Convert TTF to CDR

What the TTF format is

TTF, or TrueType Font, stores scalable outlines for letters, numbers, and symbols together with spacing and rendering data. Operating systems and applications use TTF files to display and print text at different sizes without a fixed bitmap resolution.

Font editors such as FontForge, Glyphs, and FontLab create TTF files. TTF files are used in operating-system font folders, downloaded typeface packages, branding projects, and documents that require a particular typeface. A TTF is a font resource, not an ordinary vector illustration or a CorelDRAW document.

What the CDR format is

CDR is CorelDRAW's native document format. It can store page layouts, vector objects, text, fills, outlines, images, layers, and application-specific editing data.

CDR is appropriate when artwork must remain editable in CorelDRAW for logos, signs, packaging, illustrations, or print layouts. Converting text to curves embeds the selected character outlines in the document, so the recipient does not need the TTF installed to display those shapes. The result is no longer ordinary editable text.

How to convert TTF to CDR

Use CorelDRAW for placed text or complete artwork

1. Install the TTF in the operating system. On Windows, right-click the file and choose Install or Install for all users. Restart CorelDRAW if it was already running.
2. Create a CorelDRAW document with the required page size, units, and color settings.
3. Select the Text tool, choose the installed typeface and size, and type the required characters. Use the Glyphs docker for symbols or alternate glyphs.
4. Select the text object and choose Object → Convert to Curves, or press Ctrl+Q on Windows. Some older CorelDRAW versions place the equivalent command under Arrange.
5. Check spacing, counters, overlaps, fills, outlines, and special characters at high zoom. Keep an unconverted copy of the text before editing nodes.
6. Choose File → Save As, select CDR, and save. If CorelDRAW offers a version option, select the oldest version required by the recipient and verify the saved file in that version.

This process converts only the characters that you type or place. It does not turn every glyph, font table, or font feature in the TTF into a CDR document.

Use FontForge or SVG for individual glyphs

FontForge can open a TTF and export selected glyph outlines as SVG. Import the SVG into CorelDRAW with File → Import, inspect the resulting curves, and save the document as CDR. This is useful for extracting separate glyph artwork, but it does not automatically create a complete CDR layout.

Online services such as CloudConvert or Convertio may provide TTF-to-SVG conversion, but they generally do not produce a native CDR file. Import the resulting SVG into CorelDRAW and save it as CDR. Do not upload fonts that are confidential or whose license prohibits online processing or redistribution.

Quality and compatibility limits

• Conversion to curves preserves the visible outlines of the selected characters but removes font metadata, hinting, kerning controls, language shaping, and normal text editing.
• Finalize ligatures, contextual alternates, right-to-left scripts, combining marks, and other OpenType behavior before converting. Verify the rendered text while the TTF is still active.
• Keep the original TTF and an editable text version of the project. Use a separate curves-only CDR for production when the recipient may not have the font.
• CorelDRAW releases can differ in support for effects, transparency, imported SVG features, and document versions. Check fills, outlines, transparency, and page layout after opening the CDR in another release.
• Check the font license before embedding, modifying, distributing, or selling artwork made from its outlines. Font-use rights and font-file redistribution rights are separate.