Simple corel draw tricks

Corel Draw is a graphic package from Corel Incorporation that is used to create graphical documents/files.

This post will guide you in creating simple corel draw files and some basic corel tricks

Opening Corel Draw

To open Corel Draw perform the under listed tasks:

1. Double click the corel draw icon on the desktop
2. If running windows 8, press the windows key, then search for corel draw and click the icon from the displayed results
3. If running windows 10, search for corel draw in the search tool on the control panel and click the icon from the displayed results

Looking at the CorelDraw screen, one has to observe that the CorelDraw screen differs from other program screen.  Here are the some of its features.

1.         Window border: - This is use to change the size of the CorelDraw window if you want to run another application beside it.

2.         Title Bar: - This displays the name of the program and the file you are currently working in. e.g. (untitled).

3.         Menu Bar: - This Displays the names of eleven drop down menus you can access.  Each offers a selection of feature or commands that you can use to accomplish a specific type of task.

4.         Standard tool Bar: - This provides quick access to some of the frequent commands used in the program or (shortcut to a command).

5.         Status bar: - This provides information about what you doing currently.

6.         Horizontal/Vertical Bar: - This are used to move the drawing window side to side or up and down.

7.         Drawing Window: - you can draw or place objects anywhere in this area, but only the objects inside the page(s) area will be printed.

8.         Tool Box: - It displays icons or button of tools used to draw shapes, outlines, and fills objects or text.

9.         Color Palette: - The color palette provides access to colors used to fill object or color the text.

10.       Horizontal/Vertical Ruler: - They are used in taking the exact measurement of an object you want to draw.

11.       Grid and Guideline: - They also help in taking the size and placement objects.

SETTING UP A PAGE

Changing page setup and display settings:  The appearance of the screen and the page orientation depends absolutely on how you turn on and off from layout and tools mean. You can change the settings anytime to reflect how you want the appearance of the screen to be.

CHANGING THE SETTING OF YOUR SCREEN

1.         Click on tools menu from the menu bar.

2.         Select options submenu.

3.         From the dialog box, choose customize option-to invite many toolbars for your own use on the screen (your choice)

4.         Click OK button.

HOW TO CHANGE THE PAGE /PAPER SETUP:

1.         Click on layout menu from the main menu bar.

2.         Select page setup submenu.

3.         From the dialog box, choose paper size and paper orientation

4.         Click OK button.                                                      

SOME TOOLS USED IN THE TOOL BOX OF CORELDRAW 8

1.         Pick tool: - it is used to select, move, stretch and transfer

            objects/text.

2.  a.  Shape toll: - it is used for shaping, transform and modifying

object/text.

    b. Knife tool: -it is used to dissect/cut an object.

    c. Eraser tool: -it is used to erase or clear off part of an object.

    d. Free transform tool: -it is used to rotate an object.

3.  Zoom tool: -it is used to view objects in different size.

4.  a. freehand tool:-Lines and curves are drawn with this tool.

     b. Bezier tool: -Draw different shapes with this tool.

     c. Natural pen tool: -it is used to draw a thick line.

     d Dimension tool:-it is used to draw lines with scale.

     e. Connector line tool: -it used to draw connect line.

5.  Rectangle tool: -the tool is used for drawing the rectangle

     Box/square box.

6.  Ellipse tool: -it is used for drawing and ellipse/circle.

7.         a.  Polygon tool: -it is used for drawing polygon of different sides.

b. Spiral tool: -it is used for drawing spiral of different number of revolutions.

c. Graph paper tool: - it is used for drawing graph of different

            number(s) of cell.

8.         Text tool: - for entering text.

9.         Interactive fill tool: - it is used for setting opaque fill.

10.       Interactive transparency tool: -it is used for setting transparent fill.

11.       a. Interactive blend tool: - it is used for mixing fill between two objects.

b. Interactive distortion tool: - it is used to mode already drawn object in to different shape.

c. Interactive envelop tool: - it is used to mode already drawn object in to different shapes.

d. Interactive extrude tool: - it is used to mode already drawn

 object in to different shapes.

e. Interactive drop shadow tool:- it is used for creation object/text shadow.

