Using the Blend Tool and Power Clip in CorelDRAW X3

In the following tip, you will see how the Blend Tool and the PowerClip tool were used to create a business card and logo for a locksmith service.

1. Select a key shape from the Transportation symbol font (symbol 061).
2. Select the key and convert it to curves (Ctrl+Q) or Arrange/Convert to Curves.
3. Remove the fill from the key and select a heavy (6 - 7 pt) stroke outline color of your choice.
4. Copy and paste the key (Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V, or Edit/Copy and Edit/Paste). Make the stroke on this duplicated key lighter (.2 pt) and make the outline color white.
5. Select the white key, then select the Blend tool and drag to the larger stroked key.

6. Select the Interactive Drop Shadow tool and add a drop shadow to the blended keys.

7. Create a box to represent the size of the business card you want and fill it with a radial, gradient fill. Select your key and PowerClip it to the box (Effects/PowerClip/Place Inside Container). You can also edit the positioning of the key by selecting Effects/PowerClip/Edit Contents/Finish Editing This Level.

8. Select the Text tool and add your text.

You're done!

Source: Corel.com

Interactive Fit Text to Path Tool

With CorelDRAW X3, it's never been easier to attach text to a path with precision — a common effect used in creating signs and logos. The interactive Fit Text to Path tool lets users simply select text, move the pointer along a path, and click to set the text's position. Users can also easily control the text's offset distance from the path.

In addition, users can scale the text after it has been placed on a path by simply selecting both the text and the path and dragging one of the handles.

Using the interactive Fit Text to Path tool

1. Click the Freehand tool, and draw a curved line to use as a path.
   
   
2. Click the Text tool, click anywhere in the drawing window, and type.
   
   
3. Click Text > Fit Text To Path.
   The pointer changes to the Fit Text to Path pointer. As you move the pointer along the path, a preview of where the text will be fitted is displayed.
   
   
4. Move the pointer along the path, and click to fit the text.
   With a closed path, the text is centered along the path. With an open path, the text flows from the point of insertion.
   
   
5. On the property bar, adjust the value in the Distance From Path list box.
   
   
6. On the property bar, adjust the value in the Horizontal Offset list box.
   
   
7. In the Mirror Text area on the property bar, use the Mirror Horizontal or Mirror Vertical buttons to choose the text's orientation.

Source: Corel.com

Reducing the number of nodes in curve objects

Did you know that you can automatically reduce the number of nodes in curve objects? Often, complex curve objects contain overlapping or redundant nodes that are not necessary for editing the object. By reducing the number of nodes in a curve object, you can more easily edit and prepare it for output to a variety of devices and file formats.

The steps below show you how easy it is to automatically reduce the number of nodes in a curve object without compromising the object's quality.

Figure 1
This curve object was created in another program and imported into CorelDRAW® X3.

Duplicate the object by pressing Ctrl + D, so that you can later compare the two curves.

Step 1: Select all nodes in the original curve object

1. Open the Shape edit flyout , and click the Shape tool .
2. Click one of the objects.

Figure 2
The status bar, at the bottom of the program window, displays the number of nodes in the selected object.

Step 2: Reduce the nodes

1. Click the Select all nodes button on the property bar.
2. Click Reduce nodes .

Figure 3
The number of nodes in the object has been significantly reduced.

Click anywhere in the drawing window to deselect the curve. Notice that the original object does not appear to be significantly altered. Next, we'll view the curve object in wireframe mode, in order to see the nodes more clearly.

Step 3: Display the curve object in wireframe mode

1. Using the Shape tool, click the object.
2. Click View > Wireframe.

Figure 4
Wireframe mode lets you view the nodes more clearly.

The Reduce nodes command removes overlapping and redundant nodes from the curve object, yet it allows you to retain the same level of control over the object. In our example, the original object (1) contains 154 nodes, whereas the edition version (2) contains only 101 nodes.

Source: Corel.com

Fast ways to copy and position objects

If you want to copy one or more objects within CorelDRAW® X3, you can use a faster method than copying and pasting. Here are two fast ways to copy objects:

• Use the Duplicate command.
• Use the new Step and Repeat docker to create and position multiple copies at one time.

Let's take a closer look at these options.

Duplicating objects
Duplicating an object with CorelDRAW creates a copy of a selected object and positions the copy according to the offset distance that you set. Unlike copying and pasting, duplicating does not place a copy of the object on the Clipboard, and it allows you to control where the copy is placed in your drawing. With CorelDRAW X3, setting an offset distance for the duplicate is easier than ever.

To duplicate an object

1. Select one or more objects.
2. Click Edit > Duplicate (or Ctrl + D).
   When you duplicate objects for the first time in CorelDRAW X3, the Duplicate offset dialog box appears. To specify the distance between the duplicate and the original object along the x-axis and y-axis, type values in the Horizontal offset and Vertical offset boxes.

Note: Offset values of 0 place the duplicate on top of the original; positive offset values place the duplicate up and to the right of the original; and negative offset values place the duplicate down and to the left of the original.

