All Canvas X Draw Reviews
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Anthony J
Verified reviewer
Civil Engineering, 201-500 employees
Used weekly for more than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
5
EASE OF USE
5
VALUE FOR MONEY
5
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
5
FUNCTIONALITY
5
Reviewed April 2022
Canvas
I work in product design, engineering and manufacturing. Canvas allows me a consistent way to communicate thru the lifecycle, and share that in an effective way with my eco-partners.
PROSI've used canvas since Deneba Software developed it. A cross platform, easy to use, raster/vector design package was revolutionary then, and is now. Team supports new tool development, and has my loyalty. The full package.
CONSMy yearly subscription seems to be mixed up, but nothing to do with the SW. IT ROCKS.
Reasons for switching to Canvas X Draw
Integrated functionality.
Steven
Biotechnology, 1 employee
Used weekly for more than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
5
EASE OF USE
5
VALUE FOR MONEY
5
FUNCTIONALITY
5
Reviewed February 2021
CanvasXDraw is the best there is for scientific drawings
I use LibreOffice, and CXD's ability to output SVG files is extremely important.
PROSI use CXD for making scientific/optical drawings for books that I write and for classes that I teach. It does exactly what I want in that it's easy to use, precise, and has the features that I need for my technical drawings. I've tried the other drawing packages, and CXD is by far the easiest. It is intuitive, unlike all others that I've tried. I've used versions of Canvas on my Mac for decades, and I am extremely happy with it, even after all these years.
CONSI have a difficult time coming up with something that I don't like about it. If anything I'd like custom Arrows to be easier to make.
Reasons for switching to Canvas X Draw
CXD is so much easier, but has for me the same required features.
Tom
Higher Education, 201-500 employees
Used more than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
3
EASE OF USE
3
VALUE FOR MONEY
3
FUNCTIONALITY
4
Reviewed February 2021
My go to tool for technical illustrations
I have been using Canvas for over 30 years. Over time, it has become more complex with a more cluttered interface. But it remains at its core, a wonderful tool for producing technical illustrations. And it remains my go to tool for creating maps and geologic sections.
CONSCurrently there is a limit on the size of files that you can open in Canvas Draw. You cannot open files that are 2 Gb or larger. The problem is that you can build and save a document in Canvas Draw that exceeds this limit. If you save it as a 1.9 Gb file you can open that, but once it gets larger than 2 Gb, it no longer opens. Most users will never encounter this, but I did.
Kaitlyn
Apparel & Fashion, 11-50 employees
Used weekly for less than 12 months
OVERALL RATING:
5
EASE OF USE
4
VALUE FOR MONEY
3
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
4
FUNCTIONALITY
5
Reviewed July 2022
Awesome design software
I like Canvas X Draw and it's more professional and precise than previous products that we had used. We were able to create beautiful high quality designs for our business and our events. There are occasionally some technical issues however they don't impact it in an extreme way. I would recommend it!
PROSThe best thing is that it has a lot of capabilities but is still simple to use. We were able to create our own designs instead of paying someone else to do it. Learning tools are offered and are very helpful if you're beginner to intermediate level. The vector is strong and allows for precision which is vital. We actually used this software to make our logo and it turned out great.
CONSThe only con is that there are some malfunctions. The toolbox jumps all over the screen and sometimes I can't use it at all. Sometimes when trying to import a PDF it fails or takes a long time.
Reason for choosing Canvas X Draw
The prices were affordable with Canvas and we loved the demo
Terry
Higher Education, 1,001-5,000 employees
Used weekly for more than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
4
EASE OF USE
5
VALUE FOR MONEY
5
FUNCTIONALITY
4
Reviewed January 2021
Canvas X Draw
Have used Canvas for about 20 years, still like it.
PROSIntuitive interface, vector graphics, ease of use, ability to combine bit mapped images with vector graphics. An intuitive interface makes it easy to create scale-diagrams, where you specify precise size of each object. For example, furniture/equipment layout in a room or shop, design of furniture, landscaping layout, etc. Wide variety of file output options.
CONSPrevious version of the program had some stability issues. So far, X Draw seems stable.
Reason for choosing Canvas X Draw
I find Illustrator to not be as intuitive as Canvas. Also is not as easy to create scale diagrams.
