Have you received strange files in CDR format and are looking for a way to open them? Whether you are a manager, or a project curator who received an unknown file from a designer, or even a student, this short note is written for you.

What is CDR format

The CDR format is the native format of the vector program Corel Draw. Corel Draw, in turn, is a program for creating vector graphics. Therefore, the easiest way to open the CDR format is to install Corel Draw and calmly work with the file. Which, of course, is not always convenient if you only need to view the contents of the file. Corel Draw is a paid program and is expensive. Not everyone knows how to search for broken and cracked versions. It's okay, there are many ways to open and view the contents of a CDR file, and I will try to describe them all.

This file format was developed by Corel for use in its own software products. CDR files are not supported by many image editing programs. However, the file can be exported using CorelDRAW to other, more common and popular image formats.

How to open CDR?

The easiest way to open and even make changes to a CDR file is to download the trial version of Corel Draw. Of course, after 30 days the program will no longer be available, but if you need to view a file here and now, native Corel Draw is just what the doctor ordered.

Not the worst way to open a CDR image in the Corel PaintShop Pro graphics editor. In this case, of course, you will not be able to edit the curves, since the image will open in rasterized form. You can download the trial version again on the official website.

More tricky ways are to open the CDR through third-party competitive programs. For example, Adobe Illustrator, which does the same thing as Corel Draw. In Illustrator, however, you can only open CDR files saved in versions of Corel Draw 5-10. And of course you need the Illustrator himself. If you don't have it, download the trial version. I advise downloading such large-scale programs only if you need to not only view, but also make changes to the file.

If you don’t need to edit the file, but just view it, download free CDR file viewers. One such program is CDR Viewer.

An alternative option, another little-known program that allows you to view the contents of a CDR file - CDR thumbnail 1.0

CDR is a file containing a vector image that was created in the popular CoralDRAW program. When Windows users receive a file with a similar extension, a completely reasonable question arises: how and with what can this file be opened? Below we will look at the main programs and services that allow you to view the contents of a CDR file.

Programs that allow you to open CDR

1. CoralDRAW. As noted above, the CDR is created in the CoralDRAW program. Accordingly, this program allows you not only to open it, but also to edit it. In turn, CoralDRAW is a powerful graphics editor used by users to work with vector graphics. If you only need to open a CDR, then you should look towards simpler and free tools.

Download CorelDRAW for free

2. Free CDR Viewer. As the name suggests, the program is designed specifically for viewing CDRs, and it copes with this task perfectly: the program easily opens not only CDRs of any size, but also formats such as JPG, PNG, GIF and others. The icing on the cake is the fact that the program is distributed absolutely free of charge.

Download Free CDR Viewer for free

How to open CDR in other programs?

If saving the CDR format is not important to you, then it can be easily converted to one of the more common formats, for example, JPG or PNG.

To do this, go to the online service page for converting CDRs using this link. In the “Step 1” block, specify the CDR file stored on your computer, in the “Step 2” block you will need to indicate the format into which the file will be converted, and in the “Step 3” block, indicate the email address to which the result will be sent.

Once you have completed filling out all the fields, click the “Convert” button. The service will begin processing, after which a letter with an attached file will be sent to your email address.

Once you download the updated file to your computer, you can open it with any program, including the standard Windows image viewer.

A CDR format is a file that was created in Corel DRAW containing a raster or vector image. Corel uses this format in its own products, so it can also be opened by other Corel software. However, the most convenient software for working with CDR is Corel Draw, moreover, it has few competitors, and this despite the fact that the program costs a lot of money.

Today we will look at free analogues of Corel Draw, and also talk about their features in more detail.

Corel Draw

How can this be, because Corel Draw costs a lot of money, so why consider it, you say? There is one interesting feature here - you can download a trial version on the official website, which is valid for 30 days. That's why she made it onto our list.

Program features:

• This is an editor for both vector and raster graphics.

• Includes a program for converting raster images, for creating screenshots, and an e-book for working with the software.

• The ability to create any objects, from a logo to multi-page websites or brochures.

• Support for a huge number of all kinds of files, including those used by programs such as AutoCAD and Microsoft Word.

• It is possible to view PDF files that are password protected.

• The official online service allows users to exchange various images with each other.

• It is possible to recognize the font used in a bitmap image.

This, as you might have guessed, is only a small part of all the functions of Corel Draw. But the main problem is, of course, the high cost. The cheapest option I found costs about $600, and some stores sell the software for much more. But if you are a professional designer, then the costs will come back to you with interest.

Inkscape

The main feature of Inkscape is that it is an open tool that anyone can take part in creating and testing. The project has existed for several years now and is constantly being modernized. Quite easy to use, convenient and, most importantly, free.

Users claim that the Inkscape interface at first glance is much simpler than that of Corel Draw, so it seems that it has much less functionality, but in fact this is not entirely true. Indeed, the program lacks some functions, but you will have plenty of those available.

