I just downloaded Inkspace and opened one of my Corel X3 files and all the bitmaps had white boxes where they should be transparent. Is it not possible to use transparent bitmaps with transparent backgrounds in Inkspace?
I don't create vectors. I used Corel for doing collage type stuff making calendars and more, mostly using bitmaps. 

I think it may be the conversion between Corel X3 and Inkscape.

Inkscape does support transparent bitmaps ( provided  they are transparent .png ).

If you still have Corel X3, I would export to .svg in Corel first.

I have attached an example of a rectangle with 1. A 65% opacity circle bitmap with transparent background. 2. A 100% opacity circle with transparent backround.

Thanks for replying. I found out after I was happy to find out that I could use transparent images in Inkscape. I was trying to open my old Corel files and those were the ones that were no longer transparent. I guess there's no way to fix that?
I can't use Corel X3 with Windows 10. I don't want to subscribe to the newer versions.
I like what Inkscape, but I don't know why I'm having problems opening the program. I'll try installing again and come back if I still have a problem.
Thanks again!
Kathy

If you mostly make collages with bitmaps, you might like GIMP. https://www.gimp.org/

Thanks, I'll check it out. I did use calendar grids in Corel also, and they're not vector. But I did mostly use bitmaps. I feel like taking my old XP to a shop and see if it can be fixed. My PhotoShop is old too, and I don't think they'll register it again if I have to reinstall it.

Last night I tried to drag and drop some images into Inkspace and it didn't work. I'm positive I did it a couple of days ago, because that's how I found out that the PNG backgrounds were transparent. Is there something that I should know about using drag and drop? I tried the right mouse button and still it didn't work.

I'll look at Gimp, thanks!