Hello! I hope all of you are getting quite familiar with CorelDraw by now. Isn't it a great piece of software? Well, now that we are clear on the basic layout of Corel Draw's workspace (refer my previous post on Getting Familiar With CorelDraw Environment - (Default) Workspace), its time do dig in a little deeper. While discussing the CorelDraw's workspace in the last post, I focused more on it's default layout i.e. the layout set up for first time users. But as and when you start getting familiar with the different tools and their functions (coming up in later posts), you'll probably want to either customize the existing default workspace or create a new one from scratch. In today's post we'll concentrate on the above. So lets begin.
Q: What is a workspace?
A: Workspace is a set up of the working environment i.e. the layout of the tools, functions and other elements that makes their access easier and convenient. You can either create your own, make alterations to the existing one to best suit your needs or import one, that has already been created (*.xslt).
Q: What is a workspace?
A: Workspace is a set up of the working environment i.e. the layout of the tools, functions and other elements that makes their access easier and convenient. You can either create your own, make alterations to the existing one to best suit your needs or import one, that has already been created (*.xslt).
Customizing A Workspace
Accessing the Workspace
To access the workspaces go to Tools -> Customization -> Workspace
A: Shows the list of the workspaces currently available. Whenever your create a new workspace or import one, they will be included in the list here. By default there are two workspaces already available i.e. X5 Default Workspace (mine says X5 because of the version installed) and Adobe Illustrator Workspace. So if you are familiar with the Illustrator's workspace and finding it tough to select around tools in the default workspace then not a problem, simply select the appropriate workspace and you'll find yourself in comfort again.
Note: The tick next to a workspace's name, depicts that it is currently being used.
B: Gives the description of the of the selected workspace. As we create a new workspace later in this post you'll find an option to give a description to the workspace. I recommend that you should give a logical description to your workspace.
A: Shows the list of the workspaces currently available. Whenever your create a new workspace or import one, they will be included in the list here. By default there are two workspaces already available i.e. X5 Default Workspace (mine says X5 because of the version installed) and Adobe Illustrator Workspace. So if you are familiar with the Illustrator's workspace and finding it tough to select around tools in the default workspace then not a problem, simply select the appropriate workspace and you'll find yourself in comfort again.
Note: The tick next to a workspace's name, depicts that it is currently being used.
B: Gives the description of the of the selected workspace. As we create a new workspace later in this post you'll find an option to give a description to the workspace. I recommend that you should give a logical description to your workspace.
C: Click here to create a new workspace (topic covered below, in this post).
D: Click here to delete a workspace. (Before deleting a workspace make sure that there is atleast one workspace available)
E: Click here to import a workspace (topic covered below, in this post).
F: Click here to export your workspace. Simply click on the button and in the next dialog box that appears simply select the features you want to export and click Save.... You can also send the workspace as an attachment through your email by clicking on the Email... button (Note: you will have to create an account in your default email client for e.g. Outlook before using this feature). Your workspace is saved/attached to email as a file with a .xslt extension.
G: You can also select which workspace to work upon every time you open CorelDraw. Simply check the box Select workspace at startup.
To save changes click on OK, to cancel the made changes click on Cancel or to get help from the CorelDraw's knowledge base click on Help.
Another shorter way to Customize in terms of exporting and importing your workspace is to right click on an empty space on the tool bar and then selecting Customize -> Workspace -> Import/Export Workspace.
Now that we are clear how to access the available workspaces, lets see how to modify or customize it.
I. Moving Things Around
Well this is a basic way of customizing your workspace and involves playing around with the location of the already existing tools on your screen. Simply drag and place your elements, tools, palettes, etc. to a desired location in the workspace. It only caters to the change in the visual appearance.
II. Accessing the hidden tools, elements.
Well, in your default workspace, there are certain hidden elements that you could add to your workspace. For e.g. text, marcos, transform, etc. To access them, right click on the toolbox or toolbar and select the hidden element you desire. Once selected they appear in the middle. Simply drag and place them in a desired location.
To deselect the items, simply right click again and from the menu the appears simply click on the item to remove it from the workspace.
Alternative way of selecting them is selecting Tools -> Options -> Customization (expand if collapsed) -> Command Bars. On the right you'll see similar options to select the hide/show the other elements/tools.
III. Adding individual commands and making a new command bar
So far, we have been working on an entire command bar which in turn consists of a number of commands. For e.g the Standard bar consists of different commands like save, open undo, redo, etc. The text bar consists of font chooser, text size, alignment etc. However, CorelDraw also gives you an option to select individual commands as well and make an entire new command bar which may consist of any of your desired commands.
I believe the steps described above will help you get acquainted with the process of customizing your workspace for now, atleast. There are other advanced methods too, to help customize your workspace, but I wont rush into everything at a go. You'll get familiar with the advanced methods in my future posts. I would recommend the users to keep fiddling with the settings on their own. Don't worry if something goes wrong. You'll atleast get to know what to avoid the next time.
Now, lets look further.
Creating A New Workspace
To create a new workspace. Go to tools -> options -> workspace. On the screen that appears to the right click on the New button.
