CorelDraw Tutorials

CorelDRAW Tutorials: Corel Corporation's flagship graphics suite featuring CorelDRAW and PHOTO-PAI T pro!ides unparalleled !alue and fle"i#ilit$ and a huge collection of fonts and clipart% These tutorials sho& #ut a fraction of the possi#ilities for $ou to e"plore and create% CorelDRAW is one of '$ 'ost fre(uentl$ used graphics applications% I can do things &ith CorelDRAW that si'pl$ can't #e done &ith an$ other graphics progra'% A PC-#ased graphic design !ector dra&ing progra'% )iles created in this progra' can #e accepted and translated #$ *odel +raphics if the$ are sa!ed &ith the ,%aie"tender% .see !ector i'age/ CorelDRAW is a !ector graphics editor de!eloped and 'ar0eted #$ Corel Corporation of Otta&a1 Canada% This is a popular dra&ing progra' for the Windo&s 'ar0et% We don't support Corel Dra& specificall$ #ut can usuall$ i'port its files into *acro'edia )reeHand or Ado#e Illustrator if needed% 2a!ing $our dra&ings as an 3P2 .3ncapsulated Postscript/ file &ith all the t$pe con!erted to graphics is another &a$ &e can accept this for'at%

Lesson 1: The Anatomy of a Vector Illustration Part One

Illustrations created in all 'a4or !ector dra&ing progra's ha!e a definite anato'$ and share a co''on pattern% Whether $ou use Dene#a Can!as51 Ado#e Illustrator1 CorelDRAW or *acro'edia )reeHand $ou &ill find that this pattern e"ists e!en though each progra' 'a$ define the parts differentl$% The purpose of this section of the &e# site is to ta0e apart a !ector dra&ing so $ou can see ho& it is put together and a#le to understand it% In the illustration section is a ta#le of e(ui!alent ter'inolog$ to #etter help $ou translate the ter's fro' one application to another% This &ill clarif$ the su#4ect and 'a0e it less confusing% 6ou &ill not #e

#ound to a single application once this #eco'es clear to $ou% The pattern of !ector illustrations is #est !ie&ed or represented as a hierarch$ or 7tree7% The illustration itself &ould #e at the top and its !arious parts &ould descend #elo& it: An I8892TRATIO is co'posed of !ector O:;3CT2 each ha!ing one or 'ore PATH2 &hich are co'posed of 8I 3 23+*3 T2 ha!ing A CHOR POI T2 at each end Illustration: Objects:

Paths:

Line Se ments an! Anchor Points:

In the diagra' a#o!e the O:;3CT sho&n is co'posed of a single closed PATH co'posed of <= 8I 3 23+*3 T2 and <= A CHOR POI T2% otice the cur!ed line on the #otto'% It is co'posed of > separate line seg'ents e!en though it appears to #e one continuous s'ooth line%

Lesson ": The Anatomy of a Vector Illustration Part Two

#e$ier Cur%es An! The Different &in!s Of Anchor Points Continuing &ith the anato'$ of !ector illustrations1 let's no& ta0e a loo0 at A CHOR POI T2 .or si'pl$ points or nodes%%%please refer to the ta#le of e(ui!alent ter'inolog$ in the illustration section of the &e# site/% Anchor Points Anchor points are the #asis of all o#4ects in a !ector illustration and are its 'ost funda'ental co'ponents% Anchor points ha!e onl$ a fe& #asic properties% Ho&e!er1 there are 'an$ co'#inations of these #asic properties that result in se!eral !ariations of anchor points% This can appear o!erl$ co'ple" at first glance% The pattern outlined here is !er$ si'ple and e"plains all the !ariations%

All line seg'ents ha!e anchor points at each end &hich define their position and cur!e attri#utes% The na'e for the resulting cur!es are called :e?ier .pronounced beh-zee-ay/ cur!es% The$ are na'ed after the )rench 'athe'atician1 Pierre :e?ier1 &ho de!eloped a 'ethod for defining cur!es 'athe'aticall$%

All anchor points fall roughl$ into t&o categories: <% Those ha!ing CO TRO8 HA D832 and >% Those ha!ing O CO TRO8 HA D832

Cur!es are controlled #$ control handles e"tending fro' the points% These control handles do not print% The direction and 'agnitude of cur!es entering and lea!ing anchor points are deter'ined #$ the direction and length of the control handles% 3ach control handle e"tending fro' a point controls onl$ the portion of the cur!e of the line seg'ent facing the control handle:

8ine seg'ents &ith points ha!ing control handles are curved% 8ine seg'ents &ith points ha!ing no control handles are straight%

Points An! Control 'an!les A point can ha!e either: <% O 3 CO TRO8 HA D83 or

>% TWO CO TRO8 HA D832 There is really only ONE handle per SIDE of a point because points between consecutive line segments are shared

Smooth Points An! Corner Points Points &ith #oth handles in line &ith each other are called 2*OOTH POI T2% All other points .e"cept for t&o speciali?ed ones sho&n #elo&/ are generall$ referred to as COR 3R POI T2%

8ine seg'ents &hose cur!es transition s'oothl$ fro' one anchor point to the ne"t in an un#ro0en 'anner are 4oined #$ s'ooth points% 8ine seg'ents &hose cur!es do not transition s'oothl$ together are 4oined #$ corner points% The corner point sho&n a#o!e has t&o handles #ut a corner point can also ha!e one handle1 no handles1 4oin a cur!ed line seg'ent to cur!ed line seg'ent1 4oin a straight line seg'ent to a cur!ed line seg'ent or a straight line seg'ent to a straight line seg'ent% :elo& are sa'ples of corner points:

S(eciali$e! Points

2o'e point t$pes are uni(ue to certain applications% CorelDRAW has a speciali?ed s'ooth point called a 7s$''etrical node7% The lengths of #oth control handles of a s$''etrical node re'ain e(ual &hen either one of the' is ad4usted:

Although Dene#a Can!as5 doesn't ha!e a s$''etrical point1 the sa'e effect can #e produced #$ dragging the handle of a s'ooth point &ith Ctrl .Windo&s/ or Option .*ac/% When s'ooth points are first placed1 #oth handles are e(uall$ spaced #$ default% As long as neither handle is altered1 the sa'e effect can #e produced%

*acro'edia )reeHand @ pro!ides a 7connector point7% It is used to 'a0e a s'ooth transition fro' a straight line seg'ent to a cur!ed line seg'ent% It actuall$ controls the cur!e so that it is al&a$s tangent to the straight seg'ent% The handle on this point can onl$ 'o!e directl$ in line &ith the straight seg'ent% 6ou cannot alter the angle of the handle li0e other points% CorelDRAW also pro!ides t&o si'ilar points: either a 7s$''etrical line node7 or 7line s'ooth node7% These points function the sa'e as the )reeHand @ point% This is a useful point% All drafts'en ha!e run into this in 'echanical dra&ing:

Lesson ): The Anatomy of a Vector Illustration Part Three

Objects An! Their Pro(erties* Paths An! Sub(aths Continuing &ith the anato'$ of a !ector illustration1 let's ta0e a loo0 at o#4ects and their properties1 paths and su#paths% Objects + Stro,e an! -ill Pro(erties O#4ects ha!e stro0e and fill properties% 2tro0e .or outline/ properties appl$ to the path of an o#4ect and fill properties appl$ to the area enclosed #$ the path% Stro,e Pro(erties: Weight .line thic0ness/ Color 2olid !s% Dashed 8ine Caps and Corners: 3"cept for differences in ter'inolog$1 line cap and corner properties are the sa'e #et&een Dene#a Can!as51 Ado#e Illustrator1 CorelDRAW and *acro'edia )reeHand: A!obe Illustrator -ree'an! Deneba Can%as 78ine ;oins and 7Cap and ;oin7 7Cap and ;oin7 3nd Caps7

