Any reason to update?

Hi

I use Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Dreamweaver... but for vector I really like Xara.

But it seems there is no reason to update to Pro 9. I wonder if I am right? I can't read anything updates on the vector part of Xara? Did I miss something I wonder?

Things that really would help me:

1. Better screen colors that match print colors, like Illustrator (where I don't have to click "simulate" print colors)
2. Some kind of "hint" that informs me that there are "open path" in my vector designs
3. "Mesh tool" to make it easier to create great fills
4. Better/stronger import/export filters for Ai and EPS, choosing versions to export to
5. Option to keep work space, including tools etc.as they were last time one opened the program

just to name some of my wishes :-)

What version are you using?

I am using version: Pro X 8.1.3.23942

Take a look at "What's New in Designer Pro X9": http://www.xara.com/us/designer-pro/whats-new/

As far as I can read, it's ALL about images, text and webdesigns, not any vector goodies at all? Im I still missing out?

None of the functions or tools you listed.

so ... I gather, an update now, is not really for "vector" artists?

A direct answer is the updates (or lack thereof) on the vector front is a bit of a sore spot with many Xara users. I found myself repeatedly saying, "but I have PaintShop Pro for that" over and over when reading the "What's new" section of this latest update. The market for "codeless" web design is clearly large and Xara does it well. But it is the feeling among many that Xara has taken the focus off of Xara's vector tools.

Precisely. Xara needs to also take care of "vector" clients. This is how it started (I believe) and I really love to draw using Xara even if it needs some small tune-ups.

Hope you guys at Xara reads this, please

Are you suggesting that Xara should drop their "Deja-Vue" technique of vector tool and font handling development? surely not? ;-)

I am suggesting that Xara should also update the vector part of the software, which is where it all started!

Helle, I was having a little fun.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%A9j%C3%A0_vu

;) ups .... haha

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Helle

I am suggesting that Xara should also update the vector part of the software, which is where it all started!

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+1

I use XDP for both vector illustration and desktop publishing, so I was very appreciative of the improvements in text handling, but would always like to see updating of vector tools as well.

-- Ben

Thanks, Helle, for initiating this thread.

Question for the group -- I currently use Xara Xtreme 5 (yep, it's been a long time since I've been here...)

If my only use for Xara is creation of vector images, which version would I want? And, if I can purchase an older version, are there any activation or registration gotchas that would prevent my adoption of a version older than Designer Pro 9?

(I don't want or need Web coding, photo editing, layout/DTP, panorama or 3D rendering.)

Thanks,
Dave

I can't tell you about the latest version, but only my Pro X 8.1.3.23942 version which runs quite well. A few crashes here and now, but not too bad!
I only wish some serious updates (my opinion :-) as I wrote on page 1 which is very important to me working with Xara.
Not sure what you mean by "registration gotchas".... ?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DGehman

...If my only use for Xara is creation of vector images, which version would I want?...

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I think Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 9 is the closest to Xtreme - http://www.xara.com/uk/photo-graphic-designer/compare/ No web creation for instance. Lots of photo stuff of course but all the vector drawing stuff you're used to and a bit more, You can always just ignore the other stuff :-D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Helle

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Not sure what you mean by "registration gotchas".... ?

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Thanks, Helle.

I was trying to make sure that Xara had not put barriers against buying used software, from a former user or distributor. Microsoft Office, for example, cannot be activated by a second owner... at least, at one time that was the case, making it impossible to donate my older versions to local charities.

Dave

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zaphodeist

....and a bit more, You can always just ignore the other stuff :-D

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Thanks, zaph.

Looks like the most compelling (to me) addition of vector goodies was 5 to 6, but maybe I'm missing something as I look through the development history. Then it appears that for vector, the development group significantly lost interest.

Hopefully it wasn't a case of the original developers melting away. That team came up with extremely significant UI and workability approaches (pre-acquisition).

Dave

I'll second the motion for Photo & Graphic Designer 9. Used the main program for years, but just don't need all the web stuff, or heavy print PDF support, or the full blast of Pantone or SWOP colors that you get with XDP.

P & GD is a tremendous improvement over Xara 5. The 'Snap to Objects' tool is a Godsend. Like Xara 5, it runs perfectly on my little underpowered Acer netbook... and is less than US $100. Quite a bargain. If you give it a try, do a Alt + Shift + Control + S to get your Xara 5 light gray background... I can't stand the newer dark gray one.