Fast ways to copy and position objects

By Lori Kerfoot

If you want to copy one or more objects within CorelDRAW® X3, you can use a faster method than copying and pasting. Here are two fast ways to copy objects:

• Use the Duplicate command.
• Use the new Step and Repeat docker to create and position multiple copies at one time.

Let's take a closer look at these options.

Duplicating objects

Duplicating an object with CorelDRAW creates a copy of a selected object and positions the copy according to the offset distance that you set. Unlike copying and pasting, duplicating does not place a copy of the object on the Clipboard, and it allows you to control where the copy is placed in your drawing. With CorelDRAW X3, setting an offset distance for the duplicate is easier than ever.

To duplicate an object

1. Select one or more objects.
2. Click Edit > Duplicate (or Ctrl + D).
   When you duplicate objects for the first time in CorelDRAW X3, the Duplicate offset dialog box appears. To specify the distance between the duplicate and the original object along the x-axis and y-axis, type values in the Horizontal offset and Vertical offset boxes.

Note: Offset values of 0 place the duplicate on top of the original; positive offset values place the duplicate up and to the right of the original; and negative offset values place the duplicate down and to the left of the original.

You can change the default offset for duplicates at any time. To do this, click Tools > Options, click General in the Document list of categories, and type values in the Horizontal offset and Vertical offset boxes.

Creating and positioning multiple copies

The new Step and repeat docker in CorelDRAW X3 lets you create multiple copies of an object and control how they are positioned.

To create and position multiple copies of an object

1. Select one or more objects.
2. Click Edit > Step and repeat.
3. In the Step and repeat docker, type a value in the Number of copies box.
4. In the Horizontal settings and Vertical settings areas, specify the settings you want.

Figure 1
The figure above shows the new Step and Repeat docker.

Examples:

Figure 2
The Step and Repeat docker settings for the figure above are:
Horizontal Settings: Spacing between objects, Distance = 0.25"; Direction = Right
Vertical Settings: No offset

Figure 3
The Step and Repeat docker settings for the figure above are:
Horizontal Settings: No offset
Vertical Settings: Offset, Distance = –0.5"

Figure 4
The Step and Repeat docker settings for the figure above are:
Horizontal Settings: Offset, Distance = 0.25"
Vertical Settings: Offset, Distance = –0.25"