CorelD.A/ 7Caps and Corners7 Ca(s 2(uare

:utt

:utt

)lat

3"tended 2(uare

Pro4ecting

2(uare

2(uare

Rounded Corners *itered

Round

Round

Round

*iter

*iter

*iter

:e!eled

:e!el

:e!el

:e!el

Rounded

Round

Round

Round

-ill Pro(erties: Color 9nifor' or +radient )ill Patterns and Te"tures Stro,e 01am(les: .fill A unifor' or none/ 2olid Dashed one PatternB

B Pattern stro0e una!aila#le in CorelDRAW -ill 01am(les: .stro0e A none/ 8inear +radient Radial +radient

Pattern

Te"tureB

B Cector te"ture fill a!aila#le in CorelDRAW onl$ It could #e said that Tiles are one of the #asic fill properties% Patterns and tiles are #asicall$ the sa'e 0ind of fill% Deneba Can%as Stro,e an! -ill 01am(les: Can!as is uni(ue in that it can appl$ the sa'e properties to stro0es as it can to fills% In addition to colors1 te"tures and gradients1 $ou can also appl$ s$'#ols and hatch patterns as stro0es and fills% :elo& are a fe& e"a'ples: Te"ture )ill +radient )ill 2olid 2tro0e +radient )ill +radient 2tro0e Hatch )ill

Paths an! Sub(aths Paths are either: <% Open or >% Closed

)ills are not restricted to closed paths% Open paths can #e filled 4ust li0e closed paths:

Paths of an o#4ect ha!ing 'ore than one path are called subpaths% Note! Subpaths are nothing more than discreet" individual paths in an ob#ect composed of more than one path The word $subpath$ is easily misunderstood because the prefi% $sub$ implies subordination &ultiple paths within an ob#ect are of e'ual hierarchy (ran)* :$ default each path #eco'es a ne& o#4ect &hen it is first created% 2u#paths are created &hen o#4ects are for'ed fro' co'posite paths%

Lesson 2: The Anatomy of a Vector Illustration Part )A

Com(osite Paths an! Object 3rou(in an! Combinin

Dene#a Can!as51 Ado#e Illustrator1 CorelDRAW and *acro'edia )reeHand also share the follo&ing features%%% O#4ects 'a$ #e: <% +rouped or >% )or'ed into Co'posite Paths or D% Co'#ined into ne& o#4ects

The Differences #etween Com(osite Paths an! Object 3rou(in Combinin <% O#4ect +rouping

An!

O#4ects retain all their original properties and appearance &hen grouped% +rouping allo&s the' to #e selected &ith a single clic0 and 'o!ed1 resi?ed1 deleted1 etc% as a single unit% +rouping has no other affect on the original appearance of the o#4ects% :elo& are e"a'ples of o#4ect groups:

>% Co'posite Paths Creating a co'posite path fro' separate o#4ects 'a0es it possi#le to 'a0e doughnut-shapes and 0noc0outs &here 'ore than one path is re(uired% It is ho& the letter 7O7 is 'ade% A co'posite path does not alter the original o#4ects and it can #e split into its original o#4ects &ith a single co''and% :elo& are e"a'ples of the effect of creating co'posite paths out of the sa'e o#4ects:

D% Co'#ining O#4ects Co'#ining o#4ects is a 'eans of 'erging e"isting shapes into ne& shapes% With o#4ect co'#ining1 the original o#4ects are altered% In so'e cases the original o#4ects can #e recreated fro' the ne& shapes #$ ungrouping or reappl$ing o#4ect co'#ining again to these ne& shapes% In other cases1 ho&e!er1 the effects of o#4ect co'#ining is not so easil$ undone% :elo& are e"a'ples of the effect of co'#ining o#4ects into ne& shapes:

'ow 0ach A((lication Defines Com(osite Paths an! Object 3rou(in Combinin

an!

+rouping and ungrouping o#4ects1 'a0ing and #rea0ing co'posite paths and co'#ining o#4ects is supported #$ all four applications% The ter's 7group7 and 7ungroup7 are identical #et&een the'% Co'posite paths and co'#ined o#4ects are defined differentl$1 ho&e!er: Pro ram CorelDRAW Ado#e Illustrator *acro'edia )reeHand Dene#a Can!as Com(osite Paths .Co'#ining O#4ects/ Co'#ine and :rea0 Apart .Co'pound Path/ *a0e and Release .Co'posite Path/ ;oin and 2plit .Co'posite Path/ *a0e Co'posite E :rea0 Co'posite Combine! Objects Welding1 Tri''ing and Intersecting O#4ects Pathfinder - Co'#ine1 Isolate and 2u#di!iding O#4ects *erging O#4ects Co'#ining O#4ects

Lesson 4:The Anatomy of a Vector Illustration Part -our + Summary

The anato'$ of a !ector illustration has an e"act1 finite pattern% There are onl$ so 'an$ parts to it% It is su''ari?ed #elo&: An I8892TRATIO is co'posed of !ector O:;3CT2 each ha!ing one or 'ore PATH2 &hich are co'posed of 8I 3 23+*3 T2 ha!ing A CHOR POI T2 at each end A CHOR POI T2 fall into t&o categories: <% Those ha!ing CO TRO8 HA D832 and >% Those ha!ing O CO TRO8 HA D832 8ine seg'ents &ith points ha!ing control handles are curved% 8ine seg'ents &ith points ha!ing no control handles are straight% An A CHOR POI T can ha!e either: <% O 3 CO TRO8 HA D83 or >% TWO CO TRO8 HA D832 There is really only ONE handle per SIDE of a point because points between consecutive line segments are shared Points &ith #oth handles in line &ith each other are called 2*OOTH POI T2% All other points .e"cept for the speciali?ed ones - 7s$''etrical node7 and 7connector point7/ are generall$ referred to as COR 3R POI T2% O#4ects ha!e stro0e and fill properties% 2tro0e .or outline/ properties appl$ to the path of an o#4ect and fill properties appl$ to the area enclosed #$ the path% O#4ects 'a$ #e: <% +rouped or >% )or'ed into Co'posite Paths or D% Co'#ined into ne& o#4ects Paths are either: <% Open or >% Closed That's itF

The &hole purpose of this &as to dri!e ho'e the point that there is an anato'$ to a !ector illustration% It has an e"act pattern% It is finite% It is si'ple and all !ector illustrations fro' the si'ple to co'ple" &ill re!eal this pattern%

Lesson 5: /or,in /ith Primiti%es 6Pre!efine! Sha(es7

To facilitate faster construction1 Dene#a Can!as51 Ado#e Illustrator1 CorelDRAW and *acro'edia )reeHand include a set of predefined o#4ect shapes or 7pri'iti!es7: <% >% D% G% Rectangle .including s(uare/ 3llipse .including circle/ Pol$gon .including star/ 2piral

The user can control the nu'#er of sides to pol$gons and stars% All the predefined shapes can #e con!erted to edita#le paths &ith access to the anchor points% 3ach progra' handles this slightl$ differentl$1 though: In CorelDRAW the o#4ect 'ust first #e con!erted to cur!es%

