Advice on shading custom shapes?

[dafipp]

Expression 3 download is not for the faint of heart. I downloaded the install file twice and got the same error message during install both times. "Data1.cab file is corrupted." The install file is 57 Mb so you better be on a broadband connection. Here is a link to the site.
http://www.microsoft.com/products/expression/
The lead in screens make it sound like you have to have a previous version of the software but it never asked me for a serial number. You do have to have a Microsoft Passport account and an active email address to complete the process.

Good Luck! Maybe I will try again later.
dafipp
http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

update: Success! The third time is the charm. I was finally able to download and install Expressions 3.

[molucca]

Here is a useful link to Expression resources.
I made lots of reflection maps trying to discover how to design them. I discovered the grid type in the process. Rich

www.StudioE3.com

[molucca]

Just so you know... E3 uses the resources stored under My Documents. There is a folder in the application folder as well. However, E3 doesn't use that folder. When you go to all programs and select Expression, there will be an icon for resources. This will path to the folder under My Documents. I made a copy and placed it on my desktop. Rich

[dafipp]

Thanks for the pointers Rich.

[roman]

It's funny that this debate about shading of custom shapes turned to something completely XaraX unrelated. Some software is always needed to finish or retouch the final work, but if anyone in XaraX forum asks about shading of customs shapes, he probably means - in Xara. So it's quite (excusez moi) stupid to point him to the other software and not explaining if there is any possibility to do that in Xara alone.

[JM Missaar]

Dmagician,

I think exactly the same as you.
The name of this forum is therefore special (I think) called Xara X/X1

Coby

[The Alien]

Thanks Rich and dafipp for the links. E3 looks very artistic. I'm sure it'll come to use someday. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif I'm always open to alternatives.
I didn't realize this board was so strictly on topic. I assumed it's also about discussing eachothers experiences http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

[roman]

The Alien: yes if someone has the right answer for you he should tell/show you how to do it, but if someone has no experience how to do that in Xara and immediatelly points you to the "you know that plugin will do that for ya" solution then don't be surprised I'm reacting like this. I'm tolearant towards off-topic debates and solutions. I for example don't reccomend you to retouch your photographs in Xara, but if you ask me how to shade a shape similar way how a LINE is in Xara shaded, I won't send you to use the Photoshop in my first reply.