Test-driving CorelDRAW’s PowerTRACE Features

By Steve Bain

In the publishing world, it happens all too often. Someone sends you a low-qualitly logo image at the last minute, when what you really need is a digital vector file — preferably in the proper colors. If you’ve run into this scenario before, you may already know how time-consuming the manual-conversion process can be. In this tutorial, I’ll build on my previous PowerTRACE installment by showing you how easily PowerTRACE can convert pixels to vector shapes.

We’ll tackle a bitmap-tracing project that will enable you to quickly produce an accurate two-color vector version of a logo design. Along the way, you’ll learn how to use many of the powerful new features engineered into PowerTRACE that make the process fast and efficient.

Turn Digital Images into Vector Artwork with PowerTRACE

By Steve Bain

Recent versions of CorelDRAW include powerful new onboard tracing tools you can use to quickly trace your digital images into vector artwork. In this tutorial, I’ll highlight the value of using CorelDRAW’s revamped bitmap-tracing tools and demonstrate the results of using various tracing options.

Create Your Own Custom Fonts Using CorelDRAW (Part I)

By Steve Bain   

The challenge of tackling your own font design can be daunting without the right tools. Fortunately, CorelDRAW Graphics Suite has everything you need to design your own custom logotype font or typeface design.

New Rules for the Pick Tool

by Steve Bain

If you’re a legacy CorelDRAW user peforming advanced design or illustration tasks or even basic vector drawing work, this may pique your interest. Since the release of version 12, there have been a couple of key changes to CorelDRAW’s Pick Tool default behavior. You can no longer manipulate object nodes using just the Pick Tool and you’ll need to pay closer attention when selecting unfilled objects.

Create Cool 3D Chiseled Graphics (part 2)

By Steve Bain

In part 1 of this 2-part tutorial, we learned how to create the illusion of chiseled effects in CorelDRAW using very basic shapes. Now we’ll explore how to work with more complex shapes. We’ll also reveal how to add realistic color schemes to simulate various lighting levels.

Create Cool 3D Chiseled Graphics (part 1)

By Steve Bain

In this visit to the CorelDRAW toolbox, you’ll discover a technique you can use to create perfectly chiseled shapes. It’s an effect that will enable you to create the 3D illusion of shapes which appear either recessed into – or raised above - a flat surface. Your success will depend on your object’s shape, your skill at node editing and path commands, and of course how closely you follow these tutorial steps.