Tutorial on using guides and snapping

One of the functions I never conquered in Xara was using guides, snapping and setting up the parameters for them. I export almost exclusively as PNG and most of my images have a semi-transparent pixel edge around them because I am not exactly on full-pixel. this makes it almost impossible to make seamless tiles.

I remember having a link to one of Gary's tutorials about grids and snapping. Does anyone have other tutorials that they know of that might help me or are favorites of your's? I'd love to figure this out. If you know where I can find Gary's tutorial again I'd be grateful too.

When I've tried different grid parameters they did no seem to work for me. I think I'm doing something wrong.

I use Xara5Pro and work on 800x600 pixel workspaces and 2550x3300 pixel workspaces (US letter size), depending on what I'm doing. I'd like to make 600x600 seamless tiles....heck, I'd just like to learn how to snap to a grid so any size comes out without that semi-transparent border.

Thanks bunches.

It's been a while Nancy.

Here's a grid Workbook article http://www.xaraxone.com/webxealot/wo...workbook_2.htm

Hi Gary, yes it has been awhile.

A couple of years ago I started using XX to create scrapbooking item. I moved away from that and now make 3D models and do some texture work. It takes so much of my time. XX is still one of my favorite programs (I have version 7 but I like 5pro better for what I do) but I haven't used it much lately. I'd like to begin using it again for seamless tiles. Those pesky half pixels have always haunted me.

Thanks for the link again. I'll give this a try again.

Hi Nancy! Welcome Back to talkgraphics! :) you might find this Xara Xone tutorial interesting http://www.xaraxone.com/tutorials/cr...rns-with-xara/ and as well you might find some interesting stuff in the discussion thread for this video http://www.talkgraphics.com/showthre...Designer-Pro-X

I can also recommend that you take another look at version 7 as it has the magic snapping feature, I find it really handy for a lot of things.

Magic snapping. I already like the sound of that, lol. So nice to see you again Angelize and thank you for the links. I intend to follow them all and see if I can't educate myself.

I'm taking a month off to learn some new software and to relearn some of my favorites, Xara included. At my age it's hard to retain all that I learn so I have to keep at it.

Hi Nancy. Glad to see you are still around.

Hello again Nancy.

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I use Xara5Pro and work on 800x600 pixel workspaces and 2550x3300 pixel workspaces (US letter size), depending on what I'm doing.

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On my system US Letter defaults to 816 x 1056. This is at the default Windows 96 ppi.

Hi Nancy :)

Hi Egg - would imagine Nancy is working at 2550x3300 at 96dpi within xara which can then be reduced down to 816x1056 at 300dpi for print [or whatever] - the ratio is right anyhow...

Spot on Steve. I'm getting to old for all this tech stuff ;)

Hi everybody, hi Larry!! Thanks for all the responses.

I'm blushing because I forgot that XX uses 96dpi. When I setup the default workspace in XX I made it using 300dpi x 8.5 in and 11 in as my guide. I no longer need anything that size but I do open that workspace if I have something very large that needs editing. XX could become very slow when using that size document.

I am just now starting the tutorials listed here. Wanted to check out Angelize's links and then decide which of the links listed I should do first. It's getting the guide parameters setup properly to what I need that has always eluded me. Wish me luck!

Watched Gary's video on creating seamless tiles but it raised a couple of questions. He does not mention snapping to a grid so that his tile will be whole pixels. It's all and good to make the nudge the same size as your rectangle/square, I get that, but how does he know that he won't have any semi-transparent (or whitish if bitmapped) pixels since he places the original square anywhere on the workspace.

The other issue is that he makes a bitmap copy. Whenever I have tried to use the bitmap copy function I get a pixelated bmp. I didn't used to get pixelated bitmap copies but one day they just started coming up all pixelated. I asked here about it and no one had an answer so I always export as PNG now. That was XX5Pro. I'll have to try it in P&GD7 and see if it's better.

Now to follow through Gary Priester's Xzone tut. Looks like that covers more of the snapping.

If you get a pixelated image when creating a bitmap copy, try upping the dpi. It's always better to start with a high dpi image and export it to something lower afterward.

-- Ben

Thanks Ben. I was getting the pixelation when converting my finished vectors with the bitmap tool. I will investigate again.

I just finished watching Angelize's two tutorials on using Xara and Filter Forge to make a pumpkin. Very nice tut. What I found the most exciting though is to see that Xara now has an eraser and a shape builder tool. I want those. For years I heard people asking for an eraser. Didn't think it was possible. Very cool.

I know we are getting off topic here but the eraser and shapebuilder are very cool :) I use them a lot. They are in the latest versions of Designer Pro and photo and graphic designer but if you want the shapebuilder you will have to upgrade to designer Pro X. I recommend that as they work together and having both makes the work flow better.

Nancy - look at the view tab in options and make sure that 'never smooth' is not ticked - also if you use live effects make sure the default resolutions on the effects and plugins tab are set high enough

Egg - not so far behind you :)

Good suggestions handrwn. I didn't think about those settings. It's possible that I changed something by mistake as I'm sure that I used to not have issues with bitmap copies.