CorelDRAW Pixels View Mode and Raster Preview

CorelDRAW features several display modes to help designers inspect vector artwork, with Pixels view mode serving as the dedicated raster preview tool. This article explains how the Pixels view mode works, how it accurately simulates raster resolution before export, and how to configure document settings to preview your design at exact pixel dimensions.

Understanding Pixels View Mode in CorelDRAW

The view mode in CorelDRAW that displays a rasterized preview of your drawing is simply called Pixels view mode. Unlike vector-based display modes (such as Wireframe, Normal, or Enhanced), Pixels view renders the vector shapes, text, and effects as a grid of pixels. This provides an accurate simulation of how the artwork will appear once it is exported to bitmap formats like PNG, JPEG, or GIF.

When Pixels view is enabled, CorelDRAW rasterizes the vector elements on the fly based on the document's rendering resolution. This allows you to evaluate anti-aliasing along object edges, review fine details, and identify potential pixelation issues prior to exporting.

How to Enable Pixels View Mode

You can switch to Pixels view mode in just a few clicks:

  1. Open your document in CorelDRAW.
  2. Go to the top menu bar and click View.
  3. Select Pixels from the drop-down list.

Once activated, zooming in to 800% or higher will reveal the individual pixels and the optional Pixel Grid, allowing for precise pixel-level adjustments.

Controlling the Raster Preview Resolution

The appearance of your artwork in Pixels view depends directly on your document's resolution settings:

  • Document Resolution: Go to Layout > Document Options (or press Ctrl + J) and inspect the Resolution under the General or Page settings. If the document is set to 72 DPI or 96 DPI (standard web resolutions), Pixels view mode will reflect that specific pixel density. If set to 300 DPI, the preview will reflect a high-resolution raster output.
  • Pixel Grid and Snapping: To prevent blurry edges on screen-destined assets, enable View > Grid > Pixel Grid and toggle Snap to Pixels (View > Snap to > Pixels). This ensures your vector lines align perfectly with the pixel boundaries rendered in Pixels view mode.