Customizing the user interface in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4

For commands that you use frequently, it is practical to use a shortcut key to apply the command. But with all the available commands, it can be difficult to remember all the shortcut keys.

To make this easier, you can create customised buttons for your favourite commands. You can then move these buttons to a place where you can easily find and use them while working with CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4.

The command Convert to Curves is a good example.

Convert to Curves

When you have created a star and then want to reshape it to move some of the points further away from the centre, you need to convert the star to curves first.

In the drawing below, a polygon with 12 points is reshaped with the shape tool by dragging the nodes in the polygon. All the nodes move simultaneously.

But the result is supposed to be like in the drawing below.

You can only get this result by converting the star to curves.

You will find this command by selecting the Arrange-menu | Convert to curves
This command is frequently used in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4, and therefore deserves its own place in the program. You can use it to convert rectangles, ellipses, polygons, stars and text to editable objects.

Creating a customised button — example "convert to curves"

In the Tools menu, select Customization and you will see the Options dialog box. Click on Commands.

Scroll to the Arrange area in the Search field, and find the command Convert to Curves.

Click on the command, and drag the highlighted field to a place in the program where it will always be visible, e.g. to the right of the Standard Bar or below the tools in the Tool Box.

Now the command appears as a button.

In the picture above, you can see the Convert to Curves button, as well as the buttons Move to front of page, and Move to back of page. This way, you can customise the user interface of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 to streamline your workflow and save time when you frequently complete similar tasks.

If you need to remove a button, just right-click on the button, select Customize | Toolbar Item | Delete.