wOxxOm's CorelDRAW macros: 2007

[hint] CorelDRAW's Desktop menu launcher

You can customize a menu that appears on rightclicking of CorelDRAW Desktop area even when no documents are opened.

RecentFiles Nov30 - a fix of Nov21 :-)

Last version of RecentFiles macro (Nov21) was locking bitmap image files (except CPT) being previewed, so external writing to them was prohibited. Nov30 version fixes this.

Download

wx_TOOLS :: BitmapsResizer

Added:

wx.BitmapsResizer - to change (all/page/selected) bitmaps' dimensions proportionally (or force the values entered, if both X,Y are non-zero), optionally processes powerclipped contents

[general] Registry optimization tip

Windows Registry contains a lot of orphaned and superfluous information after a few months of usage: recently used files for many apps, not more existing SharedDlls, etc - which is cleaned by many registry cleaning tools.

Yet I've seen no tool to care about:

Orphaned HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface records
sometimes there may exist a lot - check an AHK script to enumerate and delete them
.
Explorer ShellTray notification icons arrangement
as much as 3MB is quite usual :-) check it yourself, run: regedit /e c:\test.reg HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\TrayNotify
then see the size of c:\test.reg file and divide it in two. See the next item for a cure.
.
Explorer wallpapers recently used list
mine was 0.5MB, check it by running: regedit /e c:\test.reg HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Wallpaper
.
here's the reg to clean shelltray and wallpapers MRU list. Paste to notepad and save it to "CleanRegTrayAndWallpapers.reg", type it with quotes(!), then double click it and perform a Windows re-login.
REGEDIT4
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\TrayNotify]
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Wallpaper]

After all these clean-ups the Registry contains a lot of interspersed blocks marked as free, which is not good since new data won't necessarily fit in any of those. So a defragmentation is required, here's IMHO the simplest and fastest tool to do it: One Click Windows Registry Optimizer, 140kb portable version (no installation is required)

RecentFiles Nov21 - show image info + PDF pages

Nov21:

preview bitmap images dimensions, dpi, color mode
PDF mediabox, PDF page count
changed: import of PDF by doubleclick - MultiPage/Groupped question is shown only if PDF file has actually more than 1 page (number of pages is shown on the 'multipage' button)

Download

DRAW 12/X3 UI adjustment effects customization fix

CorelDRAW 12/X3 options' customization doesn't provide some of color adjustment effects for shortcut assignment, there are no labels for them, nowhere, even in 'All commands' section, e.g.Contrast Enhancements (aka Levels), etc. - 12 effects from Adjust menu....

I wouldn't be me if I didn't succeed in tweaking it :-) so it's just one-click away

200k autopatcher CDRAdjustmentEffectsCustomizationEnabler.exe

Now becomes true:

wx_PatchDraw [updated]

New: patch.RenderResolution, on-the-fly change of Render Effects Resolution, dpi
New: patch.AutocenterPowerClipToggle, on-the-fly toggling of "Center new powerclips contents" option
New: patch.NavigatorWindowSize - for X3 & X4, resizes document navigator (50-500, DRAW's default is 150), standard hotkey is "N"
Download test version of the macro
patch.SlowZoomToggle - toggle mousewheel zoom speed (fast, as in X3 default, or slow, as in Draw11). Shift-scrolling speed is also toggled.
patch.ZoomLevelLimitToggle - toggle "Maximum (minimum) zoom level achieved reached" messages.
patch.NodeGlyph2xToggle - toggle double size for nonselected node glyphs in node edit mode. Nodes thus are easier to be seen / work with.
patch.NodeGlyphColoredToggle - toggle node color coding for different types of nodes.
patch.SnapRadiusSet - set userspecified value of gravity of snapping (1..35, default is 10). High value (35) makes it a lot easier to work with guidelines and snap-to-objects
patch.SnapRadiusStd10, SnapRadiusMax35 - 1-click macros to quickly set gravity of snapping to 10 and 35 respectively
patch.CLOLreadToggle - disable reading of ColorStyles from CDR files to speed-up opening
patch.CLOLwriteToggle - disable saving of ColorStyles to CDR files to optimize file size to speed-up saving
patch.CrossHairToggle - fullscreen cross hair mouse pointer
patch.DispImageAntiAliasToggle - antialiasing of bitmaps in enhanced view mode
patch.Setup - configure automatic applying of the settings at startup time. Naturally don't forget to clear the "DelayLoadVBA" checkbox in Tools-Options-VBA - thus actually allowing VBA macros to run at startup.
works with DrawX3sp2 (13.0.0.739)

