A Few Simple Tools To Start--Chapter 4

Having now played with the interface a bit, we'll continue with the familiarity process. It is true that CorelDRAW is a graphics package which allows you to produce very powerful graphics. However, even the most sophisticated graphics produced by the most elite artists start with placing basic diagramming objects on the page, so we'll start with these basics.

Again, at this point, don't worry about memorizing. That will happen as you practice. Just have fun and get comfortable with playing.

You will learn

1. How to draw an ellipse and rectangle.
2. How to draw a circle and square.
3. The function of the Ctrl key.
4. The function of the Shift key.
5. The role of the Shape tool.
6. How to close a file.

For this chapter, you'll use 3 tools from the toolbox on the left hand side of the screen:

The Rectangle Tool

The Ellipse Tool

The Shape Tool

To draw an ellipse

Assuming you've never worked with CorelDRAW before, we'll take it step by step.

1. Click on the tool with the mouse.
2. Bring the mouse anywhere onto the work page.

Observe!

• The mouse cursor becomes a , informing you that you are using the tool.
3. Drag the mouse in any direction.

Observe!

• The ellipse is growing before your eyes!
• Where you click the mouse to start becomes a corner.
4. Release the mouse button. It's that simple!

Note Did you notice you could drag the mouse in any direction?

Observe!

• When complete the ellipse has a set of handles around it. These handles are called "selection handles."
• The tool is still selected, so you can draw as many ellipses as you like. There is no need to "re-select" the tool in order to continue drawing.

To draw a rectangle

1. Click on the tool with the mouse.
2. Bring the mouse anywhere onto the work page.

Observe!

• The mouse cursor becomes a .



3. Drag the mouse in any direction.
4. Release the mouse button.

Observe!

• Again, selection handles appear on the rectangle when you finish.

Modifier Keys: Ctrl and Shift

You can hold the Ctrl key and/or the Shift key to modify the behavior of the drawing tools. (The Alt key is also used to modify the behavior of other functions.)

The Ctrl key

The Ctrl key is always used to constrain your action on the screen. You'll see many examples of this as we go along. In the case of the ellipse and rectangle tools:

• The Ctrl key constrains an ellipse to a circle.
• The Ctrl key constrains a rectangle to a square.

To draw a circle

1. Select the tool.
2. Hold the Ctrl key down.
3. Draw an ellipse just as you did before.
4. Release the mouse button.
Release the Ctrl key.

To draw a square

1. Select the tool.
2. Hold the Ctrl key.
3. Draw a rectangle just as you did before.
4. Release the mouse button.
5. Release the Ctrl key.

The Shift key

Thus far, as you've drawn an object, the point where you first click the mouse becomes a corner as you draw. The object is drawn out from that point. When you hold the Shift key, where you first click the mouse becomes the center (as opposed to a corner). In other words, the object will grow from a center point.

To draw a rectangle from the center

1. Select the tool.
2. Hold the Shift key.
3. Draw a rectangle just as you did before.

Observe!

• This time the rectangle expands from the center as you draw.
4. Release the mouse.
5. Release the Shift key.

Now, how would you draw a square from the center? Simple. Just hold down both the Ctrl and Shift keys as you draw.

Important!

• You can invoke the Ctrl key and/or the Shift key at anytime in the drawing process. In other words, you don't have to start over if you didn't begin by holding those keys.
• However, if it is your intention to invoke the Ctrl key or Shift key, make sure that you release the mouse before you release the special keys or else their effect be lost.
• When creating an object,the Ctrl and Shift keys work the same regardless of which diagramming object you're using. Try using them with the tool.

The Shape Tool

The Shape tool has no life of its own...it only impacts other diagramming objects. The Shape tool is appropriately named...it modifies the basic shapes of the diagramming objects. Again, it operates on each diagramming object differently and uniquely, so in this sense it is very versatile.

Our intention in demonstrating the Shape tool now is two-fold:

1. To show you it exists.
2. More importantly, to prepare you for a dynamic but subtle change in the screen. This has to do with a feature that is new to CorelDRAW 8 which we'll explore later.

For this purpose, we'll carefully explore how the Shape tool operates on a rectangle.

The Shape Tool with a rectangle

Note The Shape tool is associated with the cursor. You'll see why we are placing so much emphasis on this when we explore the screen and object dynamics a little later in the training.

1. Choose FILE/New to begin a new document.
2. Using the tool, draw a nice sized rectangle on the page.
3. Select the tool.

Observe and Important!

• The cursor changes to . You'll see why this is important a little later.
4. Place the cursor directly over the top-right corner of the rectangle.

Observe!



• When you are directly over the corner, the node enlarges, indicating it is active and the cursor changes to .
5. Now, drag the node straight down or to the left.

Observe!

• The Shape tool makes good on its name...you are reshaping the rectangle.

For now, be aware that the tool reshapes an object and it is associated specifically with the cursor!

Closing a file

CorelDRAW allows you to open as many documents as your system memory can support. When you're finished with a document, its a good habit to close it.

1. Choose FILE/Close.

Observe!

• You'll be asked if you want to save your work.






Note You can also close a document by clicking on the button in the right corner of the document window.

2. Choose No.
3. Close all open documents without saving.






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_{Last Updated September 30, 1998.}


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