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There is something I mentioned in the past, many Xara versions ago, but still it isn't possible, don't know why such limitation.
In any program I can make an image of any size, but if I want to make a 28x28 or a 5x5 image at Xara, I cannot, because the minimum size is 48x48 ...
I know I can word around with clip view and such, but why do I have to spend the extra time with workarounds instead of straight setting the size I want?
No clip view or anything, just reduced in size ...
Yes, you can resize any image as you wish, I meant the complete document. Because when selecting, and exporting as selection, sometimes it adds some pixels I don't want, so I always want to use: Area to Save - Page (when creating small graphics like thin headers or banners I need to control exactly all pixels).
This is not true - what you are trying to do is create a *page size* of less than 48x48 pix.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuno
This is probably because you come from a photoshop or similar background where image sizes are dictated by the canvas size?
Well Xara Xtreme is not a bitmap editor, it's a vector application which, like CorelDraw and Illustration works totally differently.
You create or scale your image size directly on the *page*.
The page size has no bearing on the output size of the illustration (unless you create the illustration to the exact same size as the page).
The page is your art board, the image is whatever size you want it, smaller or bigger than the art board as you like :)
This has been fixed in this latest patch.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuno
I think there is some confusion here. I use Xara for many years so of course I know that I can resize an image any size I want.
I need to export any image the exact size I want because it's meant to fit an exact CSS box. It's much easier for me to create pages or canvas of the exact size I need. Because I cannot create any page below 48px it makes me spend extra time.
More than one time in the past, when exporting a selection, I had to trim down what Xara had added. If you tell me that it was fixed those are good news, I updated a few hours ago.
Even so, why isn't it possible to create canvas smaller than 48x48 px ?
P.S. I also have CorelDraw X3 and it allows me to create a canvas of 20x20 px for example.
I'm still having trouble understanding why your canvas has to be the same size as your output. I frequently output icon images that are as small as 15x16 pixels. I just keep a sizing rectangle or output rectangle (or both) in the workfile and align each image for export as needed. A given workfile may have only one such image, or it may have a dozen.
I'm not talking about single small images, but slicing a big template in several parts. Yes, I can easily slice it in Paint Shop Pro, that I also own, but I want all parts separated in different pages at Xara for future customization, alteration and reuse. Instead of exporting or having to select what I need that time I just need to export the right canvas page.
I find I save some time that way, and time is money.
I understand that some people may see no use in this, but I do, it would have saved me hours of extra work...
Selecting the rectangle or item and exporting that way isn't the same, as I need to also export the background or just a portion of the item, I hope I you understand what I mean.
If I want to export a 400x14 px rectangle, aligned at a certain position, but I want it to also export the background with the image having an exact 960x15 size, how do I achieve this without clipview or having to create a second 960x15 rectangle, which I didn't had to in the first place...
If other vectors applications allow me to create a canvas of any size, why does Xara have this 48x48 limit?
I can't fathom your argument or why you are judging Xtreme by other vector apps.. In any case this is off-topic Nuno, please start a new thread if you wish to continue this or post a feature request in the Dear Xara.. forumQuote:
Originally Posted by Nuno
Thanks
Yes, no problem, I've requested this in the past, it should be an easy thing to do, if it wasn't done up to this update, I have to live with it, a pity, but that's life.
I only referred other programs when they were mentioned here... and all of those allow to do what I ask.
I keep preferring Xara Xtreme for all other reasons, but this one is something that makes me loose time unnecessarily...
What is the problem with creating second 960x15 rectangle?Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuno
Create it in a separate layer and think of it as it is your actual canvas.
This also has advantage as you can actually have many such "canvases" on a single page. May be useful considering miniature sizes you work with in this case.
What do you think?
That this is off-topic so I have moved all posts related to Nuno's underlying question "why isn't it possible to create canvas smaller than 48x48" to it's own thread.Quote:
Originally Posted by covoxer
Thanks
Ah yes, you're right. Tank you Steve. :)
Thank you John and Steve.
Replying to your question John, there is no problem creating a second rectangle of the same background color in that situation (it was what I had to do), but imagine when you have to do that several, several times for the same image, each for what you need to slice? I end up with my original image full of false rectangles.
Of course your suggestion of using layers is a sound one, and I truly appreciate it. I usually find it quicker having several pages of different sizes within the same file, so that I can immediately see what part I need to change and export this time. Of course layers and creating faux canvas objects are a workaround, and ones I used in the past, it's just slower to me. If I want to export that slice number x, in a different page it takes me less than 10 seconds, but with layers or selecting all the objects I want to export it takes a bit more.
And if I have an element that I want split in two, within different pages I can just clone it and put it in the 2 positions I need, each in it's position. That is also possible with other techniques, I just found that it takes longer for me, maybe it's just my process I have to "de-learn"...
You are talking about multiple slices of the same image. I don't quite understand how can you use a canvas for this purpose. After all you can have only one canvas underneath the image. Can you explain this in detail please?
You can have multiple pages/canvas inside the same file, by going to Edit - Pages - New page, is that what you mean?
I usually design everything in the same page, and then separate it's parts in new pages below the original one, to have everything in the same file.
When I need to edit something I just go to that part and then export the whole page.
What it you have intersecting elements so that they are copied in multiple pages? In case of any changes required do you have to update all the instances?
Using slice rectangles you may avoid duplicating the design or it's parts over numerous pages. Keeping all in one piece is usually useful for further editing.
That happens, but usually I don't change the elements, only the background color of the page or of some "tables".
Sometimes I have a shadow on top of a small rectangle, but that shadow belongs to another element that I don't want to export, and creating lots of faux rectangles is a bit problematic.
With a separated canvas I just need to put the element I don't want to export outside the page, keeping only the shadow.
Until then I still need to use workarounds that make me spend more time :/
SUGGESTION:
It is too bad, that with these more complex or hard to explain situations, John, or someone at tech support, can't do a WebEx so they can see and hear the issues and take control of the user's screen and demonstrate alternative methods/work arounds, if necessary.
I think some issues (or even bugs) could be solved a lot quicker and without misinterpretation.
I completely understood all John's suggestions and I already use them (creating false rectangles for example as I initially said). I've tried to avoid using layers and that is something that maybe I'll have to try again. Since moving from bitmap to vector apps that I haven't used them (except for Xara's flash to create animations and even a step by step tutorial).
For my day by day work I thrive to make things simple (for my taste and design process), but sometimes it isn't possible.
This isn't really a bug, just a canvas size limitation that I don't know if it would require many coding changes or why it exists in the first place (it must have a reason I guess).