Lesson 1Installing and licensing CorelDRAW and verifying document colour profilesBegin properly by installing and licensing CorelDRAW, then set up colour settings. Learn to check and assign document colour profiles to ensure colours stay consistent across screens, printers, and exported files.
Installing CorelDRAW and required componentsActivating licences and managing accountsUpdating CorelDRAW and service packsConfiguring global colour management settingsChecking and assigning document profilesHandling profile warnings and conversionsLesson 2Node editing and path operations: shape node types, join, simplify, break apart, add/delete nodes, smooth vs cusp nodesGain precise control over vector paths with node editing. Learn about node types, adding and deleting nodes, joining and breaking curves, smoothing or sharpening corners, and simplifying paths for efficient, clean artwork.
Selecting and moving nodes accuratelyCusp, smooth, and symmetrical node typesAdding, deleting, and repositioning nodesJoining, breaking apart, and closing pathsConverting outlines to editable curvesSimplifying paths while preserving shapesLesson 3Creating and managing pages and layers: page manager, layers vs objects, ordering, locking, and naming conventionsOrganise complex documents using pages and layers. Explore the Page Manager, differences between layers and objects, stacking order, locking, visibility, and naming conventions to manage large projects effectively.
Creating, duplicating, and reordering pagesMaster layers vs local layers on pagesControlling object stacking order preciselyLocking, hiding, and isolating objectsLayer naming and colour-coding standardsUsing pages for multi-layout documentsLesson 4Basic vector drawing tools: shape tool, Bezier/Freehand, pen tool, polyline, and quick shape toolHands-on with CorelDRAW’s essential vector tools. Draw and edit basic shapes, use Bezier, Freehand, Pen, and Polyline tools, and create parametric QuickShapes as building blocks for complex vector illustrations.
Drawing rectangles, ellipses, and polygonsUsing the Shape tool for basic adjustmentsFreehand and Bezier tools for custom pathsPen and Polyline tools for precise segmentsCreating and editing QuickShapes and starsCombining primitives to sketch compositionsLesson 5Using guidelines, grids, alignment and distribution for precise layoutsPrecise layout control with guidelines, grids, and alignment tools. Snap objects accurately, distribute elements evenly, and build balanced, repeatable compositions for print, web, and interface design projects.
Creating and editing guidelines and guidesUsing grid settings and snap optionsAligning objects to page, grid, and objectsDistributing objects evenly and consistentlyUsing dynamic guides for interactive alignmentSaving layout guides in templatesLesson 6Boolean operations and pathfinder: weld, trim, intersect, combine, back minus front, and using them to build complex shapesMaster Boolean operations to create complex artwork from simple shapes. Learn weld, trim, intersect, combine, and back minus front, plus strategies for clean, editable paths suitable for print, laser, and CNC workflows.
Understanding filled vs outlined shapesUsing Weld to merge overlapping objectsTrim and Intersect for cutout detailsBack Minus Front and Front Minus BackCombine vs Group and when to use eachCleaning up shapes after Boolean editsLesson 7Document setup for print and digital: units, colour modes (CMYK vs RGB), page sizes, bleed, slugs, and resolution considerationsConfigure CorelDRAW documents for print and screen, selecting right units, colour modes, page sizes, bleeds, and resolution for sharp, consistent artwork across media and production workflows.
Choosing document presets and page orientationSetting units, rulers, and measurement precisionConfiguring CMYK vs RGB colour modes correctlyDefining page size, margins, bleed, and slugResolution and raster effects settings for printSaving reusable document setup templatesLesson 8Understanding CorelDRAW interface: toolboxes, property bar, docker panels, and workspace customisationGet familiar with the CorelDRAW interface. Explore toolboxes, property bar, dockers, and status bar, then customise workspaces, shortcuts, and panel layouts to suit your workflow and speed up tasks.
Overview of toolboxes and cursor feedbackUsing the property bar for contextual optionsWorking with dockers and inspector panelsCustomising toolbars and keyboard shortcutsSaving and switching custom workspacesResetting and backing up UI settingsLesson 9Saving, file formats, and versioning: CDR, PDF export presets, and maintaining editable mastersSave CorelDRAW projects securely and export for clients or printers. Learn CDR options, PDF presets, colour and font handling, and versioning to preserve editable masters and avoid compatibility issues.
Choosing CDR save options and backupsUsing Save As vs Save a Copy effectivelyExporting print-ready PDFs with presetsManaging fonts, colour profiles, and bleedsCreating web and screen exports from filesVersion naming and archiving best practices
