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Hi Folks , new here and looking for some opinions . I'm looking to purchase a all vector program shortly and have been trying to figure out which is best for me. I've downloaded XaraX free trial and like it alot better than the other 2 I downloaded (Illustrator & FreehandMX). And i've now came across DrawPlus7 which seems pretty comparible to Xara
But I'd like some input from ppl who have used Draw Plus7. First off and my main feature I'm looking at, are the gradients on par with Xara? And how about just general quirks of the program? Any odd thing that bugs you about it? something it lacks compared to Xara? Better in Xara in ways? I'm just looking for any opinions you could share about using both and your experience with them? Thanks for reading http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
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Hi Folks , new here and looking for some opinions . I'm looking to purchase a all vector program shortly and have been trying to figure out which is best for me. I've downloaded XaraX free trial and like it alot better than the other 2 I downloaded (Illustrator & FreehandMX). And i've now came across DrawPlus7 which seems pretty comparible to Xara
But I'd like some input from ppl who have used Draw Plus7. First off and my main feature I'm looking at, are the gradients on par with Xara? And how about just general quirks of the program? Any odd thing that bugs you about it? something it lacks compared to Xara? Better in Xara in ways? I'm just looking for any opinions you could share about using both and your experience with them? Thanks for reading http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
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Richard (aka RamWolf) uses both products and can answer your question. I'll see if I can give him a heads up.
Gary
Gary Priester
Moderator Person
<a href="http://www.gwpriester.com">
www.gwpriester.com </a>
<a href="http://www.xaraxone.com">
The Xara Xone </a>
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and Welcome to the XaraX TG forums! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
I WAS an avid user of DrawPlus 7 at one point in time! I went so far as to almost stop using XaraX while I was learning it so I was not too distracted.
There is one other program that I will mention here before I get into this dissertation.....
Have you tried out RealDraw-Pro?? I would say this is NOT a TRUE vector program but it's VERY nice to play with and has some spectacular lighting effects (which are quickly becoming an industry standard (bump maps to)) You can download a free trial from here:
http://www.mediachance.com/realdraw/index.html (information page)
http://www.mediachance.com/download.htm (MediaChance Download page, scroll down and download Real-Draw 3.1 file)
Now on to the comparisons:
XaraX GOOD stuff:
A Fast and Efficient program. Good handling of Vectors and Fills handling is great too!! Text handling is very good too. Good exportation filtering. Great usage of envelopes (no issue with artifacts when moving the shape around to ANY position). Bevel tool can not be beat (IMHO) and the drop shadow tool is just fantastic. You CAN create a glow efffect with this tool as well by dragging and dropping a new color into the shadow color (it will replace the black color, which is default, BTW). Shadows are detachable, which is a real nice extra!! Transparencies are just fantastic as well. Multitudes of options under this area. Love the Cloud and Plazma Fractal Transparencies, really great!! Feathering tool is one of the best out there as well!! Freehand tool is useful and pretty easy to work with and under that same area is the Brush tool giving you many different effects, all controllable with line width's and line shapes. I really like the Arrange/Combine Shapes/Slice(cut)Shapes operation. The objects outlines are used to cut out what ever you want but does NOT subtract the cut shape, it leaves it in tact so you can use it for something else, really wonderful handling there!! Some programs handle this differently and the results are not always good, Xara has this one in the bag!! Blend too is really good too. I don't use the Contour tool so I can't comment. The Button and Nav Bar area was very confusing to me, so I don't use that either. And finally, there are many downloadable brushes from here at TG to add in to the program as needed!!
