Contouring objects

You can contour an object to create a series of concentric lines that progress to the inside or outside of the object. CorelDRAW also lets you set the number and distance of the contour lines.

In addition to creating interesting three-dimensional effects, you can use contours to create cuttable outlines for output to devices, such as plotters, engraving machines, and vinyl cutters.

After contouring an object, you can copy or clone its contour settings to another object. You can also change the colors of the fill between the contour lines and the contour outlines themselves. You can set a color progression in the contour effect, where one color blends into another. The color progression can follow a straight, clockwise, or counterclockwise path through the color range of your choice.

CorelDRAW 3d contour center Contouring objects

A center contour has been applied to the above object. The number of contour lines, as well as the distance between lines, can be changed.

CorelDRAW 3d contour outside Contouring objects

An outside contour has been applied to the above object. Note that an outside contour projects from the outside edge of the object.


To contour an object

CorelDRAW btnbacktotop Contouring objects
1.
 
In the toolbox, click the Contour tool CorelDRAW pgx interact cont tool Contouring objects.
2.
 
Click an object or a set of grouped objects, and drag the start handle toward the center to create an inside contour or away from the center to create an outside contour.
3.
 
Move the object slider to change the number of contour steps.

You can also
Add contour lines to the center of the selected object
Click the To center button CorelDRAW pgx contour center Contouring objects.
Specify the number of contour lines
Click the Inside CorelDRAW pgx contour inside Contouring objects or Outside CorelDRAW pgx contour outside Contouring objects button on the property bar, and type a value in the Contour steps box on the property bar.
Specify the distance between contour lines
Type a value in the Contour offset box on the property bar.
Accelerate contour line progression
Click the Object and color acceleration button CorelDRAW pgx objclracc button Contouring objects on the property bar, and move the object slider.

CorelDRAW tip Contouring objects

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You can create contours by clicking Effects CorelDRAW onestep Contouring objects Contour and specifying the settings you want in the Contour docker.

To copy or clone a contour

CorelDRAW btnbacktotop Contouring objects
1.
 
Select the object you want to contour.
2.
 
Click Effects and click one of the following:
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Copy effect CorelDRAW onestep Contouring objects Contour from
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Clone effect CorelDRAW onestep Contouring objects Contour from
3.
 
Click a contour object.

CorelDRAW tip Contouring objects

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You can also use the Eyedropper tool CorelDRAW pgx eyedropper tool Contouring objects to copy a contour. For more information, see “To copy effects from one object to another.”

To set the fill color for a contour object

CorelDRAW btnbacktotop Contouring objects
1.
 
In the toolbox, click the Contour tool CorelDRAW pgx interact cont tool Contouring objects .
2.
 
Select a contour object.
3.
 
Open the Fill color picker on the property bar, and click a color.
If the original object has a fountain fill, a second color picker appears.

CorelDRAW tip Contouring objects

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You can accelerate the fill color progression by clicking the Object and color acceleration button CorelDRAW pgx objclracc button Contouring objects on the property bar.
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You can change the contour center’s color by dragging a color from the color palette to the end fill handle.

To specify an outline color for the contour object

CorelDRAW btnbacktotop Contouring objects
1.
 
In the toolbox, click the Contour tool CorelDRAW pgx interact cont tool Contouring objects .
2.
 
Select a contour object.
3.
 
Open the Outline color picker on the property bar, and click a color.

To set the fill progression

CorelDRAW btnbacktotop Contouring objects
1.
 
In the toolbox, click the Contour tool CorelDRAW pgx interact cont tool Contouring objects .
2.
 
Select a contour object.
3.
 
Click one of the following buttons on the property bar:
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Linear contour colors CorelDRAW pgx contour linear Contouring objects
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Clockwise contour colors CorelDRAW pgx contour clockwise Contouring objects
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Counterclockwise contour colors CorelDRAW pgx contour cclockwise Contouring objects

Contouring objects