The Xara Trompe L'Oeil Room Page 8
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The problem with our balloon is it is round. Hot air balloons are more teardrop shaped. We could apply a new envelope to the balloon and mesh but this becomes a slow process due to the complexity of the shapes, transparency, etc. Every time you modify the envelope, Xara redraws the shape (all of the shapes actually). So we'll create the envelope first and then copy it to the balloon.

On a new page draw another circle 165 pixels in diameter. Apply a Default Envelope (the first rectangle on the Infobar when the Mould Tool is selected).

Alter the envelope as shown above.

When you're happy with the envelope shape, copy it to the clipboard (Edit > Copy or Ctrl C) and paste it into the window with the mesh covered sphere (Edit > Paste or Ctrl V).

TIP: There is a way to edit an envelope without Xara redrawing the object each time. With the envelope selected, press the Detach Mould icon on the Infobar (to the immediate right of the Remove button). Now you can edit the envelope without the image redrawing. When you have finished editing, press the Detach Mould icon again and the effects will be applied.

Select the teardrop enveloped shape, select the Mould Tool then press the Copy Mould Shape icon on the Infobar.

Select the enmeshed balloon and press the Paste Mould Shape icon.

The envelope shape is pasted onto the balloon. Is that terrific, or what?

Hey, where'd the teardrop envelope go? It's under the balloon. You can delete it now.