Draw a Parchment in CorelDraw (Exclusive Tutorial)

While looking over the templates available at TemplateMonster.com, I paid especially close attention to the fine use of Vector images, for example, in banners. I would like to note that drawing such images is not always difficult. Any Vector form itself, be it a square or something more difficult, is uninteresting, but, by performing two or three simple tricks, you can create “interesting” vector objects.

Take, for example, parchment. The most important thing here is the choice of an “interesting” form and stimulating perspective.

I will use three basic instruments located on the “toolbox” panel: shape tool, freehand tool, and interactive transparency tool.

Creating the object, I divided the work into three stages: forming of the framework, work with the object, and decoration.

Forming the Framework

Using “freehand tool” I will draw (it's possible to draw without releasing the left mouse button or with left double clicking to create a broken line) a distinctively shaped line (drawing 1.1, 1.2), and using “shape tool” I will add finishing touches. Shaping a model: in this case I simply duplicated the original line, slightly deforming it; and using “freehand tool” I made several straight lines, which I also bent with the “shape tool” (drawing 1.3). Now using “shape tool” I remove the undesirable line breaks (this is done by placing a border point, and then removing the the excess). Now, selecting beforehand all lines of interest, I combine them to form one object by clicking the button “combine” in “property bar” while not forgetting to assign the thickness of the lines according to my taste – and voila! the frame is ready. (drawing 1.4).

Working with the Object

Clicking “Ctrl+Shift+Q”, which affects the behavior of the lines within the object, I transform the resultant framework. In “wireframe” mode I remove the residual invisible frame and using “shape tool” improve the outline of the resultant object (drawing 2.1). Clicking “Ctrl+K”, I place the object in a group of objects (drawing 2.2) – now all that remains is to organize and paint each one its own specific color (drawing 2.3). The result, shown in drawing 2.4 can be attained by filling in every object with the appropriate gradient fill, but this is, in my opinion, an arduous process, thus not the function of a preliminary review. I, to the contrary, simply duplicate any of these objects from the group above it and fill in with a contrasting gradient fill color. Using “interactive transparency tool” in regular mode, I add the necessary gradients according to my whim.

Decoration

In this case decorative elements will be found among the group of lines (a text line). Guiding the lines, I combine them into one object by clicking the button “combine” in the “property bar”, not forgetting to assign the thickness of the lines according to the dictates of my whims (drawing3.1).Clicking “Ctrl+Shift+Q” and using the “eraser tool” ( it will appear if you will hold left mouse button on the “shape tool”) I deform the edges of the object (drawing 3.2). It is best to use “eraser tool” with each object since if there are objects lying beneath the one at hand, then it will be difficult to choose the necessary one.

See additional examples on the practical use of such elements.

Parchment examples