You can change the default offset for duplicates at any time. To do this, click Tools > Options, click General in the Document list of categories, and type values in the Horizontal offset and Vertical offset boxes.

Creating and positioning multiple copies

The new Step and repeat docker in CorelDRAW X3 lets you create multiple copies of an object and control how they are positioned.

To create and position multiple copies of an object

1. Select one or more objects.
2. Click Edit > Step and repeat.
3. In the Step and repeat docker, type a value in the Number of copies box.
4. In the Horizontal settings and Vertical settings areas, specify the settings you want.

Figure 1
The figure above shows the new Step and Repeat docker.

Examples:

Figure 2
The Step and Repeat docker settings for the figure above are:
Horizontal Settings: Spacing between objects, Distance = 0.25"; Direction = Right
Vertical Settings: No offset

Figure 3
The Step and Repeat docker settings for the figure above are:
Horizontal Settings: No offset
Vertical Settings: Offset, Distance = –0.5"

Figure 4
The Step and Repeat docker settings for the figure above are:
Horizontal Settings: Offset, Distance = 0.25"
Vertical Settings: Offset, Distance = –0.25"

Source: Corel.com

Cropping graphics in CorelDRAW® X3

Whether you are working with a drawing or an imported bitmap, the new Crop tool lets you remove portions of your graphic quickly and easily. You no longer need to ungroup objects, break linked groups apart, or convert objects to curves to remove unwanted areas in a graphic.

The Crop tool is located in the toolbox, on the Crop tool flyout.

To crop objects, you define a rectangular area (cropping area) that you want to keep. Portions of the graphic outside the cropping area will be removed. You can specify the exact position and size of the cropping area, and you can rotate and resize it.

Cropping clipart

Cropping an imported bitmap

To crop a graphic

Open the Crop tool flyout , and click the Crop tool .

Important note: If an object or bitmap is selected, only the selected item will be cropped. If no objects are selected, the entire graphic will be cropped.

Drag to define a cropping area.

The cropping area indicates which portions of the graphic you want to keep.

If you need to adjust the cropping area, perform any of the following tasks:

To move the cropping area, click inside the cropping area and drag it to a new position. If you want to specify the exact position of the cropping area, type values in the Position boxes on the property bar.

To resize the cropping area, drag any of its handles. If you want to specify the exact size of the cropping area, type values in the Size boxes on the property bar.

To rotate the cropping area, click inside, and drag a rotation handle. You can also type values in the Angle of rotation box on the property bar.

Rotating the cropping area

Double-click inside the cropping area.
Cropped objects, including text objects, are automatically converted to curves.

A cropped graphic

Source: Corel.com

Positioning objects as you draw

Here's a time saving trick! Did you know that you can position an object with any object-creation tool (any tool found in Rectangle, Ellipse, Object, or Perfect Shapes flyout) without having to go to the Toolbox? This tip is particularly useful if your drawing contains several objects.

By right-clicking an object with any object-creation tool, you can move or copy it to a new location in your drawing.

With any object-creation tool active, right-click the object, and drag.

A blue outline of the object follows the pointer as you drag.

After you positioned the object, release the right mouse button.
A menu appears.

Choose one of the following:

• Move here
• Copy here

The object is moved or copied.

Source: Corel.com

Selecting objects in CorelDRAW® X3

To modify objects in a project, you need to select them first by using the Pick tool. The following tips will help you select objects more easily.

• To activate the Pick tool after using other tools from the toolbox, press Ctrl + Spacebar. This keyboard shortcut activates the Pick tool even if you've just used the Text tool.

Pressing Ctrl+Spacebar activates the Pick tool.

• To marquee select objects, you drag the Pick tool diagonally to enclose the objects in a marquee box with a dotted outline. If you hold down Alt while dragging the Pick tool, you need to enclose only a small portion of the objects to select them. This method is useful for selecting specific objects in complex projects that contain overlapping objects.

To select the two flowers in the upper-right corner, hold down Alt, and using the Pick tool, drag a marquee box to enclose a portion of each flower.

Source: Corel.com

Creating custom keyboard shortcuts in CorelDRAW® X3

The preset keyboard shortcuts available in CorelDRAW® X3 help you complete commonly performed tasks faster. Did you know that you can become even more productive by creating custom keyboard shortcuts that suit your working style? For example, if you use the Bèzier tool often, you can assign a keyboard shortcut for activating the Bèzier tool.

To assign a keyboard shortcut to a command

1. Click Tools > Customization.

2. In the Customization list of categories, click Commands.

3. Click the Shortcut keys tab.

The Commands page of the Options dialog box lets you create custom keyboard shortcuts for commonly used menu commands and tools. Click the Shortcut keys tab to access the controls you need.

4. Choose a shortcut key table from the Shortcut key table list box.

5. Choose a command category from the top list box.

The top list box lets you choose a command category such as a menu, a toolbar, or the toolbox.

6. Click a command in the Commands list

In this example, we choose Toolbox from the top list box and Bèzier tool in the Commands list.

