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So far importing vector files created in Corel Draw into KoolMoves has been antsy at best. The EPS and Enhanced Meta File types do not import well. Only WMF do import but the line widths come out at 8. In Corel Draw they are set to a line width of one. I hope future versions of KoolMoves will allow more seamless importation of Corel Draw files, especially in the native DRW formatt.
-Herb
I am going to let Johnie address this in more depth. Johnie knows which programs produce true vector graphics output. Many produce bitmap output. KoolMoves does internal scaling to make the drawing fit the screen and maybe it is not scaling line widths. You might see what kind of resolution you are using in Corel Draw. If it is print resolution that might be the cause of the problem.
The best apps that faithfully convert over to KM with import are Star Draw (after it has been vectorized), RealDraw Pro, and Metafile creator.
Also, if I am not mistaken, All KM vector import options ignore the text and Raster info or it did at one time.
The worst are Microsoft Office products, in Paticular Power Point, and Adobe Illustrator which both almost completly use Bitmap Info in their files. If you want to Convert These Files to SWF Honestly your best option is Corel Presentations 10 for PPT and for Corel Draw- which can export directly as SWF, the most faithfull Import of the files is Corel RAVE, part of Corel Graphic Studio 10, and for Illustrator Files- welll Illustrator exports Directly to SWF and Adobe Live Motion Faitfully imports the other files, as both Corel and Adobe have made their SWF Authoring tools Optimized for their drawing tools. Why Microsoft does not offer a Direct SWF Export from Power Point is beyond me, perhaps they are trying to push MS Producer and VML, but I have tried all the Power Point Add Ins and PPT 2 SWF converters and none of them worked as well as Corel Presentations 10.
To be completly honest I have not found that Clipart of any nature is in your best intrest... Why?
Becuase almost always it is not Optimized for SWF output. Almost every Drawing program export or metafile that I have imported had way to many points and shapes to be of any real signifigant use. I have also found this to be true in all SWF Authoring tools, including Flash, that allow Vector import. Most Drawing programs have way to much information in the drawings to be usefull as an Optimized SWF.
The most useful thing I have found is to draw internally in KoolMoves using the Trace Bitmap option if I wish to trace as this way you can control the point to shape ratio.
As far as furthering the WMF and other Vector import functions to allow text and bitmap info... well it can be done... It's just a matter of doing it which is easier said than done.
I agree with johnie,
Import clipart (wmf) is not the way to go if you really want control of the clipart.
I find it much easier creating my own images. There are a whole lot less points to move around if you want to edit the image.
Importing images creates tons of points.
Try to reshape the image and see how long it takes to move a lot of points... yuck.
And, if you're not an artist. You can import a bmp-jpg and draw right over the image using KM drawing tools. We around here refer to it as "tracing".
The concept is kinda like taking a picture and putting tracing paper over it and drawing (tracing) on the paper.
Thanks
I am an artist and have done all my vector work in Corel Draw. I currently use Corel Draw 9. I in fact do my sketches in pencil first and then scan to a bitmap which I import to Corel Draw and trace with vectors. I use as few nodes as possible often using two to three per curve.
I have noticed the input from Corel Draw not looking smooth in KoolMoves and I have tried drawing directly in KoolMoves. But KoolMoves' drawing tools are not easy to use. Especially in tweaking curves using the control nodes. For some reason it takes several mouse clicks before I can grab a node. In Corel Draw the pointer changes when you known you are over a node to grab it. To be honest I find drawing with Corel Draw much easier than with KoolMoves. I'm sure there are many here who would dispute that. But this statement is based on my own experience.
-Herb
Solving the import problems are difficult. Solving the drawing tool problems are probably easier. If you send me an email of what needs to be improved in that area or post the improvements here, I will fix the problems as best as I can. I can make the cursor change over a point. I already do that for certain point operations. You might also increase the point selection area under Points. Exporting as wmf or dxf has always been the most reliable. Every Flash tool has a certain niche and we would like to think that drawing is one of our strong areas so I have an incentive to implement your improvements. I hope you show us some of your work you create with KoolMoves.
I really like how easy it was to get into making animations with Koolmoves right away. It does have a very intuitive interface, unlike Moho which was so difficult to use. I will give Koolmoves drawing tools a chance. And I do have plans to to make some very interesting animations with it. I'm more of a traditional cartoon animator rather than one who creates purely web content. Check my profile and find the link to my home page to see the kind of graphic art I have done.
If I see where Koolmoves can be improved I will certainly let you know. From what I have seen this program is worth more than the $35 to register it. Kudos on a great application.
-Herb