Question 1

How do I convert a CDR file to SVG or PDF without CorelDRAW?

Accepted Answer

Open it here and choose SVG under the page for a vector file that stays sharp at any size and can be edited in Inkscape (free), Illustrator or Figma. For a PDF, choose Print or save as PDF and pick "Save as PDF" as the printer.

Question 2

Why does the drawing not look exactly like it does in CorelDRAW?

Accepted Answer

The drawing is redrawn from what the open-source reader gets out of the file. Shapes, colours and outlines usually come through closely; a font you do not have is replaced by a similar one, and some effects - lenses, blends, contours, mesh fills and some PowerClips - are drawn more simply or left out. Pictures stored in Windows-only formats are shown as a labelled box.

Question 3

Which CorelDRAW versions does it open?

Accepted Answer

Files saved by CorelDRAW 7 to X8 open best, along with the .cmx exchange format. Files from CorelDRAW 2017 and later usually open too, but the open-source reader was written before those versions, so some newer effects may be missing or a file may not open; saving a copy as an older version, or as .cmx, from CorelDRAW helps. Files from CorelDRAW 6 and earlier cannot be read.

Question 4

Is my drawing uploaded anywhere?

Accepted Answer

No. It is read and drawn by your browser, using a copy of the reader served from this site, so client artwork stays on your computer.

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