12. The outline tool: - it is used for setting outline attributes.

13. To Fill tool: - is used for setting attributes.

WORKING WITH FILES

The file management activities involve seven main stages:

a.         Display a new page:

i. Click file main menu

ii. Select new submenu

b.         Saving file main menu

ii. Select save as submenu

iii. Select the folder or the drive you want where the file is to be saved.

iv. Type the file name

v. Click save button

c.         Subsequent saving:

i. Click file main menu

ii. Select save submenu or click on save icon in the standard

    tool bar or Press Ctrl & S

d.         Closing of File(s)

i.  Click File main menu

ii. Select Close submenu.

e.         Opening of file(s):

i.  Click file main menu

ii.  Select Open submenu or click on open icon in the standard

     tool bar or Press Ctrl & O

f.          Previewing of file(s):

i.  Click file main menu

ii.  Select print preview submenu or click on print preview icon in the standard  

     Tool bar

g.         Printing file(s):

ii.  Click File main menu

ii.  Select print submenu or click print icon in the standard tool

     bar or Press Ctrl & P

iii.  Select the type of printer from the option display, page

      range to be printed, number of copies to be printed etc

iv.  Click print button

WORKING WITH TOOLS

(DRAWING AND DESIGNING GRAPHICS)

CorelDraw is one of the software that can be use in handling drawings (graphics).  CorelDraw can be used to expatiate more on already drawing (graphics) and give the opportunity to design the graphic that suit a particular purpose.

DRAWING OBJECTS:

1.         RECTANGLES:

i.  Select rectangle tool from toolbox.  The cursor will change to

    plus sign (+).

ii.  Move your cursor to the drawing area and to the point where 

     you want to place the box.

iii.  Depress the mouse button and drag the cursor in the

     appropriate direction, a rectangle form is seen with one  

  corner being fixed where you begin to drag and the other following your cursor movements, continue dragging until a rectangle of the desired size is draw.

2.         SQUARE:

i.  Select rectangle tool from toolbox.

ii. Hold down the Ctrl key while dragging the mouse.  The

function of this control Key is to force the rectangle draw to square.

3.         ELLIPSE CIRCLES AND ARCS:

i.   Select ellipse tool from toolbox.  The direction.

ii.  Drag the cursor to the appropriate direction.

iii. Depress mouse button to complete the action.

iv. Release the mouse button to complete the action.

4.         CURVES AND LINESSSS:

1.  Select free hand tool from toolbox.  The cursor will change

     to a pencil sign and later change to finger

ii.  Position the cursor on the point you want the line to start and

    click once.

iii. Move your cursor in position to define the other endpoint.  

You will notice a “rubber band” line, which follows your cursor.

When the desired length and orientation is reach, you click once to freeze the line position.

VIEWING OBJECTS

CorelDraw provides several options for viewing objects in the editing and preview windows.  You can view objects at their actual size, reduced or magnified size.  Using the zoom tool can do this.  When you click on zoom tool, many options appear, you select your option by clicking on the desired option.

VIEWIND OBJECTS IN THE SIZE (ZOOM IN):

TO ZOOM IN (+)

i.   Click zoom tool from Toolbox.

ii.  Select the first sub-menu from the pull down menu.

iii. Embrace the objects with the cursor

When your cursor has covered your objects or the part you wanted to view release the button.  SHORTCUT:  Press F2, select the first option.

VIEWING OBJECTS IN REDUCED SIZE (ZOOM OUT):

TO ZOOM OUT (-)

i.  Click on zoom tool from toolbox.

ii. Select the second sub-menu from the pull down menu

iii. Click on the objects with the magnifying glass that has the

    negative (-) sign.  The Whole page will become smaller and this   

    will enable you to do some modifications you want to

TO ZOOM TO ACTUAL PAGE SIZE

i.  Click on zoom toolbox.

ii.  Select Zoom to page sub-menu from the pull down menu

Others are Zoom to all objects, Zoom to selected, Zoom to page width, Zoom to page     height, view manager etc.

