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Reference: Working with symbols

Modifying symbol instances Back to Top

The following object properties can be modified for symbol instances. If a symbol contains multiple objects, all objects in the symbol instance are treated collectively as a single object, just as if they were grouped.

Property
Notes
Position
Can be modified on the property bar. For more information, see Positioning objects.
Size
Can be modified on the property bar. For more information, see Sizing and scaling objects.
Scale
Percentage is relative to the symbol definition. Can be modified on the property bar. For more information, see Sizing and scaling objects.
Skew
For more information, see Skewing and stretching objects.
Rotation angle
Can be modified on the property bar. For more information, see Rotating and mirroring objects.
Transparency
Uniform transparency only. Can be modified in the Symbol section of the Object properties docker.
Mirror
Can be modified on the property bar. For more information, see Rotating and mirroring objects.
Wrap text
Can be modified in the Summary section of the Object properties docker. Can also be modified on the property bar. For more information, see To wrap paragraph text around an object, artistic text, or a text frame.
Order
Can be modified on the property bar. For more information, see Changing the order of objects.
Name
The name of an instance is displayed in the Symbol manager docker. Click twice to change it.

Unsupported object types Back to Top

Most objects in CorelDRAW can be converted to symbols, with the following exceptions.

Unsupported object type
Notes
Linked or embedded objects
Includes bar codes
Objects with lenses that are not frozen
Lenses must be frozen.
Control objects in link groups (such as drop shadows, contours, blends, bevels, and extrusions)
All related objects in the link group must be included in the symbol. For example, if an object has a drop shadow, you cannot convert the object without the drop shadow. Alternatively, you can break the group apart.
Objects with Artistic Media effects applied
Spray effects must be broken apart into curve objects. Other Artistic Media effects must be either broken apart, or converted as a link group. Spray effects that contain transparencies cannot be converted to symbols.
Print merge fields
 
Linked bitmaps
 
Placed PDF or EPS files
 
Locked object
Object must be unlocked.
Paragraph text
 
Connector and dimension lines
Must be broken apart or included with the linked object or objects
Guidelines
 
Rollovers
You cannot convert a rollover to a symbol; however, you can include a symbol instance in a rollover state.
Objects with transparency or transparency effects applied
Transparency effects must be converted to a bitmap.


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