On the next dialog box that follows, this is what the various features mean.
A: Give a name to your new workspace. I would recommend to give a logical name for easier understanding when using it later.
B: Choose the origin of your new workspace i.e. your reference workspace. You can always customize the workspace as described above in the post.
C: Give a description to your workspace. Many users leave this blank. I recommend to give a short logical description to your new workspace.
D: If you intend to use the new workspace as your default workspace, let the tick be marked. Else if you want to use it later and continue with the exisiting workspace, simply un tick the box. You can always select the new workspace from the list.
Importing A Workspace
You just had a visit to see your friend's newly created workspace and simply fell for it. You probably want the same. So you ask you friend to export the workspace for you to use it. He does the needful and hands you over the .xslt file. Now what do you do with it?
Well its a piece of cake. Simply go to tools -> options -> workspace. On the screen to the right you have a button Import.... Simply click on it and a dialog box appears. The video below explain the steps involved.
I guess, that should wind up this topic. Hope you have learned on getting familiar with creating, exporting, importing and customizing a workspace by now.
Incase you feel something is left out in this post or something is not appropriate please send in your feedback.
Watch out for my next post on Working around a Design File: Opening, Importing, Exporting and Saving.
D: Click here to delete a workspace. (Before deleting a workspace make sure that there is atleast one workspace available)
E: Click here to import a workspace (topic covered below, in this post).
F: Click here to export your workspace. Simply click on the button and in the next dialog box that appears simply select the features you want to export and click Save.... You can also send the workspace as an attachment through your email by clicking on the Email... button (Note: you will have to create an account in your default email client for e.g. Outlook before using this feature). Your workspace is saved/attached to email as a file with a .xslt extension.
G: You can also select which workspace to work upon every time you open CorelDraw. Simply check the box Select workspace at startup.
To save changes click on OK, to cancel the made changes click on Cancel or to get help from the CorelDraw's knowledge base click on Help.
Another shorter way to Customize in terms of exporting and importing your workspace is to right click on an empty space on the tool bar and then selecting Customize -> Workspace -> Import/Export Workspace.
Now that we are clear how to access the available workspaces, lets see how to modify or customize it.
I. Moving Things Around
Well this is a basic way of customizing your workspace and involves playing around with the location of the already existing tools on your screen. Simply drag and place your elements, tools, palettes, etc. to a desired location in the workspace. It only caters to the change in the visual appearance.
II. Accessing the hidden tools, elements.
Well, in your default workspace, there are certain hidden elements that you could add to your workspace. For e.g. text, marcos, transform, etc. To access them, right click on the toolbox or toolbar and select the hidden element you desire. Once selected they appear in the middle. Simply drag and place them in a desired location.
To deselect the items, simply right click again and from the menu the appears simply click on the item to remove it from the workspace.
Alternative way of selecting them is selecting Tools -> Options -> Customization (expand if collapsed) -> Command Bars. On the right you'll see similar options to select the hide/show the other elements/tools.
III. Adding individual commands and making a new command bar
So far, we have been working on an entire command bar which in turn consists of a number of commands. For e.g the Standard bar consists of different commands like save, open undo, redo, etc. The text bar consists of font chooser, text size, alignment etc. However, CorelDraw also gives you an option to select individual commands as well and make an entire new command bar which may consist of any of your desired commands.
I believe the steps described above will help you get acquainted with the process of customizing your workspace for now, atleast. There are other advanced methods too, to help customize your workspace, but I wont rush into everything at a go. You'll get familiar with the advanced methods in my future posts. I would recommend the users to keep fiddling with the settings on their own. Don't worry if something goes wrong. You'll atleast get to know what to avoid the next time.
Now, lets look further.
Creating A New Workspace
To create a new workspace. Go to tools -> options -> workspace. On the screen that appears to the right click on the New button.
On the next dialog box that follows, this is what the various features mean.
A: Give a name to your new workspace. I would recommend to give a logical name for easier understanding when using it later.
B: Choose the origin of your new workspace i.e. your reference workspace. You can always customize the workspace as described above in the post.
C: Give a description to your workspace. Many users leave this blank. I recommend to give a short logical description to your new workspace.
D: If you intend to use the new workspace as your default workspace, let the tick be marked. Else if you want to use it later and continue with the exisiting workspace, simply un tick the box. You can always select the new workspace from the list.
Importing A Workspace
You just had a visit to see your friend's newly created workspace and simply fell for it. You probably want the same. So you ask you friend to export the workspace for you to use it. He does the needful and hands you over the .xslt file. Now what do you do with it?
Well its a piece of cake. Simply go to tools -> options -> workspace. On the screen to the right you have a button Import.... Simply click on it and a dialog box appears. The video below explain the steps involved.
I guess, that should wind up this topic. Hope you have learned on getting familiar with creating, exporting, importing and customizing a workspace by now.
Incase you feel something is left out in this post or something is not appropriate please send in your feedback.
Watch out for my next post on Working around a Design File: Opening, Importing, Exporting and Saving.
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