Adjust Line Density in CorelDRAW Impact Tool

CorelDRAW’s Impact tool allows designers to add dynamic graphic effects, such as radial bursts and parallel speed lines, to vector artwork. This guide explains how to quickly adjust the line density within an active impact effect using the Property Bar settings to control spacing, line count, and overall visual intensity.

Accessing the Impact Tool Properties

To change the density of your impact lines, the object must remain editable as a dynamic impact effect rather than a broken-apart curve.

  1. Select the Pick tool or the Impact tool from the Toolbox on the left.
  2. Click directly on the impact effect shape you want to modify.
  3. Locate the Property Bar running horizontally across the top of the workspace.

Adjusting Line Density and Count

The Property Bar displays controls specific to whether you are using the Radial or Parallel effect style. Use the following settings to control density:

  • Line Density / Count: Look for the numeric input field for line count or density percentage on the Property Bar. Increasing this value adds more lines across the designated area, packing them closer together. Decreasing the value spreads the lines apart.
  • Line Spacing: Locate the spacing control to adjust the gap between adjacent strokes. Tighter spacing increases the perceived density of the effect, while wider gaps create a sparser, more subtle appearance.
  • Randomize Spacing: Toggle the randomization control if you want the density distributed unevenly across the pattern. This mimics organic comic-book-style action lines.

Modifying Stroke Width for Perceived Density

Line thickness directly influences how dense the pattern appears:

  1. On the Property Bar, locate the Start Width and End Width controls.
  2. Lower the line width values if high-density settings are causing lines to overlap or bleed together into a solid block of color.
  3. Increase the line widths if you have a lower line count but still want the effect to look bold and prominent.

Constraining the Effect with Boundaries

Line density can also be intensified by confining the effect to a smaller area:

  • Inner and Outer Boundaries: Use the interactive nodes on the canvas to drag the inner or outer limits of the effect closer together. Packing the same number of lines into a narrower space immediately increases overall density.
  • Clipping with Inner Objects: If your effect surrounds an object (such as a logo or character), adjust the inner boundary clearance slider on the Property Bar to bring the dense line cluster closer to or further from the central subject.