7. Click in the New shortcut key box, and press a key combination.

If the key combination is already assigned to another command, that command is listed in the Currently assigned to box.

8. Click Assign.

In this example, we assign Shift+D as the keyboard shortcut for activating the Bèzier tool.

Note: If the same keyboard shortcut is already assigned to another command, the second assignment overwrites the first. By enabling the Navigate to conflict on assign check box, you can automatically navigate to the command whose shortcut you reassigned and assign a new shortcut.

Source: Corel.com

Using keyboard shortcuts in CorelDRAW® X3

You can use keyboard shortcuts (also known as hotkeys) to quickly activate many menu commands and tools in CorelDRAW® X3. The keyboard shortcut for a menu command is displayed to the right of the menu item; the keyboard shortcut for a tool is displayed in a ToolTip when you hover over the tool.

This example shows the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+N) for starting a new project.

This example shows the keyboard shortcut (F10) for activating the Shape tool.

Below are the keyboard shortcuts for some commonly performed tasks.

Task	Keyboard shortcut
Open a file	Ctrl+O
Save a file	Ctrl+S
Import a file	Ctrl+I
Export a file	Ctrl+E
Print a file	Ctrl+P

Note: For a complete list of keyboard shortcuts, see the CorelDRAW X3 Quick Reference Card included in your software package.

Source: Corel.com

Highlighting New Features in CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite X3

You now have a simple way to identify the features that were new in earlier versions of CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite — from versions 9 through 12. You can highlight all menu commands and tools that were new for a specific version of CorelDRAW® or Corel PHOTO-PAINT®. This feature is especially useful if you are upgrading from an earlier version of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite.

To highlight what's new in CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite

1. Launch CorelDRAW X3 or Corel PHOTO-PAINT X3.
   
   
2. Click Help > Highlight What's New, and click one of the following commands:
   
   
   • Since Version 12 — highlights menu commands and tools introduced in version X3
     
     
   • Since Version 11 — highlights menu commands and tools introduced in versions 12 and X3
     
     
   • Since Version 10 — highlights menu commands and tools introduced in versions 11, 12, and X3
     
     
   • Since Version 9 — highlights menu commands and tools introduced in versions 10, 11, 12, and X3
   
   

   

   
   
   Any new tool or menu command is highlighted in orange.

To turn off the highlighting, click Help > Highlight What's New > No Highlight.

Source: Corel.com

Learning from the experts with CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite X3

Have you ever looked at a professional design created with CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite and wondered how the design was created? Which of the many powerful tools did the designer use to create an impressive visual effect? Insights from the Experts, a series of tutorials included with CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X3, gives you a chance to learn from experts in graphic design.

The international team of authors who contributed to Insights from the Experts come from different corners of the graphic design world, representing areas as diverse as engraving and cartooning. What they have in common is that they all use CorelDRAW Graphic Suite to create their designs. In their tutorials, the authors deconstruct their own designs to share with you their ideas, tips, methods, and techniques, showing you how you can benefit from the powerful tools and features of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite.

Accessing Insights from the Experts

Insights from the Experts is available as a printed publication and in PDF format. The printed publication, CorelDRAW Handbook: Insights from the Experts, is included in the boxed version of the product. It is an exquisite 80-page book with full-color illustrations. The PDF version of the tutorials can be accessed from CorelDRAW® and Corel® PHOTO-PAINT® by clicking Help > Insights from the Experts.

The printed publication

Taking a closer look at a tutorial

Let's take a closer look at one of the tutorials, "Producing a realistic drawing with CorelDRAW," to see how you can benefit from Insights from the Experts. In this tutorial, Hugo Hansen of Denmark, an educator, author, and graphic designer, shows you how to approach an illustration project and create realistic objects, three-dimensional forms, and metallic surfaces.

In his tutorial, Hugo Hansen discusses how
he used CorelDRAW to create this realistic drawing.

You will get ideas about how to prepare a sketch for an illustration project by combining elements of photos. You will also learn how to organize the elements of a complex illustration by using layers. Each element in Hugo Hansen's illustration is on a separate, logically named layer. Hugo Hansen shows you how he used several tools from the CorelDRAW toolbox to create two parts of the drawing: the brake disk and the man's boot. You will learn how to use the Ellipse, Smart Fill, and Interactive Fill tools to create the effect of a metal surface.

The brake disk consists of many ellipses created with the Ellipse tool.
Rotated conical fills, created with the Interactive Fill tool, were used to add
a metallic, three-dimensional look. The holes were created with the Smart Fill tool.

The boot consists of many shapes, all of which were drawn with the Bézier tool. Hugo Hansen used the Interactive Blend tool to give the boot its realistic leather look. He shows you step by step how he used blends to create the highlights in the upper part of the boot.

Blends were used to create the effect of shining leather.

The tutorial offers other useful tips and techniques. You'll learn how to use the Interactive Extrude tool to create three-dimensional effects, and how to use the Interactive Transparency tool to create shadows. Click here to view the tutorial.

Source: Corel.com