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3. You either select a pre-defined profile from the dropdown list or drag the
sliders to create a custom profile. The top option in the dropdown list (the
straight line) is the default and creates regular spacing.
Applying a contour to several objects
If the objects are grouped,
overlapping contours merge
together. The contour color is
the same as the rear-most
object in the group.
If the objects are ungrouped, each object has a separate contour. The contour color is
the same as the object color.
The contour steps are not separate objects. To make them selectable, you need to
convert the contour to editable shapes (see below).
Using contours to resize objects
You can use contours to change the size of objects by making the outline thicker or
thinner. This has advantages over resizing for shapes like the letter "C":
On the left is the original object. The center
letter is resized using a contour, the right letter
is resized by scaling the object up.
To resize using contours:
1. Select the object.
2. Choose the CONTOUR Tool.
3. Give the object a contour of the required size.
4. Click INSET PATH on the CONTOUR Tool InfoBar. The contour steps disappear
and the object is now the size of the contoured object.
Converting contours to shapes
You can convert a contour into a group containing all the contour steps. Each step is
converted to a shape and, after ungrouping, can be edited. Note that after converting
a contour to shapes, you cannot use the
CONTOUR Tool to edit it as the object is no
longer a contour.
To convert a contour to shapes:
1. Select the contour.
2. Choose ARRANGE -> CONVERT TO EDITABLE SHAPES.