Xara photo and graphics designer help needed

[gman127]

Help needed...
I just got started using Xara Photo and Graphics Designer 11. I then found a YouTube Tutorial on creating an alarm clock using ...Video title is: "Xara Designer Pro 6 alarm clock."

And after many attempt to just create the pin wheel pattern used for making the minutes pattern for the clock.

I can not for the life of me figure out how the pattern was accomplished.

Recreating the clock is a future goal, but for now I would just like to know how to start with two vertical lines. And end up the 360-degree pin-wheel design. I have some ideas for incorporating that design into other things.

But right now I am stuck, and the person doing the video gave no verbal explanations as to how it was done.

I am attaching a jpg highlighting what I am hoping to learn about.

Thanks for any and all help you can give.

gman127

[Acorn]

There are so many ways...

Simplest?

1. Use the Shape Tool (F4) and draw a constrained vertical line (hold done the Ctrl key).
2. Change to the Select tool (V), keeping the line selected.
3. Clone (Ctrl+K) the line.
4. In the rotate angle box, type 6 and press the Enter key.
5. Repeat Steps 3 & 4 until you have 30 lines.
6. Centre a shorter white circle on top.

Any simpler ways in TG land?

Acorn

[Egg Bramhill]

Hi gman 127, welcome to TG. Here's an alternative to Acorns method. Not a better method, just an alternative one:

[Acorn]

My normal way:

1. Select the QuickShape too (Shift+F2) and draw a shape.
2. Change the number of sides to 60.
3. Drag any of the inner control points to the centre.
4. Set the line width as required.
5. Slap a white circle over the top.

Acorn

[Mike Bailey]

In addition to the instructions provided, here is another alternative.
1 Draw your vertical line.
2 In the utilities/options menu, set the constraint angle to 6 degrees or any other angle you wish the object snapping to align.
3 With the line selected/ rotation handles showing, hold down ctrl and right click while dragging to create a new line, rotation will snap in 6 degree increments or whatever you set in the options menu.
Repeat step 3 until you finish.

[gman127]

There are so many ways...

Simplest?

1. Use the Shape Tool (F4) and draw a constrained vertical line (hold done the Ctrl key).
2. Change to the Select tool (V), keeping the line selected.
3. Clone (Ctrl+K) the line.
4. In the rotate angle box, type 6 and press the Enter key.
5. Repeat Steps 3 & 4 until you have 30 lines.
6. Centre a shorter white circle on top.

Any simpler ways in TG land?

Acorn

I really appreciate your helping me understand how to utilize the Xara P&G designer 11 features and tools. This is my first time posting to the Talkgraphic's forum.

The level of knowledge & expertise of forum members is awesome. Thanks again for the prompt replies and assistance.

[gman127]

Hi gman 127, welcome to TG. Here's an alternative to Acorns method. Not a better method, just an alternative one:

Thanks, for the video. I was just what the doctor order. Hope you don't mind that I downloaded it to my personal Xara training materials folder.
Series or Version 11...is the first time I started to view/or use Xara P&G Designer it as my goto graphics resource. And thanks to your
expert help. I can actually see myself creating my own graphic designs. Thanks again, you guys ROCK.

[gman127]

In addition to the instructions provided, here is another alternative.
1 Draw your vertical line.
2 In the utilities/options menu, set the constraint angle to 6 degrees or any other angle you wish the object snapping to align.
3 With the line selected/ rotation handles showing, hold down ctrl and right click while dragging to create a new line, rotation will snap in 6 degree increments or whatever you set in the options menu.
Repeat step 3 until you finish.

Many thanks for your knowledgeable assistance with the Xara P&G Designer 11, alarm clock creation problem. Although, I have been a
patron of Xara software product for more than a year, and have use it to build websites. I still found myself extremely frustrated when
it came to using the product. But this latest version showed a lot promise...especially in it's ability to handle Vector file extensions.

Thanks a bunch for the expert assistance with this issue. Your alternative method was what I tackled first. It worked like a charm.