Zoner Draw 4
November 21, 2001
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Because these reviews are aimed at Web designers (aka graphics
professionals), I had a dilemma when it came to reviewing
Zoner Draw 4 (ZD4). It's target market is the common user, but
its power and price make it a very wise choice for professionals,
also.
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That is because at $49, this
vector graphics editor is extremely
affordable for the non-professional creators, but its features
are strong enough for use in a professional environment.
Dilemma solved: The program is too good to be hidden from anyone.
ZD4 is perfect for Web designers needing illustrations, logos,
navigation art, or just about anything else. Further, because of
its ability to work with bitmaps and its extensive list of import
and export formats, it can save a lot of time and the use of many
other programs.
Anyone can use ZD4 to create brochures, leaflets, business cards,
letterheads, and any number of items, but it will do so many more
things that perhaps only professionals might need.
Those elements include
color separations, layers, precision drawing tools using
definable grids and guidelines, support for most any graphic
format, and Adobe plug-in filter support.
Anyone who has used CorelDraw will feel right at
home with ZD4. They are quite similar in layout, style, and
tools. Unlike CorelDraw, ZD4 does not come within a large suite
that offers all the extra programs, but it is far more complete
than one should reasonably expect for the difference in price.
Perhaps the most difficult thing about ZD4 to get accustomed to
is the text entry process. When users click on the text button, a
dialog box pops up where users determine the size of the text
area, and then select the "OK" button. That opens the actual box
for creating the text. At first, it seemed awkward, but the more
it is used the better it "feels." You can change the size of the
text box by clicking on it and dragging it to the desired size.
That does not change the text size, but it can change the number
of lines of text.
By selecting the text, the user gains access to dialogs to change
the size, font, and format of the text.
Drawing tools include those for squares, rectangles, circles,
ellipses, polygons, stars, and a curve tool for freehand and
bezier curves. Users can also remove excess nodes with a tool.
One of the handier tools is the tool table. Click on the tool and
drag across the area you wish to have covered by the table and
let go. The tool will then ask you how many lines and columns you
want (illustrated on the top at right) and create the table
accordingly. Clicking within the cells enables users to enter the
data desired (illustrated on the bottom at right). Each cell can
be formatted separately.
The program also offers a large number of fills, pens, shadows,
blends, and includes seven types of transparencies. ZD4's shape
tools allow users to create custom shapes from any object.
ZD4 runs smoothly and quickly. Redraw can be set at six levels,
including wireframe, transparent and anti-aliased. Drawing can be
rasterized
for a set number of colors and dots per inch. There are also a
number of tools to help in the alignment and combining of
objects.
Another nice feature is the program's galleries, which are
available for 16 types of elements, including styles, clipart,
and symbols. The galleries open on the side, and elements can be
dragged into the work area.
Users can also import graphics by scanning objects from within
the program.
The only thing that makes Zoner Draw 4 a $49 program is the
price. The program's many features, speed, and quality make it a
value worth much, much more.
What is it called again?
Zoner Draw 4
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Where can I get it?
http://www.zoner.com
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How much does it cost? $69 Boxed;
$49 Internet Download
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How big is the download? 15 MB
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Do I recommend it? This is one of
the great bargains on the Internet. It's easy to use, has tons of
features, and the cost is more than reasonable.
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