Review of Corel Ventura 7

Despite the release of Corel Ventura 10, Ventura 7.0 has some fascinating features that will be well liked by users – particularly those who produce documents loaded with heavy text and multiple designs. Ventura 7.0, that runs on Windows 95 and NT, is capable of offering users multiple facilities. It uses Java and Corel Barista technology to create Wysiwyg Web pages.It helps to provide hyperlinks and formatting to all types of documents regardless how they are published. Additional features include QuarkXPress-like master pages, grids and guidelines, and spreadsheet features. Like other versions of ventura, Ventura 7 is sufficient for a base-level desktop publisher who intends to work on Ventura’s customizable navigator Windows. The latest version of Ventura 10 has only an additional feature of importing XML file which a cult enterprise audience talks about. But for a general desktop publishing pro or a novice, Ventura 7 is the sure way to go.

Undertaken by Corel Corporation, Ventura takes abundant care in designing and creating a highly flexible document management system. Versatility is the key element behind all the Corel products and Ventura series is no exception from it. The idea behind producing Ventura 10 was to give a tough competition to QuarkXpress and Pageplus whereas the purpose of designing Ventura 7 was to give desktop publishers a handy tool for a perfect page design and layout and making them meticulously involved with this whole document management system. That is why majority of people still prefer Ventura 7 over other Ventura versions.

There was widespread criticism that the earlier version 5.0 did not provide adequate support to document automation. Quite a few eyebrows were raised when Corel Draw 6.0 was launched and Ventura 6.0 went missing. There were a few who even predicted that Ventura has had an inglorious demise. But Ventura nailed the lie when it came out with Ventura 7.0 with a host of amazing features. Now, it appears, that the two years delay by Ventura is fully justified. Some drastic changes are evident as Ventura 7.0 supports multiple open documents and magically works with text and frames spread over multiple pages.

Ventura 7 uses the Ventura Navigator, a remarkably well-designed document management tool, which gives the user a Windows Explorer-type view of the documents that are used. The Ventura 7.0, Navigator displays a number of outline views of the files, table of contents, indices or master pages. By selecting one of the items and right clicking, it is possible to create, run and edit the publications without getting bogged down into details.

The package contains over 80 new templates, host of HTML buttons, and HTML page examples consisting of sound and pictures. Ventura has separate tools for working with text, tags, frames and graphics. Ventura 7.0 provides for a new Property Bar that is context-sensitive offering suitable options depending on the current selection. Users admit that the Property Bar is terribly powerful and the number of available options truly baffling.

There are many other additional features that are highly helpful to users. The provision to drag guide lines onto the page makes simple and easy the alignment of elements. So is the ability to position an object into place using the cursor keys. Objects can also be lined up accurately or distributed evenly using the alignment toolbar. Also, there are a number of graphic tools that go beyond the normal straight lines, rectangles and ovals.

All features taken together, Ventura 7.0 offers new controls for heavy text and design intensive documents and will be particularly welcomed by seasoned DTP professionals.

To download or buy Ventura 7 users can visit Corel Ventura store