Frank
Higher Education, 5,001-10,000 employees
Used daily for more than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
5
EASE OF USE
5
VALUE FOR MONEY
5
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
5
FUNCTIONALITY
5
Reviewed February 2021
Canvas on the Mac is Back to Excellence
I have been using Canvas since 1989. It has been a great companion for all my illustrations in presentations and publications. I highly recommend Canvas X Draw To students, particularly in science and engineering. I am very pleased that Canvas GFXis reaching out to customers and making great efforts to further improve it. Already at this point, it is very clear that Canvas is not only back on the Mac, but much better than any version we ever had on the Mac before.
PROSCanvas X Draw is easy to use, but it can also do very sophisticated things that you will explore as you need them, e.g. sprite effects, replication with transformation, advanced selections in pixel graphics, intersections of objects, etc etc. One great strength of Canvas X Draw is the ability to draw with high precision, enabled by inspectors that display and accept numerical input for object shapes. Another great strength of Canvas X Draw is the easy combination of vector graphics with pixel graphics and text. Further, the organization of documents into layers and pages enables great functionality.
CONSMy biggest dislike is that there is still no shortkey like OS X's "Cmd-~" to quickly switch between different tabs/windows. Generally, it would do Canvas X Draw good to allow more functions to be accessed through user-defined shortkeys and let users choose between "original" and more "modern-Mac-OS-X-like" key functionality. In modern OS X, for example, you can add to a selection by holding down the Command Key, while Canvas X Draw still uses the historic shift key for that purpose. A great addition would be to improve the current pixel map so that is fast enough for handwriting and drawing, e.g. similar to what Sketchbook can do. Then we could use Canvas X Draw in online meetings to quickly sketch or write. Currently, we can generate pixel maps and write on them with a pen, but this is too slow and the pen is not very versatile. Finally, I dislike that it is so difficult and time consuming to transfer an existing subscription between different computers. If this is "salesmanship" intended to urge users to buy several subscriptions at the same time, then additional subscriptions should at least be generously discounted. Adobe does a much better job in this regard with their Creative Cloud subscriptions.
Tom
Design, 1 employee
Used daily for more than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
5
EASE OF USE
5
VALUE FOR MONEY
3
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
4
FUNCTIONALITY
5
Reviewed February 2021
Last update wouldn't work under Mac OS Big Sur 11.1 but this has since been fixed.
As I said, I've been using canvas since version 2.2 and have many of my life-projects built on it. With each new versions I typically don't find the improvements all that important, but I understand that you have to keep offering new versions to make a profit. Perhaps it just that my needs are fairly simple and the further refinements are not that critical.
PROSI love Canvas as a program. I've used in since version 2.2...like from the beginning, but since I upgraded top Canvas X with an update earlier in the year, Canvas X wouldn't work at all on my machine. Fortunately I still had Canvas Draw 6 installed on my machine and it would open all my Canvas document irrespective of what version they were originally created in...I especially like this universal compatability among versions...unlike, say MS Word, Xcel and other programs that essentially orphan projects as they move to new versions of their software
CONSObviously I didn't like it when Canvas X failed to function for me but you seemed to have fixed the problem. I do often have problems with page set-up issues. It seems like to have the select paper size, orientation, scale etc in numerous menus for it to print properly. Mostly I guess an interface problem on my part. It would be nice if the fill patterns would scale with the rest of the drawing...like you use one of the diagonal; brick patterns but depending on what view of magnification you have open, the pattern does not stay consistent with the reality you are trying to display.
Reasons for switching to Canvas X Draw
They were too primitive. I tried the early Adobe illustrator and several CAD programs but they were all too huge, too expensive and non-intuitive and the CAD programs didn't have the flexibility of Canvas. My favorite course in high school (early 1960s) was mechanical drawing, and Canvas essentially lets me use those same skills, concepts and spacial understanding to perform the same functions...and of course, easier to edit, and with more precision.
Richard
Health, Wellness and Fitness, 10,000+ employees
Used weekly for more than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
4
EASE OF USE
3
VALUE FOR MONEY
5
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
4
FUNCTIONALITY
4
Reviewed February 2021
The Good and the Bad
Was able to present scientific data in ways that incorporated enhanced information, and easily printed out for documentation. Also, for producing patterns and special effects beyond most expectations for hobbies. Only pulled out a few hand-fulls of sparsely remaining hair due to new bugs.
