Corel Photo-Paint
| Company type | Software |
|---|---|
| Industry | Raster graphics editing software |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Products | Corel Photo-Paint |
| Owner | Corel |
| Website | www |
Corel Photo-Paint is a raster graphics editor created and distributed by Corel since 1992. It is designed primarily for users on Windows and Mac OS, with earlier Linux compatibility available through Version 9 using Wine. Its chief rival in the market is Adobe Photoshop.
In 2006, Corel launched version 13, branded as Photo-Paint X3, a naming convention that continued for later editions as well as for CorelDraw, both included within the CorelDraw Graphics Suite. The latest release is Photo-Paint 2024. Additionally, Corel has produced a special edition called Corel Photo-Paint SELECT, which was distributed alongside HP scanning devices such as the HP ScanJet 5p.
Features
The program's proprietary file extension is .CPT, which encapsulates image content along with objects (comparable to layers), colour profiles, text elements, transparency settings, and filter effects.
Photo-Paint supports vector file types from CorelDraw and Adobe Illustrator, as well as widespread raster formats including PNG, JPG, and GIF. It can also open files created in other applications like Photoshop, GIMP, and Corel’s own Paint Shop Pro. The software accommodates plug-ins compatible with Adobe Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro, such as custom brushes.
Versions X6 through X7 introduced support for OpenType font capabilities with advanced filtering options based on weight, width, script compatibility, technology, character sets, and style variations.
Similar to other raster editing tools, Photo-Paint employs multiple editable layers known as objects. Its effects library includes features like Smart Blur (a Gaussian blur that maintains edge sharpness), Mesh Warp, Camera Lens Flare, and Trace Contour. The user interface offers extensive customization options. While vector path editing is somewhat limited, it is supported to a degree. Despite Photoshop’s dominant position in the industry, Photo-Paint continues to be favored by certain professionals for specific tasks.
As a component of the CorelDraw Graphics Suite, Photo-Paint works closely with other suite programs such as Corel Connect (in versions X5–X7) to facilitate file sharing across different devices. Both CorelDraw and Photo-Paint enable copy-pasting that preserves original formatting and effects without requiring conversion.
Automation capabilities are provided through scripting and macros using COREL Script alongside Microsoft’s VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) and VSTA (Visual Studio Tools for Applications). Corel differentiates smaller-scale COREL Script automations as "Scripts," whereas those based on Microsoft technologies are termed "macros."
See also
- Image editing
- Raster graphics
- Digital darkroom
- Graphics file format summary
- Photo manipulation
- Comparison of raster graphics editors