The latest version of Corel’s flagship graphics suite CorelDraw Graphics Suit X4 includes new collaboration features and claimed “seamless compatibility” with arch rival Adobe Creative Suite 3 and its component products.

is also said to be the only product in its class to be certified for Windows Vista, and has widened its file-format support to include Microsoft’s new Open XML, Microsoft Office Publisher, and Autocad’s DXF and DWG.

There’s tight integration with an online tool called ConceptShare that allows dispersed users to work on ideas and designs in real time.

Other new features include an interactive table tool, independent page layers, live text formatting that allows you to se the effect of changes, and an online service that identifies a bit-mapped font for easy matching.

Modules in the X4 suite include: CorelDraw4 for vector graphics and page layout; the Photo-Paint image editor; PowerTrace, which converts bitmaps into vector graphics, and a screen-capture utility. There are also more than 10,000 clip-art images and photographs.

PhotoPaint now supports RAW camera formats and includes a new image-straightening feature and enhanced tone-curve adjustments.

The suite costs £329 inc Vat, and the upgrade is £149.