©2006 Robert Hensley-5:11 CorelDRAW For The Laser

Smart Fill Tool -

I really like this new feature, especially when working with HPGL (PLT) artwork that I import into
CorelDRAW X3. Many times the paths are open and I cannot fill them. This new option can fill an
open path (with overlapping nodes), complete with an outline that can be filled with a color of
choice. I've been working with it for over a month, and I am still finding new ways to use it. Here
are a couple of examples below:

To help you better understand the SMART FILL TOOL, I drew a rectangle, converted it to curves,
broke the 4 corners apart with the Shape Tool, and then use the BREAK CURVE command. The
explode view (Test Box 1) shows the lines are not connected. At this point I could move the
individual lines of the rectangle apart. Since it was an open path, it could not be filled. But with the
SMART FILL TOOL I just clicked inside the 4 lines of the rectangle (Test Box 2) and got a vector
outline. I moved the new object from the original artwork (Test Box 3).

I imported the Loyola Rambler into X3. It looked good, but after
I tried to fill it, I discovered there were numerous open paths.
After a few clicks from the SMART FILL TOOL, I had my desired
results.

Chapter 6 – Advanced Tools 99