In *acro'edia )reeHand s(uares1 rectangles1 circles1 ellipses and spirals 'ust first #e ungrouped &hile pol$gons and stars are edita#le #$ default% In Ado#e Illustrator1 all o#4ects are edita#le #$ default: In Dene#a Can!as1 o#4ects are edita#le #$ default e"cept for pol$gons1 stars and spirals &hich 'ust #e con!erted to paths% Pro ram CorelDRAW Ado#e Illustrator *acro'edia )reeHand Dene#a Can!as

Comman!s Arrange H Con!ert To Cur!es .O#4ects are edita#le #$ default/ *odif$ H 9ngroup e"cept for pol$gons and stars O#4ect H Path H Con!ert To Paths for pol$gons1 stars and spirals onl$

Lesson 8: &eyboar! Shortcuts -or The Pen

Draw -aster #y 9a,in -ewer Tri(s To The Tool Palette

This tutorial is for applications that use the pen: Ado#e Photoshop1 Ado#e Illustrator and *acro'edia )reeHand% When dra&ing &ith the pen $ou &ill ine!ita#l$ ha!e to stop 'id-path and 'a0e ad4ust'ents to anchor points" control handles or line segments% Note! Different software pac)ages use different terms for the same things" and since this article is using mi%ed terminology please consult the table of e'uivalent terminology for clarification of terms 9suall$1 &hen first learning the soft&are1 the no!ice &ill go to the tool palette to s&itch #ac0 and forth #et&een the pen and other tools% This is !er$ ti'e consu'ing and there are pro!isions in the soft&are to s&itch tools &ithout ha!ing to select the' fro' the tool palette% The 0e$s on #oth the right-hand and left-hand sides of the space#ar are used for this purpose% 2ho&n #elo& are the 0e$#oard hand positions for a right-handed 'ouse: Left han! ,eys + /in!ows: Left han! ,eys + 9acintosh: 2hift Option Co''and

2hift Alt Ctrl

A A A

The diagra' a#o!e sho&s the hand positions .for a right handed 'ouse/ to ta0e ad!antage of 0e$#oard shortcuts for dra&ing &ith the pen% This is the (uic0est &a$ to use the pen% *ac users &ill use !arious co'#inations of the 2hift1 Option and Co''and 0e$s1 &hile Windo&s users &ill use parallel co'#inations of the 2hift1 Ctrl and Alt 0e$s% )or e"a'ple1 &hile acti!el$ dra&ing a path &ith the pen tool1 Windo&s Illustrator users can press the Ctrl 0e$ to s&itch #et&een the pen and the selection tool &hile at the sa'e ti'e press the 2hift 0e$ to constrain a line to GIJ incre'ents% When finished 'a0ing the ad4ust'ent1 the user si'pl$ releases the 0e$s and resu'es dra&ing &ith the pen tool - all &ithout resorting to the tool palette% )ollo&ing this tutorial are step #$ step e"a'ples to drill the point%

Lesson ;: &eyboar! Shortcuts -or The Pen 01am(les

The idea #ehind the 0e$#oard shortcuts in Ado#e Illustrator1 Ado#e Photoshop and *acro'edia )reeHand is so $ou can dra& paths in a fluid 'anner &ith as fe& interruptions as possi#le% Ideall$1 $ou &ould dra& as fluidl$ as if $ou &ere actuall$ using a pen or pencil% The pre!ious page descri#ed the hand positions &ith the 0e$#oard and 'ouse% This page descri#es ho& it is done% The ne"t page gi!es

$ou practice te'plates for each application% While the pen tool is selected and $ou are acti!el$ dra&ing a path1 pressing the follo&ing 0e$s &ill #ring up a different tool: )or Ado#e Illustrator or Ado#e Photoshop: 9acintosh: Co''and Option 2hift /in!ows: Ctrl Alt 2hift -unction 2elects the last selection tool 2elects the Con!ert Direction Point Tool Constrains angle to GIJ incre'ents

)or *acro'edia )reeHand: 9acintosh Co''and Option 2hift /in!ows Ctrl Alt 2hift -unction 2elects the Pointer Tool Places a corner point Constrains angle to GIJ incre'ents

:asicall$ the functions of these 0e$s #et&een the Ado#e applications and *acro'edia )reeHand are the sa'e% There is onl$ a slight difference in the use of the Alt or Option 0e$ to create a corner point% In Illustrator and Photoshop1 all ne&l$ placed points &ith control handles are s'ooth points #$ default% The Con!ert Direction Point Tool is used to change a s'ooth point to a corner point &ith handles% In )reeHand1 $ou can drag out control handles for a corner point &hen $ou first place it% #rief 01am(le + A!obe Illustrator In the follo&ing e"a'ple1 three tools are used &ithout returning to the tool palette to change tools:

<% Drag out the first point

>% Drag out the second point% The first cur!e is off1 no&%

D% Press Ctrl .Windo&s/ or Co''and .*acintosh/ and use the Direct 2election Tool to drag #ac0 the first cur!e%

G% Press Alt .Windo&s/ or Option .*acintosh/ to #ring up the Con!ert Direction Point Tool and drag the second point's handle .changing it fro' a s'ooth point to a corner point/ to redirect the ne"t cur!e%

I% Place the ne"t point and continue dra&ing the path%

Pen Cursors The pen cursor helps $ou identif$ &here $ou're at &hen dra&ing paths% 6ou need to 0no& &hen $ou are o!er a point so $ou can append to an open path .restarting the path/ or &hen $ou are o!er a point so $ou can close a path% 6ou also need to 0no& &hat the cursor loo0s li0e to start a ne& path so $ou don't inad!ertentl$ 0eep adding to an e"isting path or !ice !ersa% These are the 'ost i'portant cursors% Their functions are identical #et&een Ado#e Illustrator K and @1 Ado#e Photoshop I and *acro'edia )reeHand @% The chart #elo& descri#es these cursors% 2tart e& Path Illustrator K E @ Continue Adding To Path Restart Open Path Close Path

Photoshop I

)reeHand @

Deneba Can%as< The Cur!e tool is used for dra&ing :e?ier cur!es in Dene#a Can!as% 2o'e of the !arious cursors are descri#ed #elo&%

Add Points To Path

Pointer Placing Placing Directl$ 2traight 2eg'ents O!er an 2eg'ents Constrained Anchor To GIJ Point% e"t Clic0 Closes Path

Dene#a Can!as

CorelD.A/: CorelDRAW @ handles line dra&ing slightl$ differentl$% 6ou ha!e a choice of tools% Their functions are listed #elo&% )reehand Tool 2tart e& Path )reehand Tool Restart or Close Path :e?ier Tool 2tart1 Continue or Restart Path :e?ier Tool Close Path

CorelDRAW @

Lesson =: Pen Tutorial Practice Tem(lates

Practice Practice Practice This page contains all the practice te'plates for dra&ing &ith the pen% Here are tutorials for Dene#a Can!as51 Ado#e Illustrator1 Ado#e Photoshop1 *acro'edia )reeHand and CorelDRAW% These tutorials are setup for #oth *acintosh and Windo&s platfor's% 6ou 'ight as01 7What are Photoshop tutorials doing here in the !ector application sectionL7 9sing the pen in Ado#e Photoshop is !irtuall$ the sa'e as using the pen in Ado#e Illustrator% 8earning pen s0ills reall$ #elongs here &ith the other !ector applications% I ha!e lin0ed the Photoshop section of the &e# site to these pages for learning the pen% These tutorials are short and fun% *a0e sure to do&nload the setup sheet for the application $ou are using% The setup is !er$ straightfor&ard% 3"cept for Photoshop

