Have a problem

[edward]

Hi Have a problem and looking for help: I have Coral Draw 8 And interested in doing portraits, I can upload pictures but that is far as I can get{in other words I'am stuck] I tried tutorials but nothing out there works. If anyone out there can give me information, or step by step instructions, would be greatfully appreciated.As I have no experience in this, and I'am no artist or designer but would like to try something net.Thanks for any information and time that is given.Edward

[GrayBeard Phil]

Edward:

Do you have CorelDraw 8 only, or do you have the full CorelDraw Graphic Suite?

If you have the full graphic suite, you might have a bitmap editor (or photo editor) called Photo Paint.

Corel's Photo Paint from that era as Version 8 of Corel Draw is not as good as Paint Shop Pro of that same time frame.

Here is the bad news: CorelDraw is a vector graphics program. For most portrait work, you first need to use a bitmap (photo) editor to create the B & W portrait. Most people just leave B&W portrait there in the photo editor, and do their edits, and printing, in the photo editor. There are several walk thru tutorial for PSP to help you. You just need to translate the menu commands to Photo Paint commands. It can be done.

Import the photo (B&W converted usually) image into CorelDraw. Follow the same manual entering creation principal as in the following set of tutorials as creating a Logo:
http://www.advancedartist.com/vectortrace.html
This is labor intensive, but in the long run faster than the CorelDraw built in function of Bitmap to vector conversion.

There are a few advantages to using a vector graphics program for portraits, but I know of only a few. But I am sure most people just stick with bitmap editors.

Other will respond with their opinions also.

Phil

[Gill]

I'm with you, Phil - although I do use vector based programs for certain types of pattern design (mostly segmentation), if I'm doing shadow portraits I work in PSP. Once the pattern has been completed in a bitmap format, I then export it into a vector program so it can be re-scaled without losing definition.

Gill