# 5008- Importing and Exporting Files

Definitions:  
Importing: Brings either a CorelDRAW  native format file (.CDR, .CDT) or a non-native file,
from another application, into the current document.

Opening:  Will open a new or previously saved CorelDRAW native format file.

Exporting:  This prepares the file for use in programs that do not support the CorelDRAW
format directly.

Saving: Saves the file in a CorelDRAW format.


Format Types

Bitmaps:  Raster images normally created by scanners. The following are examples of bitmap file
formats: PCX, TIFF, TGA, GIF, BMP, JPG, CMP, SCT, SEP, BMP(for O/S2).
 
Vector:  Describes all objects by defining lines, arcs, splines in the files.  The following are
examples of vector formats: GEM, SCD, PCT, PLT, DXF, AI, PIF, CGM.

Metafiles: This format combines both vector and bitmap images. The following are examples of
metafile formats: WMF, EPS.

Note:     Refer to the online Help for more information on the limitations for each file format.


Notes On Importing/Exporting
Bitmap Format
          When importing bitmaps containing masks, they will either be ignored or generate an error
     messages.

          Files that contain 32 bit colors (CMYK color Model) such as TIFF 6.0 and SCT formats
     will now hold CMYK colors in CorelDRAW 5.  There is no longer a CMYK to RGB
     conversion on import.

          CMP is a new format from Lead systems that is now supported in CorelDRAW 5. 
     However, CMYK (32 bit) bitmaps are still not supported in either CMP or JPG formats.

          Exporting bitmaps from CorelDRAW with fixed resolutions will change the aspect ratio of
     the output file.
          If an error message appears when using the Kodak PHOTO CD import filter (.PCD) or if
     the PCD import is not working correctly, ensure that the latest version of the
     PCDLIB.DLL file is located in the WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory.  The PCDLIB.DLL
     file that ships on the CorelDRAW CD-ROM has an uncompressed file size of 148480
     bytes and a date of 3/25/94.  For further information, refer to the README.WRI file. 

          The TIFF export filter will generate different file types, for the different color depths listed
     below:
          Black and White             TIFF 4.2
          Grayscale
          256 Colors
          16 Million Colors            TIFF 5.0
          32 Bit (CMYK Color) Files  TIFF 6.0


Metafile Format
          When importing *.EPS files it is best to not use the All Files (*.*) option in the List Files
     of Type list box.  Instead, choose a specific type, such as PostScript (Interpreted), *.EPS
     (Placeable) or Adobe Illustrator (*.AI, *.EPS). 

          Adobe Illustrator is used for importing and exporting files that adhere to the Adobe
     Illustrator format.

          EPS (Placeable) is used to place EPS graphics on the page for printing purposes.  If there
     is an image header in the file, CorelDRAW, Corel VENTURA  and other applications
     will display this for the purpose of positioning. This is not the actual data in the EPS file
     but a bitmap representation.

          EPS (Interpreted) is available for import Only. It will read a PostScript file and import it
     into CorelDRAW as editable objects.  For best results with this filter, you should import
     text as curves, verify that only CMYK colors were used to create the original file as
     Pantone coloring is not currently supported with this filter, any bitmaps that may be in the
     *.EPS file must not contain Clipping Paths. 

Note:     Importing text as text will use internal filters to scale the text to the original point size. 
This may cause problems if the text point size is altered afterward.  For best results when
importing text from *.EPS interpreted files, click the text that has been imported, and click
Effects, Clear Transformations.  The text should be increased to the desired point size.

          Exporting a bitmap to the EPS format does not automatically convert the bitmap to a
     vector.  This is because EPS graphics can contain both.


Determining The Export Format
To determine the correct format to use when exporting, refer to the online Help.  There is a large
list of recommended file formats for specific programs available here.

A few simple questions need to be answered before we can recommend a file format to use.
1.  Will the file be printed on a PostScript printer?
2.  Does the target program support vector formats for importing?
3.  What formats does the target program support?

If the answer to Question 1 and 2  is yes, it is best to use the .EPS Placeable PostScript file for
exporting the file from CorelDRAW.  If you answered no to either of these two questions, avoid
using the .EPS file format.  Refer to the target program's documentation for more information
about the file formats that are supported.
  
The other most common formats are *.TIF, *.BMP, *.PCX, *.CGM and *.WMF.  Most
Windows applications support one or more of these formats.


Issues Exporting
1.  Verify that there is a valid temp drive and that it does not contain any TMP files.  To do this,
exit Windows, and type SET at the DOS prompt.  The location of the TEMP directory will be
displayed.  If not, refer to the Windows manual for instructions about setting up a temp drive.

2.  Ensure that you are not exporting to a file format that does not support the file's properties.
Refer to CorelDRAW online Help for limitations on file filters.

3.  Restart the  computer.

If the error persists after following these steps, refer to the online Help for troubleshooting
General Protection faults.