Using symbols in drawings

You can insert a symbol into a drawing, which creates a symbol instance. You can modify certain properties of a symbol instance, such as size and position, without affecting the symbol definition stored in the library. You can revert a symbol instance to an object or objects while preserving its properties. You can also delete a symbol instance.


To insert a symbol instance

CorelDRAW btnbacktotop Using symbols in drawings
1.
 
Open the Symbol manager docker by clicking Window CorelDRAW onestep Using symbols in drawings Dockers CorelDRAW onestep Using symbols in drawings Symbol manager.
If you want the symbol scaled automatically to match the current drawing scale, ensure that the Scale to world units button CorelDRAW pgx scale world units but Using symbols in drawings is enabled.
2.
 
Choose a symbol from the Symbols list.
3.
 
Click the Insert symbol button CorelDRAW pgx insert symbol Using symbols in drawings.

CorelDRAW note Using symbols in drawings

 
The term “symbol,” as it was used in earlier versions of CorelDRAW, has been replaced by “special character”. For more information about working with special characters, see “Embedding graphics and adding special characters.”

CorelDRAW tip Using symbols in drawings

 
You can also insert a symbol instance by dragging a symbol from the Symbol manager docker to the drawing window.

To purge unused symbol definitions

CorelDRAW btnbacktotop Using symbols in drawings
1.
 
In the Symbol manager docker, click the active document.
2.
 
Click the Purge unused definitions button CorelDRAW pgx purge unused symbols button Using symbols in drawings.

To modify a symbol instance

CorelDRAW btnbacktotop Using symbols in drawings
1.
 
Select a symbol instance.
2.
 
Make any changes.

CorelDRAW note Using symbols in drawings

 
If a symbol contains multiple objects, all objects in the symbol instance are treated as if they were a group. You cannot modify individual objects in a symbol instance.
 
Not all properties of a symbol instance can be modified. For a list of properties that can be modified, see “Modifying symbol instances.”

CorelDRAW tip Using symbols in drawings

 
When a symbol instance is selected, you can modify many object properties on the property bar.

To revert a symbol instance to an object or objects

CorelDRAW btnbacktotop Using symbols in drawings
1.
 
Select a symbol instance.
2.
 
Click Edit CorelDRAW onestep Using symbols in drawings Symbol CorelDRAW onestep Using symbols in drawings Revert to objects.

CorelDRAW note Using symbols in drawings

 
The symbol remains in the Symbol manager.

CorelDRAW tip Using symbols in drawings

 
You can also revert a symbol instance to an object by right-clicking the symbol instance and clicking Revert to objects.

To delete a symbol instance

CorelDRAW btnbacktotop Using symbols in drawings
1.
 
Select a symbol instance.
2.
 
Press Delete.

CorelDRAW note Using symbols in drawings

 
The symbol remains in the Symbol manager.

Using symbols in drawings