XaraX BAD stuff:
NO bump maps and NO 3D lighting. Galleries are not dockable, which I really would like that option!! Vector tools could use a little improving upon. Better brush handling and added tools like an eraser would be good (some systems crash when using the brush tool!! My old system did that!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/frown.gif ). Button and Nav tool bar could be a bit more user friendly. More Quick Shapes too!! Import and Export filters are BADLY in need of an over all improving upon!! One of the worst things about Xara Ltd. is they have not updated XaraX in quite some time (going on 3 years now, I think) and no interaction with the client base here at TG. Support is not one of their strong areas, nor is their sales area. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/frown.gif Other than that XaraX is a winner in my book!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
DrawPlus7 GOOD stuff:
Similar to CorelDraw, NOT XaraX. Most of the tools that XaraX has but set up differently (if your going to compare it to XaraX, that is.... http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif ) I like that you have dockable galleries (extensions of the tool bars, more or less). LOTS of quick shapes and neat pre existing color and transparency swatches that you can drag and drop onto any object. 3D Lighting and Bump Maps galore!! I think the best handling of vectors (sorry Xara Ltd. but DrawPlus 7 DOES have some really fantastic tools for handling vectors!). Once you create a new shape the click on the Node tool icon and up pops the 'Curve Toolbar' and you have a set of tools that XaraX can not beat (YET!) http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif Also, once you create an effect you really like and want it available for other objects then got to the Effects Gallery and under "My Effects" drag the entire object over to it and drop it, you will be presented with a name dialog and then presto chango, in goes the effect. This applies to any and all Filter Effects and any combination of them together. AND one other thing is that Serif's DrawPlus 7, along with all the other products they have, are all updated at LEAST once a year and release patches as needed and they DO listen to the user base and actually interact with them on the forums. Not on a daily basis but they are there watching and have input at least a few times a week!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
DrawPlus 7 BAD stuff
While DrawPlus 7 had a plethora of cool tools that XaraX does not have it's missing a very important feature that XaraX has everyone beaten in, speed!! I worked on a 'Fantasy Castle' project for a couple of months and ended up trashing it. Why?? The heavier the file the worse it was to work on and move the separate objects about. Just to move an object was painful. Wait, wait, wait some more and then the program would be ready to move it. NOT GOOD!! Even using the 'layers' manager did not clear this up very well. I called it a "sticky problem". No detachable shadow tool and the Filter Effects are how the program achieves the bevels and what not. So it can not detach anything. In XaraX you can detach just about any filter that you apply. It is either vectorized and ungrouped or bitmapped and ungroupable. This is not the case in DrawPlus 7, and for me very limiting to what I can and can not do in DrawPlus 7. I also can not stand the organization of the Gradient Transparency gallery. There is something NOT QUITE right about it. Also, while there are many options using the transparencies, the "fractal" transparencies are just plain ugly!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif Plus for the novice the Filter Effects dialogs can be a bit daunting. They DO give you absolute control but for a newbie each area of the Filter Effects is a new challenge to get to know all the controls. As I said this program is really geared more after the Adobe/Corel softwares. Import and Export filters are BADLY in need of an over all improving upon!!
I think that's about it.
For some of the best 3D lighting effects and bump maps out there RealDraw-Pro is the way to go!! Vector tools needs work BIG TIME and the program, only being at it's 3rd release is still in it's infancy. Don't let XaraX fool you, it's been around for a long time!! I'm not quite sure but I think Gary could tell you, it's had about 5 or 6 releases total, including the 2 under the Corel banner. I would keep an eye out on RealDraw-Pro, it's going places but with only ONE man running the show (no lie) (his name is Oscar) it takes time to get things just right.
So there you have it. I know I'm biases but just ask any one around here. I am the man that loves to play around with all these programs. I go away and come back and write these home spun reviews and I STILL come back to XaraX in the long run but for my post work that may need a little extra light here and there I export the finished image and import it into RealDraw-Pro for some 3D lights and maybe a bump map. XaraX can not do it all, YET! But there IS talk about a new release, but GOD ONLY KNOW'S when that will be!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif
Have fun and if you have any further questions then just ask! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
Richard http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
http://www.ramwolffsworld.com//Publi..._Prowl_sig.gif
http://www.ramwolffsworld.com/RAMWolffsWorld
[This message was edited by RAMWolff on October 08, 2003 at 10:13.]
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Very easy to follow and good comparisons.
If I remember correctly, I read swomewhere Oscar did hire a person or two in Europe to help him out.
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Hi Richard,
A fantastic thorough review. Absolutely excellent.
Regards..
Bayan
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Aside from the rambling here and there and the typo's (which I can't fix now! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/frown.gif ) yea, it's an OK comparison review I threw together.
