Auto FX plugin not working correctly with Xara programs

**laser1** · 15 June 2013, 07:33 PM

It is extremely irritating that Xara Designer X and Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 9 have a plugin compatible problem. I purchased the newest version of Auto FX Software PGE 7 for $249, It produced correct images (see the attached graphic) on the left with both PaintShop Pro X5 and PhotoImpac X3 (each cost $49.95). Both Xara Designer X ($299)and Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 9 ($89.99) produced images that look like something that the dogs drug up.The image on the left was created with PaintShop Pro X5 and the same results was accomplished with PhotoImpac X3. The image (attached graphic on the right) with the blue distortion, was created with Xara Designer X and the same results was accomplished with Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 9. I have been having to use Auto FX Software PGE 7 in PaintShop Pro X5, then saving in a png format, load it into Xara Design Pro X to complete the graphic.

**steve.ledger** · 15 June 2013, 09:59 PM

I'm not familiar with that particular plugin but remember that Xara Designer is a vector (mathmatical geometry) application which can work with bitmap files in vector space.
Paintshop Pro and PhotoImpact are raster (pixel - dot by dot) applications.
You shouldn't compare vector apps with raster apps.

There are many plugins that require pixel selection areas, Xara vector applications don't work this way.
In other words, not all Adobe type plugins are compatible with vector graphics applications...

**slavelle** · 15 June 2013, 10:48 PM

Hey laser1 - did you by chance try to make a "bitmap copy" inside of Xara and then apply those FX? I know nothing about the issue or that particular plugin (except that I just happened to look at their site this morning due to a mention of one of their free plugs in my other current thread), but since Sledger points out below the vector vs. bitmap point, maybe it would work better with the image "flattened" to a bitmap version first? Just right click and choose "create bitmap copy", choose your settings, and then try to apply the FX to the copy.

**laser1** · 15 June 2013, 10:50 PM

Sledger - Thank you for the information. My first version of Xara was XaraX (cost $79.95), and I have purchased all updates through Xara Designer Pro X, Web Designer Pro 6, Xara3d 6. About 99% of my work was creating raster graphics.
I was of the impression, that if the plugin was not compatible, it would not open an/and at time freeze Xara. Almost all of my many plugins are Photoshop compatible and do function beautifully with XaraX, Xara Extreme and with Xara Designer Pro X. Again - Thanks...

**laser1** · 15 June 2013, 10:53 PM

Slavelle - Thanks, I will flatten and then see what happens. Thanks!!!

**laser1** · 15 June 2013, 11:23 PM

Thanks - Both of you for the advise. Still have the same problem. I'll just continue to use Paintshop for that plugin, and transfer the png file to XDPX. XDPX is my favorite program... You put my mind at ease. I created the aattached test image with Paintshop

**steve.ledger** · 15 June 2013, 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by laser1

Sledger - Thank you for the information. My first version of Xara was XaraX (cost $79.95), and I have purchased all updates through Xara Designer Pro X, Web Designer Pro 6, Xara3d 6. About 99% of my work was creating raster graphics.

Of course you may create work which you export as a bitmap type (raster), but this does not make Xara a raster editor.

Originally Posted by laser1

I was of the impression, that if the plugin was not compatible, it would not open an/and at time freeze Xara.

Incorrect assumption.
Non-compatible just means not guaranteed to work as expected (if at all).

Originally Posted by laser1

Almost all of my many plugins are Photoshop compatible and do function beautifully with XaraX, Xara Extreme and with Xara Designer Pro X. Again - Thanks...

Yes, that is my experience also.

BTW: We are off topic for this thread, perhaps a moderator can split these posts into a new discussion thread in the Xara Compatible Plugins forum?

**laser1** · 15 June 2013, 11:28 PM

Sledger - I appreciate your help and comments... You took a load off of my shoulders...

**MEB** · 16 June 2013, 02:25 PM

I already experienced a similar result too. It seems this happens when the plug-in have to output transparent parts (in other words when the plug-in has to deal with output alpha channels from shapes with irregular forms). Usually that's where those blue spots/color distortions appear. But i still have to check this out more carefully. It's still somewhat inconsistent.