I know the usability issues of layers have been mentioned in other posts, but there seem to be other issues as well. I recently saved a file into Corel 11 format, with the master layers copied to every page (to avoid crashing), and when i re-opened it, all the layers had lost their names and were named "Layer 1, Layer 2", etc. Furhermore, renaming the layers and then again saving into old version resulted in the same loss of names. Then there's the issue of not maintaining master layers in old versions either; all in all, I'm getting very unhappy with the layering system in X4, it's so badly broken in respect to usability and backwards compatibility.
Would there any hope of seeing a fix for these issues anytime soon, or will they be fixed in CD15 at the earliest? (if so, I have to downgrade to version 12 to avoid these workflow-breaking problems).
I have the same issue in my office where I'm running X4 while the rest running X3.That is the reason why I never name my layers and pages.
Perhaps the incompatibility should not be so drastic.
Hi,
As you know, X4 changed the way layers work. In previous versions, every layer existed on every page, whereas in X4, layers are independent from page to page.
If you have a document in X4 with different layers on each page and save to a previous version, it loses the names because this isn't a feature that existed in the previous version. If you create a multipage file in X4 that has the same layers on every page and then save back to v11, the names will be maintained.
Same idea with any new feature (ie: create a table in X4, save it to a previous version and see what happens to the table).
As for your last comment ("Then there's the issue of not maintaining master layers in old versions either"), can you explain what you're seeing?
Scott
scottj: If you have a document in X4 with different layers on each page and save to a previous version, it loses the names because this isn't a feature that existed in the previous version. If you create a multipage file in X4 that has the same layers on every page and then save back to v11, the names will be maintained.
I could swear I have seen multi-page documents that have had two layers with same names on every page and two master layers (a document made in v11), but when edited in X4 and saved back to v11 and reopened, the layers were named Layer1-4; the masters were copied to every page, with no master present in the document itself, and all the layers had lost their names (Maybe someone can try to recreate and verify this, as I'm unable to use Draw for a month or so).
And even if the independent layers weren't a feature previously, it's a very ungraceful method to just rename all layers to their default names, when it should be possible to create the layers on every page before saving (so that if you had page 1 with layers A and B, and page two with layer C, the saved file would have layers A,B and C on every page, with the A and B on page 2 being empty).
I don't think that problem is the only one that is built into X4. There are other bonus features!!!
I have a situation re a job I have been working on for 3 days now with about 2 of those days wasted with X4 problems.
I am trying to produce a 44 page catalogue and have reached the stage when all pages are set up, all scanning and touch up done and I am publishing to PDF proof for the customer to view.
This has been done and many changes have been requested (what's new!!)
I import a page from PDF and it is now in CDR , I make the changes and re save as cdr and PDF,
When I import from pdf again I find that in many cases in Object manager I have as many as 52 Layer 1s listed when I only started with layer 1 and layer 2. 50 or 51 of these 1 layers are empty.
I am now in the process of saving the work that I have generated since I purchased X4 +- 4 weeks ago to X3 and will dump X4 because of this layer problem and a problem with moving objects by means of the Arrow Keys and not getting an indication of the location of the objects until I re-select the object.
Dennis
Otter:I could swear I have seen multi-page documents that have had two layers with same names on every page and two master layers (a document made in v11), but when edited in X4 and saved back to v11 and reopened, the layers were named Layer1-4; the masters were copied to every page, with no master present in the document itself, and all the layers had lost their names (Maybe someone can try to recreate and verify this, as I'm unable to use Draw for a month or so).
I second that.
Just tested with two pages with 5 layers each, named them exactly and arranged in exact order. After saving into ver. 13, and re-open in X4, all naming gone.
I did the exact same test and my layers maintained their names.
I forgot to mention that this was fixed in SP1. What build are you running? 653 is the SP1 build (click Help | About CorelDRAW).
Ah...mine is without SP1...14.0.0.567...
I hold myself back from getting the SP1 installed after seeing so many horrible things from those who have done so...
I can chime in here and show you an example of my work where layers get duplicated as you change from one-page view to facing pages. Then every layer you have on one of the pages gets duplicated on the other page, thus giving you this cluttered view. I'm not sure, but maybe this happens every time you change from single page to facing view. I'll check that out.
scottj: I did the exact same test and my layers maintained their names. I forgot to mention that this was fixed in SP1. What build are you running? 653 is the SP1 build (click Help | About CorelDRAW).
I had installed SP1 before even opening Draw for the first time, and I still had the problem as described above. So either the batch didn't work or it misses certain situations, which were left unfixed.
Do you have a sample file that you can post? Attach the X4 file, and I'll save it here and see what happens.
Sorry, I'm currently on a month-long hiatus during which I have no access to Draw. I'll make a note of it and get back to it as soon as I'm able.
denliv: I am now in the process of saving the work that I have generated since I purchased X4 +- 4 weeks ago to X3 and will dump X4 because of this layer problem and a problem with moving objects by means of the Arrow Keys and not getting an indication of the location of the objects until I re-select the object.
Although I'm not seeing the PDF/object manager issues that you're reporting, one thing you may not be aware of regarding moving an object with the arrow keys is that the object's position is updated in real time on the status bar, at the bottom of the screen, which hopefully is a suitable workaround (the property bar not being updated is logged).
Thanks for the response Scott. I was aware of the position update on the Status bar but there is my original problem with the Guide Line position not being updated as they are moved and I have to de select and then re select to see the updated location.
I am running SP1 - and have layer 1 added and added and added with facing page view too. This page independent layer system sucks in CD14. The CD14 layer concept just plain does not work. It is flawed conceptually and technically. I have used CD since version 3, and have been an ardent champion of CorelDraw... ,, Sadly I am now loathing CorelDraw because the layers are so dysfunctional and I am finding it a hindrance in my work. I would really like to know what was so wrong with CD13's layers that prompted such a radical re-engineering. I cannot see the advantage. I really cannot see the logic. I cannot reason the paradigm that finds it so necessary. Really, who wanted this change ?
I further wonder if it can be undone with SP2 ?