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To create a dotted or dashed line in CorelDRAW, select the line or outlined shape and choose a style in the Outline controls. For a custom dotted pattern, edit the line style’s dot placement and frequency. To smooth a jagged object edge, use the separate Smooth tool; it does not change the dash pattern.
Create a dashed line or outline
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Select the open line or the closed shape whose outline you want to change.
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Open Window > Dockers > Properties, then expand Outline. Choose a style from the Style box and set the outline width. CorelDRAW also provides outline-style and width controls through the Outline pen dialog and property bar. See CorelDRAW Help: Formatting lines and outlines.
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The documented preset styles are solid or dashed. Choose a dashed preset for a quick result; adjust the outline width if the marks look too thin or heavy at the size you need.
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Make or edit a dotted pattern
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With the line or outlined shape selected, open its outline controls and click Settings to open Edit line style.
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Move the slider to adjust the pattern. Use the boxes to the slider’s left to set dot placement and frequency.
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Click Add to save a new style. To revise a style already in the list, select it, click Settings, edit the pattern, and click Replace.
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These controls change the pattern itself. If the result looks crowded or sparse, adjust dot placement and frequency in the editor rather than using the Smooth tool.
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Refine line ends, corners, and dash spacing
Line-style settings also affect how a dashed outline meets endpoints and turns. Choose the option that matches the look you want:
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Caps: Choose round caps for rounded ends on an open path. Other cap choices affect the endpoint shape.
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Corners: Choose round corners to round turns in the path; corner settings also include mitered and beveled appearances.
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Dash distribution: Default distributes dashes without adjustment. Align removes empty space at endpoints and corners by aligning dashes to them. Fixed keeps dash lengths fixed in those areas.
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These are outline-appearance controls. They help refine a dashed line’s endpoints, turns, and spacing; they do not smooth jagged edges along an object.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Smooth a jagged object edge
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Select the object with the Pick tool.
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Choose Smooth in the toolbox.
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Drag along the edge you want to smooth. Adjust Nib size and Rate on the property bar to control the area and strength of the effect. If you use a digital pen, pressure can optionally control the smoothing effect.
CorelDRAW documents the Smooth tool as a way to remove jagged edges and reduce nodes on curved objects. It edits the object’s edge; it is not a tool for rounding individual dash marks. For dash-mark shape, use caps, corners, and dash distribution instead. See CorelDRAW Help: Smooth objects.
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Which control should you use?
|
What you want to change |
Use this control |
|---|---|
|
Solid versus dashed appearance |
Outline Style box |
|
Dot placement or frequency |
Edit line style settings |
|
Open-path endpoint shape |
Outline cap setting |
|
Path-turn appearance or dash alignment |
Outline corner and dash-distribution settings |
|
Jagged edge or excess nodes on a curved object |
Smooth tool, with Nib size and Rate controls |
Version and platform note
The menu path and labels above follow Corel’s documented Windows workflow. The help pages do not specify a single release number, and labels or locations may differ between versions or platforms. If you do not see the same path, look for the object’s Outline controls and the Smooth tool in your version’s interface.
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