Yea, I forgot about Oscar hiring a couple more folks to help out but if I remember correctly they are more involved with sales and upkeep of the site. I think Oscar is still the only guy doing the coding on the programs!! Not all together sure though.
I hope this 'racer' guy comes and reads this, considering it's for him/her/who ever!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif
Thanks again for the kudoos!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
Richard http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
http://www.ramwolffsworld.com//Publi..._Prowl_sig.gif
http://www.ramwolffsworld.com/RAMWolffsWorld
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by RAMWolff:
Aside from the rambling here and there and the typo's (which I can't fix now! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/frown.gif ) yea, it's an OK comparison review I threw together.
Yea, I forgot about Oscar hiring a couple more folks to help out but if I remember correctly they are more involved with sales and upkeep of the site. I think Oscar is still the only guy doing the coding on the programs!! Not all together sure though.
I hope this 'racer' guy comes and reads this, considering it's for him/her/who ever!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif
Thanks again for the kudoos!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
Richard http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
http://www.ramwolffsworld.com//Publi..._Prowl_sig.gif
http://www.ramwolffsworld.com/RAMWolffsWorld
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Richard, thank you very much for that review. That was exactly the information I was looking for. I wish all reviews of programs were written so well.
I've been messing around with Xara X now for about a week on the trial version, and it is a great program but does have a couple very minor things that bug me. I can live with those, but I would love to see a updated version here soon. Guess I'll just cross my fingers on that one. I also downloaded that Real Draw Pro program and it's not too bad however after installing it and I logged off computer and then booted back up it caused a error not allowing windows to load right. So i've since stopped using it.
Thanks again for all that time you put into writing that up.
-Greg
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Great Review there Ramwolf.
I had not heard of Draw Plus 7 before but after your review I think I will stick with Xara X. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
I have Real Draw Pro and it is nice program but I hardly ever use it. It has some nice features but very difficult to draw anything in that program.
"A hippo does not have a sting in its tail, but a wise man would still rather be sat on by a bee."
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by RacerX30:
Richard, thank you very much for that review. That was exactly the information I was looking for. I wish all reviews of programs were written so well.
I've been messing around with Xara X now for about a week on the trial version, and it is a great program but does have a couple very minor things that bug me. I can live with those, but I would love to see a updated version here soon. Guess I'll just cross my fingers on that one. I also downloaded that Real Draw Pro program and it's not too bad however after installing it and I logged off computer and then booted back up it caused a error not allowing windows to load right. So i've since stopped using it.
Thanks again for all that time you put into writing that up.
-Greg<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Wow, that's really really strange. I can't believe that RealDraw-Pro could do that?? http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/eek.gif Didn't have that issue on Win98SE, Win2000 Pro (SP 1, 2 or 3) or WinXP Pro (SP1).
Maybe try again??
The WORD is that there is TALK about a new version of XaraX after the next release of Webster 4 comes out. So add another 6 months to a year on to that date and HOPEFULLY we will have our new version of Xara!!
Then again................ http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif
Gotta keep the faith though!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
Richard http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
http://www.ramwolffsworld.com//Publi..._Prowl_sig.gif
http://www.ramwolffsworld.com/RAMWolffsWorld
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http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif .......................
XaraX GOOD stuff:
A Fast and Efficient program. Good handling of Vector Nodes. Fill and Transparency handling is very good too!! Text handling is superb. Good Exportation dialog for .jpg, png, bmp and .gif's!! Envelopes and Moulding shapes are very very well handled (no issue with artifacts when moving the shape around to ANY position). The Bevel tool cannot be beat (IMHO) and the Drop Shadow tool is just fantastic. You CAN create a glow efffect with this tool by dragging & dropping a new color into the shadow color area (it will replace the black color, which is default). Shadows are detachable, which is a real nice extra!! Transparencies are just fantastic as well. Multitudes of options under this area. Also love the Cloud and Plazma Fractal Transparencies, really great!! Feathering tool is one of the best out there as well!! The Freehand tool is useful and pretty easy to work with (under that same icon resides the Brush tool giving you many different line effects and shapes, all controllable with line width's and line shapes. I really like the Arrange/Combine Shapes/Slice(cut)Shapes operation. The shapes outlines are used to cut out what ever you want but does NOT subtract the cut out shape, instead it leaves the sliced shape in tact so you can use it for something else, really wonderful handling there!! Some programs handle this differently by subtracting the top shape completely, Xara has this one in the bag!! Blend tool is really good too. I don't use the Contour tool too much, so I can't really comment. The Button and NavBar Tool bar were very confusing to me, so I don't use them either. And finally, there are many download-able brushes from here at TG and Pixelparity to add in to the program as needed!!
