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Object of Interest

This article revolves around a project that I hope many readers with lasers will complete: a marshmallow launcher. However, the real hero of this article is CorelDRAW’s Object Manager. Laser owner or not, I hope every CorelDRAW user will download the Marshmallow Launcher.cdr file, available on the Awards and Personalization Association website at www.AwardsPersonalization.org/InsightsMagazine/Resources.aspx, and refer to it while reading the article. And for those of you who plan to complete the project, we’ve also included a brief step-by-step guide showing how to assemble and use the marshmallow launcher in the digital edition of this article.

Object of Interest

How to Make the Most of CorelDRAW’s Object Manager

By Roy Brewer, CRM, Engraving Concepts

This article revolves around a project that I hope many readers with lasers will complete: a marshmallow launcher. However, the real hero of this article is CorelDRAW’s Object Manager. Laser owner or not, I hope every CorelDRAW user will download the Marshmallow Launcher.cdr file, available on the Awards and Personalization Association website at www.AwardsPersonalization.org/InsightsMagazine/Resources.aspx, and refer to it while reading the article. And for those of you who plan to complete the project, we’ve also included a brief step-by-step guide showing how to assemble and use the marshmallow launcher in the digital edition of this article.

Flying sugar aside, the real thrust of this article is to encourage all of you reading this to get more use out of the Object Manager. I spend several hours each month answering questions and providing solutions to CorelDRAW users on this topic. And “The what...?” or “Where is it?” are extremely common responses when I suggest those users open or use the Object Manager.

There are no instances that I can think of when it would be absolutely necessary to use the Object Manager. A huge number of intermediate to advanced users of CorelDRAW have completed massive jobs without ever using Object Manager. However, after you begin to see the power and purpose of the Object Manager, you will never complete another complex job without calling on it for assistance.

All About Object Manager

In X5 and earlier versions of CorelDRAW, the Object Manager was accessed from the Tools menu. In X6 and later versions of CorelDRAW, the Object Manager is more logically accessed from the Object menu. FIGURE 1 shows the Object Manager as it would appear in the Marshmallow Launcher.cdr file once opened.


Figure 1

Figure 1 shows that Page 1 has six layers:

  • guides
  • mockup
  • nail holes
  • pointers
  • 1⁄8-in. plywood
  • ¼-in. plywood.

Using layers in CorelDRAW enables the user the contain objects so they can be organized, visualized, manipulated, and output separately from objects on other layers. The need for this feature might be more obvious for, say, an architect who would need to segregate the foundation, wiring, plumbing, and more in a blueprint, but I think this project will show how useful it can be for even a plaque layout, showing borders, screw holes, etc.

FIGURE 2 shows an enlarged view of a single layer. Each layer can be renamed to something descriptive enough that collaborators will have an immediate grasp of what is contained in that layer.


Figure 2

Note the five icons in front of each layer name:

  1. Plus sign: Click this to show the contents of the layer.
  2. “Eyeball”: This controls whether contents of the layer are hidden or displayed.
  3. Printer: This command controls whether the contents are printed or not printed.
  4. Lock: This command sets the contents to be editable or noneditable (locked).
  5. Color: This is set with a double click—but note that colors will be displayed in the Wireframe view only.

If you are not already using the Object Manager, you will undoubtedly find it useful to open and close the various layers to expose their contents and possibly hide and unhide layers by using the eyeball to get a feel for the entire project, even if you don’t have the time, materials, or equipment available to complete it. Especially in the bottommost layer (1/4-in. plywood layer), note that objects have been grouped and renamed to explain their functionality. The layers can be dragged or dropped into a different order, as well, enabling you to establish a hierarchy so that all in your organization can recognize the critical (main) layer immediately.

FIGURE 3 shows the bottom of the Object Manager docker. The circled icon enables users to add as many layers as needed. The other icons allow for advanced, multipage layering options not illustrated in this article.


Figure 3

Understanding and implementing the features of CorelDRAW’s Object Manager will require an investment of time and energy, but as you use it more and more, the resulting decrease in work hours spent and errors made will pay heavy dividends.

Roy Brewer, CRM, is the founder of Engraving Concepts. Brewer is a longtime CorelDRAW teacher, through his company, the Awards and Personalization Association, and many other forums. He has earned multiple Gold Obelisk awards for his work, and Engraving Concepts recently was recognized as the 2017–18 Supplier of the Year—Multiple Locations. Visit www.engravingconcepts.com to learn more.

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