Quick links to procedures on this page:
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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 | ![]() |
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In the toolbox, click the Contour tool ![]() |
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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.
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Move the object slider to change the number of contour steps.
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You can create contours by clicking Effects ![]() |
To copy or clone a contour | ![]() |
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Select the object you want to contour.
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Click Effects and click one of the following:
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Copy effect ![]() |
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Clone effect ![]() |
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Click a contour object.
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You can also use the Attributes eyedropper tool ![]() |
To set the fill color for a contour object | ![]() |
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In the toolbox, click the Contour tool ![]() |
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Select a contour object.
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Open the Uniform Fill picker on the property bar, and click a color.
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If the original object has a fountain fill, a second color picker appears. |
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You can accelerate the fill color progression by clicking the Object and color
acceleration button ![]() |
You can change the contour center’s color by dragging a color from the color
palette to the end fill handle.
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To specify an outline color for the contour object | ![]() |
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In the toolbox, click the Contour tool ![]() |
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Select a contour object.
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Open the Outline color picker on the property bar, and click a color.
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To set the fill progression | ![]() |
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In the toolbox, click the Contour tool ![]() |
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Select a contour object.
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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 | ![]() |
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Using the Pick tool ![]() |
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Click Arrange ![]() |
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