CorelDRAW Sign TIPS

Customizing Text Options in CorelDraw (For CorelDraw 7 to 12)
With CorelDRAW some of the text options are just not sign maker friendly. Thankfully, since version 7 of
Corel DRAW you have been able to customize the program to the way you work. A few simple
modifications can make working with Text in Corel so much easier.

For more information click here.

Scanning & Tracing with Corel (For CorelDraw 7 to 12)
SignTools cannot cut Bitmaps or Raster Graphics such as .bmp, .gif, .tif and .jpg files that have been imported into CorelDRAW. This also applies to any image that has been scanned. With a bitmap image you must first take it into CorelTRACE, trace the image, save the traced result, then import into CorelDRAW.

For more information click here.

Missing Font Dimensions in CorelDraw 10, 11 & 12
Since the release of CorelDraw 10 the font height and length are no longer on the Property Bar. For the sign maker this makes life difficult as the major part of our work involves working with text. Fortunately there is an easy way put the text dimensions back on the Property Bar.

For more information click here.

Restoring Defaults in Corel Draw (For CorelDraw versions 8 to 12)
If you find menus disappearing or other settings have changed or been lost, here is a simple solution.

1. Hold down the F8 key.
2. Launch CorelDRAW in the usual way. After a few seconds the dialogue box below will appear.



3. Click the "Yes" button.

Corel will then start with all the menus, tools, etc. looking the way they did when you first installed the program.

This also works for Corel PHOTO-PAINT and CorelTRACE.

Creating Outline for Sign Cutting (For CorelDraw versions 5 to 8)
Pick your text or object and go to "effects" at the top of your screen then click on "contour", a pop up menu will appear. Make sure the (to outside) option is selected and pick a thickness. After the operation is complete you will need to go up to "arrange" and click on separate.

Creating Drop Shades (For CorelDraw versions 5 to 8)
Select the text and copy to clipboard. Make a duplicate and offset to create the shade. Select both lots of text, go to arrange and click on trim. Delete the top copy and paste the original back in.

Creating Outlines with Drop Shade (For CorelDraw versions 5 to 8)
Enter a line of text. Use "contour" to make an out line around the text. Separate the contour from the text, then ungroup the contour. Duplicate the contour and move to the desired shade position. Select the original contour and shade. Use "weld" to fuse them together.

Removing Overlaps From Script Lettering (For CorelDraw versions 5 to 7)
Enter a line of script text. Go to "Arrange" menu and click on "Convert To Curves". Go back to the "Arrange" menu and click on "Break Apart". Select all of the objects without the letter centres, go to the "Arrange" menu and click on "Weld". Finally select all of the objects including letter centres, go to "Arrange" menu and click on "Combine".

Removing Overlaps From Script Lettering (For CorelDraw versions 7.467 & 8)
Enter a line of script text. Go to "Arrange" menu and click on "Weld", a dialog box will appear. Click on the "Weld To" button and then point the arrow to your line of text and click.

Cutting Thick Vinyl (For CorelDraw versions 5 to 12)
With reflective, phosphorescent, sand blast film or any other vinyl that is too thick for your plotter to cut, you can duplicate your lettering on exactly the same position by pressing the "Plus" (+) key on the far right of your keyboard. By doing this your plotter will run the blade over the lettering twice. This principal will also work in other sign-cutting applications.

Importing EPS Files (For CorelDraw versions 5 to 12)

1. Go to the "File" menu and choose "Import", a dialog box will appear.

2. Change the "Look in" drop down directory which contains the file you wish to import.

3. Change the "Files of type" drop down to "PostScript Interpreted (PS,PRN,EPS)".

4. Click on the desired file and click on the "Import" botton, another dialog box will appear.

5. Click on the "OK" button.
 

Click here for more information.

If you have any CorelDraw Signcutting Tips you would like to submit email me and I'll add them to this page.

Copyright © A Signs. All rights reserved.
Revised: August 10, 2005.