PROSProfessionally, I used Canvas (Mac) for making slides used for many technical presentations, ranging from small groups to international symposia. Using Canvas enabled me to do many things that Pages, for example, cannot do to enhance the scientific content. For personal use, Canvas is really a great way to produce patterns and templates for one of my hobbies, wood carving. The ability to adjust transparency, to excise portions of photographs, and test different color schemes is a great advantage in all aspects. Customizing various insignia, for example, is a great advantage in carving walking sticks for military veterans.
CONSThere has always been a completely new set of bugs in every updated version. For example, in the current version, switching from pages often also triggers unwanted magnification changes. I was touching up a pattern I had drawn using the spray paint tool and the screen immediately changed to a chaotic patchwork! Cmd-z reversed this, and a second attempt worked just fine. Also, the use of the MySymbols folder has to be added after updates, this should be part of the installation process. Replies of questions for support problems don't work, as I found out very recently, leaving me to have to stop work and find an alternative fix. Some of the tools, such as Effects-> Extrude are not well explained, and require much experimentation to use successfully . I suppose it is futile to bemoan the absence of obtaining a printed manual of how to use the various features, as opposed to trying to navigate the net Help index. Even formatting your Help pages to enable easy printing would be a benefit. I cannot help but conclude that new versions are poorly tested.
Emmanuella
Verified reviewer
Hospital & Health Care, 51-200 employees
Used daily for more than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
4
EASE OF USE
4
FUNCTIONALITY
4
Reviewed March 2023
Canvas x draw Review
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.
CONSCanvas X Draw has limited options for customizing objects, colors, textures, and other design elements.
Anonymous
11-50 employees
Used weekly for less than 6 months
OVERALL RATING:
5
EASE OF USE
5
VALUE FOR MONEY
5
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
5
FUNCTIONALITY
4
Reviewed February 2021
Solid drawing package for Mac
Overall the product fills a niche need between a Powerpoint and an Autocad in a very elegant and simple way, without the complexity of an Illustrator, which is why I have used it for so long.
PROSI am a longtime user for Canvas for Mac dating to the 1990's. It has long been for me the best option for engineering drawings and annotations. I use Canvas for generating block diagrams, patent illustrations, and generally drawings that don't require a full CAD package like Autocad, but beyond what a Powerpoint can do. I also use it for imaging editing. It is still the best option on the Mac even after these years. It's important to me to have a standalone product on my Mac rather than a web based product like a SmartDraw for sensitive drawings I don't feel comfortable with in a web based environment. For many of my drawings I need precision and Canvas has always done a great job with that. This latest version of Canvas X Draw for Mac is still super fast, still easy to use, excellent quality. I use it all of the time, important part of the overall tools I use to generate customer product. I also appreciate that they do offer a non-subscription version of the product. So far the customer service has also been excellent and very responsive.
CONSCanvas has gone through many owners (Deneba, ACD, now Canvas GFX). One of the things lost since the Deneba days were the excellent tutorial products. The current owners are trying to rebuild the tutorials through some very good videos, but they have a ways to go given the tremendous number of detailed tools that Canvas possesses. Sometimes there is a particular look I'm trying to achieve and historically these tutorials have been super valuable in helping me figure out how to achieve that look.
Gary
Environmental Services, 2-10 employees
Used daily for more than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
4
EASE OF USE
4
VALUE FOR MONEY
5
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
5
FUNCTIONALITY
4
Reviewed February 2021
The Best Draw Program for the Mac
Very positive. It works great with the Mac and has excellent customer support. And it is easy to use, especially for new users.
PROSVery intuitive tools, nice presenation And the user base was easy to access and to deauthorize/authorize.
CONSDeinstalling older versions was not easy to do.
Reason for choosing Canvas X Draw
Poor user base, not much documentation
Paul
Education Management, 2-10 employees
Used weekly for more than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
4
EASE OF USE
4
VALUE FOR MONEY
5
FUNCTIONALITY
5
Reviewed February 2021
Canvas Draw for Education
I have used Canvas Draw on the Mac ever since it came out in the 90's. I have used every version developed for the Mac since 1.0 I operated a hands-on mathematics assembly program in K–8 schools using HUNDREDS of instruction handouts. I have used the vector, raster, and presentation features of to make 12 to 24 student graphic oriented task cards for each of over 60 math activity stations. It's been rare that I find something I can't do in Canvas Draw.
PROSI like that it contains features of vector, raster, and presentation graphics all in one program.
CONSA single license only allows a user to install and use the software on one computer. I use two, a laptop and a desktop computer, so only allowing use on one is very limiting for me since I switch back and forth. Users should be allowed two installations.
