Corel Draw: Using the Mesh Fill Tool
Corel’s CorelDRAW graphics design suite allows users to fix or edit images, generate animations or even create images for websites. Within the software suite is a tool known as the Mesh Fill Tool, which allows users to add color to a certain section of an image or photograph by using a grid-like pattern. While beginners should attempt this skill, they may need to do some experimentation before they get it right.
Step 1: Understanding the Mesh Fill
A mesh fill can be applied to any image that is not already using another effect. It will fill in a certain section of an image using nodes and curves. Nodes are certain points on a line or curve which can be manipulated. Nodes can be manipulated individually, and colors or shades can be added right at the node points.
Curves, also known as the Bezier curve, indicate how large sections of the grid should be. Users may want to experiment with these two tools before attempting the Mesh Fill Tool.
Step 2: Using the Tool
To start adding a mesh fill, users need to select the Mesh Fill Tool, which looks like a grid with individual points on it. It is located under the regular fill tool. Select the Mesh Fill Tool, and then click anywhere in the image.
A Property Bar will open up that has the starting grid information and the Bezier curve controls. Within this Property Bar, users will also see that they can select different types of curves and different types of nodes. A slider bar can also be manipulated to indicate how smooth the paths should be.
Step 3: Creating a Mesh Fill
Now that the object has been selected, it is now time to start applying the mesh. Next, users need to select the color and shade that they would like to use for fill.
Start dragging either the curve or nodes around. This will alert the program that this image is now a Mesh Fill object, which will be reflected within the Status Bar. Users will not be able to change this once the Mesh Fill is applied; it will permanently be this type of object.
Step 4: Adding Color
Once the object becomes a Mesh Fill object, the color can be applied to the corresponding section. To do this, select a section of the grid that now fills the object, and click on the color well. Users can also do this step by simply dragging a color from the color well to a section of the grid or to an intersection point.
A grid section will generally be a box or round section that covers a section of the image. A node, on the other hand, is smaller and is usually a square. When the color is dragged to this section, users should be able to see a small square on the image that displays their selected color.
Color should now only be added to the area that was selected. To exit the Mesh Fill Tool, select the Pick Tool.