# Software Installation Guide

Install in this order. Do it once, before Day 01.

## 1. CorelDRAW (main software)
1. Go to the official Corel website (corel.com).
2. Download the free trial of the latest CorelDRAW Graphics Suite.
3. Install with default settings. You need about 5 GB free disk space.
4. Open CorelDRAW once to confirm it starts. Close it.
5. **If you cannot buy CorelDRAW:** install **Inkscape** (inkscape.org, free) instead.
   Inkscape covers: shapes, pen/Bezier, nodes, fills, text, layers, alignment —
   almost every vector lesson in this course. Menu names differ; each lesson notes
   the Inkscape equivalent where it matters.

## 2. Canva (supporting tool)
1. Go to canva.com and create a free account.
2. No installation needed — it runs in the browser.

## 3. Optional: Adobe Illustrator
- Only if you already have access. The course does not depend on it.

## 4. Helpful extras (all free)
- A PDF reader (for briefs and guidelines).
- Google Drive or any cloud folder — back up your work weekly.

## Verify your setup (5-minute check)
- [ ] CorelDRAW (or Inkscape) opens and you can draw a rectangle.
- [ ] You can log in to Canva.
- [ ] You created `My-Design-Course/` with `Day-01` … `Day-30` subfolders.

> If a menu path in a lesson looks different on your version, use the software's Help
> search (press the feature name). Versions change; the concept stays the same.