Rotating an image in CorelDraw X7 is a fundamental task that allows you to adjust the orientation of your graphics and objects. One common and intuitive method involves using the Pick tool and the on-screen rotation handles that appear around your selected object.
Rotating an Image Using Rotation Handles
The most direct way to rotate an object or image in CorelDraw X7 involves utilizing the interactive rotation handles. Here's how you do it, incorporating the core steps:
- Select the Object: First, make sure the image or object you want to rotate is selected using the Pick tool.
- Access Rotation Handles: Using the Pick tool, click the object twice to display the rotation handles. You'll notice the selection handles around the object change from squares to curved arrows at the corners and skew handles (straight arrows) in the middle of the sides.
- Identify the Center of Rotation: By default, the center of rotation is the geometric center of the object, indicated by a small circle with a dot in the middle. You can drag this center point to a different location if you want to rotate the object around a specific point outside its center.
- Optional: Relative to Object: On the Property Bar that appears at the top of the CorelDraw window when an object is selected, you may Click the Relative to object button on the property bar. This ensures the rotation is performed relative to the object's own position and orientation, rather than the page.
- Perform the Rotation: Drag a rotation handle clockwise or counterclockwise. The rotation handles are the curved arrows located at the corners of the object's bounding box. As you drag, you will see a ghost image of the object rotating, and a tooltip will show the angle of rotation.
- Tip: Holding down the Ctrl key while dragging a rotation handle will constrain the rotation to 15-degree increments, making it easier to rotate to common angles like 45 or 90 degrees.
Understanding the Property Bar
When an object is selected, the Property Bar provides numerical controls for various transformations, including rotation. Even when using the rotation handles, the Property Bar updates to show the current rotation angle. You can also input a specific angle directly into the Angle of Rotation box on the Property Bar for precise rotations.
| Control | Description |
|---|---|
| Angle of Rotation | Enter a specific numerical value (in degrees) to rotate the object precisely. |
| Center of Rotation | Displays the X and Y coordinates of the rotation center. |
| Relative to Object | Toggles rotation relative to the object's origin vs. page origin. |
By following these steps, you can easily rotate your images and objects within CorelDraw X7 to achieve the desired composition and layout for your design.
