CorelDRAW Help | Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM)

Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM)

Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM) technical notes

Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM) is an open, platform-independent metafile format used for storing and exchanging two-dimensional graphics. It supports RGB color. CGM files can contain both vector graphics and bitmaps, but they usually contain one graphic type or the other — rarely both.

CorelDRAW imports CGM Version 1, 3, and 4 files and exports version 1, 3, and WebCGM 1.0 profile files.

WebCGM is a binary file format that supports hyperlinks, document navigation, picture structuring and layers, as well as searching on WebCGM picture contents. It also supports Unicode and web fonts. The WebCGM profile is used widely in web electronic documents.

To import a CGM file

1 Click File

Import.

2 Locate the folder in which the file is stored.

3 Choose CGM - Computer Graphics Metafile (*.cgm) from the list box next to the File name box.

4 Click the filename.

5 Click Import.

To export a CGM file

1 Click File

Export.

2 Locate the folder in which you want to save the file.

3 Choose CGM - Computer Graphics Metafile from the Save as type list box.

4 Type a filename in the File name list box.

5 Click Export.

6 In the CGM export dialog box, choose a version from the Version list box.

Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM) technical notes

Importing a CGM file

• CorelDRAW can import CGM Version 1, 3 and 4 files.

• The CGM filter accepts only markers supported by the CGM file format standard. Private-use markers are ignored.

• Text is editable, provided the file is exported from the source program with the correct text options specified. The typeface you see may not correspond to the one used in the source program; however, you can easily correct the typeface in the Corel program.

• If the CGM file contains a font that is not on your computer, the PANOSE font-matching dialog box lets you replace the font with an available one.

Exporting a CGM file

• CorelDRAW can export version 1 and 3 CGM as well as WebCGM 1.0 files.

• CGM files can be saved in text or binary format provided the selected profile supports text encoding. Text-encoded files can be opened in an ASCII text editor.

• PostScript textures are converted to curves.