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. Corel DESIGNER 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. With cloning, any changes you make to the master object are automatically applied to its clones. 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 cabinet on the right. 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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Click the Interactive tools button, and click the Contour tool
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2. |
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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3. |
Move the object slider to change the number of contour steps.
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You can create contours by clicking Effects  Contour and specifying the
settings you want in the Contour docker.
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| To copy or clone a contour | |
1. |
Select the object to which you want to apply the contour effect.
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2. |
Click Effects, and click one of the following:
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Copy effect Contour from
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Clone effect Contour from
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3. |
Click the object whose contour effect you want to copy or clone.
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You can also use the Attributes eyedropper tool
 to copy a contour. For
more information, see To copy effects from one object to another.
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| To set the fill color for a contour object | |
1. |
Click the Interactive tools button, and click the Contour tool
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2. |
Select a contour object.
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Open the Fill color picker on the property bar, and click a color.
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If you cannot apply the fill color, you need to make sure the Fill color option is enabled on the status bar. |
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
 on the property bar.
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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 | |
1. |
Click the Interactive tools button, and click the Contour tool
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2. |
Select a contour object.
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3. |
Open the Outline color picker on the property bar, and click a color.
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| To set the fill progression | |
1. |
Click the Interactive tools button, and click the Contour tool
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2. |
Select a contour object.
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3. |
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
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| To separate an object from its contour lines | |
1. |
Using the Pick tool
 , select a contoured object.
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Click Arrange Break contour group apart.
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Copyright 2013 Corel Corporation. All rights reserved.
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or Outside contour
button on the property bar, and type a value in the Contour steps box on the property bar.
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