How to Use the Freehand Tool in CorelDRAW

The Freehand tool in CorelDRAW allows designers to sketch organic paths, trace shapes, and draw straight line segments naturally within a vector workspace. This guide provides a straightforward walkthrough on selecting the tool, mastering both curved and straight line techniques, adjusting curve smoothing for cleaner vectors, and closing paths to create filled objects.

Selecting the Freehand Tool

To activate the tool, locate the Freehand tool icon in the Toolbox on the left side of the screen (typically grouped with other curve tools). Alternatively, press the keyboard shortcut F5.

Drawing Curved Lines

  1. Click and hold the left mouse button where you want the line to start.
  2. Drag the cursor across the canvas to draw freely, mimicking a traditional pen or pencil.
  3. Release the mouse button to complete the curve. CorelDRAW will automatically convert your path into vector nodes.

Drawing Straight Lines

  1. Click once on the canvas to define the starting point (do not hold the button down).
  2. Move the cursor to where the line should end. A preview line will stretch as you move.
  3. Click a second time to set the endpoint. Tip: Hold down the Ctrl key while moving the cursor to constrain the line angle to increments of 15 degrees.

Adjusting Freehand Smoothing

When drawing freehand curves, you can control how strictly the software tracks your hand movements versus how much it smooths out irregularities:

  1. Select the Freehand tool.
  2. Look at the Property Bar at the top of the interface for the Freehand Smoothing box.
  3. Enter a value between 1 and 100 before or immediately after drawing. Higher values produce fewer nodes and smoother, flowing lines, while lower values capture finer, more jagged details.

Connecting Lines and Closing Paths

To create a closed shape that can hold color fills:

  1. Hover your cursor over the starting node of an existing line until the cursor icon changes to a curved arrow next to a node.
  2. Click and drag to continue drawing, then bring the cursor to the final endpoint until the arrow indicator appears again.
  3. Release the mouse button. The path will close automatically, allowing you to apply uniform, fountain, or pattern fills from the color palette.

Editing Drawn Paths

After drawing, you can refine your lines at any time. Press F10 to switch to the Shape Tool, which reveals the individual nodes and control handles. Click and drag individual nodes to reposition them, or adjust the control handles to alter the trajectory and tension of the curves.