Just updated XDP Pro+ to 22.0.0.64793
And the the whole interface has become black.
Can't say I like it one bit.
Worst still, the tools have all become mono-colour.
Why???
I suppose millions of users asked for it. Yeah?!
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Just updated XDP Pro+ to 22.0.0.64793
And the the whole interface has become black.
Can't say I like it one bit.
Worst still, the tools have all become mono-colour.
Why???
I suppose millions of users asked for it. Yeah?!
Dark gray on my computer Rik. And the simplified tool icons with the selected tool highlighted in yellow orange is helpful.
I suspect that after a few days/weeks using it, you will like it better than the previous UI.
I don't think so, somehow.Quote:
Originally Posted by gwpriester
When there's no choice, then 'like' doesn't really come into it.
The tools were easily recognisable. I've shown just a small example.
And just look at the 'Button Pallet' - I suppose I just can't see the improvements.
After spending some more time with Pro+22 today I have to agree. The new interface, attractive though it is, presents a more difficult working environment.
I looked at Affinty to see how the two interfaces compare on my 4K monitor. Affinity's use of color helps to make the toolbar pop and their text is slightly larger and easier to read.
I know a lot of time and effort went into the Pro+ OS upgrade, but I find the contrast to be more of a hindrance in Pro+.
Especially when working with a black background which I do a lot when doing my stereograms. It feels like it is harder to distinguish a dark shape on a black background.
Have you noticed, the 'Scroll Thumb' is barely visible?
As you say, Gary, Affinity Designer (and Affinity Photo) has a black interface, but, the tools are easily recognisable (pic attached).
I wish I could remember how to change the interface to the light one, so that I can see if it's any better.
Something that was pleasant to use, has become a chore.
I'm sorry, but this change is horrendous.
I found how to change to light interface.
And, once again, the tools are easily recognisable.
That is SHIFT+CTRL+ALT+S, and yes, it reverts back to the "very old" original light grey with colourful icons.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rik
I wonder if that's more likely because it got forgotten about, rather than by design.
I agree, we're naturally averse to change - but once we're used to something new, looking back at something old does show that there was an improvementQuote:
Originally Posted by gwpriester
Except with Microsoft Office 2010. I loved those colourful icons, and really miss them. Sure, Office 365's new ribbon and most of the changes are nice, but since Office 2013 went all monochrome and newer versions regained only a little of the colour, I do still miss Office 2010 - nearly ten years on.
I don't know, but I wonder if it's because I'm naturally short sighted, and while I wear glasses almost all of the time, that when I don't have my glasses, I rely on colour to identify things. No idea if there's any truth in that, but it's something I heard on the radio once and it didn't sound wrong!
For Xara Designer Pro+ v22, it's less than a day in, far too early to say if I like it or not. It's different, that's all I can say. I only have Full HD screens but I'm sure on higher resolution screens, the all hi-res interface looks great, no matter if it's "only" the new monochrome.
The most annoying change is the mouse pointer.
It looks like a node editing pointer as it is in some other programs and it is bit to big when using on a normal screen.
Xara missed the opportunity here to put in a choice for mono or colored icons and/or change the darkness of the UI like the Af~programs have.
Does anyone know, if this update can be undone?
Thanking you in advance.
Human brains associate when looking, hearing, touching or smelling, imo you're right.Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel
Developers make these mistakes often by making things just one color but it is bad user experience because we have to keep looking for the right tool(tip) or gain muscle memory by using shortkeys.
But then we have to set up each similar program to have the same shortkeys.
I wonder, was this update beta tested? And if so, what was the testers' input? That whole process seems to have taken place under the radar. As usual, I should add, unfortunately.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rik
could it be because that is how it is in adobe illustrator ? - and if so maybe it is the 'accepted norm' in xara's target markets where illustrator is also usedQuote:
Originally Posted by Rik
that said, affinity has colour icons... maybe affinity wants to look different, maybe xara does not [any more]...
In Affinity you can change the colored icons into monochrom too.
Attachment 132439
thanks ernie, that had passed me by
I actually like the new xara interface so far.... not enough to take out a sub, but the full HDPI is an improvement...
LOL have you seen the weekly live webinars that Xara put out ("Learn How to Use Xara like a PRO"), and all of their website's SEO keyword stuffing?Quote:
Originally Posted by handrawn
Xara's target market is the person in a real estate agent's office who has to put together details on property.
Attachment 132440
Daniel, you overlook the captured evangelical world.Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel
Acorn
I have not seen the webinars...
However xara declares itself Trusted by teams of all shapes and sizes:
Attachment 132441
keller williams are in the estate agent business, but as for the others...?
Xara is into corporate branding, from logo to website; this is traditionally done in vector where possible to acommodate scaling of material, traditionally done in agency or in house with illustrator...
I have no idea about why the specifically real estate section at the bottom of their website page is there, did wonder myself :D
It's sad that xara doesn't communicate with us here in the forum. In fact, they don't communicate at all!
It would certainly also be interesting for Xara how and what professional graphic designers do with their software.
Furthermore, it would certainly be good for Xara to know how we would see our tool improved and which functions we need for our daily work.
But that remains a dream.
I've changed back to the light grey background with coloured icons which I consider infinitely better.
SHIFT+CTRL+ALT+S (Thanks Daniel)
I have used Xara in one form or another since 1995. So I am very familiar with the tools and functions.
But on my 4K 27" monitor I think a new user will have more trouble identifying the tools and function icons than he or she would with the previous UI. I'm not bothered with the darker colors. My monitor has 10-bit color so the more subtle differences in black and gray are more easy to see.
Very useful. Thanks. Is there a way to change back to the new black version if I change my mind or encounter problems?Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel
Heh heh. Yes. Shift+Ctrl+Alt+SQuote:
Very useful. Thanks. Is there a way to change back to the new black version if I change my mind or encounter problems?
Thanks Gary. I'd tried that but I must have mis-keyed.Quote:
Originally Posted by gwpriester
I was quite happy with the previous dark grey version but black and monochrome (and difficult to differentiate small icons) is a step too far.