How to Use the Wireframe Lens in CorelDRAW

The Wireframe lens in CorelDRAW allows you to display the underlying vector construction of any design through a specific shape without converting the entire document to wireframe mode. This guide explains how to locate the Lens docker, apply the Wireframe effect to an overlapping object, and customize settings such as outline and fill colors to create technical illustrations or unique design accents.

Step 1: Open the Lens Docker

To begin working with lenses, you need the Lens docker (or inspector) active in your workspace.

  1. Go to the top menu and click Effects > Lens, or navigate to Window > Dockers > Effects > Lens.
  2. Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Alt + F3 (Windows) to instantly open the docker on the right side of the screen.

Step 2: Prepare Your Artwork and Lens Shape

The Wireframe lens requires two elements: the background artwork you want to reveal as a wireframe, and a vector object that acts as the viewing window.

  1. Create or open the vector artwork you want to view.
  2. Select the Rectangle, Ellipse, or Freehand tool from the toolbox.
  3. Draw a closed vector shape directly over the portion of the artwork you want to transform into a wireframe.

Step 3: Apply the Wireframe Lens

With your viewing shape in position over the design:

  1. Select the top shape using the Pick tool.
  2. In the Lens docker, click the dropdown menu (which defaults to No Lens Effect) and select Wireframe.
  3. CorelDRAW immediately renders all objects beneath that shape as wireframe vectors.

Step 4: Configure Wireframe Settings

Once applied, you can adjust how the wireframe appears through the docker settings:

  • Outline Color: Click the Outline color picker to choose the color used for all vector paths revealed beneath the lens.
  • Fill Color: Choose a fill color if you want an opaque or tinted background behind the wireframe lines rather than a completely transparent background.

Step 5: Set Lens Properties

The Lens docker provides special controls to alter how the lens behaves when moved or exported:

  • Frozen: Check this box to capture the current wireframe view permanently. Once frozen, you can move the shape away from the underlying artwork, and it will retain the rendered wireframe image.
  • Viewpoint: Check this box to display what is located at a different point in your drawing instead of directly underneath the lens object. Click the point-of-view marker to position the source target.
  • Remove Face: Removes any underlying object fills to leave only the pure wireframe outlines visible within the lens boundary.