TEXT, PARAGRAPH, AND SYMBOL HANDLING

CorelDraw allows you to enter, create, or add text and paragraphs to drawing.  To do this, following the steps below:-

i.   Select text toll from toolbox

ii.  Click the mouse in the working area

iii. Enter your text

EDIT TEXT, PARAGRAPH AND SYMBOLS

After you have returned to the frame and you discover that your text or paragraph needs to be modified, the modification can be as a result of increase or decrease in size, length, changing of the font, spacing etc.  Follow the steps below to do it.

i.  Select the text or the object to be modified

            ii.  Click the Text Main menu

iii. Select edit text submenu

FIT TEXT TO PATH

This is special way of inscribing our text in a circle, rectangle, triangle etc or writing texts in a circular mode, and not in a straight line.

i.   Click text tool from toolbox and type your text

ii.  Click on any drawing tools and draw the object

iii. Select the text with a pick tool 

iv. Click text main

v.  Select Fit Text To path submenu

vi. Click on the drawn object On the property bar, do the

     following:

i.   Select Text orientation of your choice

ii.  Select the Vertical placement type you like

iii. Select the Text Placement you like

iv.  Specify the text distance from the path

v.   Specify the horizontal offset of your choice.

To separate text and object fit to path for necessary corrections.  Do the following:-

i.   Click Arrange main menu

ii.  Select separate submenu

iii. Click outside the objects

iv. And carry each object and text separately.

FORMATING OF TEXT:

It is very important to format our text(s) for appearance.  The following are the procedures to be followed when such is to be done:-

i.   Type the text and select it with the pick tool.

ii.  Click text main menu

iii. Select format text submenu

iv. Select the appropriate potion for font type, style, size etc   

v.  Click OK button.

KERNING TEXT AND CHANGING CHARACTER ATTRIBUTES:

The notes around the selected next are used to kern text, changing the space between characters.  They can also be use to change the characters attributes such as typeface (font), point size type style and characters single.

i.   Click on text tool and type a word e.g. “communication”.

ii.  Click on shape tool to select the word.

Note that there are nodes at the base to the left of each character and two spacing arrows at each end of the text or word.  You can then use the right most arrows to provide character/line spacing, and made to alter the characters format.

SHAPING UNDER ARRANGE MENU.

We can shape out objects using special effects like trim, weld or intersection.  This will give our objects a kind of shape that ordinarily we cannot obtain on our own by using ordinary shape tool.

TRIM:

This is a kind of effect to shape our objects in to two equal parts with smooth edges.  This involves using an object to shape another object.

PROCEDURE:

i.     Draw a rectangle and circle across the box downward or vise versa

ii.    Select the two objects by holding down the shift key and click on it

iii.   Click arrange main menu

iv.   Select trim submenu

v.    From the Trim dialog box, click target object

vi.   Click on trim button

vii.  Click on the object to be shaped.

viii. Remove the source object and you will get your shaped object.

TO SEPARATE THE OBJECT IN TO TWO PARTS:

i.   Click on the already fit to path object

ii.  Click arrange menu

iii. Select separate

iv. Click outside the object to deselect it

v.  Carry each part separately

WELD

This is another way of giving the edges of our objects a kind of shape.  This is achieved by fussing two different objects together and makes them to be like one.  The very good example of this is “NNPC” logo.
PROCEDURE

i.   Draw a circle

ii.  Draw a rectangle to intersect the circle

iii. Duplicate the rectangle and move it down to intersect the circle

iv. Select the two rectangles by holding shift key

v.  Click arrange menu and select transformation

vi. On the transformation dialog select the  position and specify the angle of  rotation

vii. Click apply to Duplicate till the Rectangles surround the circle

viii Draw a rectangle around the rounded rectangles with a pick tool  select the entire rectangles

ix.  Click on arrange menu

x.   Click on weld submenu

xi.  Click the target object box, and click on the circle.

FILLING OBJECTS

Closed objects you create in CorelDraw contain an inner area that can be filled with pattern, color and shade using fill tool.

CREATE OBJECTS WITH NO FILL

To create an object with no fill, do the following

i.   Draw the object

ii.  Select the object with a pick tool

iii. Click the outline tool from the toolbox

iv. Select “X” symbol  (meaning no fill)

FILL OBJECT WITH PATTERN

Instead of filling object with color, you may want t fill it with a pattern. CorelDraw allows you to fill object(s) with two colors or full color.

PROCEDURE

i.    Select the object to be filled.

ii.   Select fill tool from toolbox.

            iii.  Select the pattern fills icon from fill tool dialog box display.