.&hich rasteri?es the PD) file%%%turns it into a #it'ap/1 $ou si'pl$ load the tutorial PD) file into the dra&ing application1 then loc0 the la$er containing the te'plate1 then add a ne& la$er and dra& on that ne& la$er% The reason $ou 0eep the te'plate on a loc0ed la$er is #ecause the te'plate contains !ector o#4ects &hich can get selected and altered other&ise% Don't &orr$1 it's reall$ si'ple% All the instructions are in the setup sheets% The tutorials are setup in se(uence starting &ith the easiest ones% 3ach one gi!es $ou a different s0ill% :$ the ti'e $ou get to the last one $ou &ill see ho& it all co'es together% The$ ha!e #een purposel$ setup to ta0e ad!antage of 0e$#oard shortcuts so $ou don't ha!e to return to the tool palette once the pen tool has #een selected% The &hole point is to train $ou to ta0e ad!antage of the 0e$#oard shortcuts so $ou &ill dra& faster1 s'oother and 'ore fluidl$% Downloa! Instructions: Instructions: <% )irst do&nload and install the free Ado#e Acro#at Reader >% If $ou &ish to view the PD) file onl$1 si'pl$ clic0 on the lin0 #elo& D% To !ownloa! in /in!ows: Place 'ouse pointer on the lin01 then right clic0 the 'ouse% -or Internet 01(lorer: >Sa%e Tar et As???> -or @etsca(e: >Sa%e Lin, as???> then sa!e it to dis0 G% To !ownloa! in 9ac: Hold the 'ouse #utton do&n for a second or Control M Clic0 and a pop up &indo& &ill appear% -or Internet 01(lorer: >Downloa! Lin, to Dis,> -or @etsca(e: >Sa%e this Lin, as???> then sa!e it to dis0%

Lesson 1A: Shortcuts An! Pointers -or The Pen

Pen Ti(s Pen Ti( @o? 1 In Ado#e Illustrator1 al&a$s clic0 the Direct 2election tool #efore clic0ing and dra&ing &ith the Pen Tool%

)irst clic0 the Direct 2election Tool

Then clic0 the Pen Tool

The reason for this is to 'a0e sure that &hen the Ctrl 0e$ .Windo&s/ is pressed .or Co''and 0e$ for *acintosh/1 that the ne"t selected tool is the Direct 2election Tool instead of a different1 unintended selection tool% While acti!el$ 'a0ing or 'odif$ing a path using the pen1 pressing Ctrl .Windo&s/ or Co''and .*acintosh/ &ill acti!ate the last selection tool used% It is 'ore li0el$ that $ou &ill 'a0e ad4ust'ents to anchor points and control handles &hile $ou are dra&ing than it is that $ou &ill 'o!e the entire path% Pen Ti( @o? " Tear off the pen tools in Ado#e Illustrator and let it float as its o&n palette on the &or0space%

To do this si'pl$ gra# the Pen Tool #utton on the Tool Palette and drag it a&a$ fro' it% Neep it near $our dra&ing% Pen Ti( @o? )

6ou can 'a0e a si'ulated connector point in Ado#e Illustrator using the follo&ing techni(ue: In Illustrator @ )irst1 clic0 View B Sna( To Point This pro!ides a 'eans to snap points and and control handles on top of other points% This step is not necessar$ in Illustrator K #ecause 72nap To Point7 is the default% <% Drag the first point

>% Drag a second point

D% Clic0 to place a third point

G% +ra# the handle of the second point and drag it o!er the third point%

I% When the solid arro&head cursor changes into a hollo& one1 the handle is on top of the point% Release the 'ouse #utton%

O% At this ti'e $ou can no& change the direction of the first cur!e going into the second point% o 'atter ho& $ou ad4ust it1 there &ill al&a$s #e a s'ooth transition into the straight line seg'ent%

K% To reshape the cur!e1 drag the control handle of the first point%

@% When the desired shape is attained1 release the 'ouse #utton%

The theor$ #ehind this tip is #$ la$ing the control handle on top of the third point .the far point in the straight line seg'ent/1 it is assured that the cur!e going into the second point &ill #e at a tangent to the straight seg'ent% In Ado#e Photoshop1 although there is no pro!ision for snapping a handle o!er a point1 $ou could drag a handle o!er a point and co'e close to it% Pen Ti( @o? 2 Although Dene#a Can!as5 doesn't ha!e a connector point1 it does ha!e an arc tool &hich places #oth ends of an open arc so the tangents are at right angles% This

'a0es it eas$ to create the sa'e effect as a connector point% To create this effect1 first drag out an arc%

e"t dou#le-clic0 the arc to place it in edit 'ode%

2elect the point $ou &ish to connect the tangent straight section% 3ither drag a 'ar(uee around it or clic0 it%

This is &hat the point loo0s li0e &hen it is selected%

e"t select the Cur!e tool% Press Ctrl-2hift .Windo&s/ or Co''and-2hift .*ac/ and clic0 to place the endpoint of the straight section% The tangent line of the point that connects the straight seg'ent to the cur!ed seg'ent can #e pulled using 2hift-Drag to constrain its 'o!e'ent%

Pen Ti( @o? 4 2o'eti'es $ou 'a$ &ant a point &ith onl$ one control handle% In Dene#a Can!as5 I and O1 *acro'edia )reeHand @ and CorelDRAW @ there are pro!isions for 'a0ing one-handled anchor points% In Ado#e Illustrator1 ho&e!er1 $ou ha!e to drag the handle o!er its anchor point to get rid of it:

<% The center point has t&o handles% 8et's get rid of one of the'%

>% Drag a handle #ac0 into the point%

D% When the handle is o!er the point1 the cursor changes fro' a solid arro&head to a hollo& one% Release the 'ouse #utton%

G%

o& $ou ha!e a one-handled anchor point%

Pen Ti( @o? 5 *an$ ti'es $ou &ill &ant to close an open path .Photoshop users clic0 here for co'plete instructions/% 2o'eti'es it happens that $ou si'pl$ get lost &hile dra&ing a path and $ou find $ourself no longer adding points to the path% To restart a path .append to a path/ in Ado#e Illustrator1 *acro'edia )reeHand or CorelDRAW1 the techni(ue is #asicall$ the sa'e% <% Position the pen .for CorelDRAW users the :e?ier Tool or the )reehand Tool/ o!er an end point in the path $ou &ant to restart% When $ou first clic0 the tool and #efore positioning the cursor o!er the end point in the path1 the cursor &ill appear as follo&s: Ado#e Illustrator K E @

Ado#e Photoshop I

*acro'edia )reeHand @

CorelDRAW @ - )reehand Tool

CorelDRAW @ - :e?ier Tool

>% 3"cept for CorelDRAW &hile using the :e?ier Tool1 &hen $ou are o!er the point1 the cursor &ill change to let $ou 0no& that the ne"t clic0 &ill append to the path: Ado#e Illustrator K E @

Ado#e Photoshop I

*acro'edia )reeHand @

CorelDRAW @ - )reehand Tool

D% That is $our cue that the ne"t clic0 &ill append to the path% Clic0 once to restart adding line seg'ents to the path% G% When $ou are read$ to close the path si'pl$ position the cursor o!er the other end point of the path% When the cursor is o!er the point it &ill change to let $ou 0no& that the ne"t clic0 &ill close the path: Ado#e Illustrator K E @