Download

RecentFiles Nov11 - important fix

Nov 11:

Important fix: skip '..' parent folder on (multiple) file delete.
Today I've just deleted 1.5GB of my very valuable data folder, thanx to file restoring software I immediately got it back :-)
SaveAs invoke mode if form was minimized - fixed: wrong control got focus, now it's file name input field

Download

wx_TOOLS updates: bitmaps, screenscroll, PClipPick

See also: wx_Tools: previous blog post with package description

Fixed: PClipPick bug with screen redraw when no object under mouse

Added:

wx.ZoomOutBack - to replace F3 hotkey, restores old pre-X3 behaviour
wx.OutlineEqualsFill - makes outline color equal to fill. Useful for trace results in X3 to eliminate faint ghostly 'outline'
wx.BitmapsDownsample - resamples bitmaps if its dpi is larger than specified by 20%. Asks dpi # and processes selected / whole doc, including powerclips. Shows per page statistics
wx.BitmapsSetDPI - changes dpi value for bitmaps without resampling. Asks dpi # and processes selected / whole doc, including powerclips. Shows per page statistics.
wx.BitmapsToPowerclips - puts bitmaps into powerclips. Asks bleed # and processes selected / whole doc. Shows per page statistics.
wx.ScrollScreenDown, ...Up ...Left ...Right ...DownRight ...UpRight ...DownLeft ...UpLeft - Scroll by 80% of screen. Assign e.g. to Ctrl-Alt-Numpad keys (1 to 9)

VectorChannelMixer for CMYK [updated]

Updated to not show multiple selection marks while processing.

Download

wx_PatchDraw :: NodeGlyphColoredToggle added

Added new macro to the wx_PatchDraw package.
patch.NodeGlyphColoredToggle - toggle node color coding for different types of nodes.

Download

X3 BIG customize dialog (EN) [updated2]

See updated post: Big options dialogs patch 1.1

wx_TOOLS macro package

The package of versatile handy tools I use currently to slipstream my workflow.

wx.PClipPick - pick a powerclipped shape(s) without entering powerclip editing mode. Works with keyboard assignment only: for example "W" and "Shift-W" (to add to selection). Repeat the macro to pick nested shapes.
wx.InvertSelection - invert shapes selection
wx.ZoomOutBack - to replace F3 hotkey, restores old pre-X3 behaviour
wx.CreateFountain - to quickcreate complex fountain fills - select a few uniformly filled shapes, invoke the macro, pick the target shape which will be painted with a fountain fill consisting of the selected colors.
Updated to preserve angle and space between source swatches
wx.selectComplexCurves - to find shapes with number of nodes greater than specified
wx.selectSameFillColor, wx.selectSameFillAndOutline, wx.selectSameOutline, wx.selectSameDialog - selects ungroupped shapes with same fill/outline colors. Enable keyboard ScrollLock led to specify sensitivity (negative values allow selection inside groups)
wx.transparentEdge - create feathered edges for simple shapes (quirky)
wx.PasteAtMouse - paste the clipboard at mouse position
wx.ForEach - repeat last standard transform (repeatable usually with Ctrl-R) for the selection of multiple shapes individually for each (each repetition creates its 'undo' record)
wx.OutlinesToQ_KillEmpty - converts outlines to curves and deletes original shapes if it has no fill
wx.sizePagetoFIT - resizes page to fit objects + user specified gap
wx.selectSmallObjects - select objects smaller than user specified threshold
wx.outlineBehind - enable outline behind. Shift-click to disable
wx.OutlineIncrease & OutlineDecrease - change selected shapes' outlines width. Each width is changed individually which allows changing of different widths in one selection. I have it on Ctrl-Alt-Up & Down
wx.OutlineEqualsFill - makes outline color equal to fill. Useful for trace results in X3 to eliminate faint ghostly 'outline'
wx.GuideHorizontal, GuideVertical - create guide at mouse cursor. Assign to a hotkey
wx.BlendSplit - splits blend at position under mouse cursor. Invoke via hotkey only
wx.pageNamesAsNumbers - remove page names ("Page #") so that only numbers remain.
wx.dupOnNextPage - quick copying of selection to the next page (no clipboard usage). Layers currently are merged.
wx.TextToCurves - text to curves (also powerclipped) throughout whole document or selection only.
wx.ConvertShapesToCMYK - converts shapes and bitmaps to CMYK (selected/whole doc)
wx.BitmapsDownsample - resamples bitmaps if its dpi is larger than specified by 20%. Asks dpi # and processes selected / whole doc, including powerclips. Shows per page statistics
wx.BitmapsSetDPI - changes dpi value for bitmaps without resampling. Asks dpi # and processes selected / whole doc, including powerclips. Shows per page statistics.
wx.BitmapsToPowerclips - puts bitmaps into powerclips. Asks bleed # and processes selected / whole doc. Shows per page statistics.
wx.BitmapsResizer - to change (all/page/selected) bitmaps' dimensions proportionally (or force the values entered, if both X,Y are non-zero), optionally processes powerclipped contents
wx.ScrollScreenDown, ...Up ...Left ...Right ...DownRight ...UpRight ...DownLeft ...UpLeft - Scroll by 80% of screen. Assign e.g. to Ctrl-Alt-Numpad keys (1 to 9)

