CorelDraw Tutorials

CorelDRAW Tutorials: Corel Corporation's flagship graphics suite featuring

CorelDRAW and PHOTO-PAIT 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 ,%ai-
e"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
8I3 23+*3T2 ha!ing
ACHOR POIT2 at each end

Illustration: Objects:
Paths:
Line Sements 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 <= 8I3 23+*3T2 and <= ACHOR POIT2% 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 ACHOR
POIT2 .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 COTRO8 HAD832 and
>% Those ha!ing O COTRO8 HAD832
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:
<% O3 COTRO8 HAD83 or
>% TWO COTRO8 HAD832
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 POIT2% All other
points .e"cept for t&o speciali?ed ones sho&n #elo&/ are generall$ referred to as
COR3R POIT2%
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:

CorelD.A/
A!obe
Illustrator
-ree'an!
Deneba
Can%as

7Caps and
Corners7
7Cap and ;oin7 7Cap and ;oin7
78ine ;oins and
3nd Caps7
Ca(s
2(uare :utt :utt )lat
3"tended
2(uare
Pro4ecting 2(uare 2(uare
Rounded Round Round Round
Corners
*itered *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 An!
Combinin
<% O#4ect +rouping
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 an!
Combinin
+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:
Proram Com(osite Paths Combine! Objects
CorelDRAW
.Co'#ining O#4ects/
Co'#ine and :rea0 Apart
Welding1 Tri''ing
and Intersecting O#4ects
Ado#e
Illustrator
.Co'pound Path/
*a0e and Release
Pathfinder - Co'#ine1 Isolate
and 2u#di!iding O#4ects
*acro'edia
)reeHand
.Co'posite Path/
;oin and 2plit
*erging O#4ects
Dene#a
Can!as
.Co'posite Path/
*a0e Co'posite E :rea0
Co'posite
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
8I3 23+*3T2 ha!ing
ACHOR POIT2 at each end
ACHOR POIT2 fall into t&o categories:
<% Those ha!ing COTRO8 HAD832 and
>% Those ha!ing O COTRO8 HAD832
8ine seg'ents &ith points ha!ing control handles are curved%
8ine seg'ents &ith points ha!ing no control handles are straight%
An ACHOR POIT can ha!e either:
<% O3 COTRO8 HAD83 or
>% TWO COTRO8 HAD832
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 POIT2% All other
points .e"cept for the speciali?ed ones - 7s$''etrical node7 and 7connector point7/
are generall$ referred to as COR3R POIT2%
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:
<% Rectangle .including s(uare/
>% 3llipse .including circle/
D% Pol$gon .including star/
G% 2piral
The user can control the nu'#er of sides to pol$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$gons1 stars and
spirals &hich 'ust #e con!erted to paths%
Proram
Comman!s
CorelDRAW Arrange H Con!ert To Cur!es
Ado#e Illustrator .O#4ects are edita#le #$ default/
*acro'edia )reeHand
*odif$ H 9ngroup
e"cept for pol$gons and stars
Dene#a Can!as
O#4ect H Path H Con!ert To Paths
for pol$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 A
Alt A
Ctrl A
2hift
Option
Co''and
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$s &ill #ring up a different tool:
)or Ado#e Illustrator or Ado#e Photoshop:
9acintosh: /in!ows: -unction
Co''and
Option
2hift
Ctrl
Alt
2hift
2elects the last selection tool
2elects the Con!ert Direction Point Tool
Constrains angle to GIJ incre'ents
)or *acro'edia )reeHand:
9acintosh /in!ows -unction
Co''and
Option
2hift
Ctrl
Alt
2hift
2elects the Pointer Tool
Places a corner point
Constrains angle to GIJ incre'ents
:asicall$ 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
Continue
Adding
To Path
Restart
Open
Path
Close
Path
Illustrator K E @

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
Directl$
O!er an
Anchor
Point% e"t
Clic0 Closes
Path
Placing
2traight
2eg'ents
Placing
2eg'ents
Constrained
To GIJ
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 Taret 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 Terminoloy
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
.no e(ui!alent/
Cusp ode
2'ooth ode
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
)ill
2tro0e
Anchor Point
Handle
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/
Co'posite Path
Co'#ining
O#4ects
Wirefra'e
Displa$
Clipping Path
3n!elope
)ill
2tro0e
Anchor Point
Direction Point
.or handle/
Direction 8ine
Corner Point
2'ooth Point
.no e(ui!alent/
.no e(ui!alent/
Co'pound Path
Pathfinder:
Co'#ine1 Isolate
and 2u#di!ide
O#4ects
Art&or0 Cie&
*as0
.no e(ui!alent/
)ill
2tro0e
Point
Point Nno#
Point Handle
Corner Point
Cur!e Point
.no e(ui!alent/
Connector Point
Co'posite Path
*erging O#4ects
Ne$line Cie&
Clipping Path
3n!elope

Lesson 1": Dsin 9as,s in Illustration Prorams

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 7or'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 7one7% 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#%
@% )IA886F 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
Prorams

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-PAIT @ 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-PAIT @ 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-PAIT @ to Photoshop
in!ol!es first sa!ing the path in Corel PHOTO-PAIT @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$% The follo&ing chart illustrates the 'ethod:
*o!ing an i'age &ith its clipping path fro' Photoshop to Corel PHOTO-PAIT @
re(uires no special steps% Corel PHOTO-PAIT @ &ill open a nati!e Photoshop %P2D
file directl$ and an$ e'#edded paths are accessi#le fro' &ithin Corel PHOTO-PAIT
@%
: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-PAIT1 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-PAIT @ handles clipping paths%
Corel PHOTO-PAIT @ 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-PAIT% 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-PAIT @ in!ol!es first sa!ing the path in
Corel PHOTO-PAIT @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 A((lication @ote
P2D
AI
3P2
PD)
)H@ E )H=
Ado#e Photoshop
Ado#e Illustrator
+eneric 3P2
Ado#e Acro#at
*acro'edia )reeHand
CC
PICT
+I)
;P+
P+
TRT
DOC
HT* E HT*8
)D: E AD*
SRD
Dene#a Can!as
*acintosh PICT
+I) i'age
;P3+ i'age
*acro'edia
)ire&or0s
otepad or 2i'pleTe"t
*icrosoft Word
We# pages
3"tensis Portfolio5
Suar0RPress5
9se %PCT e"tension on PC
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$ste's are 'ore e"pensi!e and not 'eant for the freelance or 2OHO .s'all office1
ho'e office/ user% *ost &e# designers and freelance artists on the PC platfor' use
Windo&s =IE=@% The #est solution I ha!e found for net&or0ing *acs and PCs is PC
*AC8A1 fro' *ira'ar 2$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 *AC8A1 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%