This example demonstrates how effective the contour tool can be. Just be aware that it is very complex, computationally, and thus tends to be slow to generate. The more complex the object and/or the more steps in the contour, the slower it gets. In some instances, an object might simply be too complex to contour.

We created the yellow cross, by drawing a rectangle, rounding it with the shape tool, then creating a duplicate—which was rotated 90°. Welding the two rectangles, forms the cross.

In the first sample, we tried to use Draw’s sizing feature to create a “framed” cross. The results show the weaknesses of this feature. Both sizing and scaling have their uses—but this isn’t one of them.

In the second attempt, we used the contour roll-up to correctly achieve the effect we were after. The settings were: 1 step, to outside, offset of .15". A hollow cross was created by separating the contour group.Ungrouping the “group of 1 object” and then combining the two shapes to form the hollow cross. Finally, the hollow cross was extruded, to form a 3-dimensional hollow cross.