The cdr format was developed by the Corel team specifically for its own programs. Vector graphics are stored in cdr, but the format is easily converted to raster for further editing and viewing in the usual paint and other raster editors using converters, but then the most important advantage of a vector image will be lost: resizing without loss of quality.

What free programs can open a cdr file?

1. – a powerful free vector editor, a direct alternative to CorelDraw. Supports a huge number of formats, including cdr. The interface is very similar to CorelDraw, and understanding the program is not difficult. The utility has a rather interesting and unusual function for working with cloned objects, supporting 17 types of symmetry and with this you can create intricate, interesting patterns.

2. – free software aimed at viewing vector graphics in cdr format. This utility will allow you to edit pictures drawn in CorelDRAW and also allows you to convert cdr pictures to different raster formats such as JPG, .gif, .png, .TIFF and .bmp. With CDR Viewer, you don't need to install CorelDraw to view cdr images. In addition to viewing and converting CDR files, CDR Viewer can resize images.

Today we will devote our review to the question of how to open a CDR file, and why they are needed in general. Files of this extension are most often used to save information when working in the well-known graphics editor CorelDRAW. Given software product often used when it is necessary to work with vector graphics, so the likelihood of encountering this file extension is quite high. In CDR format, CorelDRAW saves the results of your current drawing work. Subsequently (once the drawing is completed), it will be possible to export the resulting drawing. But to make changes to the drawing, CDR and CorelDRAW files will be used in any case. That is why you need to know what cdr files are, how to work with them and how to open them.

What is CDR and why is this format used?

The CDR format was developed by Corel, a company that developed its own software product for working and saving vector (or in rare cases raster) graphics projects. Most often, these two types of graphics are used together, since their combination allows you to achieve truly unusual results. Therefore, many designers create their works in CDR format - from business cards for people, to huge advertising banners, booklets, and company logos. You most likely will not work directly with files of this extension - unless you decide to do something related to design.

In addition, CorelDRAW is excellent for the purposes of design engineers - it is very convenient to develop a wide variety of diagrams, drawings, plans, maps, etc.

If you need to open a CDR file, then you just need to find out which program to open the cdr file with.

Things to consider when working with CDR files

Although the specified utility, CorelDRAW, opens this file format as its own, it has a very significant disadvantage - it is a paid product, and it is quite expensive. Therefore, if you do not want to buy a license to use this program, we strongly recommend opening CDR files using one of the free utilities, a number of which we will consider below.

What is the best program to open a CDR file?

So, if you still need to open a CDR file, then it’s worth noting right away that the CDR file format can be opened using a very limited set of programs. This situation happened because this file format is closed. Therefore, let’s look at what program options can be used to work in our case:

  • Actually, CorelDRAW itself. Since the extension is “native” for this product, there should be no problems opening such files if you have the program installed on your computer (or its portable version). However, it is worth considering that since the format is constantly changing and developing, older versions of the application may not work correctly with those saved in more recent versions. new version programs files.
  • Corel Paint Shop Pro is the second sufficient graphics editor from Corel, when using which there should not be any special problems in working with CDR format files. However, since the program was originally created for a slightly different purpose, expect great functionality for working with files of this format not worth it. Viewing and conversion to other formats, of course, are present, but that’s all there is to it.
  • Free software sK1 or Inkscape are free vector graphics editors that are distributed under the GNU GPL license. Among other functions, they support opening and editing CDR files. However, since, as already mentioned, the format is closed, they cannot provide full support for the format.
  • Adobe Illustrator – Can open older CDR formats. The program is developed by Adobe. Files created with newer versions of CorelDRAW are not supported.
  • Converter of CDR files to other common formats – Uniconvertor. Using this utility, you can convert cdr into one of the open formats, which will not cause problems when opening and editing in the vast majority of free vector graphics editors.

As you can see, there are many options for working with this format, so opening the CDR file format and further processing and editing it should not cause any great difficulties. Upon completion of working with vector graphics, the resulting result can be exported to one of the raster options so that you can add, for example, some effects, make slight adjustments, etc. For such cases, from free utilities we can recommend free editor raster graphics Gimp, which can compete with .

The CDR extension is a file identifier that is usually created in the graphics editor of the Corel DRAW application. This file contains graphic information. A series of programs from Corel uses exactly this format in its products. Therefore, any program from the manufacturer can work with files of this type of extension. However, be that as it may, the easiest and in a fast way The Corel Draw software is used to open this file.

Now we will look at several subtypes of programs, and you can easily make a choice of how to open a CDR file. Moreover, you can learn a lot of useful information about these programs.

