ACP Technologies - Drawing Tools

	Tracing Bitmaps - Exercise File
CorelDRAW Tools
- Drawing tools

Tracing Bitmaps with Corel's Drawing tools

CorelDRAW gives you the ability to create a vector image from a bitmap image.

Original Image

1) CorelDRAW comes with an excellent utility, Corel Trace. You will need to experiment with Trace. Bring some images into Corel Trace, experiment with the settings. You can actually create some special effects with this program.

2) Unfortunately, in the real world, some images just can't be traced successfully with software. CorlDRAW, with its drawing tools, gives you the ability to manually trace a bitmap

In order to trace a bitmap, there are concepts you need understand , and drawing tools you must use.

Definitions

Vector Images created in CorelDRAW are comprised of a series of vectors or lines referred to as vector images. These objects can be represented mathematically, and lend themselves to reproducing sharp lines that require less printing resources. The image size can be increased exponentially without losing any image quality.

Bitmaps are images that consist of individual pixels arranged in patterns, much like the picture on a television screen. These images tend to offer greater subtleties of color, but cannot be increased in size without loosing image quality. Bitmap images are created by scanners, digital cameras, etc.

Drawing tools are found in the Curve flyout in the Toolbox

Freehand tool - Lets you draw single line segments and curves, one at a time

Draw a Curved line – click and drag

Draw a Straight line – click once and then click again

Holding down the Ctrl key constrains the line to the angle set by the Tools menu / Options / Workspace / Edit / Constrain Angle command – this facilitates the drawing of horizontal or vertical lines.

Bezier tool - Lets you draw curves and lines one segment at a time using a connect-the-dots style of drawing.

Draw a Curved line – click and drag

Draw a Straight line – click once and then click again

Create a Cusp node by double clicking the node

Pen tool - lets you draw curves and lines one segment at a time, providing a preview as you draw.

Polyline tool – lets you draw lines and curves in preview mode, performs similar to the Freehand tool in previous versions of CorelDRAW.

3 Point Curve tool – lets you draw a curve by defining the start, end, and center point.

B-Spline tool – draw curved lines by setting control points that shape the curve without breaking it.

Shape tool - Lets you edit the shape of objects by manipulating nodes, control points and paths to change the shape of of objects.

The Shape tool is the most powerful tool in CorelDRAW. All vector graphics consist of line segments, nodes, and control points. If you understand the use of the Shape tool in editing the shape of objects, you have crossed the threshold into understanding CorelDRAW.

Nodes - the square points at the end of a line or segment, there are four types of nodes

Control Handles - for each curved line segment, a node has a Control Handle connected to it. The Control Handle determines the direction and angle of the curved line segment passes through the node.

Line node – controls a line segment that is straight.

Symmetrical node – control points of the node are on a straight line, and are equal in distance from the node.

Smooth node – control points of the node are on a straight line, and do not have to be equal in distance from the node.

Cusp node – each control point can move independently from one another, and is used to create sharp angles

Once you understand the differences between the different node types and drawing tools, you will need to practice. Place some rectangles, circles, type some text on a page. Trace them using the drawing tools. Fine tune your lines with the Shape tool.

Tracing an Image

1) Open the file - acp_corel_draw_02_01.cdr

2) Double click the Pick tool to select all objects – Right click on an object and then select Lock Object

3) Select the Pen tool from the Curve flyout in the tool box

- Click on the end points of the lightning bolt - to finish creating the object, you must close it by clicking on its beginning node.

- the letter “T”

-the letter “M”

4) Select the Ellipse tool

- Draw an ellipse over the letter “O”, size and skew the ellipse so that it matches the outside of the letter “O”

It is easier to stretch the ellipse while it not

5) Press the + key on the numeric keyboard to duplicate the “O”

6) Size and skew so that it matches the inside of the letter “O

7) Select both “O”s and click Combine from the Arrange menu

8) Select the Rectangle tool

- Draw a rectangle over the letter “R”

9) Click Convert to Curves on the Property bar

10) Select the Shape tool

- Marquee select the rectangle, click Convert Line To Curve on the Property bar - manipulate the control points, nodes (add when needed) and line segments of the rectangle to conform to the outline of the “R”

11) Repeat the steps to create the center of the “R”

12) Select both and click Combine from the Arrange menu

Creating the Cloud using the Bezier tool

13) Select the Bezier tool - On left side of the cloud, create a center line in the cloud's outline - to create a curve you set a point and then click and drag the cursor - to create a sharp angle (cusp node) you double click the last set point, then click and drag the cursor.

14) From the Outline flyout on the Toolbox, choose 8 point width rounded line caps

Creating the Cloud using the 3 Point Curve

15) Select the 3 Point Curve tool - On right side of the cloud, create a center line in the cloud's outline - to create a curve you click and drag to set the curves end points, then move the cursor set the curves height - to continue the curve, click on the last end point

16) From the Outline flyout on the Toolbox, choose 8 point width rounded line caps

Capturing bitmap colors with the Eyedropper tool

17) Select the Color Eyedropper tool

18) Click on the maroon color of the letter "T" to select the color - Hold the Shift key down and move to the edge of the "T" - The cursor will change to outline, click to change the outline color - move to the center of the "T" - The cursor will change to fill, click to change the fill color - Repeat these steps for the letters and lightning bolt

19) Right click the bitmap image - Choose Unlock Object - Press The Delete key

Finished Image

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