Canvas X Draw Reviews

I began using Canvas in the early 1980's when it was only available only on the Mac. Eventually they created a version of Windows, and it was just in time, because our firm was switching from Macs to PC's in order to gain access to AutoCAD. I never learned to use CAD, but I continued to use Canvas almost daily in my work as a project manager. I also used it at home on my Mac for creating every kind of graphics design from business cards to business logos to birthday cards to architectural sketches and many others. For a while, they stopped selling Canvas for the Mac, but the company continued to support my copy and even sent me upgrades for free. Now they're back on the Mac with Canvas X Draw, and I'm still a loyal user.

I was very sad to see them abandon the Mac, but grateful for their continued support. I've seen tools for distorting raster images (by pulling at the corners) in other packages, even in simple software aps on my iPhone, so I know it's possible, but it is not available in Canvas. It's their glaring gap. Otherwise, for technical illustration, Canvas is just about perfect.

Easy to get started with. Does not require monthly subscription. Many file format options

Difficult learning to use some of the draw tools.

I was pleased to discover Canvas X Draw, a user-friendly vector drawing tool which enables users to craft professional-looking illustrations with minimal effort. The program is equipped with a wide range of features, such as creating and modifying shapes, changing colors, inserting text and effects, and exporting files in a selection of formats. Moreover, it is an excellent choice for crafting logos, illustrations, and other graphics.

Canvas X Draw has limited options for customizing objects, colors, textures, and other design elements.

Canvas is still what [SENSITIVE CONTENT HIDDEN] once called the 'Swiss Army Knife' of graphics programs.

When I was first using the Mac in 1995 I was shocked that between Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop it was impossible to actually send a client a fax using either program. I needed to be able to send sketches with accompanying text. Illustrator wouldn't allow me to enter pixel based images, and when it eventually did I couldn't edit them, and working with type in Photoshop was, and still is, an unintuitive nightmare. Canvas solved that problem brilliantly, allowing me to both edit pixel images and work with blocks of editable text.

Here's a more recent example: clients often send me as a PDF complete designed layouts of packages that need me to add an illustration. If I attempt to open them in Illustrator I'm told I can't because I don't have the fonts. But the default in Canvas has always been to ask if I'd like the fonts converted to outlines, which I immediately do, allowing me to place pixel images that I can still edit in Canvas in the layout and email it back exactly how it will look printed.

Canvas has saved my skin in many other ways as well with its willingness to open and edit such a big variety of files.

The vector tools aren't quite as useful as those in Adobe Illustrator.

The title of this review states the best feature for my use - combination of raster and vector. I typically use Canvas X Draw to develop figures for environmental science/engineering reports. Many figures have a raster base (airphoto, topobase, etc) that I place vector objects and text upon. Sometimes I'll use output from a data graphing program as a vector base, placing vector and text as an overlay. I also benefit from having used the "Canvas product" on the Mac OS for more than 20 years and my familiarity with the user interface.

Minor complaints - (1) page setup (sizing, magnification, etc) could be more user friendly/explicit, (2) the latest version of Canvas X Draw (version 7) keeps asking me for my license key, (3) the Auto Trace function is cumbersome and often doesn't allow me to make editable objects from raster images, (4) the latest version of Canvas X Draw (version 7) does not open some previous "Canvas" formats, (5) conversion from AutoDesk (CAD) formats is quirky.

Canvas Draw provides an excellent tool for design and drawing that includes both Vector and raster graphics capabilities- this was critical to my personal decision because it was required to work with our Laser cutter and 3-D printers.
Additionally it has allowed me to easily take my visions for furniture and such and create layouts for them.

As with any professional software, the learning curve constantly grows as the capabilities expand. As a retired faculty, it takes me longer to acquire the skills necessary to remain fully competent with the software. On the other hand, there are a number of resources to assist with developing the skills needed to make this software function at its optimum level.
The other issue that I am still undecided about is the transition from purchase to subscription software.

I've used Canvas for upwards of 25 years - seriously. I love the combo of vector drawing and bitmap editing, on one canvas. Layout and scaling is so nice. Like a lot of tools, it is how familiar one is with the options (and Canvas has a lot) that matters. It just works when I need to make a graphic for personal or professional use.

Functionally, Canvas hasn't really changed over last 5+ years. I wish the licensing hadn't moved to annual subscription (though I understand). I tend to upgrade mainly for OS compatibility, and now extend my license for same purpose.

I have been very impressed by the continual upgrading of the Canvas Draw products

I have not found any drawbacks to the Canvas Draw products

I like very much to build very simply, quickly and easily moderately complex graphics mixing various componednt soursces as vectorial drawing, JPEG pictures, texts etc. Its very intituitive. There is no equivalent software on Mac. I used all versions of Canvas since 1990 and was very diasapointed by his discontinuation in 2005. I was very happy to find it again in 2015, There was nothing equivalent.

I regret that to buy a lifetime license has disappeard. I prefer to choose when to update than to be forced.

Producing step by step instructions with the layers

I do not having any negative comments about the software. It has been the best for me from the beginning.

The ability to copy and paste equations from WORD

The inability to graph an equation, like y = f(x). This graphic limitation forces me to use a third party product for graphics to follow by a 'copy and paste'.

Canvas is unrivaled in its ease of use in combining vector and image graphics. For presentations, it allows me to combine complicated text and equation (via LaTeX) with detailed graphics from CAD applications to Photoshop images. Output to standard graphics formats works well.

Some features are lacking compared to the Windows version of Canvas or even Canvas X for MacOS, for example Math Expression Plot.

It is free form. For example, using layers you can trace over JPEGs and create a vector object. It can do almost anything you wish to do with a graphic program. It is also fast.

Stability was an issue early on. that has been fixed! It has met all my needs thus far.

All in one capability. It runs native on the Mac.

Photo manipulation is a little long in the tooth compared to some of the new products on the market. Doesn't seem to have all the functionality of the PC version but good enough for my purposes. It doesn't presently run on the iPad but, if it did, it would be super wonderful.

Easy to use
Can be used to review Files sent by AutoCad users

Has occasionally crashed causing me to lose unsaved work