How to open the CDR format

Some users who deal with images saved in not very common formats, such as CDR, are wondering how to open this file in the Windows operating system. There is a file on your computer with the extension “*.cdr” that needs to be opened for viewing.

The CDR format (CorelDRAW file format) was developed by Corel Corporation for use in its products: CorelDRAW, Corel PaintShop Pro, Corel WordPerfect and so on. A CDR project file saves vector graphics or raster graphics.

Before performing operations with graphic files, you need to consider some nuances before opening the CDR extension in any application on your PC. Keep in mind that this extension also has several other data formats: Macintosh DVD/CD Master, Raw Audio CD, and Crash Data Retrieval files transmitted from sensors on equipment.

These are completely different file types and extensions that are not related to graphic images. Therefore, you should understand what type of data you are encountering on your device before opening the CDR file.

In our case, we need to get an answer to the question of how to open the CDR format on a computer or open a CDR file online when working with graphic data.

CDR is a proprietary format, and it is logical to use CorelDRAW to open it. But the fact is that this is a paid application and for this reason few will be able to use the services of this software. In most cases, the user needs to open a vector image for viewing in a program designed to work with graphic files.

We need to open the CDR for free on PC or using a web application on the Internet. Therefore, the user should find out how to open a CDR file other than Corel. For example, which program to open a CDR or how to open a CDR online.

From this article you will learn about free programs that open CDRs, and you will also try to open CDRs online using a web application hosted on a website on the Internet.

Keep in mind that fairly large files may not open on the online service. These limitations happen due to insufficient power of the web applications on the remote server.

Inkscape - 1 way

Inkscape is a free vector graphics editor. This freely distributed application supports Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.

Inkscape is used to create various types of illustrations and is an analogue of well-known paid products: Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, Xara Xtreme. You can open a CDR file for free in Inkscape, without the need for expensive software.

Go through the steps:

Open Inkscape on your computer.
Enter the "File" menu.
In the context menu, click on “Open...”.
In the “Select a file to open” window, select an image with the “.cdr” extension that is located on your PC.
In the main window, you will see that the program opens the CDR file in its own window.

Inkscape has vector editing tools. You can save the image in one of the supported vector or raster graphics formats, or in a different file type, such as PDF or HTML.

Alternative to CorelDraw

In addition to CorelDraw, there is an alternative tool - Adobe Illustrator.

You cannot work directly with CDRs in Adobe Illustrator. To do this, the drawing must be imported in a different extension - eps or pdf.

There are two options for opening: set a different format in CorelDraw or convert in an online service.

In the first case, open the image in CorelDraw and click "File".
In the drop-down list, select “Publish to PDF.”
Set a new name for the document, select a folder for downloading.
Click "Save".

In the second case, go to the Zamzar website and change the format of the drawing in three steps for further work in Adobe Illustrator.

To upload a file, click "Choose Files".
In the "Convert files to" field, select eps.
Click "Convert". The image will be saved to the Downloads folder.

After that, load the drawing into Illustrator and continue editing.

CDR Viewer - method 2

Idea MK CDR Viewer is a free application specifically designed for viewing CDR files on a PC. The program has a simple interface and works in English.

Do the following:

After launching, in the CDR Viewer program menu, click on the “Open File” button.
In the “Open” window, select a file in CDR format on your PC.

Using the application, you can rotate the image 90 degrees to the right or left, increase or decrease the scale of this graphic object.

The CDR Viewer program allows you to export images to another graphic format. Proceed as follows:

Click on the “Save File” button.
In the Save window, select one of the supported raster formats:

JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF, TIFF.

Save the file on your computer.

Online converters

These are web applications that allow their users to convert a file from one format to another for free or after paying for the selected tariff. Almost all online converters have a free trial period. During such a test, the user can evaluate the functionality of the service by saving the CDR image as a JPG.

Zamzar

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Foreign service for converting files. Supports more than 1100 different formats. Also available as an extension for the Google Chrome browser. In order to convert a vector image, you need to upload the source file on the main page of the service and specify the required format. After clicking on the “Convert Now” button, the conversion of the picture will begin. The procedure takes 10-15 seconds (depending on the size of the source file).

fConvert

Russian-language platform for converting files into various formats. Copes with its task quite quickly. There are no paid plans for this online converter.

One of the advantages of this service is that it allows you to work both with files stored on your computer and those located online.

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LibreOffice DRAW - 3rd method

LibreOffice is a free office suite that is often used as an alternative to Microsoft Office. Along with other tools, there is the LibreOffice DRAW application.

When a user inquires about which program to open a CDR file, they are usually looking for graphics programs rather than office software. LibreOffice includes a drawing tool - a vector graphics editor.

Follow these steps:

Launch LibreOffice DRAW on your computer.
Click on the "File" menu.
In the menu that opens, select “Open...”.
A vector image with the “.cdr” extension will open in the LibreOffice DRAW program window.

You can edit or save the image on your PC in one of the supported formats:

In the “File” menu, click on “Export...”.
In the Export window, select the save location and file type.

Now we will look at how to open a CDR file on a computer using popular programs designed for viewing graphic formats. Please note that such applications only open a preview of a vector image in a non-original size.

You can only see the contents of the picture without details. In some cases, this will be enough to have a general idea of the file.

