Desktop Publishing in XaraX

[Egg Bramhill]

I must admit to using XaraX almost exclusively for any letters I need to write or flyers. I wouldn't recommend it to a novice to computing but once you get used to Xara's text handling you can do most things that you want. If I need to create a table structure like Downunder's, I would create one column of text and once I'm happy with the font size etc clone it and move it left or right to create the next column. In this way all the columns are aligned and have exactly the same text attributes.

[RAMWolff44]

This is sounding strangely like a certain DTP program by Serif!!

So in the next version of Xara I'll just bet they will add some more web functions so that this program could become a complete web site building package and vector program.

One of the disadvantages of Serif is that the web site building function comes first and the vector and text effects come last so they are not as polished as Xara's abilities.

Grant or Egg, or anyone else, would there be a way to create a table in Xara?? If you do allot of text and image layouts then is there a way to publish it as text and images, instead of exporting the finished thing as all image??

This is exciting!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

Richard http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

---Wolff On The Prowl---

[jclements]

I have used Egg's method for the last couple years, both for brochure-like handouts and particularly for tabular info to be inserted into PowerPoint presentations.

[philt]

in Xara following the tips in this thread. Worked fine. Had a couple of short columns of text for test purposes. But I couldn't figure out how to export my work. Could have spooled out to the printer I guess, but what I thought I wanted was a jpeg, or a gif or something. Just kept getting messages to the effect that the image was too complex. Seemed all I could do was convert to a bit map and then export. But, what if you wanted something for the web or some other application like Power Point? I must be missing something. Maybe one of you can clue me in. Thanks,

Phil

[Mike Bailey]

Just an idea....
Maybe you can do it OLE way.
Using Corel Xara, it is possible to embed a Xara drawing into a OLE compliant application.

Check out OLE in your help files.

[alexbozhenov]

I did all tables in MS Word with all params I need (sizes, font, borders etc.).

Then I "print to file" to postscript printer.
I'll get the *.prn file.
Then I make a PDF file with a Adobe Distiller and open it in Adobe Acrobat and "save as" EPS file.

Third, open the EPS file in CorelDraw (text as shapes is on). Then exporting from CorelDraw as EPS and importing this file into XaraX (or any other vector programm).

Maybe it is seems too complex but it give me the best results with tables. Maybe you can open the PRN file directly in CorelDraw (Adobe Illustrator or XaraX) - I didn't try this before...

One thing is plus - all table's attributes will be the same as in MS Word and you can easy making changes in MS Word...

By the way, there are not many programms that good working with tables as MS Word...

Even Adobe products for DTP (PageMaker, InDesign etc.) are just terrible... So... Maybe my advise will be helpful for your needs... http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

Good luck!

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alexander



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ALBO Design

[aapbe]

Just curious.
Those amongst you who use Xara Xas a DTP tool, in which file format do you save it to send it to your customers?
I'm asking because I use quite a lot of .pdf files, and if I'm not mistaking Xara X doesn't offer this option.

[alexbozhenov]

http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
I printing XaraX drawing to PS-printer and making or PDF or EPS file... That's all http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

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alexander



email

ALBO Design

[Oystein]

Hi

Yesterday I got a 16 page brochure where I used Xara X to set up all the pages in A4.

I used either Xara X and Paint Shop Pro 7 to edit and create all the graphics and backgrounds. PSP was used to edit bitmaps when Xara came to short.

A lot of tools in Xara was used - for instance is the transparent, shadow and fill tool very useful.

When the page was finished - I exported it as a 300 dpi tiff (remember bleed 3 mm). Some of the text and logos was exported as well, smallet textblocks was excluded.

Then I imported the tiff to photoshop 5 and converted to CMYK.

Then I created a 16 page booklet in Macromedia Freehand MX and imported each of the 16 A4 Tiffs. I included the missing text and some cector logos in the project.

At last I exported the brochure as a pdf - ready for the Mac freak at the printing bureau. No problems at all and the result was excellent - much better than it looks on the screen. The 300 dpi Tiffs look very good.

This was produced in 4000 ex.

A photo of the product:

http://www.meisland.no/trappefabrikken.jpg

Øystein


http://www.heimesider.com

[alexbozhenov]

Yes, as Øystein I do all mainly in Xara, but I have not many bitmaps usually in drawing, so I exporting to Illustrator, making an EPS and make layouts in PageMaker. I'm agree, sometimes I makind TIFF and use it as background. So it is common way to make professional DTP.

For my sorrow Xara not exporting colors correctly to Illustrator - tints of colors shows as spot colors and has own names but it is wrong... http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

Also my blue dream are have in Xara such future as in CorelDraw - powerfull search-and-replace function. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

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alexander



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ALBO Design