Xara Desktop Application v17.0 is all Skewed

**Gypsyjoe** · 04 June 2020, 12:47 AM

Thank You Acorn, would never have thought of doing that to get editable shapes.

**Acorn** · 04 June 2020, 03:39 PM

Dare Xara...

I am actually close to tears.

Create a 256px square box. Add Bitmap Fill of the Default image you provide.
Bug - rotate or skew any amount and Preview.

Click image for larger version.

Name: Buggy v17dot0 Bitmap Fill Rotation.jpg
Views: 164
Size: 41.6 KB
ID: 127160

Total disaster!

WHAT YOU SEE IS NO LONGER WHAT YOU GET (WYSINLWYG).

Acorn

**Gypsyjoe** · 04 June 2020, 05:36 PM

I tried what you said about adding shapes and your rotated square 256px previews correctly if you do that, but if I just preview without cloning and adding shapes I get the same result as you in XWDP17 so acorn I think most definite bug although I don't really understand the difference between the two. Sorry if I am just plain ignorant but trying hard to follow and learn, thanks Acorn.

**Acorn** · 04 June 2020, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by Gypsyjoe

I tried what you said about adding shapes and your rotated square 256px previews correctly if you do that, but if I just preview without cloning and adding shapes I get the same result as you in XWDP17 so acorn I think most definite bug although I don't really understand the difference between the two. Sorry if I am just plain ignorant but trying hard to follow and learn, thanks Acorn.

GJ, the difference is a rectangle is presented as a SPAN that gives Width, Height, (Linear) Fill and Transformation. There is no problem with scaling in the browser as it is a definition and not an image. Adding shapes changes this into an image and so you will see similar at 100% but zoom in and you get jaggies and blocky artefacts. also an image requires another HTTP call to the server and is a larger download that a definition.

If the Fill is an image itself or you use a Fractal Fill, or non-linear gradients then a bitmap has to be created.

Where possible use the rectangle Tool, even for Circles and Ellipses and use Linear Fills and Transparencies and shun Shadows & Feathering. If you need some of these, consider using CSS3.

@Xara - to recap, you have screwed up Fills BIG TIME in v17.0.

Acorn

**Gypsyjoe** · 04 June 2020, 08:27 PM

Once again Acorn thank you for the explanation I think I understand better now, when I clone and add shapes in essence I am creating a image for the preview from what was a simple span. I think I am getting the idea.

**Egg Bramhill** · 04 June 2020, 09:05 PM

@Xara - to recap, you have screwed up Fills BIG TIME in v17.0.

Couldn't have put it better myself.

**ss-kalm** · 05 June 2020, 01:30 AM

Do you think that anyone from Xara is a) Reading this or b) Even cares anymore.

As far as I'm aware NONE of the issues (read that as BUGS) that you are VERY conscientiously pointing out have even had a comment from XARA staff, never mind a fix. It really seems these days that for every "feature" (and I use that term VERY loosely) that they add, they break two others.