Issue link: https://nbm.uberflip.com/i/1491554
7 6 G R A P H I C S P R O • M A R C H 2 0 2 3 G R A P H I C S - P R O. C O M I have always been amazed at how quickly one can forget some of the functions of a program if they are not frequently used. One of the ways I have learned to stay current on my skills with CorelDR AW is to spend some time drawing objects that commonly exist around the house or in the shop. I have included some of those drawings as possible inspiration for others to just create drawings that are intended to enhance one's skills with the program. Most of these images were drawn at my leisure for amusement, but all of them have helped me learn how to keep sharp with the program. I will not do a detailed description of each, but I will give a brief explanation of them and how they helped me enhance my skills and stay current with them. Adjustable wrench Figure 1 depicts an adjustable wrench. I put the wrench in my scanner and Keeping Up with Your Program How to keep your design skills sharp scanned it into CorelDR AW. I was then able to draw the various shapes involved using mostly the Bezier tool. When all the basic shapes were completed, I began adding the details to each with fountain fills and contours for a realistic look. is particular wrench had a black anodized finish, so I used darker shades of gray throughout. If it had a chrome look, as most wrenches do, the colors would have been lighter tones to show that. I later drew the hex nut with some fountain fills. Oddly enough, though intended for my own amusement, I was able to use this image for graphics on a maintenance department's vehicle. 1 S O F T W A R E T I P S & T R I C K S | D O U G Z E N D E R Doug Zender has used CorelDRAW extensively since version 4. His goal is to minimize the intimidation of the program and give users the sense that CorelDRAW is a friend, not an adversary. Doug began as a design artist, then moved into the sign industry in 1992 doing vinyl graphics. You can contact him at dezender1@gmail.com. B U S I N E S S S T R A T E G I E S