How to Configure Blend Steps in CorelDRAW

The Blend tool in CorelDRAW creates a smooth progression of shapes, colors, and sizes between two or more vector objects. When creating a blend, the software generates intermediate steps that bridge the starting and ending elements. This guide outlines the specific configurations available for these intermediate steps, including step count, spacing, color transitions, acceleration, and path orientation.

Number of Steps and Step Spacing

You can determine the density of the intermediate objects using two primary methods on the Property Bar:

  • Step Count: Specify the exact number of transitional objects generated between the start and end shapes (ranging from 1 to 999).
  • Step Spacing: Set an exact fixed distance between the intermediate objects. CorelDRAW automatically calculates the total number of steps required to fill the gap based on this measurement.

Color Progression Options

CorelDRAW allows you to define how intermediate colors transition through the color spectrum:

  • Direct Blend: Transitions colors straight from the starting hue to the ending hue in a direct, linear calculation.
  • Clockwise Color Blend: Progresses intermediate step colors clockwise around the standard color wheel, introducing intermediate rainbow spectrum hues.
  • Counterclockwise Color Blend: Progresses colors counterclockwise around the color wheel, introducing the opposite spectrum of transitional hues.

Object and Color Acceleration

Acceleration settings control the rate at which intermediate objects change in position, size, and color:

  • Object Acceleration: Adjusts the physical spacing between intermediate steps. You can cluster objects closer to the start object or closer to the end object using the acceleration slider.
  • Color Acceleration: Adjusts the rate at which the color values change. You can preserve the original color across more intermediate steps before transitioning rapidly near the end object.
  • Link Acceleration: Locks the object and color acceleration sliders together so physical position and color shifts occur at the identical rate.

Blend Along a Path

Intermediate steps can be mapped to custom trajectories rather than remaining in a straight line:

  • Path Fitting: Binds intermediate objects to any open or closed curve.
  • Blend Along Full Path: Distributes intermediate steps evenly along the entire length of the designated path.
  • Rotate All Objects: Angles each intermediate object dynamically to match the curvature and direction of the path at its specific coordinate.

Node Mapping and Split Blends

To solve twisting or awkward transitions between differing shapes:

  • Map Nodes: Manually pair a specific node on the starting object to a specific node on the ending object, controlling how intermediate steps morph structurally.
  • Split Blend: Designates an intermediate step to act as a new start or end point, allowing you to branch or redirect the progression into multiple paths.