After SO MANY negative reviews of XWD anyone here have anything positive to say?

I was considering looking into XWDP 16 for some website design (BUT FOR PROFESSIONAL USE) and have seen countless negative reviews ranging from how amateurish the program is, how hampered it is with poorly executed source code and the lack of professional tools when it comes to tweaking/adding code etc. to it. Has anyone here had personal experiences that either support these findings or dispute them?

Just curious.

I know I can always try and download a trial but they are usually limited and I already have enough programs on my drive without adding another trial version.

thanks,
td

I guess the question is how sophisticated a website do you need to design?

What I liked years ago about NetObjects Fusion and then with Xara when they added web design features, is the designer friendly atmosphere. And I still use Designer Pro X for website design but the sites I design do not really have to do much. Just present content, that is easy to locate and contact information.

I think Web Designer is capable of producing a fairly complex site. But as true with any software, good design comes first and requires a lot of work until you get everything working just right.

I used XWD for a few years and it was a superb way to build web pages easily and quickly. My clients were delighted with the end result.

You have to ask yourself what you want from web design software and how much effort are you prepared to put into learning web technologies.

Professional web developers/designers typically live and breathe web technologies and study design and web trends. They often work as part of a team and can build sophisticated sites, often data-driven with a CMS or bespoke database. These guys can do anything and they put in the hours and effort to learn their trade. They typically produce well-crafted code that is often hand-coded, highly efficient and can be edited.

Then there's the web designer who could care less about HTML and all that stuff, they just want something that works. They want a program that can make web pages and they will never be editing the HTML themselves and they could care less how pretty or efficient the web page HTML is - they won't be hand-coding HTML or frameworks. Simplicity is the key.

So, do you want simplicity without knowing how stuff works behind the scenes, or highly elegant and super flexible but needing a lot of knowledge about how the web works?

On these spectrums Xara software facilitates simplicity at the expense of flexibility and code elegance. Generally the HTML code created is bloated and inflexible and would attract scorn from any highly-skilled technically-proficient web developer. Xara makes life simple for the developer at the expense of response code layouts and concise human-readable code. The browser could care less what the code looks like and neither would most clients.

If you suck at web design Xara won't make you a better designer, it will save you from learning about HTML in any depth. You will need to compromise on some things in return. Those compromises are not acceptable to high-end technical developers, but very acceptable to some clients because you probably aren't charging at the same level as a high-end developer.

So it all depends..

Well said Paul

I am totally confused and baffled by your remarks. Your assumptions and your last line that you already have ton of program and do not want another trial version. Also please post the reviews (links) to such claims. Also I have been running a profitable business designing websites for clients and it does pretty much everything I need. Maybe the people who gave Xara a bad review should sit down and get their hands dirty.

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Originally Posted by behzad

I am totally confused and baffled by your remarks. Your assumptions and your last line that you already have ton of program and do not want another trial version. Also please post the reviews (links) to such claims. Also I have been running a profitable business designing websites for clients and it does pretty much everything I need. Maybe the people who gave Xara a bad review should sit down and get their hands dirty.

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I can imagine that XWD could get very negative reviews - it's a program that is great in it's niche, but it is a niche and to put it bluntly, for some aspects of web design it is useless.

For example, if you were working in a team of developers where hand-coding and automated page generation was important, then XWD is useless because the pages are not designed to be edited and not amenable to be used as a template for a web page generator tied to a database.

It may be a requirement that the web pages are responsive - once again a no-go area for XWD, because XWD is based on adaptive design, not responsive design.

It may be a requirement that the pages use a particular web framework such as Bootstrap or Flexbox, that is also territory where XWD will not go.

It may be a requirement that the pages are wordpress compatible or drupal compatible - again another no-go area for a program that does WYSIWYG.

Etc..

So there are plenty of places where XWD cannot go and will attract criticism - derision even.

XWD excels where the web designer has no need of the things listed above and may even not know about the technologies/techniques above. XWD is a fantastic enabler to allow people to build web pages without having to know all the ins and outs of web technology.

So please don't imply that XWD wouldn't attract criticism. In my time working with other web developers and design agencies, I would never have mentioned Xara because using a technology that is intended to enable non-technical web development would have damaged my credibility.

So let's not attack the messenger, XWD can be a beautiful program but not in all circles of web development - it fits a niche.

Really glad it's working well for you, Behzad. It's enabled a lot of non-technical people to get into web design.

I tried to learn HTML, etc. but I’m not geeky enough. I then tried WDP and found it could do all that I wanted. However, you should get XDP which has the whole suite of programs in one interface because jumping in and out of seperate programs to prepare graphics and text, etc. is a huge PITA. It’s cheaper to buy XDP than the separates and it has a few extra features you may use. There has been some negativity, but I think that the Magix licensing model was the main dislike and there was some angst regarding the Cloud version. The software is loved by it’s experienced users and the price is affordable compared to other contenders.

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Originally Posted by jaydear

I tried to learn HTML, etc. but I’m not geeky enough. I then tried WDP and found it could do all that I wanted.

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Exactly! You are the target market for XWD/XDP.

