Creating Interactive Web Elements in CorelDRAW

CorelDRAW provides built-in tools that allow designers to transform static vector graphics into interactive elements for digital use. This guide covers the essential techniques for adding interactivity within CorelDRAW, including creating hyperlinks, designing multi-state rollover buttons, defining clickable image maps, and properly exporting assets for the web.

Adding Hyperlinks to Objects and Text

To make any object or text frame clickable, you can assign an external URL or an internal document link directly to it.

  1. Select the text, shape, or group you want to make interactive.
  2. Open the Links and Bookmarks docker by navigating to Window > Dockers > Links and Bookmarks (or right-click the object and select Properties).
  3. In the URL field, enter the destination web address (e.g., https://example.com) or select a page bookmark within the document.
  4. Specify the target frame (such as _blank to open the link in a new browser tab).

Designing Interactive Rollover Buttons

CorelDRAW allows you to create interactive buttons that change appearance based on mouse actions (hovering and clicking).

  1. Draw the base design of your button.
  2. Select the object and go to Effects > Rollover > Create Rollover (or use the Internet toolbar).
  3. Click Edit Rollover to modify the states. You will see three states:
    • Normal: The default appearance of the button.
    • Over: How the button appears when a user hovers the cursor over it.
    • Down: The appearance when the user clicks the mouse button.
  4. Switch between states using the Rollover toolbar, modifying colors, text, or shapes for each state.
  5. Click Finish Editing Rollover when completed.

Creating Hotspots and Image Maps

If you have a complex background image and want specific areas to be interactive without cutting the graphic into pieces, use hotspots:

  1. Draw a vector shape (such as a rectangle or circle) directly over the area of your graphic you want to make clickable.
  2. Open the Object Properties docker and navigate to the Internet tab.
  3. Select the hotspot behavior and assign a URL.
  4. Set the shape fill and outline to transparent, or mark the object as a hotspot so it outputs coordinates for an HTML image map upon export.

Exporting for the Web

To preserve your interactive properties for online deployment, you must choose an appropriate export format:

  • SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics): The standard modern format for web interactivity. Go to File > Export, choose SVG, and verify under the SVG settings that links and styling are preserved. SVG maintains crisp resolution and supports CSS-based hover states and embedded URLs.
  • HTML Export (Legacy/Direct Web Page): Go to File > Export for Web or File > Publish to the Web > HTML to output HTML tables, slices, and interactive rollover scripts generated directly by CorelDRAW. Ensure all interactive objects are verified with the Web Preflight panel before finalizing the export.