How to Apply Surface Color to Extrusions in CorelDRAW

Applying surface color to extrusions in CorelDRAW allows you to transform flat vector shapes into vibrant, three-dimensional objects with realistic depth and shading. This guide provides a straightforward walkthrough on using the Extrusion tool’s built-in color controls to apply solid fills, two-color gradients, and lighting effects to the extruded surfaces of your vector designs.

Step 1: Select the Extruded Object

  1. Open your CorelDRAW document containing the extruded object.
  2. Select the Pick tool from the toolbox, or choose the Extrude tool directly from the effects flyout menu.
  3. Click on the extruded object to activate it. You will see the extrusion bounding box, vanishing point vector lines, and the Extrude Property Bar at the top of your workspace.

Step 2: Open the Extrusion Color Settings

  1. Look at the Property Bar at the top of the screen.
  2. Click the Extrusion Color icon (represented by three small colored blocks or a pouring paint bucket icon depending on your CorelDRAW version).
  3. A drop-down menu will appear featuring three primary color modes:
    • Use Object Fill
    • Use Solid Color
    • Use Color Shading

Step 3: Choose Your Surface Color Mode

  • Use Object Fill: Select this option if you want the extruded depth to share the exact same fill color as the front face of the original vector object.
  • Use Solid Color: Select this option to give the extrusion sides a different uniform color from the front face. Click the color swatch picker beneath this option to choose your desired hue from the palette.
  • Use Color Shading: Select this option to create a two-color gradient transition across the extruded surface. This simulates light falling across the object's depth.
    1. Click the From color swatch to define the start color of the extrusion (closest to the front face).
    2. Click the To color swatch to define the end color of the extrusion (closest to the back or vanishing point).

Step 4: Enhance Surface Depth with Extrusion Lighting

To add realism to your surface colors, incorporate the lighting controls:

  1. On the Property Bar, click the Extrusion Lighting icon (a light bulb).
  2. Click one or more of the three numbered light bulb buttons to activate directional light sources.
  3. Click and drag the light source icons around the preview sphere to change the angle and intensity of light hitting the colored surfaces.

Step 5: Color Individual Faces (Advanced Method)

If you need to color specific faces of the 3D extrusion independently:

  1. Select the extrusion with the Pick tool.
  2. Go to Object > Break Extrude Group Apart (or press Ctrl + K).
  3. Click Object > Ungroup All (or press Ctrl + U).
  4. Select individual surface facets and apply any standard uniform fill, fountain fill, or texture from the main color palette.