inkscape

[Silbersieb]

Hello,

here is a link to a vector-application.
The layout is similar to Corel. It is open source, its free.
I try to use it with the youngsters at school

http://inkscape.org/

Good luck!

Burkhart

[Frog]

I know that Wayne from the old board and the "other" board likes it on some tracing operations

[Evo]

I know that Wayne from the old board and the "other" board likes it on some tracing operations

I've used it with...well I'll just call it "limited" success. I gave Inkscape so many chances but the big issue with it is that it will take any other programs files and completely botch the import/export. Makes it almost unusable for any real work. The interface is nice though and some of the tools are useful.

The frequent crashes - not so nice.

The open clip art repository is pretty cool though.

[squeezee]

not so good for separations in my view but free and competent.

[Frog]

not so good for separations in my view but free and competent.

Sounds like you're describing a lady friend of mine who helped me on art a few years back. Don't let my wife know, or it might be better for separations than you thought. 

[Frog]

Sometimes, one program works better than another on a trace to convert to vector

Here's a brief set of instructions for tracing in Inkscape.