Iv. From the pattern fill dialog box, the preview displays sample of tile of two  

colors pattern. To view the palette, click on the arrow beside the pattern box  

     and select your choice.

v.  C lick OK buttons.

FILL OBJECT WITH FOUNTAIN FILL

In fountain fill option, CorelDraw allows you to mix different colors to meet your desired

PROCEDURE.

i.   Select the object to be filled

ii.  Select fill tool from toolbox

iii. Select the fountain fill icon from the tool dialog box display.

iv. The dialog box shows the two types of the fountain fill color blend, namely (1)

     Two colors and (2) Custom

v.  Make your choice and mix the colors appropriately.

vi.  Click OK button.

FILL OBJECT WITH UNIFORM COLOR

This is a way of filling object directly with color from the color palette displayed on the CorelDraw editing screen.

PROCEDURE

i.  Select the object with the pick tool

ii. Click on any color of your choice from the color palette.

iii. The object will be filled with chosen color.

FILL OBJECT WIYH TEXTURE FILL

This is another way of filling object with texture like colours. The procedure is as follow: -

i.   Select the object to be filled

ii.  Select fill tool from toolbox

iii. Select the texture fill icon from the fill tool dialog box display.

iv. Select the appropriate option from library and texture list box.      

v.            Click on OK button.

OUTLINING OBJECT

Object draw in CorelDraw has to be outlined, this is the process of inked the objects being draw.  Outline can be applied to individual object or grouped objects.  When objects drawn, CorelDraw automatically draws it with outline attributes you have selected in the outline pen, you can change the outline attribute of all the objects, text objects and other objects.

TYPES AND OUTLINE

i.   Hairline outline

ii.  ¹/₂ point outline (thin)

iii. 8 point outline (medium)

iv. 16 point outline (medium thick)

v.  24 point outline (thick)

CHANGE OBJECT OUTLINE

i.   Select the object with the pick tool

ii.  Click the outline tool from the toolbox

iii. Select the type of outline you want e.g. 2 point, hairline outline etc.

REMOVING AN OBJECT OUTLINE

We can also remove an object outline if the outline is no more wanted.

PROCEDURE

i.   Select the object with an outline

ii.  Click on outline tool

iii. Select the “X” icon, which indicates that, no outline.

ADDING COLOR TO OUTLINE

An outline can still be given different colors

PROCEDURE

i.   Select the object with the pick tool

ii.  Click the outline menu from the toolbox

iii. Select the outline color icon

iv. Mix/choose the type of color you want

ARRANGING OBJECTS

Placing an object on top of another object is made possible in CorelDraw.  This involves the layering of an object on another.

DIFFERENT WAYS OF ARRANGING OBJECTS

The following are the options available for this:-

1.         TO FRONT: This will place the selected object to the core front, no matter the numbers of the objects available in the drawing.

PROCEDURE

i.   Select the object to be repositioned

ii.  Click arrange main menu

iii. Select order submenu and click on to front.

2.         TO BACK: This is the opposite of “To front”.  It will take the selected object to the background of the drawing.

PROCEDURE

i.   Follow the first two steps above

ii.  Select order submenu and click on to back.

3.         FORWARD ONE POSITION: This command will place the selected object up one position i.e. if the selected object is at number three position of 6 different objects, it will move to number two positions.

PROCEDURE

i.   Follow the first two steps above

ii.  Select order submenu and click on forward one position.

4.         BACK ONE POSITION: This command will place the selected object down one position i.e. if the selected object is at number three position of 6 different objects, it will move to another four position.

4.         BACK ONE POSITION: This command will place the selected object down one position i.e. if the selected object is at number three position of 6 different objects; will move to number four position.

Others are in front of option, behind option and Reverse order option.  

 GROUP OBJECT: This command provides you the ability to group object together so that they can only be selected and manipulated as a single entity. When you group various objects together, each individual still maintains their different colors, sharps and every other attribute they possessed. To group object together follow the procedure below:

PROCEDURE

i.  Select pick tool

ii. Select objects to be grouped by holding down the shift key and use the mouse  to select the other objects

Or

    Use the pick tool to draw an imaginary rectangle over all the objects

iii. Click the arrange main menu

iv. Select group submenu

UNGROUP OBJECTS: Amendment can be made to one of the object being grouped together without affecting other objects. It can be done in the following way:

PROCEDURE

i.   Select the grouped objects with the pick tool

ii.  Click on Arrange main menu

iii. Select ungroup submenu

Or

When you select the grouped objects, on the property bar line appear the ungroup or ungroup all options. Select the choice you want, then click outside the grouped objects before you carry or make changes to the object you want to amends.