XaraX BAD stuff:
NO Bump Maps and NO 3D Lighting. Galleries are not dockable, which personally for me is an option that would make my experience much better and more organized!! The Vector Node tools could use a little improving upon like more options for curves, etc.... and more Quick Shapes. The Brush tool NEEDS to be debugged and improved upon (this bug causes some users to have program crashes and unsaved work is lost, NOT GOOD! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/mad.gif)! The addition of tools that acts like an Eraser, Blur and Smear tools would be helpful (Satori is a 'paint' program that actually uses vectors to paint with and they have these tools or 'brushes" available and MORE!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif ). Button and NavBar Tool bar could be a bit more user friendly. More Quick Shapes too!! Import and Export filters are BADLY in need of revamping and aditional ones added in!! One of the worst things about Xara Ltd. is they have not updated XaraX in quite some time (going on 3 years now, I think http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif) and very little interaction with the client base here at TG if at all. That should be changed to a more friendlier interaction and willing to listen to the users. Support is not one of their strong areas. Also their Sales division needs to be reworked!! This program RULES and yet not a whole lot of folks knows about XaraX, a real shame. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/frown.gif Other than that XaraX is a winner in my book!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
DrawPlus7 GOOD stuff:
Similar to CorelDraw, NOT XaraX. DrawPlus 7 has it's own versions of tools SIMILAR, but not the same as, XaraX (if your going to compare it to XaraX, that is.... http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif ) I like that the user has the option of Dockable Galleries. LOTS of Quick Shapes and very cool, ready to drag & drop Color, Color Fills, Color Meshes and Transparency swatches. 3D Lighting and Bump Maps galore!! I think the best handling of Vectors Nodes (sorry Xara but DrawPlus 7 DOES have some really fantastic tools for handling nodes!). Example: Once you create a new shape then click on the Node tool icon and up pops the Curve Toolbar and you have a set of tools that XaraX cannot beat (YET!) http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif Also, once you create an effect you really like and want it available for other objects/shapes then got to the Effects Gallery and under My Effects drag the entire object over to it and drop it, you will then be presented with a Name dialog and then presto chango, in goes the effect, available to apply to any other object just by double clicking on the effect and the selected object will have this set of effects aplied. This includes any and all Filter Effects. One other thing is that Serif's DrawPlus 7, along with all the other products they have in their product line up, are updated at LEAST once a year and Serif release's patches as needed and they DO listen to the user base and actually interact with them on the forums. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif Kadoos to Serif for that!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
DrawPlus 7 BAD stuff:
While DrawPlus 7 had a plethora of cool tools that XaraX does not have it IS missing a very important feature that XaraX seems to have every one beaten in, Ssssspeeeeeeeed!! Example: I worked on a 'Fantasy Castle' project for a couple of months and ended up trashing it. Why?? The heavier the file got to be, the worse it was to work on!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/frown.gif Try moving separate objects about with Filter Effects applied, it just became too heavy and the program slowed to a crawl. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/frown.gif Even using the 'layers' manager did not clear this up very well. I called it a "sticky problem" which worsens as new objects are added to the file, especially ones that have ANY Filter Effects applied to them! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/mad.gif It was toopainful to keep going through that, so I trashed the project and moved on! No detachable Shadows. The Filter Effects are how the program achieves the Bevels, 3D Lighting, Feathering and other effects. The program is not set up to allow any Filter Effect to be ungrouped or detached from the parent object/shape. In XaraX you can detach just about any "filter effect" that you apply. It is either vectorized and ungroup-able or bitmapped and ungroup-able. For me very that is too limiting to what I can do in DrawPlus 7. I also can not stand the (dis)organization of the Gradient Transparency gallery. There is something NOT QUITE right about it. Also, while there are many options using the transparencies, the "Fractal" Transparencies are just plain ugly!! Plus for the novice the Filter Effects dialogs can be a bit daunting. They DO give you absolute control over the effects applied but for a newbie each area of the Filter Effects is a new challenge to get to know all the controls. As I said this program is really structured more after the Adobe/Corel software products (Illustrator and CorelDraw). Import and Export filters are BADLY in need of an over all improving upon!!