Ado#e Photoshop I

*acro'edia )reeHand @

CorelDRAW @ - )reehand Tool

CorelDRAW @ - :e?ier Tool

I% Clic0 once to close the path% Deneba Can%as< With Dene#a Can!as1 restarting or closing an open path is !er$ straightfor&ard% To restart .append to/ an open path1 si'pl$ put the path into edit 'ode .dou#le-clic0 using the 2election tool/1 then select the endpoint $ou &ish to resu'e adding seg'ents to1 .clic0 to select it/ then select the Cur!e tool and resu'e &ith the ne"t point% When $ou &ant to close the path1 &hen the cursor changes to a s'all crosshair1 .#elo&/% This 'eans the pointer is directl$ o!er an anchor point% The ne"t clic0 .or drag/ closes the path:

To close an open path &ithout adding points1 put the path into edit 'ode1 then clic0 one of the endpoints &ith the Cur!e tool% A ne& seg'ent &ill #e added 4oining the endpoints% Pen Ti( @o? 8 Here's an undocu'ented tip for Dene#a Can!as% 2o'eti'es $ou 'a$ &ant to change the angle of a tangent line &ithout changing its length% To do this1 select an anchor point and position the 'ouse pointer 4ust to the right or left until the cursor changes into a hollo& arro&head:

When it does1 clic0 and drag the tangent line to change its angle%%%

The angle of the handle &ill change1 #ut not its length%

Lesson 11: Shortcuts An! Pointers -or The Pen

Table of 0Cui%alent Terminolo y The follo&ing ta#le sho&s &hich ter's are e(ui!alent #et&een Dene#a Can!as51 CorelDRAW1 Ado#e Illustrator and *acro'edia )reeHand and are presented here to sort out an$ possi#le confusion &here 'i"ed ter'inolog$ has #een used in this &e# site:

CorelD.A/

Deneba Can%as

A!obe Illustrator

9acrome!ia -ree'an!

)ill Outline ode Control Point

)ill 2tro0e Anchor Point Handle

)ill 2tro0e Anchor Point Direction Point .or handle/ Direction 8ine Corner Point

)ill 2tro0e Point Point Nno#

.no e(ui!alent/ Cusp ode

Tangent 8ine Corner Point .cusp defined as corner point &ith no handles/ 2'ooth Point 2'ooth Point .optionEctrl-drag handles/ .no e(ui!alent/

Point Handle Corner Point

2'ooth

ode

2'ooth Point .no e(ui!alent/

Cur!e Point .no e(ui!alent/

2$''etrical ode 2$''etrical 8ine ode .or line s'ooth node/ Co'#ining O#4ects Welding1 Tri''ing and Intersecting O#4ects Wirefra'e Cie& Po&erClip5 3n!elope

.no e(ui!alent/

Connector Point

Co'posite Path Co'#ining O#4ects

Co'pound Path

Co'posite Path

Pathfinder: *erging O#4ects Co'#ine1 Isolate and 2u#di!ide O#4ects Art&or0 Cie& *as0 .no e(ui!alent/ Ne$line Cie& Clipping Path 3n!elope

Wirefra'e Displa$ Clipping Path 3n!elope

Lesson 1": Dsin

9as,s in Illustration Pro rams

A 'as0 is a !ector path &hich allo&s part of an o#4ect to sho& &hile #loc0ing out the rest effecti!el$ 'a0ing part of it transparent% A 'as0 in an illustration progra' is functionall$ e(ui!alent to a clipping path in an i'age editor .'ore/% <% Ta0e for e"a'ple a photo% 6ou can create a 'as0 &hich &ill 0noc0out the #ac0ground%

>% 9sing the Pen1 dra& a path around the #ird in the photo%

D% This is a !ie& of the path onl$%

G% When the path is 'ade into a 'as0 and co'#ined &ith the #ac0ground i'age1 the #ac0ground #eco'es transparent%

I% *as0s can #e 'ade to create 'an$ 0inds of effects% A t$pe 'as0 can #e co'#ined &ith a #ac0ground photo%

O% This is the 'as0 created #$ con!erting t$pe to cur!es%

K% This is the t$pe 'as0 &hen co'#ined &ith the #ac0ground i'age%

Lesson 1): Portin

a 9as,e! 6Cro((e!7 #itma( -rom CorelD.A/: ;

In CorelDRAW @ $ou 'a$ ha!e a cropped #it'ap i'age either #$ i'porting an 3P2 file &ith an e'#edded clipping path .using -ile B Im(ort H Post2cript Interpreted P3P2Q/1 or #$ loading a #it'ap i'age and using the node editing tools to create the cropped outline% This tutorial outlines the steps to e"port the cropped #it'ap as a PD) file% Note! +hen an E,S image with a clipping path is imported into -orelD./+" it is defined as a $cropped bitmap$ where the bitmap and its mas) become a single ob#ect -orelD./+ also has a $,ower-lip0$ feature which is e'uivalent to a clipping path or mas) in other drawing programs where the vector mas) and bitmap image are separate ob#ects <% 8aunch CorelDRAW @ and either load the cropped i'age or load a #it'ap and use the node editing tools to create the cropped outline% This is &hat the i'age loo0s li0e in 7 or'al Cie&7:

>% Clic0 the pulldo&n on the tool#ar to change to 7Wirefra'e Cie&7% This &ill re!eal the cropped outline .'as0/%

Note! /t this point it would seem that the most straightforward method of creating a ,D1 would be to use $File > Save As$ or $File > Export$ and choose the ,D1 file type 2owever" it has been my e%perience that /dobe3 /crobat3 Distiller3 produces the most consistent results for this purpose

D% Clic0 -ile B Print to re!eal the hu'ongous print dialog% 6ou need to chec0 all the settings that can affect the 'as0ed #it'ap% )irst select the Distiller Assistant printer dri!er:

G% In the 2eparations ta#1 'a0e sure the 7Print 2eparations7 chec0 #o" is unchec0ed .&e &ant a co'posite color output/:

I% In the Post2cript ta#1 there is a chec0 #o" for 7Output color #it'aps in R+:7% In this case &e &ant to 'a0e sure the #it'ap gets printed as R+:% Also notice the chec0 #o" for ;P3+ co'pression% *a0e sure this is not chec0ed% The 72et flatness to:7 is set to < in this e"a'ple% This is the setting for the 'as0% The lo&er the nu'#er1 the closer the 'as0 &ill confor' to the cur!es%

O% In the *iscellaneous ta# there is a &hole #unch of stuff to chec0% In the 72pecial settings7 section there is a scrolling #o" &ith a lot of options% otice the one: 7Print #it'aps as R+:7% e"t clic0 the 72et Profiles7 #utton up there on the right%%%there's no &a$ around it%%%this is an Ad!anced tutorial%

K% )or no& let's not use an$ color profiles% *a0e sure the co'posite printer profile is set to 7 one7% This relates to step G a#o!e% If &e had &anted separations1 $ou &ould chec0 the profile for the separations printer% Clic0 7ON7 then clic0 the 7Print7 #utton &hen $ou return to the *iscellaneous ta#%

@% )I A886F Distiller pro'pts $ou for a filena'e% 3nter a filena'e or accept the default1 then clic0 72a!e7%

Lesson 12: Portin

a 9as,e! #itma( -rom 9acrome!ia: -ree'an! ;:

6ou can create a 'as0ed #it'ap in *acro'edia )reeHand @ #$ i'porting a #it'ap then using the pen to 'a0e the 'as0% This tutorial outlines the steps to e"port the 'as0ed #it'ap as a PD) file% <% 8aunch )reeHand @ and -ile B Im(ort co''and to e'#ed or lin0 a #it'ap i'age1 then create the 'as0 &ith the pen% This is &hat the i'age loo0s li0e &ith nothing selected:

>% Clic0 View B &eyline to !ie& the 'as0:

