CorelDRAW Envelope Mapping Modes Explained

CorelDRAW provides dedicated deformation controls through its Envelope tool, allowing designers to warp, shape, and stretch vector graphics, text, and bitmaps. Within this toolset, CorelDRAW combines two distinct concepts often grouped together: envelope editing modes (which determine how you manipulate the boundary frame, such as Unconstrained mode) and mapping modes (which determine how the internal artwork conforms to that frame, such as Putty mode). This guide breaks down each available mode and explains how they function in your design workflow.

Envelope Mapping Modes

Mapping modes control the mathematical distribution of the graphic within the deformed boundary. When an envelope is applied to an object, you can select the mapping behavior from the Envelope docker or Property Bar.

Putty Mode

Putty mode is the most elastic deformation setting in CorelDRAW. It maps the corners of the object's original bounding box to the envelope's corner nodes and treats the interior content like soft, malleable clay.

  • Behavior: Internal shapes and lines stretch fluidly to completely fill the envelope’s contours.
  • Best Used For: Extreme distortions, organic curves, flowing banners, and mockups where artwork must completely conform to irregular surfaces.

Original Mode

Original mode maps the bounding box corners to the envelope nodes while attempting to maintain the relative proportions and linear nature of internal paths.

  • Behavior: While the artwork conforms to the boundaries, the internal lines and letterforms resist distortion more than in Putty mode, retaining closer fidelity to the original shape geometry.
  • Best Used For: Text layouts and geometric logos where extreme shearing makes the design unreadable.

Envelope Shape Editing Modes

While Putty and Original govern how the artwork fills the frame, envelope editing modes govern how you edit the envelope itself. Unconstrained is the most prominent of these editing states.

Unconstrained Mode

Unconstrained mode removes all geometric restrictions from the envelope path.

  • Behavior: You can manipulate individual nodes, drag Bezier control handles independently, and add or delete nodes anywhere along the perimeter.
  • Best Used For: Highly customized, asymmetrical silhouettes, freehand vector shaping, and conforming artwork to complex object contours.

Straight-Line Mode

Straight-line mode forces all segments between envelope nodes to remain straight edges.

  • Behavior: Dragging a node moves the corner or edge while maintaining perfectly flat sides.
  • Best Used For: Perspective projections, mockups on flat planes (such as billboards or boxes), and architectural alignments.

Single-Arc Mode

Single-arc mode constrains envelope edges to a continuous, single-radius curve.

  • Behavior: Moving a node creates a uniform arch across that side of the envelope boundary.
  • Best Used For: Arched text, ribbon banners, and placing graphics on cylindrical forms like cans and bottles.

Double-Arc Mode

Double-arc mode constrains the envelope edges to an S-curve profile.

  • Behavior: Moving nodes creates a wave-like transformation across the selected side.
  • Best Used For: Flag effects, undulating ribbons, and fluid decorative graphics.

Accessing and Applying the Modes

  1. Select the vector object, artistic text, or supported bitmap.
  2. Open the Envelope Tool from the Toolbox (nested under the Effects/Shadow flyout) or open the Envelope Docker via Window > Dockers > Effects > Envelope.
  3. In the Property Bar or Docker, select your editing mode (Straight-line, Single-arc, Double-arc, or Unconstrained).
  4. Select your mapping preference (Putty or Original) from the mapping dropdown.
  5. Drag the boundary nodes to reshape your graphic to the desired proportions.