I think that's about it.
For some of the best 3D Lighting Effects and Bump Maps out there RealDraw-Pro 3.1 is the way to go!! The Vector Nodes tools needs to be reworked, BIG TIME! In fact the entire Vector area needs reworking. If you were to zoom in on a vector line at about 300 - 400% you get jaggies. Not a true vector. Then of course you are asked to use the "Super" Anti-Alias option which really does NOT make that much difference. So I think Oscar took a short cut some where in the vector area. The program would be SO much better if this area were completely re-written from the ground up with more Nodes options!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif BUT I give credit where credit is due, the program IS only going on it's 3rd release, so it's still in it's infancy compared to XaraX. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif And don't let XaraX fool you, it HAS been around for a while now!! I'm not quite sure but I think Gary could tell you, it's had about 5 or 6 releases total? Including the 2 releases under the Corel banner. I would keep an eye out on RealDraw-Pro though, it's going places but with only ONE man running the show (no lie) (his name is Oscar) it takes time to get things just right. Oscar DID hire on some other employee's to help with upkeep of the site and the sales areas and I'm not sure but I think Oscar is still coding most, if not all of the 12 or more software applications that he created and wrote him self!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/eek.gif Pretty impressive in my book!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
So there you have it. I know I'm biased but just ask any one around here, I'm the man that loves to play around with all these programs. I go away for a while and play and then come back and write these home spun reviews, but in the end I always come back to XaraX. For some of my finishing up or post work, that may need a little extra light here, bump map there or what ever, I will sometimes export the finished image from XaraX and import it into RealDraw-Pro to add these finishing touches to it and then I'm finished!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif XaraX can not do it all, YET! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif But there IS talk about a new release, but GOD ONLY KNOW'S when that will be!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif
Richard http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
http://www.ramwolffsworld.com//Publi..._Prowl_sig.gif
http://www.ramwolffsworld.com/RAMWolffsWorld
[This message was edited by RAMWolff on October 09, 2003 at 00:19.]
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Hallo RacerX30!
I´d like to emphasize that Xara´s PEN TOOL (bezier nodes and curves...)is great!
I had to learn that tool in Photoshop, Illustrator and Freehand and never could handle it right. I believed in being untalented till I tried out the Xara pen tool. It´s easy, it´s fun
Hello Richard Ramwolf!
Thanks for the great review!
Lori
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Hello to everyone, I'm new here too. I met Racerx30 on the Pinoy7 Paint Shop Pro Forum where we both had an interest in trying out some pure vector programmes. He recommended Xara X to me and I also downloaded the trial version. After just 2 days playing with it I like it more and more.
The comparisons above were very helpful to me, as I am wondering what to buy also (I think I've decided not to get the full PSP8, doesn't seem like enough improvements over 7 to justify the price).
Is it worth buying Xara X or should I cough up more money and go for something like Illustrator?
I'm very tempted with Xara and I know when my 30 days is up I'll miss it.
Cheers
Sean
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http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
Sean,
Dude, don't even waste the money on Illustrator unless you like to spend money!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif It may be the industry standard but XaraX, IMHO, can do as much, if not more than Illy and at a fraction of the cost.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my copy of Photoshop 7 but I wouldn't bother with Illustrator when I have XaraX and RealDraw-Pro to satisfy my vector needs! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
Hope to see more of you and Greg here, or at Pixelparity!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
Richard http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
http://www.ramwolffsworld.com//Publi..._Prowl_sig.gif
http://www.ramwolffsworld.com/RAMWolffsWorld
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Sean:
Hello to everyone, I'm new here too. I met Racerx30 on the Pinoy7 Paint Shop Pro Forum where we both had an interest in trying out some pure vector programmes. He recommended Xara X to me and I also downloaded the trial version. After just 2 days playing with it I like it more and more.