@pauland I agree with you and also admire people like yourself that can hand code websites. I also can understand the frustration that these kind of programs bring to once an exclusive trade, now everyone is designing websites. I was trained to be a brand specialist and gone through decades of trial and difficulties perfecting my work and the need to create websites has made me to use Xara. I would surely not use it for features that you have mentioned simply because it is incapable of it. That is where wordpress comes in. But for me it works well with small businesses and jobs that I can have control over. I do not shoot down the messenger, he started to shoot down the program. Regardless, His post sounded a bit spammy to me and troll like, hey I was wrong but his wording specially his last sentence (He has enough programs) etc.. concluded his whole post to me.

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Originally Posted by behzad

I am totally confused and baffled by your remarks. Your assumptions and your last line that you already have ton of program and do not want another trial version. Also please post the reviews (links) to such claims. Also I have been running a profitable business designing websites for clients and it does pretty much everything I need. Maybe the people who gave Xara a bad review should sit down and get their hands dirty.

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Please don't be confused,...I was simply stating that I have many programs on my drive and I wanted to get a consensus first from the people that would KNOW more about this program before I dove in. I think Pauland gave me the exact answer I was looking for and it is greatly appreciated.
I can feel your passion in your response and I can certainly respect that. I used XWD back in version 9 and I kept banging into limitations BUT it did do a passable job for my client at the time. Things have changed since version 9 as well as an ownership change from Xara to Magix and
as I was trying to look beyond the Bubblegum Marketing hype on the Magix site to see what improvements/refinements were made to the program, I knew the people to ask regarding the deeper details were located here. It was as innocent as that.

Thank you.

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Originally Posted by behzad

@pauland I do not shoot down the messenger, he started to shoot down the program. Regardless, His post sounded a bit spammy to me and troll like, hey I was wrong but his wording specially his last sentence (He has enough programs) etc.. concluded his whole post to me.

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I have been a member of this fine forum for 17 years. I'm not about to be "spammy" or "troll like" just to start something. C'mon now! As for my statement about having so many programs already on my drive....what's wrong with that? I didn't want to install another program that would most likely have limitations as a trial and might have some functionality blocked (as so often programs do).

Funny,..nobody else took this as confusing.

How is mentioning the FACT that many reviews for the program have been negative "shooting down the program?" Seriously??? I suspect that Pauland is correct that some of the bad reviews may be coming from web developers expecting too much from the program; won't know for sure though.

Thanks jaydear for your comments and response.
I'm kind of middle of the road when it comes to html. I know perhaps enough to be dangerous but not nearly enough to be considered proficient. I too am not code saavy enough but wondered perhaps if this latest version has added some flexibility for those that might want to tweak a few things under the hood.

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Originally Posted by gwpriester

I think Web Designer is capable of producing a fairly complex site. But as true with any software, good design comes first and requires a lot of work until you get everything working just right.

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Thanks Gary! I'm a graphic designer by trade and do agree with you whole heatedly regarding the design aspect!

TL;DR - I laud Xara Desktop application focus on static content delivery that can be tweaked.

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I have been vocal (in a Forum on-line way) about the handling by Xara of new capabilities, functions and features into the Xara Desktop applications and the delivery, product fragmentation and promotions by Magix and of both over the Update Service.
Combined, all conspire to negate the absolute joy, charm and power of the products: I work mainly with XDPX but design down to XWDP as I object to the User Interface (UI) being mangled just to allow MagiXara to convince potential customers that Product X,Y or Z is just right for them while in reality XDPX should be allowed to stand on its own as a powerful, fully integrated product. This fragmentation has product managers, designers and developers spending time carving up the UI for no functional gain.

I have used XDPX for professional use for well over a decade and I believe I understand its limitations and the mindset of developers in other commercial environments who are constrained with having to align to other web interfaces. Xara's approach is a WYSIWYG, positional static web delivery that can be presented through a filestore export as well as over the Internet. This alone is very powerful. By far the most influential aspect I rely on is the setting up of interactive Layers; I know of no other product that achieve this so fluidly and I have used and designed for many.

Code-wise some aspects of the Xara HTML Filter are clunky but others are supreme in their construction. Again, I have experience of many template-generators whose code is unfathomable. Xara has chosen unwieldly large blocks of CSS/JavaScript as immutable drop-in files over coders shaving off milliseconds through the use of kludges and other ephemeral and undocumented mechanisms. The Xara HTML Filter has its own development lifecycle and it improves with every release.

Regarding dynamic content, if you have the skills in implementing tiered system design you can add Xara Widgets, Placeholders, bespoke applications (c.f. Xtom's CMS) or handcraft server-based applications in support of Xara's static deliveries. Xara Desktop applications are for designers and not necessarily developers; I am lucky in straddling both camps. I tell myself I want Feature X and then I go about implementing it or simply integrating Feature Y and taking a hit. I realise, however, that adding new capability comes at a cost and I much prefer simplicity over whizz-bangs. Because of this, I am rather vocal to Xara to implement their offerings to as exacting a level as possible as it save me the effort!

