In CorelDraw, it's possible to add a single node to a mesh by shift-double-clicking on a mesh line. This doesn't create an intersection, just a single node. (This isn't possible in Illustrator, by the way.)

What is the purpose of these extra nodes?

If you drag a color to the node, it colors the entire patch (just like dragging onto a mesh patch does).

Are these used for shaping the mesh? I did try adjusting the handles on the single node, but I'm not that great with the mesh tool yet, so I'm just sticking to using nodes on intersections right now.

I'd be interested in finding out how they are supposed to be used.

Thanks!

Hi PixelDust!

The smaller nodes in the mesh fill are there (I'm guessing) to retain the shape of your original object.  I find that if you're making an object of complex shape the mesh tool will often make more of those "interim" nodes than you need.  I usually reduce them a little before I start adding colors (select all nodes with the shape tool and use the little "curve smoothness" slider on the top of the page).

The nodes on the intersections can be colored individually by selecting the node and then left clicking on a color.  This will set the center of the color on the node instead of coloring in a whole square.

Sometimes the best way to color a complex shape is to draw a square larger than your original object and use the mesh fill on that and Powerclip it into your original object.

I know it sounds confusing, but it's actually easier than it sounds.

Rob

PixelDust:

In CorelDraw, it's possible to add a single node to a mesh by shift-double-clicking on a mesh line. This doesn't create an intersection, just a single node. (This isn't possible in Illustrator, by the way.)

What is the purpose of these extra nodes?

 These "ghost nodes" you mean are also left behind when you delete an intersection by double-clicking it. My explanation is this: The color fade between two nodes is mathematically(procedural - if you want) In fact the input is color/node #1 and color/node#2, inbetween the fade is done in small steps (max. 256). The acceleration and direction of the fade is calculated by the position and angle of the handles. If you add a "ghost node", the fade is divided, but the steps between #1 to #2 are doubled! The visual result is the same. If you move this "ghost node", you'll see that you can adjust the fade more precisely. That's why I use those "ghost nodes" - to get more control and softer fades between colors.

PixelDust:

If you drag a color to the node, it colors the entire patch (just like dragging onto a mesh patch does).

It might have this reason: The node is not selectable by dragging, cause it receives its color information from the surrounding nodes. The drag of the color onto an unselectable node is interpreted as a drag onto the nearest patch.

PixelDust:

Are these used for shaping the mesh? I did try adjusting the handles on the single node, but I'm not that great with the mesh tool yet, so I'm just sticking to using nodes on intersections right now.

In the CorelDRAW Mesh fill, you can find three different type of nodes:

- The Basic Nodes, that allows you to modify and add color to the object. Each node trace a vector towards the opposite side, allowing deformed figure, and crossing with other lines of the grid

- Secondary nodes, useful to adjust the shape and color direction... although it is true that sometimes it may be a little annoying. You can adjust the amount of child nodes, establishing a higher value of Smoothness

- Shape nodes, which appear only on the edges of the figure to allow better adjust its limits. Also, you can add color, but the Shape Nodes don't trace vectors through the object toward the opposite end.

Thanks for all the information - that helps a lot. I'll have to practice some more...