Advantages:

• Import and export of a huge number of various formats, including EPS, GIF, PCX, OpenDocument Draw, POV, XBM, etc.

• Working with contours.

• Availability of tools that will allow you to draw shapes faster.

• There is a raster image vectorizer.

• Ability to assign shortcut keys.

• Saving compressed documents using the gzip algorithm.

• Possibility of collective drawing.

OpenOffice.org Draw

As you might guess, Draw is part of the OpenOffice office suite, which I already discussed on the site. The program is literally tailored to the needs of the office, since here you will find tools for creating diagrams and presentations, libraries of various elements and symbols, etc. Of course, you can use this software at home - in this case it does not matter, since the entire package is distributed free of charge, including for organizations.

Features of Draw:

• Creation of vector images.

• Creation of three-dimensional objects (simple three-dimensional objects).

• Ability to create a grid or guides used as a guide.

• The ability to connect objects using connecting lines, which can be useful when creating some types of diagrams.

• There is a display of sizes.

• Possibility of using animation, sounds or other elements.

• Export images in the most popular formats.

DrawPlus Starter Edition

DrawPlus is a professional art studio for creating vector animation and graphics. Here you will find a lot of tools necessary for a designer, with which you can draw any element you need.

Program features:

• Creation and editing of vector images.

• Support for graphics tablets.

• Built-in calibrator.

• Export, import and edit PDF files.

• Tools for creating graphs, presentations and diagrams.

• Professional light control.

• Unusual effects that can be added to images.

• High color accuracy.

• Program performance.

This is, let's say, semi-free software, since after installation it requires mandatory registration. A full version of the program costs about $100.

Open file online

If you just need to open the file without editing it, then the easiest way is to use an online converter that converts CDR to another popular format, for example, JPEG or GIF.

Currently, there are several such services. The most convenient and popular of them is filespazz.com. You need to follow the link, upload the CDR file to the site, select the format you want to convert it to, add your email address and start the process. After a few minutes, a converted file will be sent to your email address, which you can open in a standard image viewing application. The maximum uploaded file size is no more than 10 MB.

The only downside that can be noted is the lack of Russian language, but this is not a problem - everything is clear on the site without unnecessary words.

CDR Viewer is a minimalist program that provides users with an easy means of viewing, converting and resizing CDR (CorelDRAW) images without putting a strain on PC hardware.

Therefore, if you don’t know how to open a CDR file, we recommend downloading CDR Viewer for free and installing the program on your laptop or computer. The software can work effectively with any version of the Windows operating system.

The program is designed for comfortable viewing of images with the same format. This extension is specific to vector images used by the popular CorelDraw application and cannot be opened in other graphical shells. CDR Viewer is characterized by quick installation, a neat graphical interface and clear scaling options.

The setup process takes very little time, and has no unpleasant surprises. Designed with simplicity in mind, the interface is compact and user-friendly. The program's working panel contains only a few buttons that allow you to change the zoom level using the mouse or slider, adjust the image, and rotate it 90 degrees. Viewing vector images in CDR format is just one of the application's functions.

In addition, CDR Viewer allows you not only to open image files for viewing, but also to convert them into other popular image formats, such as JPG / TIFF / GIF and the like, which can be successfully viewed in any image viewer. In addition to this, this software tool is capable of resizing downloaded files. Just open the desired Corel Draw image to see its size, then you can change the width and height you need without losing image quality.

Although the CDR viewer does not provide you with many features, it can be effectively used to work together with other applications.

Separately, I would like to note that computer performance will not be reduced while using CDR Viewer, since the processor and memory load will be minimal, and all running tasks will be completed within a couple of seconds. Regarding the interface, there is nothing particularly remarkable here - it is intuitive and similar to most similar programs for opening CDRs.

SCREENSHOT:	TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
	Developer: IdeaMK Inc. Program version: 3.2.0.0 Operating system: Windows XP, Vista, 2003, 7 Russian language: No

The most common problem that prevents users from opening this file is an incorrectly assigned program. To fix this in Windows OS, you need to right-click on the file, in the context menu, hover the mouse over the “Open with” item, and select “Select a program...” from the drop-down menu. As a result, you will see a list of installed programs on your computer, and you can select the appropriate one. We also recommend checking the box next to "Use this application for all CDR files."

Another problem that our users also encounter quite often is that the CDR file is corrupted. This situation can arise in many cases. For example: the file was downloaded incompletely as a result of a server error, the file was damaged initially, etc. To resolve this problem, use one of the recommendations:

• Try finding the file you need in another source on the Internet. You may have luck finding a more suitable version. Example Google search: "File filetype:CDR" . Just replace the word "file" with the name you need;
• Ask them to send you the original file again, it may have been damaged during transmission;