Drawing custom shapes like a rounded arrow in CorelDRAW is a simple process, thanks to its array of design tools. In this guide, you will learn how to create a rounded arrow from scratch, using basic shapes, converting it to curves, and refining it with the contour and smart fill tools.

Step 1: Create the Basic Arrow Shape

1. Open CorelDRAW: Launch CorelDRAW and create a new document or open an existing one where you want to draw the arrow.
2. Select the Arrow Shape:

• From the Toolbar, choose the Common Shapes or Basic Shapes tool.
• In the shape options, select the arrow icon.
• Hold down the Control key as you click and drag to draw a perfect arrow.

This will give you the basic form of the arrow, but to customize it further, you’ll need to convert it into curves.

Step 2: Convert the Arrow to Curves

1. Convert to Curves:

• Select the arrow you’ve just drawn.
• Go to the Object menu at the top and choose Convert to Curves.

Converting it to curves allows for more customization and editing of the shape.

Step 3: Round the Corners

1. Open the Corners Docker:

• To round off the sharp edges of your arrow, you’ll use the Shape tool.
• Open the Window menu, go to Dockers, and choose Corners. (If the docker doesn’t work as expected, you can still manually adjust the shape.)

1. Adjust the Nodes:

• Use the Shape tool to select all the nodes of the arrow.
• You might notice one side of the arrow has sharper corners, so reduce the size of the corners for a more rounded look.
• Set the corner rounding to approximately 0.15 to achieve a smooth curve.

Step 4: Add a Contour

To give the arrow a more polished appearance, add a contour to the outer edge.

1. Apply Contour:

• With the arrow selected, go to the Effects menu and select Contour.
• In the Contour docker, set the contour to the outside and adjust the thickness. A value of around 0.35 inches should give you a nice result.

This will create an outer contour that mirrors the arrow shape with a consistent thickness.

Step 5: Color the Arrow

Now that you have the shape ready, it’s time to color it using the Smart Fill tool.

1. Use the Smart Fill Tool:

• Select the Smart Fill tool from the toolbar.
• Click inside the arrow shape to fill it with your chosen color.

1. Customize the Color:

• If you want to match a specific color, you can use the Color Eyedropper tool.
• Click on a color from another object or part of the screen to sample it, then apply it to your arrow by clicking inside the shape.

Step 6: Remove the Outline

To ensure a clean, professional look, remove the outline around the arrow:

1. Remove the Outline:

• Select the entire arrow by clicking on it.
• Right-click on the color swatch labeled No Outline in the color palette (this is typically a white box with a red slash through it).

This step ensures that your arrow will not have any unnecessary outlines, giving it a smoother appearance, especially for printing.

Step 7: Adjust Line Thickness (Optional)

If you want to modify the contour line thickness, you can always return to the Contour docker and make changes:

1. Modify the Line Thickness:

• Select the contour and adjust the line thickness according to your preference. For instance, setting it to 0.2 will give you a thinner line.

Conclusion

Creating a rounded arrow in CorelDRAW is a straightforward process when you leverage the shape tools, curves, contour effects, and smart fill tool. By following these steps, you can create a custom, professional-looking arrow for your design projects. The flexibility of CorelDRAW’s tools also allows for further tweaking and customization to match your design needs.

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