Opening SVG files in CorelDraw

It's no secret that CorelDraw doesn't work well on SVG files.  It is possible though to make the experience and the result better.  So here are some tips and tricks on making SVGs work with CorelDraw.

A little background first

SVG Files

SVG is vector file format that is compatible with all modern browsers -- it's part of the W3C standards.  The usual application for creating and editing SVG files is InkScape, which is free and open source.

CorelDraw

CorelDraw is a commercial, vector-based illustration program that has been around since 1989.  CorelDraw is not the best vector-based application on the market.  But it has been around for so long and is more affordable than the top-of-line applications, that it has become the defacto standard is the laser cutter world.

Preparing the SVG file

CorelDraw does have a hard time dealing SVGs.  So it's best to prepare the SVG file in an SVG editor, like InkScape, as best you can before using the SVG with CorelDraw.  Here are some ways to best prepare the SVG for CorelDraw:

• Keep it simple.  The more complex your SVG, the harder time CorelDraw will have with it.  So keep the file as simple as possible.
• Convert element to Paths.  Convert as many objects as you can to paths, especially text.
• Have transforms be absolute not relative moves.  There's a checkbox for this in the Transform menu, which you can get to by (Shift+Ctrl+M).
• Remove unneeded groups.  CorelDraw can apply a fill to a group even if there is not one specified.  So remove as many groups as you can.  My favorite way to remove groups is the XML editor which you can open by (Shift+Ctrl+X).
• Save as Plain SVG format.  InkScape has its own proprietary SVG format.  To override that, do a Save As on the file and select Plain SVG.

Working the result in CorelDraw

CorelDraw 7 and 8 (the current versions of Home and Graphics Suite, respectively) are able to open SVGs without any filters.

So you can open the SVG file from the File pull-down menu in Corel.  The default filter for the open command is All File Formats (*.*), so you'll be able to see SVG in the dialog box.

You can also import SVGs into existing CorelDraw files through the File pull-down menu.  Another way to import it is to drag and drop the SVG onto CorelDraw.

Summary

By following the tips in this blog post, you should get the best results.  Good luck!