Workspace Layout
Workspace refers to the entire area where you interact with CorelDRAW. It includes the canvas (drawing page), surrounded by various toolbars, the toolbox, dockers, and color palettes. The layout is designed to maximize efficiency and easy access to key features.
Default Toolbars & Items
1. Menu Bar
Located at the top, it provides drop-down menus for all main functions—File, Edit, View, Layout, Arrange, Effects, etc.
2. Status Bar
Positioned at the bottom of the window, it displays useful info about the selected object, position, and details about your drawing.
3. Standard Toolbar
Below the menu bar, it gives quick access to basic commands—New, Open, Save, Print, Undo, Redo, Copy, Paste, etc.
4. Property Bar
Just below the standard toolbar, it changes based on your selection. For example: when you pick a text object, it shows text formatting options; when you select a shape, it offers relevant settings.
5. Toolbox
Along the left edge, it contains drawing and editing tools (e.g., Pick, Shape, Crop, Zoom, Rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon, Text, Fill, Outline). This is your main place for selecting tools to actually create or modify graphics.
Tip: Only these bars/toolboxes active by default will score full marks if mentioned!
Dockers
Dockers are panels that provide advanced settings for specific features (e.g., Object Manager, Align/Distribute, Effects).
They slide out from the right side and can be pinned or hidden as needed.
Examples include the ‘Objects’ docker for layer management, and the ‘Color’ docker for choosing and adjusting colors.
Color Palettes
Vertical strip on the right: Contains swatches for quick color selection.
Left-click on a color to set the fill for a selected object.
Right-click to set the outline color.
Types of Color Palettes
RGB Palette: For designing graphics meant for screens; colors are based on Red, Green, Blue mixing.
CMYK Palette: Used for print design; colors based on Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black mixing.
Color Palette vs. Document Colors
Color Palette: Full range of available colors.
Document Colors: Shows only the colors currently used in your open document for quick re-use.
Shortcuts in CorelDRAW
Common Shortcut Types
Ctrl Combinations: (e.g., Ctrl+N for New, Ctrl+S for Save, Ctrl+Z for Undo, Ctrl+C for Copy)
Shift Combinations: (e.g., Shift+F4 to zoom to all objects, Shift+Drag for proportional resizing)
Alt Combinations: (e.g., Alt activates the Menu Bar shortcuts, like Alt+F for File, Alt+E for Edit)
A-Z Shortcuts: Most letters alone are mapped to tools (e.g., P for Pick tool, R for Rectangle, T for Text, Z for Zoom).
Function Keys: F1 for Help, F2 for Zoom, F3 for Undo view, F4 to fit all objects in view, etc.
Toolbars vs. Toolbox: Key Differences
| Toolbars | Toolbox |
|---|---|
| Mainly at the top (horizontal) | At the left edge (vertical) |
| Contains command buttons | Contains drawing/editing tools |
| Used for general functions | Used to directly create/modify |
| Doesn't switch with context | Context switches with tool use |
Quick Toolbox Overview
Pick Tool: Select and move objects.
Shape Tool: Edit nodes/curves of objects.
Crop, Zoom: Editing and view controls.
Drawing Tools (Rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon, etc.): Create shapes.
Text Tool: Add and edit text.
Fill/Outline/Color Options: Assign colors.
Inactive (by default) Toolbars in CorelDRAW
1. Zoom Toolbar - Provides quick controls for zooming in and out, fit to page, fit to window. Useful for precise navigation of complex documents.
2. Text Toolbar - Offers specialized text editing controls. Includes font selection, size, paragraph formatting beyond the Property Bar.
3. Layout Toolbar - Tools related to page layout management, guides, grids, alignment aids. Helps organize multi-page documents or complex layouts.
4. Transform Toolbar - Contains controls for rotation, scaling, positioning, skewing, and mirroring objects. Allows precise object transformation without manually dragging.
5. Macros Toolbar - Access and manage custom macros and automation scripts. Useful for repetitive tasks or complex workflows automated via scripting.
6. Internet Toolbar - Integrates web-based functions or connectivity tools within CorelDRAW (varies with version). May include online resources, export/upload shortcuts.
7. Wheel Devices Tool Panel - Provides controls for graphics tablets or mouse wheel functions. Enables customized navigation and zooming linked to hardware devices.
8. Project Timer - Tracks time spent on a project or session. Helps optimize time management for freelance or client work.
9. Parallel Drawing Toolbar - Tools that assist in creating parallel lines/shapes. Facilitates specific design effects and precise pattern creation.
Additional Known Inactive Toolbars in Older Versions (like CorelDRAW X7)
10. Print Merge Toolbar - Controls for mail merge, variable data printing elements. Useful for bulk printing customized documents or labels.
Summary Notes
These toolbars are not visible by default but can be enabled via Window > Toolbars. Availability and exact toolbar names may vary slightly between versions. Toolbars can be toggled on/off according to individual workflow customization. These inactive toolbars provide specialized controls beyond the core active workspace essentials.