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Shaping objects by using envelopes

CorelDRAW lets you shape objects, including lines, artistic text, and paragraph text frames by applying envelopes to them. Envelopes are made of multiple nodes that you can move to shape the envelope and, as a result, change the shape of the object. You can apply a basic envelope that conforms to the shape of an object, or you can also apply a preset envelope. After you apply an envelope, you can edit it or add a new envelope to continue changing the object’s shape. CorelDRAW also lets you copy and remove envelopes.

You can edit an envelope by adding and positioning its nodes. Adding nodes gives you more control over the shape of the object contained in the envelope. CorelDRAW also lets you delete nodes, move multiple nodes simultaneously, change nodes from one type to another, and change a segment of an envelope to a line or curve. For more information about the different types of nodes, see Using curve objects.

You can also change the mapping mode of an envelope to specify how the object fits to the envelope. For example, you can stretch an object to fit the basic dimensions of the envelope, and then apply the horizontal mapping mode to compress it horizontally so that it fits the shape of the envelope.

To apply an envelope Back to Top

 

Click the Add preset button on the property bar, and click an envelope shape.
Click the Add new envelope button on the property bar, and drag the nodes to change the shape of the envelope.
Click Effects Clear envelope.

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You can also apply an envelope by using the Envelope docker (Effects Envelope).

You can prevent the object’s straight lines from being converted to curves by enabling the Keep lines button on the property bar.

To copy an envelope Back to Top

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You can also copy an envelope by selecting an object, clicking the Copy envelope properties button on the property bar, and selecting an object with the envelope you want to copy.

You can also use the Eyedropper tool to copy an envelope. For more information, see To copy effects from one object to another.

To edit the nodes and segments of an envelope Back to Top

 

Click the Unconstrained mode button on the property bar, marquee select the nodes you want to move, and drag any node to a new position.
On the property bar, choose Rectangular from the Selection mode list box, and drag around the nodes that you want to select.
On the property bar, choose Freehand from the Selection mode list box, and drag around the nodes you want to select.
Press Ctrl, select two opposing nodes, and drag them to a new position.
Click the Single-arc mode or Double-arc mode button on the property bar so that it appears raised, press Shift, and drag one of the nodes to a new position.
Click the Unconstrained mode button on the property bar so that it appears pressed, and click either the Cusp node , the Smooth node , or the Symmetrical node button.
Click the Unconstrained mode button on the property bar so that it appears pressed, click a line segment, and click the Convert to line button or the Convert to curve button.
To change the mapping mode Back to Top

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The mapping mode of paragraph text frames cannot be changed after an envelope is applied.


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