How to Set Extrusion Vanishing Points in CorelDRAW

This article provides a straightforward guide on how to configure, position, and lock extrusion vanishing points in CorelDRAW. You will learn how to access the Extrude tool, manipulate vanishing point markers directly on the design canvas, use the Property Bar for precise coordinate adjustments, and share a single vanishing point across multiple vector objects to create cohesive three-dimensional perspective.

Step 1: Apply the Extrude Tool

  1. Open your project in CorelDRAW and select the vector object or text you want to extrude.
  2. In the toolbox on the left, locate the Effects flyout menu and select the Extrude tool (it often shares an icon space with the Drop Shadow or Blend tool).
  3. Click on the object and drag in the direction you want the extrusion to extend. An interactive vector line with a marker at the end will appear.

Step 2: Manually Adjust the Vanishing Point

  • Freehand Movement: Locate the black "X" marker at the end of the extrusion line—this is the vanishing point. Click and drag this marker anywhere on or off the page to change the depth, perspective, and direction of the extrusion.
  • Extrusion Depth: Drag the central slider along the line connecting the object to the vanishing point to increase or decrease the depth without moving the vanishing point itself.

Step 3: Set Precise Coordinates via the Property Bar

For exact alignment, configure the vanishing point using numerical inputs:

  1. With the extruded object selected, look at the Property Bar at the top of the workspace.
  2. Locate the Vanishing Point Coordinate fields (VP X and VP Y).
  3. Enter exact numeric values to position the vanishing point at a specific coordinate relative to the ruler.

Step 4: Configure Vanishing Point Properties

Click the Extrusion Direction / Vanishing Point Properties button on the Property Bar to choose how the vanishing point behaves:

  • VP Locked to Object: The vanishing point moves dynamically if you move or resize the original object, maintaining the relative angle.
  • VP Locked to Page: The vanishing point remains fixed at a specific point on the page canvas even if the extruded object is repositioned.
  • Perspective Types: Choose between parallel extrusions (which do not converge) and perspective extrusions (where the lines converge to a single vanishing point).

Step 5: Share Vanishing Points Between Multiple Objects

To create a realistic scene where multiple objects share the same focal point:

  1. Apply an extrusion to your first object and place the vanishing point where desired.
  2. Select a second object and activate the Extrude tool.
  3. On the Property Bar, click the Copy Extrusion Properties icon, or click the Vanishing Point Properties button and choose Share Vanishing Point.
  4. Click on the original extruded object. Both objects will now point toward the identical vanishing point coordinates.