Targa import/export...

[Ross Macintosh]

For years I wondered about Xara's 'targa' import/export option. The wondering didn't keep me up at night but it did exercise the noodle a wee bit. Anyways, today I came across free software that uses that targa format and seems to be a great sidekick program to use with Xara X.

It is called 'Dogwaffle' and it is a painting/animation program. Not only is it free it is not spyware or adware. It was developed by an artist for artists. My attached image was exported from Xara using the targa export format. In dogwaffle I softened the image with a blur and gave it a nice paper texture.

The program has Painter-like tools and can be used with a tablet - but I haven't tried either yet.

If you want add this compact program to your toolbox download here. It has an unusual user interface but I think you'll get the hang of it.

Regards, Ross

[Ross Macintosh]

For years I wondered about Xara's 'targa' import/export option. The wondering didn't keep me up at night but it did exercise the noodle a wee bit. Anyways, today I came across free software that uses that targa format and seems to be a great sidekick program to use with Xara X.

It is called 'Dogwaffle' and it is a painting/animation program. Not only is it free it is not spyware or adware. It was developed by an artist for artists. My attached image was exported from Xara using the targa export format. In dogwaffle I softened the image with a blur and gave it a nice paper texture.

The program has Painter-like tools and can be used with a tablet - but I haven't tried either yet.

If you want add this compact program to your toolbox download here. It has an unusual user interface but I think you'll get the hang of it.

Regards, Ross

[amotl]

Hi Ross
I was taken by your kitchen drawing. I make my living planning and retailing kitchens and prepare plans ,elevations and computer generated photorealistic impressions similar to the attached for my prospective clients.
I often consider ways of improving these impressions. I can just imagine what you guys would do with something like this.
Regards
David Scott

[Ross Macintosh]

Hi David. I like your kitchen drawing. It gives a good 'feel' without being all that photoreal. I wouldn't change it at all.

Mine was modelled in SketchUp and is for my own home. Earlier today (using XaraX I converted the SketchUp vector model to a Flash .swf - you can see it here. And to see the finished kitchen look here.)

Just to keep things on topic I attach a graphic I just made in Xara. It uses a targa import from Dogwaffle. The import is the fill on the rectangular shapes. The background and the spheres were made from that same bitmap.

Regards, Ross

[RAMWolff44]

Hi Ross,

Are you aware that there is a more up to date version of Dogwaffle?? Of course you are! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

It's a bit more money than free http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif but it's a wonderful program. I wish I had the time to play with it more but being the software junkie that I am I just had to have the newest and greatest version!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Fun stuff that you did between Xara X1 and DW!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif Nice kitchen! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif