Page 327 - Xara Designer Pro X17

Contours 327

Applying a contour to several objects
If the objects are grouped,
overlapping contours merge
together. The contour color is
the same as the rear-most object
in the group.

If the objects are ungrouped, each object has a separate contour. The contour color is
the same as the object color.

The contour steps are not separate objects. To make them selectable, you need to
convert the contour to editable shapes (see below).

Using contours to resize objects

You can use contours to change the size of objects by making the outline thicker or
thinner. This has advantages over resizing for shapes like the letter "C":

On the left is the original object. The center letter
is resized using a contour, the right letter is
resized by scaling the object up.

To resize using contours:

1. Select the object.
2. Choose the CONTOUR Tool.
3. Give the object a contour of the required size.
4. Click INSET PATH on the CONTOUR Tool InfoBar. The contour steps disappear and
the object is now the size of the contoured object.

Converting contours to shapes

You can convert a contour into a group containing all the contour steps. Each step is
converted to a shape and, after ungrouping, can be edited. Note that after converting a
contour to shapes, you cannot use the CONTOUR Tool to edit it as the object is no longer
a contour.
To convert a contour to shapes:

1. Select the contour.
2. Choose ARRANGE -> CONVERT TO EDITABLE SHAPES.

To convert a contour quickly, right-click on the contour to open the pop-up menu and
choose CONVERT TO EDITABLE SHAPES.