D% Clic0 -ile B Out(ut O(tions1 then unchec0 7Con!ert R+: to process7 since this e"a'ple is an R+: i'age% 2elect a flatness of D so the 'as0 &ill confor' closel$ to the cur!es%

G% Clic0 -ile B Print% In the print dialog select the Distiller Assistant printer dri!er1 then clic0 the 72etup7 #utton%

I% In the 2eparations ta# select 7Co'posite7%

O% The output options .in step D a#o!e/ are also a!aila#le on the I'aging ta#% Clic0 7ON71 to return to the print dialog1 then clic0 7ON7 to print%

K% Distiller pro'pts $ou for a filena'e% 3nter a filena'e or accept the default1 then clic0 72a!e7%

Lesson 14: Portin

9as,e! #itma(s #etween Illustration Pro rams

Whereas the #est for'at to port straight !ector files is generic 3P21 I ha!e found that the 'ost relia#le for'at to port a #it'ap i'age &ith a !ector clipping path or 'as0 is PD) .Ado#e Acro#at Porta#le Docu'ent )or'at/% There is 'ore than one for'at $ou can use to successfull$ port 'as0ed #it'aps #et&een applications #ut I thin0 that the for'at that &or0s 'ost relia#l$ and consistentl$ #et&een Dene#a Can!as51 Ado#e Illustrator1 CorelDRAW or *acro'edia )reeHand is PD)% Note! There is one proviso to using ,D1 as a means to port vector images and that is if you are using the .45 color space" you should use $Save /s$ or $E%port$ from Deneba -anvas /dobe Illustrator" -orelD./+ or &acromedia 1ree2and to create the ,D1 file If you use the $,rint$ output channel (such as when using /dobe Distiller* all the .45 data may be converted to -&67 in the process - depending on the version of /crobat .efer to the /dobe technical document number 89:;<8 at their web site!

Porting a 'as0ed #it'ap in!ol!es using either -ile B Sa%e As .for R+:/ or -ile B Print .for C*6N/ as an output channel% A PD) file is generated #$ the -ile B Print co''and &here the output is sent to )I83 instead of the printer% These files are then transfor'ed into PD) for'at through the use of Ado#e Distiller% The PD) file can then #e i'ported into the target application &here the 'as0ed #it'ap &ill #e a!aila#le for editing% :elo& is a chart &hich illustrates the use of the Porta#le Docu'ent )or'at as a 'eans to port 'as0ed #it'aps #et&een Dene#a Can!as1 Ado#e Illustrator1 CorelDRAW or *acro'edia )reeHand:

:elo& are the step-#$-step tutorials &hich outline e"actl$ ho& this is done: Once the 'as0ed #it'ap has #een ported to a PD) file1 the PD) file can si'pl$ #e opened in either Dene#a Can!as1 CorelDRAW1 Ado#e Illustrator or *acro'edia )reeHand using the -ile B O(en co''and%

Lesson 15: 9o%in Cli((in Paths #etween Photosho(: an! Corel: P'OTO+PAI@T: ;

Ado#e Photoshop and Corel PHOTO-PAI T @ are t&o i'age editors &ith the capacit$ for incorporating !ector paths% 6ou 'a$ &ant to use #oth applications on a single i'age .Corel PHOTO-PAI T @ creates an e"cellent path fro' a selection 'as0 Palpha channelQ &ith a single clic0/% 3"porting an i'age and its clipping path fro' Corel PHOTO-PAI T @ to Photoshop in!ol!es first sa!ing the path in Corel PHOTO-PAI T @1 then e"porting the i'age as an 3P2 file .the 3P2 for'at is the onl$ for'at &here the clipping path can #e e"ported/% Ado#e Illustrator is used as a 7go-#et&een7 application &hich &ill read the 3P2 file and allo& the clipping path to #e copied and pasted into Photoshop !ia 'e'or$% The follo&ing chart illustrates the 'ethod:

*o!ing an i'age &ith its clipping path fro' Photoshop to Corel PHOTO-PAI T @ re(uires no special steps% Corel PHOTO-PAI T @ &ill open a nati!e Photoshop %P2D file directl$ and an$ e'#edded paths are accessi#le fro' &ithin Corel PHOTO-PAI T @% :elo& are the step-#$-step tutorials &hich outline e"actl$ ho& this is done:

9o%in

a cli((in

(ath from Photosho( to Corel P'OTO+PAI@T ;:

<% Within Corel PHOTO-PAI T1 clic0 -ile B O(en% 8oad the Photoshop %P2D file &ith the e'#edded clipping path%

>% Clic0 the pull do&n ne"t to the 7Wor0Path7 on the tool #ar or dou#le-clic0 the Path ode 3dit Tool to #ring up the Tool 2ettings and Clic0 the pull do&n ne"t to the 7Wor0Path7 on it% 6ou &ill see the path na'e of the e'#edded path% Clic0 it%

D% The path &ill load and it is a!aila#le for editing%

Lesson 18: 01tractin Cli((in Paths -rom Corel: P'OTO+PAI@T: ;

There is one dra&#ac0 &ith the &a$ Corel PHOTO-PAI T @ handles clipping paths% Corel PHOTO-PAI T @ sa!es a path in a separate file in a proprietar$ for'at &hich cannot #e read #$ either CorelDRAW or an$ other application e"cept for Corel PHOTO-PAI T% This pre!ents their #eing opened and edited directl$ #$ an$ other application .CorelDRAW1 Dene#a Can!as51 Ado#e Illustrator or *acro'edia )reeHand/% An i'age can #e e"ported as an 3P2 file &ith its clipping path% :$ opening this 3P2 file in Ado#e Illustrator1 the clipping path can #e separated and e"tracted fro' the #it'ap portion of the i'age% Note! -orel ,2OTO-,/INT = now saves the path in the same file as the image

3"tracting a clipping path fro' Corel PHOTO-PAI T @ in!ol!es first sa!ing the path in Corel PHOTO-PAI T @1 then e"porting the i'age as an 3P2 file .the 3P2 for'at is the onl$ for'at &here the clipping path can #e e"ported/% Ado#e Illustrator is used as a 7go-#et&een7 application &hich &ill read the 3P2 file and allo& the clipping path to #e e"tracted and sa!ed in a for'at &hich can #e used #$ other applications% The follo&ing chart illustrates the 'ethod:

Once the i'age &ith its clipping path has #een loaded into Ado#e Illustrator1 the path can #e e"tracted and sa!ed as a separate !ector file &hich can then #e edited in CorelDRAW1 Dene#a Can!as1 Ado#e Illustrator or *acro'edia )reeHand% The path also can #e copied into 'e'or$ &ithin Ado#e Illustrator and pasted into an Ado#e Photoshop file as a path% :elo& are the step-#$-step tutorials &hich outline e"actl$ ho& this is done:

Lesson 1;: Se(aratin A 9as, -rom A Cro((e! #itma( In CorelD.A/:

When a 'as0ed #it'ap is i'ported into CorelDRAW the #it'ap and its !ector 'as0 are con!erted into a 7cropped #it'ap7% A cropped #it'ap is treated as a single ob#ect &here the #it'ap and its !ector 'as0 are insepara#le &hen using CorelDRAW alone% There is no &a$ to separate a !ector 'as0 fro' the #it'ap unless $ou use another !ector application as a 7go #et&een7% If $ou are not i'porting an 3P2 or PD) file and intend to &or0 &ith a #it'ap and !ector 'as0 as separate o#4ects1 it is

