5 Replies Latest reply: Dec 7, 2010 6:36 AM by Bart Cross RSS

    Corel Graphics Suite features not found in Photoshop/Illustrator?

    thersher Community Member

      I only recently started using Photoshop, mostly because I couldn't afford it, and for years I have been using Corel Graphics Suite (Draw & Photo Paint) for all my editing.

      Now, through school, I am learning my way through Illustrator and Photoshop, however there are a couple of features in the Corel products that I'm not finding in the Adobe products, so I thought I'd ask the pros.

       

      The first is the Interactive Object Transparency Tool in Photo Paint. This allows you to fade out the edge of an image or an object, such as in the example I've posted below. I can't figure out a way to do this as well in Photoshop. The gradient tool only provides a gradient to a color fill, not an object, and masking/feathering just isn't cutting it. Is there a tool similar to this in Photoshop, or how would I get this effect?

      interactive_trans_sample.jpg

      The second feature is in Draw. After placing an image into my document in Draw, I can click a button and edit that object in Photo Paint, so I can easily go back and forth between the two applications. Illustrator doesn't seem to have this capability, at least not that I can find. Is there anything like this in Illustrator? Corel Draw seems to be a combination of both Illustrator and InDesign, in that it can also handle multi-page documents like magazines and such, and this feature makes it really easy to edit images. With the Adobe products I have to edit the image in Photoshop, save it and then place it into Illustrator and that's just so many extra steps.

       

      I appreciate any info anyone can give me, since I am really trying to learn the Adobe products, as I realize that these are the industry standards. Since Corel products will export and import Adobe files, I've been using this just fine up to this point, but I am anxious to learn Adobe. Thanks!

        • 1. Re: Corel Graphics Suite features not found in Photoshop/Illustrator?
          miss_marple Community Member

          [...Interactive Object Transparency Tool...]

          In Photoshop you can use a layer mask. With this layer mask aktive you apply a white/black gradient.

           

          Second / third question: I'm not sure, because I don't use it much for myself, but look for the "Smart Objects" feature in the help files.

           

          miss_marple

          • 2. Re: Corel Graphics Suite features not found in Photoshop/Illustrator?
            Silkrooster Community Member

            You can use a gradient that goes from a solid color to transparent. If you click on the gradient in the top tool bar you will be able to not only define what colors you want but its opacity as well.

            How ever more people are using masks to create the transparent gradient for the simple reason is that it is non destructive meaning you can change it when ever you wish later in time.

             

            As for switching between apps:

            If you place a file into illustrator that is linked (you have the option when you you place the file) There is a button in the top tool bar for edit original. Clicking this will bring up a dialog box asking you which program should edit the file and a check box to make that the default for that file type.

            If you copy an ai file and paste it into photoshop you have the option of pasting as a smart object. If you double click on the layer's icon you will be taken into illustrator with the file ready to be edited, once you save the file the file is updated in photoshop.

            • 3. Re: Corel Graphics Suite features not found in Photoshop/Illustrator?
              Mylenium CommunityMVP
              Is there a tool similar to this in Photoshop, or how would I get this effect?

               

              As already mentioned, you create a gradient on the mask. As they are just custom channels, pretty much any tool works on layer masks (including filters) as they would on any isolated arbitrary channel. PS is far superior in this regard once you understand the concept. you just need to clear your mind from CDRs awkward, complicated and limited methods.

               

              With the Adobe products I have to edit the image in Photoshop, save it and then place it into Illustrator and that's just so many extra steps.

               

              Not correct. You can "Edit Original" from pretty much any Adobe app. If it doesn't work, you may simply have a configuration problem on your system where another program has "stolen" file associations, preventing this from working correctly. Additionally, depending on how the file is used in AI, it may become uneditable, which can happen if you meddle with transparency options or blending modes there. This, however, is also logical as AI simply tries to retain the appearance, so you will have to decide where you do some of those things in teh first place... In any case, check the Links panel and Info palette in AI for the status of linked external documents.

               

              Mylenium

              • 4. Re: Corel Graphics Suite features not found in Photoshop/Illustrator?
                thersher Community Member

                Thanks everyone! I knew about the layer mask and the gradient, and I've used it before, however I didn't think it would give me exactly what I was after, but it does.

                Also, I have seen the "Edit Original" button in AI, however it's always grayed out for me. I had never noticed the link box to check when I placed the image, since it's down in the lower left corner, but I tested it out and it works also!

                 

                Thanks again!

                • 5. Re: Corel Graphics Suite features not found in Photoshop/Illustrator?
                  Bart Cross Community Member

                  If you paste an image into Illustrator, it would be greyed out. Use the 'place' command instead.