James Leonard's STANDARD & PRO DXFTools - 64-Bit Versions Now Available

Now that some users are moving towards the 64 bit version of CorelDRAW X6, some macros and add-ons are being re-written for that environment.

This is the BEST way to make DXF files for CNC, Router, Mill, Plasma, Laser and Vinyl cutting use.

NOTE: for CorelDraw X6 (64 bit only)

Note: For other systems, here are the 32-bit versions of STANDARD & PRO.

Instead of the segmented, lines-only CorelDRAW DXF, this useful tool makes arc and line exports that make smooth cuts and much smaller files. NO ‘convert to curves’ is needed for your artwork. Text exports without any extra operations and is ALWAYS editable text in CorelDRAW!

The easiest, fastest way to ultra-quality DXF files!

The DXFTool is a DLL add-on that provides very high quality DXF files for later use in CAD/CAM programs. This tool converts Bezier curves in CorelDRAW to LINE and ARC DXF entities only. Instead of a large number of very short straight lines, the DXF file export will have less nodes and the smoothest curves as can be made from the CorelDRAW shapes in your drawing.

Compatible with CorelDraw X6 (64 bit only) on Windows 7 / 8

The 64-bit version comes in 2 versions: STANDARD & PRO. The PRO version is an upgrade to the Standard Version and has enhanced features.
 


Note: For other systems, here are the 32-bit versions of STANDARD & PRO.

James Leonard's Artwork Optimizer Standard - 64-Bit version now available

Now that some users are moving towards the 64 bit version of CorelDRAW X6, some macros and add-ons are being re-written for that environment.

This particular plugin performs shape sequence / stacking order optimization inside CorelDRAW.

The new version is compatible with CorelDRAW X6 (64 bit only)

Note: A 32-bit version is available here.


It rearranges the objects in a drawing so they can be processed in the optimum order for cutting on a vinyl cutter, laser or CNC cutting system.

The optimization of the cutting order speeds up cutting; and in the case of vinyl cutters, also improves accuracy. The reason is that the vinyl is fed back and forth through the machine to a lesser degree.

It's common for objects to become scattered in the stacking order due to cut-and-paste and other operations. (Jeff's note: especially after using a nesting tool such as ecut which aggressively optimizes spacing of various shapes to save material: ecut was used in advance for the examples below. The Artwork Optimizer does not nest shapes).
The red lines and arrows show the sequence in which the drawing will be processed.

Here's some sample files showing before and after.







The difference is dramatic: the Artwork Optimizer has processed drawings as large as 12000 objects and the 6000 object drawing used during development rearranged the elements in about 10 seconds. Files such as the above only take a few seconds.

Compatible with CorelDRAW X6 (64 bit only) on Windows 7 / Windows 8

Note: A 32-bit version is available here.


Here's The new version!

Anti-aliased edges on exports

Every so often, someone asks about how to get rid of fringes on exports, especially on solid boxes. Here's what I mean: this GIF has an soft edge between the blue and black.

One solution for Coreldraw is to go into Pixel Preview mode and refine the edges as shown:

 

Then export your artwork. The white edge is now gone! (The black in the image below is not part of the final file, it's the color of the background in my image viewing program.)

 

Alexander Penkin's Symmetrical 2 updated

It now works inside CorelDRAW X6 - 64 Bit. 

The current version is 2.174. See it here.

A great value for under 20 dollars! 

Supported Versions:

• CorelDRAW X4(with Service Pack 2)• CorelDRAW X5(with Service Pack 3/ Hot Fix 4)

• CorelDRAW X6 (32 or 64 bit)
.NET Framework Required: 3.5 and VBA (Visual Basic for Applications)

If you are updating an older version 2, you may need your key issued before for version 2.

CorelDRAW - work in scale, or simply scale art down?

If you create signs or large dimension projects in CorelDRAW, this post is for you!

Working in scale might might seem easier to print large dimension artwork on smaller sheets of paper for proofing purposes, but I work in a totally different way.

The reason: I find that customers don't care about scale. They just want to see the proportions of the art, and the dimensions of the final piece.

Here's a video about what I mean.

I show CADTool in this video.

There's more discussion about working in scale here.

ecut 5.0 special price

E-Cut 5 is a remarkable add-on for CorelDRAW allows many advanced abilities for artists who work with Vinyl, CNC machines, or laser cutters.

While eCut has always been a tremendous value, you'll need to be aware of these important updates:

• It now works in CorelDRAW X6 - 64 bit
• the composite box section has many new options

Of course, the nesting module - in our opinion - is worth hundreds of dollars all by itself for it's ability to save output material.

You might be wondering what "composite box" means... It's to create sign boxes.

SPECIAL LOW PRICE: 59.95 for TWO activation codes until March 31/2013

Once you look through the immense amount of features, we're sure you'll want to ad this to your CorelDRAW installation.

For those that make sign boxes, check out this module:

Alexander Penkin's NeonTool 7 released

For those working with neon, this item is an awesome CorelDRAW macro (for this specialized purpose). Here's more information about it. A video is here. (no audio)

It's a free update for those with version 6 - download from your account and re-install. You'll need to re-enter the key we sent before (for the exact system we sent that key for before).