Here is the pseudo perspective trick in action for web-to-print and dynamic imaging. The possibilities are endless, this example explains how you can use a single image uploaded by a user to make repeating laptop screens on top of each other like they are floating above the main screen.

In a nutshell, we are going to draw a shape that will cover the screen area of the laptop, copy it multiple times,  cut images into different grids and place them inside “false perspective” shapes as a PowerClip.

Before you start

• Import the background image (ex. laptop or PC monitor) and place it as the bottom layer in you template.
• Import the dummy image that you will use as the image placeholder on all the repeating screens and turn it into a variable image field.

This technique was inspired by the “Design a Professional Laptop Advert tutorial” from psdfan.com and fits web-to-print and dynamic imaging templates perfectly.

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PowerClip display shape containers

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Activate CorelDRAWs Rectangle tool (F6) and draw a rectangle.

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Copy the rectangle shape and randomly cut the copy into a few different pieces.

Grid

You can use CorelDRAW’s Table tool to make a grid shape by cutting a table outline shape out of the rectangle shape.

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Draw a table on top of the rectangle.

Since the table is a complex object and we can’t use it “as is” to cut it out of the rectangle, we’ll have to convert it into curves (Ctrl+Q)…

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…weld the generated curves into a single curve and convert the outline to an object (Ctrl+Shift+Q).

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Select the grid along with the rectangular shape under it and click on the Back Minus Front icon in the top bar.

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The result should be similar to this.

Note. You can also break the curve apart and randomly delete squares from the grid to end up with other patterns.

Perspective

Select the solid rectangle shape that will be the base screen on the laptop it self and go to Effects/Add Perspective.

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Drag the corner nodes to the corners of the laptop screen.

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The result should be similar to this.

Note. You can use the same approach to add perspective to the other “fragmented” screen shapes or simply copy the same perspective settings that you applied to the first one.

To copy the perspective effect settings, select the next “fragmented” screen shape, go to Effects/Copy Effect/ Perspective From and click on the laptop screen shape.

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The result should be similar to this.

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Bitmap perspective

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Since CorelDRAW doesn’t allow a perspective effect to be applied on a bitmap, we’re going to skew the image to make it appear like it’s viewed from an angle and goes with the flow of the laptop screen. Learn how to simulate a perspective effect on a bitmap.

Note: CorelDRAW does have a bitmap effect called “perspective”, but doesn’t really do what we need to make it look realistic.

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Copy the variable image field placeholder and place each copy inside each of the floating screens as a PowerClip (Effects/PowerClip/Place inside Container…).

Final touch

Add a small drop shadow on all PowerClip container shapes to make their borders more visible and distinctive.

You can use these settings as reference.

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The result should be similar to this.

All done!

Our web-to-print software can handle this effect easily! Upload the template into your catalog and test it.

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Try this web-to-print template.

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Download the FREE CorelDRAW template file.

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