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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchTo use Artistic Media in CorelDRAW, choose a mode, select its brush or stroke where needed, then drag to draw. The four modes in Corel’s current vector-brush help—Preset, Vector Brush, Sprayer, and Calligraphic—create different kinds of marks along a path. The exact labels and controls can vary by CorelDRAW edition, so follow the names shown in your own property bar.
What the Artistic Media tool does
Artistic Media is a family of drawing modes, not a single brush. Preset applies a selected shape along a curve; Vector Brush applies a vector brushstroke; Sprayer distributes objects along a curve; and Calligraphic draws a line whose thickness changes with its direction relative to a simulated nib angle. The Artistic Media docker can help you preview and access brushes, revisit recently used brushes, and save custom ones. Corel’s vector-brush help describes the current modes and docker.
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Some editions or older help pages use different names, including Brush, Pressure, or Expression. Treat the mode names visible in your installation as authoritative; if a mode or control described here is absent, consult the help for your CorelDRAW edition. Corel’s toolbox reference illustrates that documented labels can vary.
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- Preset: repeats a selected preset shape along the path.
- Vector Brush: applies a vector brushstroke along the path.
- Sprayer: distributes objects along the curve.
- Calligraphic: simulates a nib; the line’s direction relative to the selected angle affects its thickness.
Draw a calligraphic line
- Select the Artistic Media tool in the toolbox.
- Choose Calligraphic mode on the property bar.
- Set the calligraphic angle and, if necessary, adjust stroke width and Freehand smoothing.
- Drag on the page to draw the line.
The width setting is the maximum width. Corel explains that a stroke drawn perpendicular to the selected calligraphic angle reaches that maximum, while a stroke aligned with the angle has little or no thickness. The resulting calligraphic line is a closed shape by default and can be filled like another object. See Corel’s calligraphic and preset lines help.
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Draw a preset line
- Select Artistic Media, then choose Preset mode.
- Choose a stroke from the Preset stroke list.
- Drag to draw the path.
- Adjust Stroke width or Freehand smoothing on the property bar if needed.
Preset lines are thick strokes in different shapes. Calligraphic and preset lines can be filled like other objects. If you plan to resize the artwork, use the Scale stroke with object control to decide whether stroke thickness changes with the object.
Apply a vector brushstroke
- Select Artistic Media and choose Vector Brush mode.
- Choose a brush category and brushstroke from the property bar.
- Drag to draw the path.
- Adjust stroke width and Freehand smoothing, and set whether the stroke scales with the object as appropriate.
You can also preview and access brushes, including recently used ones, in the Artistic Media docker. Corel says, “The brush marks of vector brushes are vector objects that can be scaled to any size without compromising quality.” They remain editable as vector artwork. Details are in Corel’s vector brushstrokes help.
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Make and reuse a custom vector brush
- Select a vector object or a group of vector objects to use as the brush mark.
- Choose the Artistic Media tool and Vector Brush mode.
- Click the selected object or group.
- Click Save artistic media stroke, enter a filename, and save.
- To use it again, choose the Custom category and select the saved brushstroke.
To remove a custom brush, open the Custom category and use the Delete control. Corel documents these steps in its vector brushstrokes help.
Adjust the stroke and fix common problems
- The calligraphic line looks too thin: Check the drag direction against the calligraphic angle. Increase the width if needed; the angle relationship determines how much of the maximum width appears.
- The contour looks rough: Increase Freehand smoothing and try another stroke. The appropriate setting depends on the drawing; Corel does not prescribe one ideal value.
- The stroke changes unexpectedly when resized: Check Scale stroke with object on the property bar.
- The brush is missing from the list: Look in the Artistic Media docker or the relevant browse controls. A brush you saved should be available under Custom.
- A mode or control is not visible: Interface wording and availability differ among documented versions. Check the help for your edition rather than assuming an older label is universal.
Pressure-sensitive lines are a separate input-dependent workflow. The referenced Corel help identifies them, but does not establish device compatibility details; check the documentation for your version and input device before relying on pressure controls.
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