February 2015 Video Tutorial -- Creating a Casino Poster Part 1

[Gare]

Dear Hélène—

I see no reason why that line of code didn't do the trick, and instead gave you the Circle SmartShape, except perhaps there was an extra space in the code, or there was an unwanted line break.

Your English is a LOT better thank my Swedish—Jag är en idiot när jag försöker tala andra språk!—so I consider it a favor that you are requesting help in my own native language, which I failed in college.

I think the simplest way to get the Pen tool on the drawing bar flyout is to take MikeW's suggestion, download a copy of XaReg, and check the appropriate box.

1.) Go to this post, number 5 in the thread and click the XaReg2 Download in Steve's signature line. This prompts you to download a Zip archive, do it and unpack it.

2.)Now, XarEg contains only one executable file, no dlls or other files to contend with. My suggestion is to put it in a folder you create on your hard drive, and if you feel you need it all the time, make a shortcut of the program icon on your Desktop or something. The executable file when you double-click it will probably be flagged by Windows because as you'll see in this screen the Publisher is Unknown and Windows queries you about this sort of stuff. Close Xara...this app is going to do some dynamic things to Xara, and Xara doesn't like to be operated upon without being unconscious. Just click OK and we'll be on with it.

3.) Figure 3 shows the default page that opens and here's where you can find the macro that changes the Pen tool to remain in the group forever, from session to session. You first choose the version of Xara or other Xara products you're using.

4.) Figure 4 merely shows the checkbox that should be checked, After you're certain it's checked,

5. Figure 5, Run Selected Program. Click it, wait I'd say less than ten seconds, the screen should tell you that the hack has been successfully performed, and you're good to close it and open Xara with the Pen tool there.



Two addendums here: Xareg is a program originally developed by member Steve Ledger and the late Bill Taylor, whose absence on this forum is keenly felt. He was a gentleman of a gentleman, gently self-effacing in a kindly way, and always here to help members. Member and Moderator John ("covoxer") Horn did the coding for the present version, and if you like and use the product, a big "thank you" to them from you is in order.

The second is that The Xara Group hate, hate, hate the Pen tool. It was originally put in there I think to lure CorelDRAW users to Xara; its functionality is almost identical to CorelDRAW's Bezier pen tool. However, the Management wants all new users to embrace and adopt the Shape tool which makes paths that you almost always have to edit to make the shape you intend to make. There are lots of members her who sing the praises of the Shape tool and hate the Pen tool. So I try to sit in the middle of this "Preferences Debate" and use the Shape tool when I feel it's logical in a video tutorial—it's actually a multi-purpose tool that can draw and edit control points along a path—however, I try to do what I'm assigned to do on the Xara Xone, and not get "political" about a misbegotten choice of tools!

I hope this helps. Feel free to post again if you're still not where you want to be with the program. It's truly great and operates at what I like to say is "The Speed of Thought."

My Best,

Gary







3.)

[Hajeem]

Down with the flu right now but will give it a try.
Really appreciate your help

Hélène