Create a 3D Gear using CorelDRAW s Extrude Rotation Effect

For many versions now, CorelDRAW has included extrusion features that enable to
apply depth to a single object and rotate it interactively. While it s far from 3D
modelling, it certainly presents some interesting creative possibilities for dr
awing objects that would otherwise be challenging to manufacture using manual me
thods. In this next tutorial, I ll show you how to use 3 ordinary objects to manuf
acture a single curve that can be extruded and rotated in simulated 3D for some
very impressive results. It takes only a few clicks, but you ll need to follow the
instructions precisely to be successful. Let s get started:
Download the CorelDRAW file I ve provided here.
Open the 3D Gear.CDR file contained in the Zip archive and open it in CorelD
RAW. (Note that this is a CorelDRAW X6 file.)
We ll start by creating a gear shape using the three objects on the page (show
n next). Using the Pick Tool, hold your Shift key down and click the large ellip
se and then the large polygon (in that order).
gear 1
With both objects selected, click the Trim button in the Property Bar (shown
next). This will trim the star points of the polygon using the ellipse as the t
rimming path.
gear 2
With the newly trimmed object still selected, press Ctrl+K (the Break Apart
command). This will separate the trimmed portions from the main object (as shown
next).
gear 3
Deselect all objects by clicking on a blank part of your page using the Pick
Tool. Hold your Shift key down and click to select the large polycom portion an
d the red ellipse. Cut (Ctrl+X) these two objects to your clipboard.
Delete the unwanted portions that remain on the page by pressing Ctrl+A then
Delete.
Paste (Ctrl+V) the two objects from your clipboard back onto the page (shown
next).
gear 4
Deselect all objects (click a blank area on your page). Hold Shift and click
the large object then the red ellipse (in that order). Both objects should now
be selected.
Use the Combine command (Ctrl+L) to combine the two objects into a single co
mpound path. The new object will take on the fill properties of the ellipse. You
now have the basic gear shape created (shown next).
gear 5
Choose the Extrude Tool from the Toobox (shown next).
gear 6
Using a click-drag action, click from a filled part of the object directly t
o the center of the open area. Although it doesn t look like much yet, you have ap
plied a default extrusion to the object.
With the Extrude Tool selected, click once directly on extrusion portion tha
t s the small red ellipse object in the center of the arrangement (as shown next).
gear 7
Notice that your object now features a series of circles and squares around
it. These represent the extrude rotation interface (shown next). Your cursor has
also changed to rotation cursor.
gear 8
Using a click-drag action, click anywhere inside the circle and drag in any
direction. Notice how the original object and the extruded portions rotate in th
ree dimensions (as shown next).

gear 9
Using a click-drag action, click anywhere outside the circle and drag in any
direction. Notice how the original object and the extruded portions rotate in a
circular direction only.
Note that although the extrusion is rotated, you can still control the depth
of the extrusion. To demonstrate, let s set the extrusion depth to 5 using the De
pth option (shown next).
gear 10
One of the cool things you can do with extrusions is to convert them to ordi
nary objects by breaking apart and ungrouping (Ctrl+U) the extrude portions. To
do this, click to select the extrude portion of the effect and use the Break Apa
rt command (Ctrl+K). Then, choose the Pick Tool, click the resulting group of ob
jects and click the Ungroup All button in the Property Bar (as shown next).
gear 11
Your extrude effect is now converted to separate objects.