COMBINE OBJECT: Two or more objects can be combined together in CorelDraw. This   Command Function in the same way with group command, but with little differences. The difference is that with combine all the objects will become one and their colors will be the same, that is combine will change the different colors to the dominating color.

PROCEDURE

i.  Repeat the first three steps above for group object

ii. Click on combine submenu.

The combine command will automatically combine the selected and curves into a single curve object.

BREAK OBJECT APART:            This is used to convert a single multi-path curve object into a collection of single path objects.

PROCEDURE

i.  Repeat all the steps under ungroup above and select break   apart submenu instead of ungroup.

TRANSFORMING OBJECT: - Once you have select an object or a group of object (multiple) you can apply the following transformation to it.

STRETCH AND SCALE: - Stretch is the act of changing an object shape by lengthening it in one direction, and scale is the act of changing an object length and width at the same time. The status line help you to set precise values for stretching and scaling by giving you a numerical readout of the amount, if you try to stretch and scale an object that has already been cumulative amount.

Hold down the shift key while stretching and scaling so as to be able to stretch the object in increment of 100% of the object size. In order to ensure the final result you have to release the mouse button first before the shift key.

These can be done in two ways:

TO STRETCH AND SCALE USING MOUSE

i.   Select the object with the pick tool

ii.  Move the cursor over one of the either top and bottom (middle) or corner, 

     handle the mouse until the cursor change to a plus sign(+)

iii. Drag the handle in the desired direction. A dotted highlight box will grow or  shrink as you drag the cursor (mouse).

THE USE OF TRANSFORMATION COMMAND TO STRETCH AND SCALE

I.   Select the object

ii.  Click arrange main menu

iii. Select transformation submenu

A dialog box appears which allow you to enter specific vales for the amount of scaling or stretching, both horizontal and vertical.

You can leave the original specification

iv. Click on OK button.

Transform: This is the process of changing the shape / color of the object from its original shape / color to the default shape / color of the object.

ROTATE AND SKEW:

Rotate is another way of transforming an object from its original shape or form to another. By rotating an object, this can be done at 360⁰ either clockwise or anticlockwise. It also allows us to change t6he direction of our objects.

Skew is another way of changing the shape of an object in two directions only. It gives the object a slanting shape like words written in italics. This can only be achieved either to the right or left, up or down.

The difference between the rotation and skewing is that, with rotation you are allowed to move your objects round the clock while in skewing it is not possible.

These can be done in two ways:

TO ROTATE AND SKEW USING MOUSE

i.  Select object with pick tool

ii. Click the object the second time to enter into rotate and skew mode, move the 

    object in the appropriate direction by dragging the mouse around.

THE USE OF TRANSFORMATION COMMAND TO ROTATE AND SKEW

i.   Select the object with the pick tool

ii.  Click arrange main menu

iii  Select transformation submenu

iv. Choose rotate and skew option

v.  Enter a value for either horizontal or vertical

vi. Click on Apply.

MIRROR

This is a special case of stretching to create a reflection of the original object.

PROCEDURE

i.   Select the object with the pick too

ii.  Click on arrange main menu

iii. Select scale and mirror submenu

iv. Enter the value for the horizontal and vertical

v.  Click on apply.

CREATING SPECIAL EFFECTS

Once you have created an object, such can be transformed by applying CorelDraw special effect, such as: -Add perspective, Extrusion, Contouring, Envelope etc.

ADD PERSPECTIVE:

This is a command used to shape a text or object from any of its angles.

PROCEDURE

i.   Select the object with pick tool

ii.  Click effect main menu

iii. Select add perspective submenu

iv. Position the pointer at any of its angle and drag away to your taste.
CONTOURING

This creates series of concentric shape that gives an object three-dimensional appearances.  It also gives a special kind of outlines of different colors and styles to object or text.

PROCEDURE

i.   Select the object with pick tool

ii.  Click Effect main menu

iii. Click on contouring submenu

iv. On its property bar, specify steps, colors and position (center, inside or outside).

