Getting started with CorelDRAW Go: The ultimate guide

12 steps to get started with CorelDRAW Go

This guide will help you master the basics with CorelDRAW Go, from creating designs to customizing your work. Whether you’re a newbie or a design enthusiast, follow these simple steps to create something spectacular.

Step 1: Start your first project

From the home screen, choose a starting point:

• Select a preset document size (e.g., business card, Instagram post, presentation).
• Create a custom size
• Pick a design template for inspiration.

Note: You can access existing projects by selecting My projects.

Step 2: Explore fully editable template designs

Click on the balloon icon in the menu bar and choose New project.

Click Templates in the Create a new document window and pick a template that fits your project.

Customize your design:

• Change the background color.
• Edit any object (shape, text, or image) on the template and customize it to your style.
• Use the Objects panel (bottom right) to:
  • Group/ungroup elements
  • Lock or hide objects
  • Rearrange the order of objects on the canvas.

Step 3: Add creative assets

Click on the Stock Assets icon in the Toolbox (left side).

Search through millions of Unsplash photos and thousands of vector icons and illustrations.

Add assets to your canvas:

• Click anywhere to drop them. Or, click and drag to place it as a specific size.

Step 4: Transform shapes

From the Toolbox, select the Shapes icon to open the Shapes panel.

Choose a shape and place it on the canvas.

Customize your shape:

• Drag red anchor points to adjust.
• To tweak further, double-click on a shape to modify by moving around its nodes and handles.
• Click on the Finish drawing prompt bubble at the bottom of the screen to exit node editing mode, or click anywhere on the canvas.

Step 5: Draw your own custom shapes

Open the Draw panel by selecting the Drawing Tools icon in the Toolbox to try the pen and freehand drawing tools.

Use the tools pen and freehand tools to draw unique shapes.

• Choose from various line styles, from solid to dotted and dashed.
• Click, drag, and release to draw on your canvas. When you are done, click Finish drawing at the bottom of your screen.

Fine-tune your shape:

• Double-click on it and adjust the nodes and handles.
• Use the Properties panel to customize fills, colors, outline styles, and transparency.

Step 6: Add and customize text

Select the Text icon from the Toolbox.

Click on the canvas and start typing to add text.

Resize text easily:

• Drag the corner handles to change the size of the text.
• Drag the side handles to change the size of the textbox.

Use the Properties panel to:

• Change the text fill and/or outline.
• Add shadows, brushstrokes, or other effects for a personalized touch.

Step 7: Enhance your designs with gradients, shadows, and effects

Select any object (text, shapes, images).

From the Properties panel, experiment with:

• Selecting a fill color and applying a gradient.
• Changing the outline color, style, and weight.
• Modifying your object's transparency and exploring transparency effects. /li>
• Applying an inner or outer shadow and playing around with its positioning.

Step 8: Get creative with realistic brushes and textures

Open the Draw panel by selecting the Drawing Tools icon in the Toolbox.

Choose a brush type, then click, draw, and release to paint on the canvas.

• Click Finish drawing when done.
• Double-click on the brushstroke to manipulate the shape to your liking.

From the Properties panel, you can customize your design:

• Adjust the size, color, and transparency of the brushstroke.
• Experiment by changing the brush type.
• Fun fact: Brushstrokes can also be added to a shape outline or to text directly from the Properties panel.

Step 9: Edit photos with ease

Import a photo:

• Select the Add an Image icon in the Toolbox and choose Import Local Content.

Enhance your photo from the Properties panel:

• Adjust light, color, white balance, hue, and saturation, or make your photo black and white with a click.
• Rotate, crop, and resize to your needs.
• Get creative by playing with transparency, shadows, and adding a brushstroke as a border.

Step 10: Turn any shape into a frame for your photos

Choose a shape from the Shapes panel or create your own with the Pen or Freehand drawing tools in the Draw panel.

Right-click on the shape and select Convert to mask frame.

• An X will appear on the frame.

Drag your image into the frame.

Double-click on the shape to adjust or delete the image.

Step 11: Create a multi-page project

You can create projects with multiple pages, like a brochure or card, in a couple of ways:

• Right-click on your canvas and select Add page.
• Or, open the Objects panel on the bottom right of your screen, and click the New page icon.

Step 12: Save, download, and export your creations

Your work is auto-saves to the cloud, so you never have to worry about losing progress. You can still manually save at any time and customize settings such as the file name and storage location within your Corel Cloud.

• Click the CorelDRAW Go icon in the top-left corner of your screen to expose the Menu, and select Save to Cloud as.
• From the Menu:
  • Download an editable .CDR file, the native format for CorelDRAW Go. .CDR files are compatible with other CorelDRAW products, including CorelDRAW Graphics Suite.

Export your projects:

• Download your designs in other formats from the Export panel, accessed by clicking on Export on the top right of your screen. Here, you can also print your work.
• From the Export panel:
  • Download your project as a JPG, PNG, WEBP, PDF, or SVG file, and customize settings like size, resolution, and quality to suit your needs.
  • Choose Print to print your current page, multiple pages, or selected objects only.

Next steps with CorelDRAW Go

Now, it’s time to put your creativity to the test! Try CorelDRAW Go free for 15 days and experience the ultimate design freedom.

Try CorelDRAW Go now