You will see a new toolbar: "RDWorks", usually on the far right of the top menu bar. If you see a red laser icon, you succeeded.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
The Short Verdict:
The RDWorks plugin for CorelDRAW is a game-changer for workflow efficiency, but it’s not without its quirks. If you own a Ruida-controlled laser (like many RedSail, Boss, or generic Chinese lasers), this plugin bridges the gap between design and manufacturing beautifully.
Pros:
Cons:
Who Should Install It?
Who Should Skip It?
Final Tip:
Install the plugin, then immediately go into RDWorks → Config → System Settings and check “Use plugin default settings.” This prevents pop-ups asking for layer confirmation every single time.
Bottom Line:
It’s clunky but incredibly useful. For a free tool that cuts out 80% of the prep time, it’s a must-try for CorelDRAW loyalists. Just keep a backup export habit until you trust it.
This is the heart of the plugin. You must define what each CorelDRAW color does.
| Color in CorelDRAW | Action Type | Speed (%) | Power (Min/Max) | PPI (Pulses per inch) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Black (0,0,0) | Cut | 15 | 80 / 80 | 400 | | Red (255,0,0) | Score | 300 | 30 / 30 | 300 | | Blue (0,0,255) | Engrave Fill | 500 | 25 / 25 | 250 | | Green (0,255,0) | Skip (Air assist on) | 200 | 1 / 1 | N/A |
Pro Tip: Create a template .cdr file called "Laser Pallet.cdr". Keep this color table on your artboard for reference.
If you want, I can:
To integrate RDWorks with CorelDRAW, you must install the specific CorelDraw_Laser plugin during the RDWorks setup process. This allows you to transfer designs directly to your laser software with a single click. Installation Steps
Prepare CorelDRAW: Open CorelDRAW, go to Tools > Options, and ensure VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) is enabled. Close CorelDRAW before proceeding. Run RDWorks Setup: Launch the RDWorks V8 installer.
Select Plugin Type: In the "Type" dropdown menu, select CorelDraw_Laser instead of the standalone software.
Set Install Path: Check the Plug LaserWork box and, if prompted, use the Locate Path option to point to your CorelDRAW installation folder (e.g., C:\Program Files\Corel\CorelDRAW Graphics Suite [Year]\Draw). Initialize the Macro: Restart CorelDRAW.
Navigate to Tools > Macros > Run Macro (or Scripts > Run Script in newer versions).
Select GlobalMacros (RDWorksV8.gms) and run RDWorksV8.UserInit. rdworks coreldraw plugin
Toolbar Setup: Two icons (a green "RD" and a "Laser running" button) will appear. Drag these to your toolbar for easy access. Common Troubleshooting COREL013 Installing RD Works & the Corel Plugin
To create and transfer text using the RDWorks CorelDRAW plugin, you must first ensure the plugin is correctly installed as a macro within CorelDRAW to allow for direct communication with your laser software Step 1: Install and Initialize the Plugin
If you haven't already installed the plugin, you must link it to CorelDRAW: Run Installer : Open the RDWorks setup and select "CorelDraw_Laser" as the install type. Set Permissions : In CorelDRAW, go to Tools > Options > CorelDRAW , and ensure "Delay load VBA"
is unchecked or security is set to medium to allow the macro to run. Activate Macro Tools > Scripts (or Macros) > Run Script GlobalMacros (RDWorksV8.gms) RDWorksV8.UserInit Floating Toolbar
: Two new buttons (typically "Laser Running" and "Plugin Settings") will appear in your workspace. You can drag these to your main toolbar. Thunder Laser Australia Step 2: Create and Prepare Text in CorelDRAW
CorelDRAW offers more advanced text manipulation than RDWorks' native tools: How To Create Connected Text for Laser Cutting You will see a new toolbar: "RDWorks" ,