When reviewing well established applications, there's always a temptation to cover just the new features, assuming the reader is already familiar with what's gone before. So, before describing Serif DrawPlus 7's new goodies, here's a brief resumé of what the program can already do.

DrawPlus is a vector-based drawing application, on the lines of CorelDraw and Illustrator, but without the scope of either of those two high-end stalwarts. It offers a good range of drawing tools and can produce multi-layer, high-definition illustrations using transparency, shadow and highlights.

The layout of the program is conventional and easy to get to know, even more so if you're familiar with any of Serif's other graphics applications. It can be used with a mouse or graphics tablet and can save images in most common graphics formats including, from this version on, Adobe's PDF.

For the first time, DrawPlus can produce multi-page documents. This means it's ideal for brochures and catalogues, or even for a set of business stationery, though each page in the document has to be the same shape and size. Although you can cut-and-paste items between pages, you can't use the area surrounding the page as a pasteboard. For this you have to use the DrawPlus Portfolio, an internal clipboard which can be used for storing drawing elements. You can drag and drop freely between the page and the Portfolio.

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Of the new tools in the program, the most interesting are smart curve drawing, text in a shape and feathering. The smart curve tool enables you to trace outlines around bitmaps, using bezier curves, without having to manipulate the handles at each curve node to perfect the trace. Click on any defined shape and you can enter text into it - ideal for Visio-style diagrams and flow charts, among other things. Feathering is the ability to soften the edges of a graphic to blend it with its background. It makes drawings look more natural.

DrawPlus 7 is now adept at creating 3D objects from 2D ones, by extruding them from any closed shape you create. You can vary the lighting and texture of the 3D shape using the Instant 3D Wizard in a very 'suck it and see' way and the only surprise is that it's taken until version 7 for this to be available. There's a range of 3D surface textures, too, though these can only be applied to 2D objects.

The final goody in this high-value package is a second CD full of professionally designed drawing components. There are extra design wizards for complete documents, special effects, border and line graphics and many more sample drawings. The two disks work together to provide an amazing variety of graphic possibilities.

Serif DrawPlus continues to move from strength to strength. The extra facilities in version 7 extend the program's effectiveness as an illustration and Web design tool. At the price, there's nothing to touch it.