Reasons for switching to Canvas X Draw
There was a couple years where the Canvas Draw was not updated and no longer worked on the current Mac IOS. For those years I was forced to use Illustrator and Photoshop. Though I still use Illustrator and Photoshop, I still prefer Canvas and usually turn to it first for a new project.
Laura
Computer Software, 2-10 employees
Used weekly for more than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
4
EASE OF USE
4
VALUE FOR MONEY
5
FUNCTIONALITY
5
Reviewed February 2021
Combines the two other graphics programs I was using
Easy to learn and use.
PROSI started using Canvas 30 years ago instead of illustrator. I Love Canvas vs Photoshop and Illustrator which I still have to use sometimes when it is required for advertising, etc. Much prefer to use Canvas and I wish it were more widely used by Printers. It is so much easier to use and learn than either Photoshop or Illustrator. That files can be saved in so many formats is a plus. I haven't tried with the animated GIF's yet. For advertising, I am able to get the file sizes smaller than Illustrator, InDesign etc.
CONSIn some ways I miss the old Canvas 10. This Canvas quits on me sometimes with larger files. Very little to complain about with this app. Doesn't have the same intuitiveness that the old Canvas had when doing large documents or manuals.
Reason for choosing Canvas X Draw
It was deemed an excellent product and alternative to Illustrator, PageMaker, etc. when it first came out 30 years ago.
Andrew L
Fine Art, 11-50 employees
Used monthly for more than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
5
EASE OF USE
5
VALUE FOR MONEY
4
FUNCTIONALITY
5
Reviewed February 2021
Canvas Draw
Other than the learning curve previously mentioned, I have had no serious difficulties with this software.
PROSCanvas 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.
CONSAs 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.
Reasons for switching to Canvas X Draw
I was never fully satisfied with using CorelDraw but had used Canvas when it was a MacOS Avilable product. When Canvas Draw became available, I took advantage of the trial offer and found it more to my experiential liking. That contributed to my decision to subscribe.
Kerry Patrick
Music, 1 employee
Used weekly for more than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
5
EASE OF USE
4
VALUE FOR MONEY
5
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
5
FUNCTIONALITY
5
Reviewed February 2021
LOVE THIS SOFTWARE!!!!
As a LONG time user... found this software while I was still using a desktop Macintosh:-) I have found it to be extremely flexible and my one-stop-software for designing everything I need as a singer-songwriter. Graphics for website. Memes. Banners for social media. Posters, flyers. CD packaging! I simply love this software:-)
PROSBack and available for Macintosh users! It's a combination, page layout, graphic design, word/text creation and editing and a photo/art toolkit ALL wrapped into one!
CONSHonestly, there is nor has been much. The biggest challenge I have had with this software was removing Macintosh users availability (which is now back... THANK YOU!) The only other challenge I have had with this software are the crashes and issues with remembering my user name/PW combination. This was early in the Mac reintroduction. I've not experience these lately.
John
Graphic Design, 2-10 employees
OVERALL RATING:
5
EASE OF USE
5
VALUE FOR MONEY
4
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
5
FUNCTIONALITY
5
Reviewed February 2021
A Pro App combining vector and rastor tools
Maps via desktop tracing and redrawing and integrating with say Open source software (although GIS option if cheaper wouod be great). Book illustrations, charts, graphics, logo making, posters and exhibition displays. Good colour mangement. Good file import not in Canvas Draw Mac ie Shape and SVG files. On Mac version I was having trouble with gradient fills and HTM exports plus othjer crashes when using measurements. But since Beta for Draw 2 these have been improved so happy (VERY) to stay Mac.
PROSFor me the polygon drawing tools. The ability to add a GIS componemt for mapping. The variety of cvtools and their intuitive implementation and ease of use.
CONSExport to HTML (web pages). At one tome it was leading edge but has not develped. The three choices and how it implements CSS, centre and normal all have imperfctions ie fuzzy fonts unless you tell it never to render, inconsistent URL links, loss over earlier versions maintaining list of URLs used, sometimes does not make link on htm/html page. Unable to set htm or html as preference.
Reason for choosing Canvas X Draw
Familiarity of use from Draw 3.9 and variety of inport/export files.
Thomas
Pharmaceuticals, 11-50 employees
Used weekly for more than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
5
EASE OF USE
4
VALUE FOR MONEY
5
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
4
FUNCTIONALITY
5
Reviewed February 2021
The Swiss Army knife that just works
I know it so well, it is almost always a good experience.
