Contouring objects

Contours
let you create interesting effects around the edges of objects. Note that objects cannot have both a contour and a bevel
.

To contour an object:

1. Select the object (see Selecting objects) (see Notes).

2. Choose the Contour Tool.

3. Either

drag any of the eight handles
that surround the selected objects,

or drag the Contour width slider,

or type a new value into the text box.

As you drag, you see the outline of the contour.

Notes

You can also use the Contour Tool to select objects - more details.

Applying a contour to several objects:

If the objects are grouped
, overlapping contours merge together. The contour color is the same as the rear-most object in the group.

If the objects are ungrouped, each object has a separate contour. The contour color is the same as the object color.

The contour steps are not separate objects. To make them selectable, you need to convert the contour to simple editable shapes. See Converting contours to shapes.

Dragging the handles lets you swap between inside and outside contours. (Drag the handles inside or outside the objects to swap.) For the other options see Swapping between inside and outside contour.

You can make the outline of objects thicker or thinner using contours - see Using contours to resize objects.

Notes on contours and feathering
.

Movies (not working in this version)

Using contours

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Related Topics

Contours

Contour Tool