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CorelDraw Vector drawing from the CorelDraw 9 sample
disk. This is an excellent example of vector drawing with hundreds
of gradient fills. Note how the overall appearance is quite sharp
and crisp – characteristic of vector work.
From the same disk, this sample is intended to show
Corel PhotoPaint 9 (a raster program) effects. Notice how this drawing
relies on gradient fills, but also on sophisticated transparent and
semitransparent areas. Raster programs have no equal for this type
of work.
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This is the final installment in a three part series on gradient
fills. If you are a regular visitor, you have probably noticed that
I do not always cover all software for each technique. When it came
to gradient fills though, there was not a natural place to stop. Gradients
have become so common in professional design, that is almost a shock
to see a graphic without the added dimension of this feathery effect
that brings objects to life.
This time we are looking at our final illustration program, CorelDraw,
and Flash fans will be pleased to see that I have included it for
the first time in a while. Although I would like to include more Flash,
so many of the recent techniques we have covered have taken all the
space for the major raster and illustration programs. My rationale
is that illustration programs work hand in hand with Flash, and that
many designers do much of their work in a vector program and export
to Flash.
And since we are talking about vectors and rasters, I would like
to mention that I will be doing a full column on the difference between
vector and raster formats this month. Many people are still confused
about the difference, especially if they have not been in print production.
In the print world, we become very wise quickly to the difference.
At the high resolutions required by print, plus the CMYK color model
as opposed to RGB, full color raster files are gigantic. Vector files
are miniature in comparison. We also have to understand vectors to
get the darn things to print. Two very good reasons why print pros
know their vectors.
So ... although I have no hidden agenda to convert Web designers
to print producers, I will use the experience I gained while on the
print side to help you understand what vectors are, why they do what
they do and how to choose between vector and print. Check back soon
if you would like to learn the strengths and limitations of each program
type, and learn to work with and around them.
Enough on the sidetrack. Let's get to building gradient fills in
CorelDraw ... blends, too.
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