Corel Help Needed - 1/8" Around Shape

[Ed Maloney]

Hi folks - A customer wants a cut out of Africa with a 1/8" border. What I mean is that they want 2 vector cuts; 1 on the outside and one inside resulting in a 1/8" border with the middle cut out.

Given the shape of it, I'll be darned if I can figure out how to do this. I thought it would be a simple case of copy/paste and resize. Any hints?

Ed

[Dan Hintz]

Use the contour tool... run once for the inside, once for the outside. Be aware... X5 may have a bug with the outside contour (DAMHIKT).

[Scott Shepherd]

I can't see the file because I don't have X5, but I've done a couple of projects like that. You almost always have to node edit points after you do the offset path, as corel doesn't do very well with the small spaces. Illustrator does MUCH better at that particular task. Corel seems to choke when it hits areas smaller than the offset and it will produce unpredictable results in those areas. You'll have to clean those areas up manually.

[Ed Maloney]

I took the lazy way out. I made the outline 1/8" and then exported it to a jpg, then imported the file and traced.

[Dan Hintz]

That's the lazy way? I thought contour was... one button click...

[Ed Maloney]

I never used the tool, so I took the long way around the barn. Now that I was able to send the artwork to the customer, I will definitely check out the tool now though.

Thanks!

[Guy Hilliard]

Or...

Take the outline and change it's thickness to the thickness that you require (0.125") and then convert outline to object. Bob's yer uncle.

[Dee Gallo]

Or...

Take the outline and change it's thickness to the thickness that you require (0.125") and then convert outline to object. Bob's yer uncle.

Yep, that's I would do. And Bob's yer uncle, cool!

[John Noell]

"convert outline to object"? Is that an X5 thing? Never heard of it. ???

[Andrea Weissenseel]

Corel 11 has it. I've seen it when opening the menu, never used it yet - seems neat though, have to keep that in mind. I use the contour tool for these cases, cleanup is easily made.

[Mike Null]

I used the contour tool but couldn't make it work inside and outside as Dan suggested. Mine seems to work one way or the other.

[George M. Perzel]

Hey Guy/Dee;
Great idea! Thanks-better than the contour tool.
Best Regards;
George
Laserarts

[Chuck Stone]

That's the kind of thing I would have done the long way, too.
In photoshop, I'd select the outline, then Select > Modify > Expand xx pixels,
fill with color, then save and Import in Corel and Trace.
Might be the long way, but it is much faster than trying to figure out Corel!

Bob must be a step-uncle

[John Noell]

I have used the contour for inside and outside hundreds of times but NOW I see the 'convert outline to object' (on the ARRANGE menu for those who do not want to waste time looking for it). Hmmm, always more than one way to skin the cat.

[Scott Challoner]

Convert outline to object. Excellent tip. I already found a use for it today. Thanks.