Polygon and Star Tools in CorelDRAW

A polygon is a closed two-dimensional shape made from straight line segments.

Examples include triangles, pentagons, hexagons, and octagons.

Polygons are useful for creating geometric illustrations and decorative designs.

The Polygon Tool is used to create shapes with multiple straight sides.

You can adjust the number of sides to create different polygon shapes.

For example, a five-sided polygon is called a pentagon, and a six-sided polygon is called a hexagon.

Look for the Polygon Tool in the toolbox or among the shape-tool flyouts in CorelDRAW.

Click the relevant icon to activate the tool.

If the tool is hidden, open the related toolbox flyout or customize the toolbox in your version.

Follow these steps to draw a polygon:

1. Create a new document.
2. Select the Polygon Tool.
3. Move the pointer to the drawing page.
4. Click and drag to create the shape.
5. Release the mouse button.

The initial polygon usually has a default number of sides.

The number of sides determines the polygon's shape.

• 3 sides: Triangle
• 4 sides: Quadrilateral
• 5 sides: Pentagon
• 6 sides: Hexagon
• 8 sides: Octagon

Use the available property-bar control to change the number of polygon sides.

A triangle is a polygon with three sides.

Set the polygon side count to 3 where the control is available.

Triangles can be used in arrows, warning symbols, logos, and geometric artwork.

A pentagon has five sides and five vertices.

Set the polygon side count to 5 and draw the shape.

Pentagons are useful for badges, decorative frames, and geometric illustrations.

A hexagon has six sides and six vertices.

Set the polygon side count to 6 before drawing.

Hexagons are frequently used in patterns, diagrams, labels, and technology-themed graphics.

An octagon has eight sides and eight vertices.

Set the polygon side count to 8 and create the shape.

Octagons can be used in decorative artwork and geometric compositions.

The Star Tool creates star-shaped objects with points extending outward.

Stars are commonly used for ratings, awards, promotional graphics, certificates, and decorative designs.

The available controls may let you adjust the number and appearance of the points.

The Star Tool may appear in the toolbox or in a flyout containing related polygon and star tools.

Open the relevant flyout and select the star-shaped option.

Some versions provide several related star or complex-star tools.

To draw a star:

1. Select the Star Tool.
2. Move the pointer to the page.
3. Click and drag to define the star's size.
4. Release the mouse button.

You can then apply a fill color and outline.

Star points are the tips that extend outward from the center of the shape.

A common five-point star has five outer tips.

Increasing the number of points can produce a more detailed decorative star.

The number of points controls the star's overall appearance.

Where supported, select the star and change its point-count setting in the property bar.

Experiment with different values to create simple or detailed star shapes.

A five-point star is a familiar symbol used in many graphic designs.

1. Select the Star Tool.
2. Set the point count to 5 if the control is available.
3. Draw the star on the page.
4. Apply a suitable fill color.
5. Adjust its size and position.

A star badge can highlight awards, achievements, offers, or important information.

1. Draw a star.
2. Apply a bright fill color.
3. Choose a contrasting outline if required.
4. Add text inside or beside the star.
5. Align the text and shape carefully.

Fill color changes the inside appearance of a polygon or star.

Select the shape and click a color in the color palette.

Use contrasting colors to make the shape stand out from its background.

The outline forms the border around a polygon or star.

You can change the outline color and thickness using the available outline controls.

A suitable outline can make a shape easier to distinguish from nearby elements.

Use the Pick Tool to select a polygon or star after drawing it.

Drag the selection handles to resize the object.

Use the property bar for more precise dimensions when those controls are available.

The Pick Tool allows you to move polygons and stars around the page.

In rotation mode, drag a rotation handle to turn the selected object.

Rotate shapes to create dynamic layouts and decorative patterns.

Duplicating creates a copy of a selected polygon or star.

Use the Duplicate command; Ctrl + D is commonly used for duplication in CorelDRAW.

Duplicates are useful for creating repeated badges, patterns, and decorative borders.

Alignment helps arrange multiple polygons and stars neatly.

Select the required objects and use the available alignment commands.

You can align shapes by their centers or edges, depending on the design.

Grouping combines several selected objects so they can be handled together.

Select the related shapes and use the Group command.

Grouping is helpful when a design contains multiple decorative shapes and text elements.

Polygons can create geometric backgrounds, icons, diagrams, and decorative elements.

Hexagons can form repeating patterns, while triangles can create arrows or directional elements.

Combine shapes with text and colors to create a consistent design.

Stars are useful for award graphics, promotional offers, ratings, and certificates.

Use size, color, and placement to establish visual importance.

Avoid adding too many decorative stars if they make the design difficult to read.

• Using the wrong number of polygon sides.
• Creating a star with too many points for the design.
• Choosing fill and outline colors that lack contrast.
• Stretching a shape unintentionally.
• Placing shapes without proper alignment.

Review the shape settings and overall layout before finishing your artwork.

• Choose the correct number of sides or points.
• Use consistent colors across related shapes.
• Keep sizes proportional where needed.
• Use alignment commands for tidy layouts.
• Group related objects after arranging them.
• Save your work regularly.

Create a simple promotional badge using polygons and stars.

1. Draw a hexagon using the Polygon Tool.
2. Apply a suitable background color.
3. Draw a five-point star beside the hexagon.
4. Apply a contrasting fill color to the star.
5. Add a short heading using the Text Tool.
6. Align the objects and review the composition.

Complete this exercise to practise the Polygon and Star tools.

1. Create a new CorelDRAW document.
2. Draw a triangle, pentagon, hexagon, and octagon.
3. Draw a five-point star.
4. Apply different fill colors and outline styles.
5. Resize and rotate some of the shapes.
6. Duplicate one polygon and one star.
7. Arrange the shapes into a small decorative design.
8. Save the file as polygon_star_practice.cdr.

The Polygon Tool creates closed shapes with multiple straight sides, while the Star Tool creates star-shaped objects.

You can adjust shape settings, colors, outlines, sizes, and positions to suit your design.

These tools are useful for logos, badges, posters, certificates, and geometric artwork.