Need some guideiance trying to learn this program

Hi All,

I am a new comer Loriblackdog who had joined a computer club and in that club this lady told me about Xara..I was quite interested in learning this. I had taken a course but it was so fast paced I couldn't keep up. In the class she showed us how to import, make changes add color, fill, and how to shade, blend, mask and a few other things. I learned just enough to open a new project, then I am lost. I found this stencil that was done in metal, I have a wood carving machine however the program is very unforgiven to beginners, so I thought if I could make a stencil then I could download to my machine and then carve? I am not sure this can be done but would like to learn how to create this in Xara. I have attached a copy of what I am trying to do. I would greatly appreciate it if someone could help me or send me to where I can learn this. I greatly appreciate your help in this matter.

Thank you
Loriblackdog::

Welcome to TG Loriblackdog. Basically you have two questions:

1. How to draw it in Xara. As it's for a cutter I expect you can only use vector shapes NOT bitmaps. See the attached video.
2. Can the final file be used by your wood cutting machine. I can't answer that question. What file types does your cutter require?

I know I cannot be the only person.

@Gary,

I see the video fine.

Attachment 108777

John

I can see it fine too Gary ... Looks like you may be the only person ..

Strange that John & Kieth have no issue viewing the YouTube video but you do Gary. I'm puzzled. I thought it may be the way YouTube delivers content perhaps from mirror sites, but considering both John & Keith are Canada located I don't think this can be the cause. I know you've had problems in the past not being able to view videos that YT has had loaded for several hours, but unfortunately I can't say why :(

Hi Egg,
Just a few more questions. Is there any tutorials that will help me learn, the basic stuff like you showed me? I really liked the way you use the shift key and different keys to use the tools. Also can you send me a picture of the final stencil that I can use for other projects. I appreciate you taking the time to make that video......Excellent job

Thanks
Lori

Hi Lori,

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Also can you send me a picture of the final stencil that I can use for other projects

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I'm afraid not. TG is here to help members use the software, not do it for them. This may seem harsh but there are too many people out there wanting something done for free.

You didn't answer my other question; what filetypes does your cutter accept?

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Originally Posted by Egg Bramhill

Hi Lori,



I'm afraid not. TG is here to help members use the software, not do it for them. This may seem harsh but there are too many people out there wanting something done for free.

You didn't answer my other question; what filetypes does your cutter accept?

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Hi Egg,

I understand, first my wood machine will accept most files such as TIF,JPG,PNG & GIF, I would like to know if there is something on the tutorials that will help me learn the short cuts, like you used? also how did you get the piece started? You show me new page with the picture there and then you show me how to cut the items and move them for future use. Did you just draw according to what I sent? I am very willing to learn but need that little extra care in explaining. Thank you you, have been awesome.

Lori

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I understand, first my wood machine will accept most files such as TIF,JPG,PNG & GIF,

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Sorry Lori, I just don't understand this. All those file-types are bitmaps. I can't understand how a wood cutter can work with bitmaps. Bitmaps are just rectangles. Even if it cut to various depths depending on contrast etc it would still be fairly useless. What's the make/model of your woodcutter?

Hi Egg,
It is a carvewright, what happens is you open up new page import picture, which is then made into their program. The problem is their program in not very userfriendly, I have found if I can make my own stencil, then load it to the machine, then I can do the I can choose my depths to carve. I am probably not explaining it right? My concern is learning the shortcuts (is there like a cheat sheet?). I am able to get my copy to show the oval, 2 lines & text. However I am having a little trouble with the star & tree, They seem to come out different sizes? With Xara I can really dial in to what I want it to look like. That is why I am asking about the tutorials. I know just enough to be dangerous. Thanks again for your time you have been very good in showing me the steps.

Lori:)

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Originally Posted by gwpriester

I know I cannot be the only person.

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Are you still using Waterfox? I wonder if that could be at least part of the problem. Can you normally view youtube videos?

Like nearly all of these machines they mostly only use DFX file types for vector input but these are add-ons that this company sells. Also I think there is a PDF add-on as well.
http://www.carvewright.com/assets/se...tart_Guide.pdf

Well I suppose a high resolution png would suffice.

I got this info from the Carvewright software manual PDF.

The CarveWright Designer Software has the ability to import images in to the software so that they can be used

as patterns on the board. The image files are converted to gray-scale where a heightmap is determined for each
pixel. The darker a pixel, the less it is carved. The lighter the pixel, the more it is carved. This can be changed
by inverting the image. Here is a list of the image file types that can be imported into the software:
Bitmap (*.BMP)
Joint Photographic Experts Group (*.JPG, *.JPEG)
Portable Network Graphics (*.PNG)
Multiple-image Network Graphics (*.MNG)
Graphical Interchange Format (*.GIF)
XPixMap (*.XPM)


The CarveWright Designer Software can import images in to the software. These files

are raster images that can not be enlarged without pixelization or loss of image quality. As
a pattern is zoomed in upon, The pixel that make up the image will become more apparent.
Vector images are not capable of being imported into the software but can be created in

the software by using the vector drawing tools (see Drawing Tools on page 54 for more information).
Vector drawings can be zoomed in to the maximum view with no loss of quality.

I found the movies in 'Help' was the best way to start and then progressed to those on the web.

Thanks for the clarification Mike. Strange the software isn't capable of vector import.

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Strange the software isn't capable of vector import.

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There is a add -on DXF file importer for vector line drawings, but porting Xara to DXF is another problem.
The bitmap route will work but its a top down thing, Xara is very capable of producing the height maps via gray scale and blends.

Just to give you an idea of how an Xara drawing could be used as a height map to cut a 3D relief. I did this border design quickly in Xara, I use a simple linear fill on each triangle black to white. I imported this file into a 3D modeling application and simulated how the design would appear if cut into a piece of wood.

Attachment 108879Attachment 108879Hi all,

You guys are talking way over my head????? I no clue how the carvewright works, I just know it is not user friendly. Egg, I will just keep replaying you video and writing down directions so I can try to use at later point. Like I said, I know just enough to make me dangerous. I will keep plugging away. I have gotten to this point, need to learn the fine tuning on my stars and trees. Thanks again

Loriblackdog

Hi Lori, nearly there. I've taken your xar file and used it to create a 2 colour png. (Attached) I replaced your bitmap stars with vector stars

See if this will cut your stencil.

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Originally Posted by Egg Bramhill

Hi Lori, nearly there. I've taken your xar file and used it to create a 2 colour png. (Attached) I replaced your bitmap stars with vector stars

See if this will cut your stencil.

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Hi Egg,

Thank you, I do appreciate what you have given to me, I am trying to learn. Earlie I attached what I have created to a point? I have one or 2 stars, 1 tree, I am having trouble getting my items to clone so they are basically same size? If you could look at it and let me know, I will Greatly appreciate it. You all have been wonderful to communicate with.

Thank you
Lori