The steps below show you how easy it is to automatically reduce the number of nodes in a curve object without compromising the object's quality.

Figure 1
This curve object was created in another program and imported into CorelDRAW® X3.

Duplicate the object by pressing Ctrl + D, so that you can later compare the two curves.

Step 1: Select all nodes in the original curve object

1. Open the Shape edit flyout , and click the Shape tool .
2. Click one of the objects.

Figure 2
The status bar, at the bottom of the program window, displays the number of nodes in the selected object.

Step 2: Reduce the nodes

1. Click the Select all nodes button on the property bar.
2. Click Reduce nodes .

Figure 3
The number of nodes in the object has been significantly reduced.

Click anywhere in the drawing window to deselect the curve. Notice that the original object does not appear to be significantly altered. Next, we'll view the curve object in wireframe mode, in order to see the nodes more clearly.

Step 3: Display the curve object in wireframe mode

1. Using the Shape tool, click the object.
2. Click View > Wireframe.

Figure 4
Wireframe mode lets you view the nodes more clearly.

The Reduce nodes command removes overlapping and redundant nodes from the curve object, yet it allows you to retain the same level of control over the object. In our example, the original object (1) contains 154 nodes, whereas the edition version (2) contains only 101 nodes.

The following tip was taken from the Corel web site and can be accessed with other Tips & Tricks by logging onto 
www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=Corel3/Section/Display&sid=1047024315119&gid=1047024354238&cid=1047024354496
Full credit is given to Corel and their various contributing authers for this editorial.