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Constraining objects

You can restrict how objects are drawn and edited by using a constrain key while you draw. For example, you can press a constrain key to constrain a rectangle to a square, an ellipse to a circle, or a straight line to a perfectly horizontal or vertical line. By default, the application uses the Ctrl key to constrain the shape or angle of objects, and the Shift key to draw shapes outward from their center of origin. However, you can change the default constrain key to Shift at any time.

You can use a control key to draw or rotate an object, or the nodes and control handles of an object, at a preset increment. This increment is known as the constrain angle. By default, the constrain angle is 15 degrees, but you can change it to suit your needs.

To constrain objects while drawing or editing Back to Top

To
Do the following
Constrain a shape to equal width and height
While holding down Ctrl, draw diagonally.
Use a preset increment (the constrain angle) to draw or rotate an object
While holding down Ctrl, move the pointer to draw or rotate the object.

A rectangle is constrained to a square, an ellipse to a circle, and a polygon to a shape with sides of equal length.
To change the constrain key Back to Top
1.
 
Click Tools Options.
2.
 
In the Workspace list of categories, click Toolbox, and then click Pick tool.
3.
 
In the Ctrl and Shift keys area, enable one of the following options:
Traditional CorelDRAW — lets you use the Ctrl key as the constrain key and the Shift key to draw shapes outward from their center of origin
Windows standard — lets you use the Shift key as the constrain key and the Ctrl key to apply transformations to the duplicate of an object while leaving the original intact
To change the constrain angle Back to Top
1.
 
Click Tools Options.
2.
 
In the Workspace list of categories, click Edit.
3.
 
Type a value in the Constrain angle box.

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