Create a Simple Vector Object in Corel Draw

 In this post I have a special treat for readers today . A lesson in which I will show you how I draw simple vector objects…the following “blueprint” can be used for the foundation of most all small objects.If you’d like to follow along you can also use the free open platform program Inkscape if you don’t have access to Corel Draw. I include helpful screenshots so you don’t get lost along the way. OK, ready?

Step 1: Whichever program you are using, create a new document-no need to get too particular about the size, but go with at least one bigger than 600 pixels to allow for margin of error.

From your Toolbox, you’ll want to grab the Rectangle Tool, and draw a square shape. There is an “x” and “y” coordinates box somewhere near the top of the page that will provide measurements of your objects. Obviously we all know what a square looks like but if you’re a stickler for precision the coordinate figures will tell you – say for example, both x and y read “0.25” well then you’ve got yourself a perfectly square box.

Step 2: Go back to the Toolbox and look for the Fill tool – it resembles a paintcan. Choose a yellow shade.

Step 3: When you look at the basic shapes what you see is not limited to those….you can always modify the different shapes. At the top of the toolbar is an option to “round off” the corners…I chose “0.5” to give the corners a nice appearance.

Step 4: Drawing the face – Go to the “Ellipse” tool in your toolbox and select it….Now draw 2 small oval shapes; these will represent the eyes. Repeat step 2 to make them black in appearance. Lastly…draw 2 more oval shapes, this time much smaller…these will represent the eye highlights. Give them a white fill.

Step 5: When you are still in Ellipse mode; you should see another alternative option at the top of your toolbar which resembles a “pie” shape. There’s another one like it nearby that resembles an open semicircle…It is called the “Arc” – select it. Using it draw a semicircle shape which will represent the smiley mouth.

Step 6: I used the “Freehand” drawing tool for this one (it’s underneath the Pen tool) and drew a little embellishments for the smile mouth corners.

Step 7: Sometimes you don’t want your drawings to have a “flat” appearance – to prevent this I use the Gradient Tool regularly. It should be under the Interactive Fill tool. Give your yellow square a little depth by adding a gradient fill of white/yellow. White in its most perfect form is #FFFFFF but if you are in the neighborhood of cream or ivory don’t sweat it; it will still look good.

Step 8: I really dislike hard outlines around my drawings – I always go with the “Hairline Outline” option in the Outline tool. Sometimes “No Outline” is fine, too. There are other options for subtlety in tenths. Choose Hairline outline for the outside of the square as the program tends to default to 1.0 or in that neighborhood.

Step 9: This is the fun and easy way to add highlights to your images. Grab the Rectangle Tool again from step 1 and make a little bitty rectangle; then choose “Clone” and replicate it. Then repeat the step with a slightly smaller rectangle- the key is to make a little bitty “window”. Select all 4 of these and “Group” them together then give them a white fill. Last but not least choose the Transparency Tool and go with around 40-50% – the little “window” will look partially transparent. Move it on to the corner of your smiley guy. (Be sure you’ve chosen “No Outline” for the grouped window shape – subtle, subtle, subtle with highlights.)

Step 10: Add the words “Smile” using the Text tool using the font and color of your choice. For this I went with “Ravie”..I LOVE its appearance; it has that mod 60s/70s look to it.

All right…you have just completed a simple vector drawing!! Wasn’t that fun? If/when you are drawing other objects in the future remember that the tools and step I have provided will still apply regardless of the type of object.