PROSI'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.
CONSFunctionally, 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.
Dennis
Architecture & Planning, 1 employee
Used daily for more than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
5
EASE OF USE
5
VALUE FOR MONEY
5
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
5
FUNCTIONALITY
5
Reviewed January 2021
Love it
I have been utilizing some form of Canvas since its original version. Have switched over to the Mac format since Canvas Draw 1
PROSI have been very impressed by the continual upgrading of the Canvas Draw products
CONSI have not found any drawbacks to the Canvas Draw products
Reasons for switching to Canvas X Draw
Cost and functions
Olivier
Health, Wellness and Fitness, 1 employee
Used weekly for more than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
5
EASE OF USE
4
VALUE FOR MONEY
4
FUNCTIONALITY
5
Reviewed February 2021
Happy Mac user of Canvas draw
Very positive since the beggining. I was never disapointed. I got always what I was waiting for.
PROSI 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.
CONSI regret that to buy a lifetime license has disappeard. I prefer to choose when to update than to be forced.
Cathy
Design, 1 employee
Used daily for more than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
5
EASE OF USE
5
VALUE FOR MONEY
5
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
5
FUNCTIONALITY
5
Reviewed January 2021
Designing
I have designed needlework patterns and sold them worldwide since 1991. I have always used Canvas.
PROSProducing step by step instructions with the layers
CONSI do not having any negative comments about the software. It has been the best for me from the beginning.
Zivan
Higher Education, 501-1,000 employees
Used weekly for more than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
5
EASE OF USE
4
VALUE FOR MONEY
4
FUNCTIONALITY
4
Reviewed February 2021
Excellent drafting program for MAC users
I've a MAC computer and use CANVAS X Draw for technical publications, proposals, and book chapters.
PROSThe ability to copy and paste equations from WORD
CONSThe 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'.
Reason for choosing Canvas X Draw
Based on my extensive and satisfied use of CANVAS, I've used it continuously during the years.
Reasons for switching to Canvas X Draw
just a platform switch (I previously used Parallel on my MAC)
Shigeyuki
Research, 10,000+ employees
Used weekly for more than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
4
EASE OF USE
5
FUNCTIONALITY
4
Reviewed January 2021
Canvas user since version 3.5
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.
CONSSome features are lacking compared to the Windows version of Canvas or even Canvas X for MacOS, for example Math Expression Plot.
Leslie
Individual & Family Services, 2-10 employees
Used daily for less than 12 months
OVERALL RATING:
4
EASE OF USE
4
VALUE FOR MONEY
4
FUNCTIONALITY
4
Reviewed February 2021
Using Canvas X Draw
Overall, I love the program. But in my use, I have just scratched the surface of what it is capable of.
PROSIt 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.
CONSStability was an issue early on. that has been fixed! It has met all my needs thus far.
Reason for choosing Canvas X Draw
Price and features
Geoffrey
Aviation & Aerospace, 11-50 employees
Used weekly for more than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
4
EASE OF USE
5
VALUE FOR MONEY
4
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
4
FUNCTIONALITY
5
Reviewed January 2021
Best all around Mac graphics app.
It's like the Swiss Army knife of graphics apps for the Mac.
PROSAll in one capability. It runs native on the Mac.
CONSPhoto 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.
Daniel
Facilities Services, 11-50 employees
Used weekly for less than 6 months
OVERALL RATING:
5
EASE OF USE
5
VALUE FOR MONEY
5
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
5
FUNCTIONALITY
5
Reviewed February 2021
Simple Project Plans
We save a ton of money by being able to do our design work in house and not going to a vender to provide this service. Besides the maintenance projects that I design I also use this program to create and maintain our school maps which include the school site layout, utility shut-offs, alarm pads, fire alarm locations, emergency evacuation routes, security gates and cameras, etc.
PROSThis software is packed with features. More then I will use as my use of the program is to design maintenance work for the maintenance department and for small contractor projects. I love the layers feature this program has.
CONSTo be honest the cons I have is that I am still learning this program. I have used other computer assisted programs and this one is quite good without a real steep learning curve. Having said that there is still more for me to learn as I have not yet reached its full potential. Still, several projects have been successfully completed being designed by me using Canvas X Draw.
Reasons for switching to Canvas X Draw
Microsoft publisher was to limited.