|
First some answers to questions I�ve seen elsewhere:
1. Corel Draw can do most of what Illustrator does for all you anime types!
2. Corel Draw probably has the same learning curve as Illustrator.
3. Help is a bit tougher to find since so many people are using Adobe products.
4. Yes, it is cheaper to buy.
|
 This
is a tutorial on how to use Corel Draw (version 10) to make basic
vectors. I use the full graphics suite but the bulk of the work is done
in Draw. I consider this to be a very basic way of working and stress
that this program (like Adobe Illustrator) is capable of much, much
more than what I can provide by example but I have created this so that
people can become more familiar with �the other� vector program out
there. For those of you who use or have heard a lot about Adobe
Illustrator, most of the same functions can be found in Draw although
certain tools and functions will be handled or carried out differently.
There are many options and settings you can change to suit your
preferences and the program interface is highly customizable.
My particular layout is as follows based on being a righthander although this is often modified:
Colour palettes and the most commonly used floating functions are docked
to the left. Less commonly used �dockers� are on the right.
A customized floating tool-bar is dragged around to any location that
keeps it handy. A custom colour palette is also floating around at the
ready.
I should mention at some point that you need a decent amount of R.A.M.
and a pretty big hard drive to keep Corel Draw working smoothly.
|
|
My current custom toolbar contains these functions:
SAVE: self explanatory.
IMPORT: this one is used to load vector and non-vector graphics that exist on file outside of the current document.
EXPORT: this is used to save the Corel Vector in A different format- usually a bitmap like .jpeg or .gif.
CUT: temporarily removes the currently
selected chunk of document onto the clipboard where often I will open it
directly into Corel Photo Paint (10) although this can be done directly
in Draw thru a separate function if it is a transitory step in your
project rather than a final one.
COPY: does the same thing but leaves the currently selected item right where it is.
PASTE: as you might expect this is to drop what is currently on the clipboard into the active document.
LOCK: used to keep a particular item from getting shifted around inadvertently. Very handy.
UNLOCK: self explanatory.
PICK: that�s the main tool used to grab onto things.
SHAPE: used to edit �nodes�.
AUTO CLOSE CURVE: for joining up open curves with a button click when your feeling too lazy to find a line�s starting point!
SELECT ALL NODES: exactly what it says to handle node modifications in bulk.
MAGNIFYING TOOL: is how you zoom in.
HAND TOOL: for �pulling� the view around the screen like a real hand would pull paper.
REFRESH SCREEN: sometimes portions of the document will get patchy and this button is used to bring things back in sight.
CENTER TO PAGE: a quick way to get selected items into position for precise editing. Very important when working on intricate vector shapes.
|
|
And still some more functions....
GROUP: very often you need to keep certain
bits and pieces together in a temporary set- this is especially helpful
for very complex projects and is used in conjunction with the OBJECT MANAGER - which itself is a �docker�.
UNGROUP: self explanatory.
UNDO: very often this little button saves your sanity!
REDO: UNDO�s little brother.
FREEHAND TOOL: this is the main drawing �pen� which is grouped with several other art tools in that location.
BREAK APART: used to separate objects from their outline - the best way I can describe it.
SNAP TO GRID: used a lot to line up things
exactly and is particularly useful for making perfect squares and square
shapes at precise locations.
SNAP TO GUIDELINES: used to line things up
along predefined lines that can be set in place regardless of the grid
(which doesn�t have to be present).
SNAP TO NONE: used for instant release of all snap functions in one go.
DELETE: self explanatory.
TO FRONT: moves items to the top of the �stack�.
TO BACK: moves items to the very back of the �stack�.
IN FRONT: moves an item directly in front of a chosen item.
BEHIND: moves an item directly behind a chosen item.
FORWARD ONE: moves the selected item up 1 level.
BACK ONE: moves the selected item down 1 level.
REVERSE ORDER: takes the entire �stack� and
flips it so the first drawn shapes are on the top instead of the bottom
and the last drawn shapes go to the bottom in the appropriate sequence.
|
 Now
finally! Some drawing technique! Remember, this is just the way I am
currently using this program- play around with the functions, brushes,
blends etc...this program has a lot of depth. Find a decent picture to
work with or use scanned-in line drawings- here I used the �import�
function to bring in a Corel Photo Paint object- a really buffed up
self-portrait! Draw contour lines around the major facial shapes with
the pen tool and fine tune the nodes to achieve the desired curves.
Big hint here: Use the �cusp� node if this gets frustrating.
|
 Pick
some appropriate colours- this for me is always loads of trial and
error- I wind up making a lot of custom palettes to simplify things. And
yes, I do like very bright colours! There isa lot of opportunity for
very free style drawing even if I don�t work in that particular way. In
fact, I hope to find some really good tutorials on anime for Corel Draw
so I can one day try it out.
|
I usually keep a hairline outline on all the shapes until near the
end when I�m toggling them on and off to check the quality of my work.
|
