Corel Draw tutorial, how to create puzzle pieces

Tutorial details:

• Program: CorelDraw X6
• Difficulty: Beginner
• Estimated Completion Time: 15 minutes

---

In this tutorial you will learn about how to create some nice and modern vector puzzle pieces in Corel Draw. We will use for this tutorial the Smart Fill toll, Linear Transparency tool, some shaping tools like Weld and Trim and more.
Read More

Puzzle pieces – Step 1

Create a New Document, type a name and select the pixel units with the size 600 width and 600 height. Select the rendering resolution to 72 dpi. Then select the options from the top menu: Windows -> Toolbars like in the screenshot.

Select the View Mode to Enhanced from the View drop down menu and Snap to Objects. This will really speed up your work. Now select the Rectangle Tool from the Toolbox (or type F6 from your keyboard) and draw a square with the size 100 x 100 px. Then select the Ellipse Tool (or type F7 from your keyboard) and draw four circles with the size 25 x 25 px. Center all of them with the square like in the second image. You can do this by simply drag the circles until you will see that are centered.It will be easy because you have set the Snap To Objects option. Now move the circles with 10 px like in the fourth image.

Step 2

We will create the first vector puzzle piece. Select the square and the outside circles and hit Weld, then the inner circles first and then the square (in that order) and hit Trim. Delete the inner circles and you will have now only one object, the puzzle piece. Create four copy of this puzzle piece and combine it like in the second image (again, this will be easy because you have set the Snap To Objects option). Select all of them and rotate with 45 degree.

Step 3

Fill the puzzle pieces with the colors from the first screenshot. Select all the objects and set the Outline Pen to 2 px. Then change the outline color to white. You can do this by selecting all the puzzle pieces and clicking the white color in the pallete color with the right mouse button.

Step 4

Select again all the puzzle pieces and hit Ctrl+Shift+Q (Convert Outline to Object). We are doing this because if we will resize the puzzle pieces, the outline will remain to 2 px. Now let’s create the Transparency effect. Create a circle and arrange it like in the second image, select the Smart Fill Tool from the Toolbox and click in the intersection area. Delete the circle and select the new created object. Set the fill and the outline color to white. Select again the object and from the Toolbox select the Transparency Tool. Drag a linear transparency until you are happy with your result. Create four copy of this transparent object and arrange it like in the fifth picture and you are ready with your puzzle pieces.