#etter to use CorelDRAW's Po&erClip5 feature instead% If $ou open an 3P2 or PD) file &ith a clipping path using the -ile B Im(ort B PostScri(t Inter(rete! 60PS7 filter or if $ou e'#ed a #it'ap i'age and crop it &ith the node editing tools1 $ou 'a$ run into this situation% Other illustration progra's .Dene#a Can!as51 Ado#e Illustrator or *acro'edia )reeHand/ treat a #it'ap and its 'as0 as separate o#4ects &hen i'ported as an 3P2 or PD) file% This tutorial uses one of these other applications to separate a cropped #it'ap into its !ector and raster co'ponents% 3"tracting a 'as0 fro' CorelDRAW first in!ol!es e"porting the i'age as a PD) file .Ado#e Acro#at Porta#le Docu'ent )or'at/1 then using Dene#a Can!as1 Ado#e Illustrator or *acro'edia )reeHand to e"tract the 'as0 fro' the #it'ap% An$ one of these progra's is used as a 7go-#et&een7 application &hich &ill read the PD) file and allo& the 'as0 to #e e"tracted and sa!ed as a !ector 3P2 file% This !ector 3P2 file can then #e i'ported or opened #$ CorelDRAW .as &ell as Dene#a Can!as1 Ado#e Illustrator or *acro'edia )reeHand/% The follo&ing chart illustrates the 'ethod:

Once the #it'ap i'age &ith its 'as0 has #een loaded into Dene#a Can!as1 Ado#e Illustrator or *acro'edia )reeHand1 the 'as0 can #e e"tracted and sa!ed as a separate o#4ect &hich can then #e edited in CorelDRAW or an$ other dra&ing progra'% :elo& are the step-#$-step tutorials &hich outline e"actl$ ho& this is done:

Lesson 1=: Portin -iles Across Platforms: O%er%iew

I'!e had se!eral re(uests for cross-platfor' tutorials% This is the first in a series of tutorials for sharing files #et&een *acintosh and Windo&s s$ste's% There is good ne&s for porting files #et&een *ac and PC and that is that 'ost all graphic file for'ats &ill port &ithout an$ 'odification &hatsoe!er% 6ou can share files #et&een *ac and PC !ersions of Ado#e Illustrator1 Ado#e Photoshop1 *acro'edia )reeHand1 CorelDRAW and Dene#a Can!as5 to na'e a fe&%

Some -ile Ty(es That Port 0asily #etween 9ac an! /in!ows 6ou can share files fro' practicall$ an$ application that is supported on #oth platfor's% Although I a' una#le to do a proper test of all file for'ats in all s$ste's1 I ha!e a *ac-Win net&or0 &ith a +G Po&er *ac running O2 = and a PC running Windo&s =@% On this s$ste' I'!e #een a#le to successfull$ port the follo&ing for'ats &ithout an$ pro#le's: -ile Ty(e P2D AI 3P2 PD) )H@ E )H= A((lication Ado#e Photoshop Ado#e Illustrator +eneric 3P2 Ado#e Acro#at *acro'edia )reeHand @ote

C C PICT +I) ;P+ P + TRT DOC HT* E HT*8 )D: E AD* SRD

Dene#a Can!as *acintosh PICT 9se %PCT e"tension on PC +I) i'age ;P3+ i'age *acro'edia )ire&or0s otepad or 2i'pleTe"t *icrosoft Word We# pages 3"tensis Portfolio5 Suar0RPress5

Please 0eep in 'ind that this is a !er$ li'ited list% There are 'an$ 'ore for'ats &hich &ill port 4ust as &ell% 6ou can e!en do&nload files fro' the Internet intended for one platfor' using the other platfor' to do&nload the'% )or e"a'ple1 it is co''on to do&nload files in co'pressed for'at% 6ou can do&nload PC files such as %TIP and %3R3 using a *ac and port the' o!er to the PC% These are WinTip1 PNTIP .%TIP/ or 3R3cuta#le .progra'/ files on the PC% 6ou also can do&nload *acintosh %2IT and %:I files &ith the PC and port the' o!er to the *ac% These are 2tuffit .%2IT/ and *ac:inar$ .%:I / file co'pression for'ats used on the *ac .'ore here on these file for'ats/% The 9acintosh an! PC -ile Systems The 'ain difference #et&een the *ac and PC file s$ste's is that so'e *acintosh files ha!e t&o parts called 7for0s7 - a data for0 and a resource for0% PC files ha!e onl$ one part% When files are ported fro' the *ac to the PC1 the PC recogni?es the data for01 #ut can't reall$ do an$thing &ith the resource for0% )ortunatel$1 'ost graphic file for'ats use the data for0% Portin Icons an! -onts #etween 9ac an! PC

While 'ost application data files port &ithout a hitch1 icons and fonts are a different stor$% *ac icons and fonts are stored as resources% )onts re(uire special soft&are and techni(ues for the' to sur!i!e the trip .'ore a#out porting fonts here/% Icons are #asicall$ i'ages and can #e con!erted into one of the #it'ap for'ats then ported as data1 then recreated into icons once ported% There is a lot 'ore to the su#4ect than can #e ade(uatel$ co!ered on this page1 so it is onl$ 'entioned here%

Lesson "A: Two /ays To Port -iles Across Platforms

There are #asicall$ t&o &a$s to port files #et&een *acintosh and Windo&s platfor's - o!er a net&or0 or #$ re'o!a#le 'edia .dis0s/% The follo&ing chart #est illustrates the point:

@etwor,in

/ith PC 9ACLA@

Windo&s T and Windo&s >UUU support the *acintosh file s$ste' and &ill allo& connecti!it$ to *acintosh co'puters o!er a net&or0% Ho&e!er1 these operating s$ste's are 'ore e"pensi!e and not 'eant for the freelance or 2OHO .s'all office1 ho'e office/ user% *ost &e# designers and freelance artists on the PC platfor' use Windo&s =IE=@% The #est solution I ha!e found for net&or0ing *acs and PCs is PC *AC8A 1 fro' *ira'ar 2$ste's1 Inc% of 2anta :ar#ara1 CA: This afforda#le soft&are pac0age is installed on a PC running Windo&s =IE=@ and &ill connect a PC to a *acintosh net&or0 running AppleTal0% The Power 9ac: When Apple Co'puter introduced the Po&er *ac .or 7Po&erPC57/1 ne& possi#ilities #egan to open up to #ridge the gap #et&een the *ac and Windo&s platfor's% The Po&er *ac &ill read and &rite files on PC for'atted dis0s and translate the' into the *acintosh file s$ste' &ithout an$ additional soft&are% A Po&er *ac &ill do this right out of the #o"% The Windo&s =IE=@ operating s$ste's1 unfortunatel$1 do not read or &rite *acintosh for'atted dis0s &ithout special soft&are% The *ac is friendlier to the PC than the PC is to the *ac for this reason%

/in!ows =; Secon! 0!ition Windo&s =@ 23 .2econd 3dition/ includes Internet Connection 2haring .IC2/1 &hich allo&s 'ore than one co'puter to use a single Internet connection% 2tarting &ith *ac O2 @%I1 it #eca'e possi#le to share this connection &ith a host PC running Windo&s =@ 23 &ith IC2% With a single Internet connection shared #$ #oth *ac and Windo&s co'puters and #$ utili?ing PC *AC8A 1 the freelance or 2OHO user can harness tre'endous po&er for a !er$ 'odest in!est'ent% Portin -iles /ith .emo%able 9e!ia

