Suite, Version 5. An already strong product has gotten better -- this version will no doubt be irresistible to many.

The addition of Corel Ventura 5, the former Ventura Publisher desktop publishing package, takes the bundle a step closer to providing a complete graphics and publishing system. CorelDraw users will be pleased by the uniform look and feel, as well as the consistent logic across this versatile range of applications. The applications are further linked with drag-and-drop connectivity via Microsoft Corp.'s OLE 2.0.

Except for the inclusion of Corel Ventura in the package, this is an incremental rather than a revolutionary upgrade. CorelDraw 5 now offers more functions and tighter integration of each module. We tested and scored the CorelDraw Graphics and …