Open CDR on macOS

Next, we’ll figure out how to open a CDR on Apple computers. Free editor INKSCAPE Draw Freely, similar to Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw. Suitable for beginners and professional designers. For full functionality, you will need the additional UniConvertor utility.

download both programs to your computer. First open UniConvertor;
click the captcha “Start”, then “All Programs”;
here select the folder where INKSCAPE is installed;
the program will start.

To open an illustration, click the “File” button at the top, then “Open”.

The edited document is saved in three options: complete saving under a new name, copy or saving in parts.

XnView - 4th method

XnView is a popular free graphic file viewer. The program supports opening a large number of file types.

Using the application you can open a CDR file in preview mode:

Launch XnView.
From the File menu, select Open....
In the Open Files window, add the desired image.
A preview of the image will open in the program window.

Read more: XnView - a powerful image viewer

Viewing CDRs in XnView

The direct purpose of XnView is to view images in different formats. This is a universal and cross-platform program for opening photos with different extensions. It can be the best photo viewer for Windows or any other platform. In addition, it has the ability to open the CDR for viewing. This can be done even offline, without having to visit sites to play the file. The program is distributed free of charge. You can get it at https://www.xnview.com/en/.

The XnView application can be downloaded by users on Android and IOS mobile platforms. This is not only a program for viewing pictures. It has a built-in editor that can change file sizes, extensions, and adjust brightness and sharpness. The editor is able to apply filters to images. And also process graphic files in batch mode.

XnView stands out because it can detect over 400 image formats. Including CDR files. All these features are contained in a small installation package.

XnView instantly displays a picture on the screen in any format for viewing. In the program, the user can create their own photo albums, as well as improve the quality of images without additional editors, which weigh a lot and consume a lot of RAM. Its capabilities can be listed for a long time. Also worth mentioning is the ability to take screenshots of a computer screen, determine the number of colors in an image, and create HTML albums for posting online.

To this we must add that the program has a convenient and beautiful external shell with intuitive icons and functions. To view CDR files, the program is the best choice on PC and smartphone.

IrfanView - 5th method

IrfanView is a free program for viewing graphics and playing multimedia files on your computer.

You can open a preview of the CDR file in the application:

After starting the program, open the "File" menu.
Click on "Open...".
In the Open window, select the file on your PC.
A preview of the image will appear in IrfanView.

Corel Draw

We open and work with tif format files
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.

Supports a huge number of different files, including those used by programs such as Adobe Photoshop, 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.

Groupdocs.app service - method 6

Groupdocs.app is an Internet service that helps the user open a CDR file online for free. The Online Document Viewer supports opening this type of file.

Do the following:

Log in to the “View CDR online” page using the link: https://products.groupdocs.app/ru-ru/viewer/cdr.
Click in the special area or drag a file from your computer there.

After uploading to the service, a website page will open to view the image.

You can resize the image, download the file to your computer in CDR format, as a ZIP archive with images in PNG format, save as PDF, or send for printing.

Features and formats of vector graphics

Vector graphics work differently. Although sometimes it is difficult to notice the difference with the naked eye. But its characteristic feature is that if you increase its scale to the maximum, you will not see the dots. You will see lines. And if you have looked at any logo or geometric figure, you will think that this is an amazing technology. No matter how close you approach it, the quality will not deteriorate by a single pixel. Of course - after all, it’s not all about the pixels, but about the lines and their programmed bends.

Vector graphics can be found in a wide variety of formats:

.ai is the native format of Adobe Illustrator. It is a competitor to CorelDRAW, a powerful vector graphics editor;
.cdr is the native format of another popular editor - CorelDRAW;
.svg is an open format and is supported by almost any web browser. It is simple; it is impossible to create a complex drawing with a large number of details;
.swf is an Adobe Flash format. The cartoon “Masyanya” and many others were created in this format;
.eps is versatile; many editors work with it. Allows you to create high-quality and accurate images.

Service fviewer.com - 7th method

The online cloud file viewer fviewer.com allows you to open CDRs online for free.

Do the following:

Go to the fviewer website at: https://www.fviewer.com/ru/view-cdr.
On the CDR Viewer page, add a file from your computer to the Browse Local Files area, or use the drag-and-drop mechanism to do so.
In the Browse Online Files area, you can add a link to an image by pasting the URL into the field, and you can choose Low Resolution or High Resolution.
Click on the "View" button.

A new tab with a vector image will open on the service page.

If necessary, you can change the scale of the open picture using the buttons located in the upper right corner of the page.

Online services for viewing and working with CDR files

To open CDR online, you will need a modern browser and a stable Internet connection. Such platforms provide tools for working with vector graphics and raster images, as well as for accepting donations.

Fviewer

This online program for viewing CDR files. The image is loaded on the main page of the online viewer. After adding the original drawing to the service, you can zoom and move around it using the arrows. When uploading a file, select the format and resolution. For example, if your internet speed is poor, you can set the resolution to low so that a smaller version of the vector image will load.

Other Fviewer pages provide converters for other conversion tasks. For example, this service can be used to view office documents or an SVG file. The file opening procedure takes no more than 13 seconds.

Ofoct

Free online graphics converter. Without Russian language support. Among other things, it allows you to edit audio files, use an online calculator, and even try to convert the e-book format into a more well-known one.