9sers &ho &ish to share files #et&een *acintosh and Windo&s co'puters &ho are not connected #$ a net&or0 can do so &ith re'o!a#le 'edia such as flopp$ dis0ettes or Tip dis0s% A *ac can read and &rite to a PC-for'atted dis0 #ut a PC running Windo&s =IE=@ cannot read and &rite to a *ac-for'atted dis0 &ithout special soft&are% If $ou plan to share files #et&een a *ac and a PC1 the si'plest 'ethod is to use a PC-for'atted dis0ette or Tip dis0% 6ou can read and &rite files to it &ith either the *ac or PC and the files &ill #e reada#le on #oth platfor's% :ut if $ou ha!e a PC and $ou recei!e files on a *ac-for'atted dis0ette or Tip dis01 then $ou &ill need a special utilit$ for the PC to #e a#le to read and &rite to the *ac-for'atted dis0% T&o popular pac0ages for this purpose are *acOpener1 a!aila#le fro' DataCi?1 Inc% of Tru'#ull1 CT: and *acDri!e1 a!aila#le fro' *ediafour Corporation of West Des *oines1 IA: This t$pe of soft&are is onl$ re(uired for the PC% It is not re(uired for the *ac% The Internet + The Dltimate @etwor, The Internet has pro!en to #e the great e(uali?er #et&een users of all platfor's% The Internet falls under the categor$ of net&or0 transfer% Ho&e!er1 in this case1 no special soft&are is re(uired to port files across platfor's% All that is re(uired is that files #e uploaded to a ser!er1 then do&nloaded #$ the user !ia )TP or HTTP or !ia e'ail as a file attach'ent% 2till1 users 'ust account for the differences in the *ac and PC file s$ste's to ensure that files reach their target as intended% )or e"a'ple1 users can't send *ac fonts to PC users &ithout special preparation .'ore here/% I'll co!er this in 'ore detail else&here in this site1 #ut it is 'entioned here as a re'inder% 9ac#inary* #in'e1 an! Ala!!in Stuffit: Whereas it is possi#le to port files across platfor's on PC-for'atted re'o!a#le 'edia1 another 'eans is re(uired to port *ac files o!er the Internet or to cop$ *ac files using a PC% In this case1 *ac files ha!e to #e 7flattened7 using soft&are to encode the' into a one-part file #$ co'#ining the t&o for0s together% Once encoded1 files can #e safel$ copied using a PC% After porting the encoded files to a *acintosh dri!e the$ can #e decoded and restored% When *ac files are a!aila#le for do&nloading fro' the Internet $ou &ill often see se!eral file for'ats to choose fro'% The follo&ing ta#le descri#es so'e of the 'ost co''onl$ used for'ats: -ile 01tension -ile -ormat

%:I %HSR %2IT

*ac:inar$ :inHe" Aladdin 2tuffit

3ach of these for'ats flatten the t&o for0s of the *ac file s$ste' into a single data for0 &hich can #e safel$ ported #et&een the t&o platfor's% )iles encoded &ith these for'ats can #e stored on *ac or PC dis0s% When read$ to #e used1 the$ can #e decoded on the *ac% The follo&ing utilities &ill encode and decode *ac files as descri#ed a#o!e: 9ac#inary *ac:inar$ IIM is a free&are progra' a!aila#le fro' the follo&ing lin0: http:EEhotfiles%?dnet%co'Ecgi-#inEte"isEs&li#EhotfilesEinfo%ht'lL fcodeA*C<>>K=V#A'ac :inHe" I%U is a share&are progra' a!aila#le fro' the follo&ing lin0: http:EEhotfiles%?dnet%co'Ecgi-#inEte"isEs&li#EhotfilesEinfo%ht'lL fcodeA*C<<<O>V#A'ac #in'e1 HSRing <%D is a free&are progra' a!aila#le fro' the follo&ing lin0: http:EEhotfiles%?dnet%co'Ecgi-#inEte"isEs&li#EhotfilesEinfo%ht'lL fcodeA*C<@=<UV#A'ac Ala!!in Stuffit One 'eans of flattening *ac files is to use a file co'pression utilit$ such as 2tuffit1 a!aila#le fro' Aladdin 2$ste's of Watson!ille1 CA: 2tuffit can encode and decode files using the 2IT for'at% The 2IT .2tuffit/ for'at on the *acintosh is e(ui!alent to the TIP .Win?ip or PNTIP/ for'at on the PC% 3ach of these for'ats is !irtuall$ the file co'pression standard for their respecti!e platfor's% Aladdin 2$ste's offers share&are progra's at their &e# site to encode and decode *ac files into the 2tuffit for'at% The Aladdin 3"pander5 is a!aila#le for the PC and The 2tuffit 3"pander5 and Drop2tuff5 are a!aila#le for the *acintosh% A co''ercial !ersion of Drop2tuff is a!aila#le for the PC% The *ac share&are 2tuffit 3"pander progra' &ill decode all of the a#o!e for'ats and the *ac share&are Drop2tuff progra' &ill encode in all for'ats #ut *ac:inar$% Aladdin offers 2tuffit Delu"e5 as a total solution for all of the a#o!e for'ats #ut it is strictl$ a co''ercial product% Ho&e!er1 it is !er$ con!enient on the *ac% 2tuffit Delu"e &ill encode and decode *ac files in all of the a#o!e for'ats .e!en the TIP for'at/1 thus si'plif$ing the situation #$ using a single application for all for'ats%

Lesson "1: Dsin a 9atte Color /hen Creatin Trans(arent 3I-s /ith CorelD.A/:

9sing a 'atte color for a #ac0ground &ill help #lend the edges of anti-aliased o#4ects &hen 'a0ing transparent +I)s% <% The fra'es used in the follo&ing ani'ated +I) &ere created in CorelDRAW% The #ac0ground &as set to gra$ #ecause the ani'ation &as to #e displa$ed o!er a gra$ #ac0ground% When each fra'e &as e"ported as a transparent +I)1 CorelDRAW #lended the anti-alised pi"els into the #ac0ground color% In this fashion1 the #ac0ground color functioned as a 'atte%

>% )or each fra'e $ou e"port1 $ou &ill see a dialog si'ilar to the one #elo&% When $ou e"port an i'age in the +I) for'at1 select 7Paletted .@-:it/7 for the color depth .underlined #elo&/% If $ou choose 7Anti-aliasing7 .circled #elo&/1 CorelDRAW &ill #lend the anti-alised pi"els into the #ac0ground color%

D% If $ou e"port the fra'es in the +I) for'at1 $ou &ill also see a dialog si'ilar to the one #elo&% In this dialog $ou can select the transparent color% 6ou can use the 3$edropper .circled #elo&/ to select the color in the i'age pre!ie& pane% Clic0 the 3$edropper to select the transparent color fro' the pre!ie& %

G% 9sing the 3$edropper1 clic0 an$&here in the #ac0ground%

I% To pre!ie& the transparenc$1 clic0 the 7Pre!ie&7 #utton% 6ou can see the effect of the transparent color in the 7Result7 pane on the right%

Note! The color designated as the transparent bac)ground color is #ust another color in the palette It can happen that the color you select also occurs in some of the pi%els in the image itself In this case there will be transparent voids in the image If this occurs then pic) another color for the matte - even if only similar to the color over which the image will be displayed O% When the e"ported fra'e is opened in an i'age editor1 $ou 'a$ see the solid #ac0ground color .#elo& left/% Depending on the application in &hich it is opened1 the transparent color 'a$ appear as a chec0er#oard pattern .#elo& right/%

K% To see the effect of the 'atte color1 ?oo' in to see the indi!idual anti-aliased pi"els% In this case $ou can see that the$ ha!e #een #lended into a gra$ #ac0ground%