I look forward to a potential adaptive website delivery in v17. i look forward to better HTML code around text blocks. I look forward to a price drop in the Update Service to reflect actual delivered benefit. I look forward to reduced product fragmentation. I look forward to fuller Xara (and Magix) engagement with its loyal customer base.

Acorn

My apologies TDolce. I guess I can become defensive about something that have given me a great tool to develop my business and skills. Also I got defensive because in the past there were many who just criticized the program and never delve deep into it or used it to its full capacity. Again I am not saying this directed to you, but overall Xara gets shit on all the time and I too do admit a few times I get mad when updates and features are left ignored. So once again my apologies.

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Originally Posted by TDolce

I have been a member of this fine forum for 17 years. I'm not about to be "spammy" or "troll like" just to start something. C'mon now! As for my statement about having so many programs already on my drive....what's wrong with that? I didn't want to install another program that would most likely have limitations as a trial and might have some functionality blocked (as so often programs do).

Funny,..nobody else took this as confusing.

How is mentioning the FACT that many reviews for the program have been negative "shooting down the program?" Seriously??? I suspect that Pauland is correct that some of the bad reviews may be coming from web developers expecting too much from the program; won't know for sure though.

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This is my Xara website: www.mheinc.com. I used Web Designer 5 to build it. Using Xara has saved me thousands of dollars because I can do this website by myself instead of hiring a designer.

Also, I supervise our service department as well. Humans are always more likely to complain than compliment. There are hundreds of "complaint" forums but not many "at a boy" forums.

mcspade

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Originally Posted by mcspade

Using Xara has saved me thousands of dollars because I can do this website by myself instead of hiring a designer.

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You'll never know if that is actually true!

Here's a scan from Computer Active, a UK based computer magazine. I didn't see the original review but it won the magazines 'Buy It' award and has remained in their top software in this category for over 100+ (two weekly) editions.

I'm crap at html although I have built sites using various pieces of software from Adobe, Macromedia etc, & some of which I can no longer remember their names. Also used Joomla for CMS sites, but by far and wide my favourite is Xara. Probably biased here but I've been a Xara user way back before it was even Xara, for drawings etc so when they introduced web capabilities there was no contest.

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Originally Posted by Egg Bramhill

Here's a scan from Computer Active, a UK based computer magazine.

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It's a pity the plug on Computer Active is misleading - the software doesn't build responsive sites, they're adaptive.

Indeed Paul, but getting there slowly. The 'Scale to Fit Width' is quite neat but I'm not sure I like the page loading then resizing to the Browser width ....

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Originally Posted by behzad

My apologies TDolce. I guess I can become defensive about something that have given me a great tool to develop my business and skills. Also I got defensive because in the past there were many who just criticized the program and never delve deep into it or used it to its full capacity. Again I am not saying this directed to you, but overall Xara gets shit on all the time and I too do admit a few times I get mad when updates and features are left ignored. So once again my apologies.

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Hey,..no problem at all. You are passionate and it's actually GREAT to see that! If a program is doing everything you need and it's working for you,..you should be passionate about it. I use Xara Designer Pro10 and I get ridiculed for it every day by my peers.

As for the program getting an unfair shake at times,...you are SPOT ON! I remember building a pretty nice web page for a client (with XWD 9 Premium) and they were very happy with it! Then months later when they had one of their tech guys chat with me and asking what I used to build it, it was followed with snickering and dismissive undertones. I was thinking to myself, "What the heck, it got the job done, your own team loved the results and it works!" Those kind of situations perplex me! This happened on a few more occasions before I got out of that web design arena and
refocused my effort on Graphic Design.

Oh,...and by the way,...I still use Xara Designer Pro X10 for the bulk of my design work! I guess I'm supposed to be ashamed of it because my peers always ask me why I don't use Illustrator more. I tell them,...I DO you use Illustrator,..but when I need to get something done and done with more efficiency, I go to what I know more; Xara Designer.

As for your passion, I'm with ya,..I have it too!

Peace!

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Originally Posted by Acorn

TL;DR -

I look forward to a potential adaptive website delivery in v17. i look forward to better HTML code around text blocks. I look forward to a price drop in the Update Service to reflect actual delivered benefit. I look forward to reduced product fragmentation. I look forward to fuller Xara (and Magix) engagement with its loyal customer base.

Acorn

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Thank you Acorn! I may try V17 when and if it hits the market but only recently have a few requests come to me with web design opportunities. I'm a cartoonist and graphic designer at heart and therefore the WYSIWYG concept has always attracted me. I do always want to "push" the boundaries a bit using some customization with some of my albeit limited coding knowledge and any improvements in that capability in Xara WD would be most welcome.

I've always respected the web developers out there with their coding and programming prowess but sometimes would like to see that respect shared in a reciprocal fashion and extended to designers as well in that arena.

A friend was asked by some C+ programmers, what he programmed in, he said "Visual Basic" ... ridicule ... he followed that up with "of course, when I need real speed, I drop straight into assembly language" ... No more ridicule.

The moral ... Use whatever works to get the job done in the most efficient way.