Quick links to procedures on this page:

•
 
To contour an object
•
 
To copy or clone a contour
•
 
To set the fill color for a contour object
•
 
To specify an outline color for the contour object
•
 
To set the fill progression
•
 
To separate an object from its contour lines

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 3D 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.

You can separate an object from its contour lines.

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.

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 Back to Top
1
 
In the toolbox, click the Contour tool .
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 .
Specify the number of contour lines
Click the Inside contour or Outside contour 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 on the property bar, and move the object slider.

You can create contours by clicking Effects Contour and specifying the settings you want in the Contour docker.
To copy or clone a contour Back to Top
1
 
Select the object you want to contour.
2
 
Click Effects and click one of the following:
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Copy effect Contour from
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Clone effect Contour from
3
 
Click a contour object.
You can also use the Attributes eyedropper tool 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 Back to Top
1
 
In the toolbox, click the Contour tool .
2
 
Select a contour object.
3
 
Open the Uniform Fill picker on the property bar, and click a color.
If the original object has a fountain fill, a second color picker appears.
You can accelerate the fill color progression by clicking the Object and color acceleration button on the property bar.
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 Back to Top
1
 
In the toolbox, click the Contour tool .
2
 
Select a contour object.
3
 
Open the Outline color picker on the property bar, and click a color.
To set the fill progression Back to Top
1
 
In the toolbox, click the Contour tool .
2
 
Select a contour object.
3
 
Click one of the following buttons on the property bar:
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Linear contour colors
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Clockwise contour colors
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Counterclockwise contour colors
To separate an object from its contour lines Back to Top
1
 
Using the Pick tool , select a contoured object.
2
 
Click Arrange Break contour group apart.
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