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To use Artistic Media in CorelDRAW, select the tool, choose a mode on the property bar, pick a preset or brush if that mode requires one, and drag to draw. For a reusable custom vector brush, select vector artwork, choose Vector Brush mode, and save it as an artistic media stroke.
Choose the mode that makes the mark you need
Artistic Media is a set of drawing modes rather than a single brush. Corel’s current vector-brush help describes four: Preset, Vector Brush, Sprayer, and Calligraphic. Choose based on what should follow your path:
- Preset: applies a selected preset shape along the curve.
- Vector Brush: applies a vector brushstroke along the curve.
- Sprayer: distributes objects along the curve.
- Calligraphic: creates a pen-like stroke whose thickness depends on the path direction and nib angle.
The Artistic Media docker can preview and provide access to brushes, show recently used brushes, and support saving custom brushes. Mode names and controls vary between documented CorelDRAW versions; use the names shown in your own property bar and consult the help for your edition if a mode is missing. Corel’s toolbox reference and versioned help use different labels in some places.
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Preset line
- Select the Artistic Media tool in the toolbox, then choose Preset mode on the property bar.
- Select a stroke from the Preset stroke list.
- Drag in the drawing area to create the line.
- Adjust Stroke width or Freehand smoothing on the property bar if needed. Use Scale stroke with object to control whether stroke thickness changes when the object is scaled.
Preset lines use shapes applied along the path. Preset and calligraphic lines can be filled like other objects after drawing. See Corel’s calligraphic and preset line instructions.
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Calligraphic line
- Select the Artistic Media tool and choose Calligraphic mode on the property bar.
- Set the calligraphic angle and, if needed, the width and Freehand smoothing.
- Drag to draw the line.
Width is the maximum, not a promise of uniform thickness. Corel states, “The width you set is the maximum line width.” A stroke drawn perpendicular to the selected calligraphic angle reaches that maximum; one drawn in the same direction as the angle has little or no thickness. If the line looks too thin, adjust the angle, change the direction of your drag, or increase the width. Calligraphic lines are closed shapes by default and can be filled.
Apply a vector brushstroke
- Select Artistic Media, then choose Vector Brush mode.
- Choose a brush category and a brushstroke on the property bar.
- Drag to draw the path.
- Adjust Stroke width and Freehand smoothing as needed, and set Scale stroke with object according to how you want scaling to affect thickness.
You can also preview and access brushes through the Artistic Media docker, including recently used brushes. Corel notes that “The brush marks of vector brushes are vector objects that can be scaled to any size without compromising quality.” They remain editable as vector artwork. Refer to Corel’s vector brushstroke help.
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Save and reuse a custom vector brush
- Select the vector object or group of vector objects you want to use as the brush mark.
- Select the Artistic Media tool and choose Vector Brush mode.
- Click the selected object or group.
- Click Save artistic media stroke, enter a filename, and save.
- To use it later, choose the Custom category and select the saved brushstroke.
To remove a saved brush, open the Custom category and use its Delete control. Corel documents this workflow in its custom vector brush instructions.
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- Stroke width: adjusts the line or brush width. In Calligraphic mode, it sets the maximum width; direction relative to the calligraphic angle determines the actual thickness.
- Freehand smoothing: smooths the stroke contour. Increase it when the drawn edge needs a smoother result; there is no single ideal setting for every drawing.
- Scale stroke with object: controls whether stroke thickness transforms along with the object when scaling.
- Brush not visible: check the Artistic Media docker or the relevant brush category and browse controls. A saved custom brush should appear under Custom. Interface details depend on the CorelDRAW version.
- Calligraphic line too thin: compare the drag direction with the chosen angle; a direction aligned with that angle produces little or no thickness.
Older or differently versioned help may call modes “Brush,” “Pressure,” or “Expression.” Those terms are not universal labels for the current four-mode workflow. Pressure-sensitive drawing also depends on input and version-specific controls; the cited Corel help does not establish device compatibility, so check the documentation for your edition and hardware before relying on that workflow.
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