Creating a Simple Vector Logo Using CorelDRAW Shaping Tools

(available in video format here)

First we need an image to work with. This can be anything, but for our purposes we’re going to use an actual logo. The client wants to put their logo on a coffee mug. The vendor that prints the mugs requires vector art but the image of their logo that was sent to us is a low resolution jpeg and useless for this application. Our goal is to recreate this logo in vector format that can be easily used for any purpose.
In CorelDRAW open a new document.

This is the Image we are using. You can right click on the image below and then choose Save Image As, save it to somewhere on your computer. A good place might be in your My Pictures folder or perhaps on your desktop.

Back in CorelDRAW go up to File in the top menu and click on import. This opens up a browse window where you can browse for your image. Select the image from where you saved it and click import.

Using the pick tool size and position the image how you want it on the page.

Let’s lighten the image a little so we can see our vector lines more easily. Select the image. Go to Effects in the top menu, click on Adjust and choose Hue/Saturation/Lightness.

Make sure you have the image selected using the Pick Tool. Use the slider to turn the lightness up to 50, or you can just type in 50. Click Ok.

This will enable us to see the lines we are creating more easily. You can see the image is now lighter.

Another way to help in seeing your lines is to change the size and color of the outlines. Make sure nothing is selected. Choose Outline Pen from the tools on the left.

Go down to 1.5 pt and select it. This gives you a 1.5 point outline.

By default there should be a palette on the left side of your workspace. If not go to Window in the top menu, click on Color Palettes and then choose CMYK Palette.

Click on your Bezier Tool.

With the Bezier Tool Selected go over to your palette and left click on the box with the X at the top.

When the box pops up click OK.
This left click on the color palette chooses what fill color we want and since we don’t want a fill color we are choosing no fill represented by the X.
We do want an outline color, so right click on the bright blue cyan color. Again click OK when the box pops up.

Now we’re ready to start recreating the logo in vectors. Let’s start with the letter A. You could create this using the pen tool as we did in the previous lesson. Another way is to use the actual font or typeface that was originally use to create this. With experience you’ll learn to recognize fonts more easily, for now I’ll find it for you. It looks like the font has been stretch and altered from it’s original appearance which makes it more difficult to find. After scanning my fonts the closest one I have is called Zurich Xblk BT. This font can be found for free through Google.
Go to the Text Tool. Type a capital A.

Go to the Font List towards the top of your screen and change from the default font to Zurich Xblk BT.

This is what it looks like without being altered.

This is what it looks like after being stretched wider.

Now Copy (Ctrl+C) and Paste (Ctrl+V) the A. With the copied letter still selected grab the top of it and pull it all the way down until it lines up with the bottom of the upside down A. Move the top and bottom until it matches the upside down A.

Go to the Rectangle Tool.

Create a rectangle that looks like this that extends to the widest part of that shape in the image.

Go to the Envelope Tool on the left toolbar.

In the bar at the top of the screen select Straight line mode.

Click on the bottom left square and holding down the shift key move the bottom edges in to fit the shape in the image.

It’s a good time to make sure the pieces you have created so far line up with each other.

Select the Elipse Tool.

Hold down the shift key , click an drag to create a circle. Use the Pick Tool to move and re-size the circle to fit this top portion of the logo.

Copy and Paste another circle and move it down using the arrow keys until it lines up with like so.

Pull the bottom up a little.

Widen both sides slightly.

Go to Arrange in the top menu and choose Shaping and then Shaping again.

This opens a new Shaping panel docked on the right side of your screen.

Go to the small arrow and choose Trim from the drop down menu.

Select the lower elipse and click Trim.

Now click on the upper Elipse This trims the first object you selected from the second object. Delete the lower object.

Select the new trimmed object, Copy and Paste. Move the object down to here.

Paste another copy and move it to here.

Move the bottom up slightly.

Go to the Shape Tool.

Select the bottom center node of this last object and pull it down like this.

Move the control arms down on the left and right so that this object is covering the bottom edge of the previous object.

Repeat the trimming process. Select the lower elipse and click Trim. Click on the upper elipse Once again this trims the first object you selected from the second object. Delete the lower object.

All of our shapes are now created. All we have to do is color our shapes appropriately.
Select all of the objects that are to be white. Give them a white fill and no outline. If you need help with color see the tutorial Coloring Vector Art In CorelDRAW.

Select everything that is to be black. Make the fill black and the outline none. Holding down the Shift key hit the Page Down button. This sends all of the black objects behind everything else. Now select the original image and hit delete.
Congratulations, you now have created a vector logo suitable for use in any printing situation.

Next I suggest moving on to something a little more complicated such as Creating a Vector Four Leaf Clover in CorelDRAW.