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 also choose how contour corners appear. For example, you can use pointed or rounded corners, or you can bevel (square off) sharp contour corners.

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

1 .	In the toolbox, click the Contour tool .

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.
Use pointed contour corners	Click the Mitered corners button .
Use rounded contour corners	Click the Round corners button . The effect of this control is more obvious with outside contours.
Use beveled contour corners	Click the Bevel corners button .

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

To copy or clone a contour

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Copy effect Contour from

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Clone effect Contour from

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

1 .	In the toolbox, click the Contour tool .

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

1 .	In the toolbox, click the Contour tool .

To set the fill progression

1 .	In the toolbox, click the Contour tool .

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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

1 .	Using the Pick tool , select a contoured object.

2 .	Click Object Break contour group apart.

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