Purchase at MacroMonster.com

workspace UI storage cleanup

Test version which helps greatly maintaining large customized UI workspaces.

You need it when it takes too long to open options's customization list (more than 1-2 seconds) which occures usually after a few months of moderate UI customizing.
The macro works from inside of Draw as usual gms do, and optimizes UI .xml storage
c:\Documents and Settings\**XPaccount**\
Application Data\Corel\Graphics13\User Workspace\CorelDRAW\
**WorkspaceName**\DRAWUIConfig.xml
Keeps your custom icons, hotkey assignments, customized names for macros
Removes temporary duplicates of macro definitions which is the real cause of fat XML file.

Usage: run macro, close Draw, backup old XML, rename the optimized file to DRAWUIConfig.xml

Download: wx_UICleanXML

GMStools

I want to facilitate GMS usage and here is the pilot project wx_GMStools.

load a gms from anywhere by just drag'n'drop and make it available for running/editing in this session only
load and copy gms to standard Draw gms folder
rebuild a gms file to reduce its size before distribution. Works better than File->Save and produces files much smaller in case of complex project structure.
create an empty gms without restarting Draw
works with DRAW v12/X3/X4

Download: wx_GMStools

RecentFiles--July03 :: import like Draw

July03:

Importing via RF - mouse click to set X/Y position or to keep embedded (useful for vector formats) or to force page center
import 'PSInterpreted' :: save user's answer and keep it for all selected
folder in saveAs mode is remembered for new files just created
Ghostscript dll path in Options

Jun10:

PDF, PS, AI, PRN, EPS thumbnails displayed. GhostScript is required for most part

Download RecentFiles

Previous changes:

May31: PickFolder function fixed, broken May27
May29: fmtnum1 syntax error fixed, thx Matthew! (the error occured only if CDRinfo is enabled)
May27: in SaveAs mode: doubleclick a file in folderpane to save into (overwrite warning displayed)

May16
New folder creation (F7 or rightclick menu)
Default version for saving setup (click v:>>)
Notes/Keywords editing on save (click ©)
Min/Max/Close mouse hiliting

May14
closing by X fixed when in quicksearch editbox.
closing maximized window - size & layout saved correctly now

May10: CorelDRAW 11 compatibility fixed

May 8: New options:
Button pictures toggle
Icons in folder pane toggling
Coloring of files (cdr/image/folder) toggle

MacroInstaller :: MenuBar expanded

Now I have found how to make subMenu's visible for VBA macro so it's possible to use the MacroInstaller to add buttons inside submenus such as File, Edit, Layout, Bitmaps, etc.

to expand submenus: Click 'expand MenuBar' button

Download

wx_ImportWithName easy autotagger

Provides a way to import files retaining source name & path of the file in statusbar and object manager — just drag'n'drop files on the macro window, from any Explorer folder (do not use File-Import dialog)

hold Alt to ignore forceDpi, hold Ctrl to specify ForceDpi
Right-click the window to set options and lookup help
Screen position of macro window will be remembered.
StatusBar widths saving (rightclick the macro window), to make dpi visible in statusbar: remove 'HelpInfo' field, re-arrange 'ObjDetails' & 'ObjInfo' widths and position, enable StatusBar saving in rightclick macro menu