EXTRUDING

The interactive extrude tool gives objects the illusion of depth. This projects the surface of an object or gives it three-dimensional appearances. This helps to:

a)  Apply resident preset extrusion

b)  Specify a parallel or perspective extrusion

c)  Rotating the extrusion

d)  Change the color of the extrusion

e)  Apply up to three light sources to enhance the 3-D effects.

PROCEDURE

i.   Select the object with the pick tool

ii.  Select Effect main menu

iii. Select Extrude submenu

iv. Specify the no of depth, the type of extrusion, color etc.

v.  Click on selected object, the cursor changes to “X” and drag to your            desire

vi. Release the mouse.

SHIFTING VANISHING POINT

When applied extrude for the first time the extrusion’s varnishing point is always set to the centre of a page. To shift the vanishing point click on he depth icon, the H and Vcounter appear, you can alter it

CLEARING EXTRUSION

To clear an extrusion

i.   Select the extruded object with the pick tool

ii.  Click effect main menus

iii. Choose clear extrude/clear transformation submenu

EXTRUSION COLOURING ICON

This allows you to control the coloring on all the extruded surfaces. It provides three (3) options:

1.  The use object fill option will apply the current fill of the original face object to all the extruded surfaces

2.  The solid fill option allows you to apply different color chosen will be applied to all the extruded surfaces

3.  The shade option allows you to create the effect of one color gradually becoming another color along the length of the extruded surfaces.

ENVELOPE

Envelope an object is another way of reshaping and manipulating object. There are four editing mode of envelope, the first three mode are typically used to change the shape of one of the object,  if you need a dramatic change i.e. fitting text inside an irregular shape, then the fourth editing mode can be used.

ADDING NEW ENVELOPE

This allows you to give the type of shape you want to the object.

PROCEDURE

i.   Select the object with the pick tool

ii.  Select Effect main menu

iii. Select Envelope submenu

iv. From the property bar dialog box display, Select add new option

The selected object will be surrounded with a broken line with some nodes, and the cursor change to shape tool. All these will allow you to move the chsen node to the direction you want to form the exact shape you desired.

v.  Click on apply button

BY ADD PRESET

This is the process by which already made shapes are available.  However, there is no need of you shaping the object yourself.

PROCEDURE

i.   Select the object with the pick tool

ii.  Select Effect main menu

iii. Select Envelope submenu

iv. From the property bar dialog box display, Select add preset option

v.  Select the appropriate option

Note: you can make some changes to the enveloped object by dragging the nodes that surround the object

BLENDING

This command blends two objects through the series of intermediate shapes. This also involves the mixing of two or more objects together.

PROCEDURE

i.   Draw two objects and select them with pick tools

ii.  Select Effect main menu

iii. Select blend submenu

iv.  From the property bar dialog box display, select number of steps and rotation  

      angles if need be option

v.  Click on apply

Note: the two objects will be blended together with many intermediate shapes. The greater the number of steps, the finer the graduation between the shapes or fills   attributes.

SOME SHORTCUTS

S/N	FUNCTIONS	SHORTCUTS	S/N	FUNCTIONS	SHORTCUTS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18	NEW OPEN SAVE IMPORT EXPORT PRINT UNDO REDO REPEAT CUT COPY PASTE SELECT ALL DUPLICATE Copy property from… FULL screen Snap to Grid GROUP	Ctrl+N Ctrl+O Ctrl+S Ctrl+I Ctrl+E Ctrl+P Ctrl+Z Ctrl+shift+Z Ctrl+R Ctrl+X Ctrl+C Ctrl+V Ctrl+A Ctrl+D Ctrl+shift+A F9 Ctrl+Y Ctrl+G	19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32	UNGROUP COMBINE Break Apart Convert to curve Convert outline to object LENS Format Text Edit TEXT Align to Baseline OPTIONS View  Managers Graphics & Text Style Symbol & Special Character What’s This	Ctrl+U Ctrl+L Ctrl+K Ctrl+N Ctrl+Q Ctrl + shift + Q Alt+F3 Ctrl+T Ctrl+shift+T Alt + F2 Ctrl + J Ctrl + F2 Ctrl + F5   Ctrl + F11 Shift + F1

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