The comparisons above were very helpful to me, as I am wondering what to buy also (I think I've decided not to get the full PSP8, doesn't seem like enough improvements over 7 to justify the price).
Is it worth buying Xara X or should I cough up more money and go for something like Illustrator?
I'm very tempted with Xara and I know when my 30 days is up I'll miss it.
Cheers
Sean<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hey Sean, glad to hear you like Xara X. I must agree Richard on this one as well. I downloaded the Illustrator trial version and I can't believe people actually pay that price for that program. It MAY be the industry standard, but it's beyond me how it got that status. Do yourself a favor and save a TON of money and buy Xara X. Illustrator is just not worth it.
-Greg
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Please people, simply because you don't understand a program is no reason to put it down.
There is a very good reason that Illustrator enjoys the high standard it has for so many years - it's a professional program intended for professional graphic artists. Which means it's not going to be a sit-down-and-start-using-it program. It has a definate learning curve, like any advanced application - including Xara-X, I might add - with which I'm **still** struggling to acheive results which (for me) in Illustrator are a breeze.
I think, based on my extremely limited experience using Xara-X (about one week), that it has some potential, but it certainly isn't going to be replacing Illustrator any time soon, at least not in my graphics "toolbox".
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Orange Skies:
Please people, simply because you don't understand a program is no reason to put it down.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I totally agree! I do have to admit that Illustrator can be really frustrating once you start with it. After a while you can't live without it.
Illustrator has a broad toolset and Illustrator CS only expands it even more.
I use it to make illustrations but also to build up splines for my 3D software. It's huge, expensive, it's slow (should be improved in CS) and it has its shortcomings, but it's still the #1 vector application any way you look at it.
I agree with Orange Skies; Xara X is good but isn't going to replace Illustrator in my toolbox either.
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but for someone that has limited funds and wants to have a good (great in my opinion) vector program on hand then XaraX is MY choice.
As stated I am more than a little thrilled with Photoshop 7, so it's not like I have an issue with Adobe, although I used to, I have been since converted and PhotoPaint has been retired!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
A client of mine (I'm a hairdresser) works for Adobe and asked me when my birthday is AFTER she had mentioned that she was being flown to NY City for the big anouncement (which was to anounce the new products and suite's). So then I wrote her and told her I was interested in the Creative Suite CS Standard. So we shall see. If it doesn't happen then I will live!!
Hopefully the new Illustrator CS has been improved in ways that will satisfy my needs and from what I've read there are now 3D Ligts and a few other things that caught my attention. Speed is also something that XaraX has on Illustrator. I've just about tried them all, including Illustrator and was not pleased by the slugishness, esp when a file starts to get a bit on the heavy side.
So there you have it. I'm interested in the program but not willing to pay that sort of money for it. I think that is a crime to charge that sort of money for ANY type of software, IMHO!! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
Richard http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
http://www.ramwolffsworld.com//Publi..._Prowl_sig.gif
http://www.ramwolffsworld.com/RAMWolffsWorld
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I wouldn't say I put the program down and said it totally sucks. It's not at the top of the heap for nothing apparently. However for the person who does it as a hobby, I still stand by my statement it's just not worth it. As for learning the program, I pick up on programs very easy and for what I want to do Illustrator just didn't have the options I wanted it to have. I can't help it that Illustrator has very limited gradient options compared to XaraX. But I'd hardly say I was intimidated by Illustrator, I'm the kind of person who sees lots of buttons and options and gets excited not think oh god this program sucks.
-Greg
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I don't know the right word for this: if you resize an object using its corner nodes while keeping SHIFT key pressed --in Xara, CorelDraw!, FW, Canvas, etc-- it will be resized proportionally from its center. I mean, the object got shrinked or expanded using a center point, which is a very important time saver... for instance, doing a concentric two squares object is easy thanks to that: create a square, duplicate without relocation, resize the copy with SHIFT pressed and it will be "symetric" with the original one...
RD do not have that! you have to do the resizing and then align the objects!! One of the things I quit testing it http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/frown.gif
Aram
www.lithium-design.com