Before:
After:

Download

sameColorSelect + wx_TransparentEdge

SameColorSelect: sameColorSelect.exe

ColorSel.selectSameFillColor - selects objects with same fill color as current shape's
ColorSel.selectSameOutline - same outline color
ColorSel.selectSameFillAndOutline - same fill and outline colors
ColorSel.selectSameDialog - see picture
invoke the dialog, set the options, further calls to selectSame... 1-click macros will use the settings

Transparent edge (vector / bitmap, 1 object, no groups): wx_TransparentEdge.exe

Live preview

AutoDPI for imported bitmaps (72dpi fix)

wx.setDpi - sets dpi value (without resampling) for bitmaps (selected/page)

wx.setDpiSetup - setup of automatic dpi setting for any imported bitmaps (0 = disable).

p.s. Installation routine enables VBA macros to initialize at DRAW's startup (thus providing the macro's behaviour immediately after launch of DRAW) by unchecking VBAdelayLoad option, available also in Tools->Options->VBA.

Download

Paste at mouse position, updated

Superseded by wx_TOOLS package :: wx.PasteAtMouse

ScatterToNewLayers updated

macro updated: MacroInstaller

RecentFiles--Mar29

enhanced macro: ShowLayer

new macro in the wx_ShowLayer package:
ActivateLayerSetup - settings for layer autoactivation on shape selection
CorelDRAW caption info: ActiveLayer, ColorProfile, short DocumentName
Layer activation behaviour extended via the new setup macro
Simplifies work in multilayered document

Download

updated macro: wx_MacroInstaller

updated macro: Bitmap Multipage Export

Updated for compatibility with CorelDRAW12

Still doesn't run in CD11 :-(

Download

updated macro: Bitmap Multipage Export

new buttons for page selection: None & Current (page)
progress bar is displayed during export
last used folder is moved on top of folders list on successful export operation
last used folder is restored on next run of the macro

Download

Show/hide UI elements + toolbars locking

• wx.ShowHideToolbars one-click macro to toggle visibility of UI elements such as toolbars, palettes, menu, rulers, guides, dockers (also docked to a dockers shuffler). May apply to window captions of nonmaximized document windows (tiled/cascaded) if AppCaption option is enabled (see below), also autosizes such windows to right/bottom to fully occupy application's MDI area.
Assign it to ~ or Alt-~ or Ctrl-~ for example.

Updated: reliably toggles dockers panel (also X4) and KEEPS CURRENT ZOOM LEVEL RATIO and ARTWORK PHYSICAL ON-SCREEN POSITION!

• wx.SetupShowHideToolbars - shows options dialog where you can setup what UI elements will be toggled

• wx.DockersShufflerToggle - toggles all dockers pane (handy for a keyboard hotkey assignment)

• wx.guidesToggleEdit - toggles guides editability

• wx.LockToolbars & wx.UnlockToolbars - locks/unlocks toolbars so they won't move by accidental inaccurate click.

Important note for locking of toolbars: since it's undocumented you will have to use a Repair button (wx.SetupShowHideToolbars) to restore visibility of the list of your custom toolbars, this is easy:
1. lock toolbars, restart DRAW so that locking state is written to workspace on exit
2. start DRAW, run wx.SetupShowHideToolbars, click Repair button, click "Open" in the xml selection dialog, now a new window for the folder with xmls is opened - you'll need it later
3. exit DRAW and manually backup your old DRAWUIConfig.xml, delete it from the original folder and rename the fixed xml (with "fixed" word in name) to DRAWUIConfig.xml

Download

Emergency restoring of menu visibility if you cannot relaunch the macro using keyboard shortcut:
1. press and hold Alt key (all the time to last step)
2. rightclick empty space in document window
3. in menu that appeared, rightclick any item
4. enable "Menu" (usual leftclick)
5. release Alt

macro: Linked bitmaps 100% view

Imports source image for every linked image shape in selection/page.
After viewing press CtrlZ to remove.

Download

PhotoPAINTmaximizer, SaveOLDversion

PhotoPAINTmaximizer - opens maximized PhotoPAINT window for current bitmap shape. Customizable. Download
SaveOLDversion - silently saves a document in its previous (original) version (7.0-13.0). Customizable ;-) Download