Corel Draw

How to open a CDR file? First of all - Corel Draw. This is a licensed product that costs quite a bit of money. Therefore, using this program is not a cheap pleasure. However, you can try its capabilities on the free version for a whole month. After using it for a short time in practice, you will be convinced of its advantages. Program:

  1. Allows you to work with both vector and raster graphics.
  2. Converts raster graphics and allows you to create screenshots, e-books for working with the software.
  3. Allows you to create a variety of objects: logos, websites, images, brochures, etc.
  4. Allows you to work with files that have other file permissions (Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Word and others).
  5. Allows you to view PDF files, even if they are under password.
  6. It has online services that allow you to exchange images with each other.
  7. Recognizes fonts in images.

Inkscape

The main feature of the program is that it is an accessible tool that is freely open for creating and testing a product by any user. The project has existed for quite a long time and is constantly growing. Very easy to understand and easy to use, and most importantly, it is a free product. Therefore, it will easily answer your question about how to open a CDR file, and will do its job with ease.

Some users say that the software interface is much simpler than in the previous program we reviewed. Therefore, many believe that the functionality of the program is somewhat poorer. And this is true, but this will be enough for you:

  1. Import and export of almost all possible image extension formats: GIF, EPS, PCX, CDR file and many others.
  2. Operations with contours.
  3. Draw shapes quickly with the ergonomic toolbar.
  4. Availability of a vectorizer for working with raster images.
  5. Quick work with hot keys.
  6. Possibility will be retained compressed files using the gzip algorithm.
  7. Availability of the option of group work on a graphic project.

OpenOffice.org Draw

The CDR file can be opened using the OpenOffice package, since this component is part of it. This utility is specially designed for this office, and here you can work with many types of visual information, including diagrams, presentations, and various graphic elements. This software package is free, making it easy to get and use. Its features include:

  1. Working with 3D graphics.
  2. Using guides for reference (grid).
  3. Using lines to connect objects (useful for working with diagrams).
  4. Ability to display objects and move them.
  5. Using animation components in creating images.
  6. Export projects to a variety of the most popular formats.

DrawPlus Starter Edition

DrawPlus Starter Edition is not easy additional component, this is a full-fledged professional studio for working with images and various types of graphics. Therefore, it can do much more than open a CDR file. Here you can find many functions and options for working with vector graphics and animation. The program features include:

  1. Working with vector images.
  2. Ability to work with graphics on a tablet.
  3. Professional light adjustment.
  4. Various effects that can be applied to the image.
  5. Accurate color rendering.
  6. Ability to create graphs, charts and presentations.

If you are still thinking about how to open a CDR file, pay attention to one of the products discussed above and decide what you would like to work with. The CDR extension will be opened by any of them, and you will have the chance to try out all their functionality.

If you are seriously involved in printing images on T-shirts, then you probably often deal with the vector CDR format. This is a vector format Corel programs Draw. It's good to have this program installed on your computer. In this case, by opening a folder with pictures in CDR format, you can see small previews of the images and select the one you need. What should those who do not have CorelDraw installed do? Should I install it to view several pictures? This is hardly advisable.

This is probably why I constantly come across questions - how to view CDRs, how to open the CDR format, how to see CDR, AI vector images, etc.

2. Paid program for viewing CDRs

Next interesting program, capable of viewing images in vector CDR, AI and others is called - ST Thumbnails Explorer.

This program has two disadvantages - the English interface and the license fee. But when you get to know her closely, you realize that these are trifles! Despite the English language, the ST Explorer program is quite easy to understand. Moreover, the cost of the license is only 297 rubles. Is this an obstacle for a business person?

But this program has several significant advantages. For example, it is capable of viewing vectors in very large sizes, up to 600x600 pixels. And when you hover the cursor over any image, a window appears with full information about it - editor version, creation date, size and even the name of the font for the text inside the image. True, if the text is converted into curves, the program can easily make mistakes.

The developer of the CDR format is the company Corel Corporation, which creates graphic editors. Using these programs, drawings and vector images are created. The CDR extension can be opened using many modern editors. CDR format is standard for the program Corel Draw, the first version of which was released in 1898. From that moment on, the developers constantly worked to improve and develop the software.

To date, there are no standardized rules for creating access to the technical specifications of the CDR format. Latest version The program allows you to work with text and manage colors in a more convenient way.

Conversion and CDR file opening options

CDR refers to vector images. The format opens with the following graphic editors:

You can freely convert the file using the program. The most commonly used format for this is . For earlier versions, a paid fee applies graphic editor Adobe Illustrator.

Format compatibility with programs

Developers Corel Draw for the first time introduced to the world the ability to work with vector images in combination with software components:

  • Corel Photo-Paint(photo editing);
  • font manager;
  • color palette management

The latest version of Corel Draw X8 was released in 2016 and became compatible with Windows 7,8,10. The updated editor has an expanded library and a built-in converter. The editor has an open software interface that allows you to freely use software functions in personal projects.


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