Corel PaintShop Pro Help | Editing contours and paths

Editing contours and paths

You can edit the contours and paths of vector objects. You can join contours by connecting their end points. You can also reverse the direction of paths and contours. The direction of a contour flows from the start node to the end node. When you place the cursor over the start node, a "START" message appears next to the cursor. When you place the cursor over the end node, an "END" message appears. If the object has a closed path, a "CLOSE" message appears.

You can duplicate contours.

For more information about the different types of nodes, see Modifying lines and curves.

To join two contours

Edit workspace

On the Tools toolbar, select the Pen tool

On the Tool Options palette, click the Edit Mode button

Select one of the contours you want to join.

All of the nodes in the object are displayed.

Select the start or end node of the first contour you want to join.

Note: You can only join contours in the same object.

Hold down Shift, and select the start or end node of the second contour.

Right-click, and choose Edit

Join.

You can also join contours manually. Drag a node on the first contour over the second contour’s start or end node. When the cursor displays "JOIN," release the mouse button.

To break a contour at a node

Edit workspace

On the Tools toolbar, select the Pen tool

On the Tool Options palette, click the Edit Mode button

Select the node where you want to break the contour.

Right-click the node, and choose Edit

Break.

The path or contour breaks and a new node is added on top of the current node. The node square changes to a node-on-node indicator .

To move a path

Edit workspace

On the Tools toolbar, select the Pen tool

On the Tool Options palette, click the Edit Mode button

Drag any contour in the path.

To move a contour

Edit workspace

On the Tools toolbar, select the Pen tool

On the Tool Options palette, click the Edit Mode button

Hold down Shift, and move the cursor over the contour until the cursor displays "SUB."

Drag the contour.

You can also move a contour by double-clicking a node to select all nodes, and then dragging one of the nodes.

To reverse a path or contour

Edit workspace

On the Tools toolbar, select the Pen tool

On the Tool Options palette, click the Edit Mode button

Click on a contour or path.

Select a node.

If you want to reverse multiple contours, select one node from each contour.

Right-click the path or contour, choose Edit, and then choose one of the following:

•

Reverse Path

•

Reverse Contour

To duplicate a contour

Edit workspace

On the Tools toolbar, select the Pen tool

On the Tool Options palette, click the Edit Mode button

Select one or more nodes.

Choose Objects

Edit, and select one of the following options:

•

Duplicate — copies the selected contour and pastes it directly on top of the original contour

•

Duplicate & Offset — copies the selected contour and pastes it at an offset from the original contour. The default offset is 10 pixels in the X and Y directions.

You can adjust the offset from the original contour by adjusting the settings in the Duplication X and Duplication Y controls on the Tool Options palette.

To delete a contour

Edit workspace

On the Tools toolbar, select the Pen tool

In the Tool Options palette, click the Edit Mode button

Click on a contour.

Double-click one node to select all nodes.

Press Delete.

You cannot delete a path. A path is deleted with its object or when all of its contours are deleted.

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