Making the XDPXv16.3 PDF Manual work for you

In XDPXv16.3 for some obscure (Magix) reason when you select Help > PDF Manual you are expected to download the same file for every access.:-O
Help > PDF Manual launches https://rdir.magix.net/?page=APQN0PQHQ3FD, which in turn goes to http://dl03.magix.net/manual_designerprox16_en.pdf.

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This is the workaround I use.:nerd:

Do the above for the first time (and only) and rename the PDF file to Manual - 16dot3.pdf.
Close XDPX - you don't have to make it maintains the voodoo.

Find you version of this folder: file:///C:/Program Files/Xara/Xara Designer Pro X/16/HelpAndSupport/ENG/.
It should contain xarax.chm and possibly earlier versions of the PDF Manual; these started from v16.0.

Locate C:\Program Files\Xara\Xara Designer Pro X\16\Product_eng.cfg and use a text editor with admin privilege, change this line:

Code:

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PDFManualLink=https://rdir.magix.net/?page=APQN0PQHQ3FD

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to

Code:

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PDFManualLink=file:///C:/Program Files/Xara/Xara Designer Pro X/16/HelpAndSupport/ENG/Manual - 16dot3.pdf

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If worried, copy the file first.

Now Help > PDF Manual opens your locally-stored version.:rtfm

Acorn

Thanks Acorn.
Never searching where the PDF-Manual is stored and open it up from Xara, a great relief if you want read up something.

Thanks Acorn,
Followed your instruct works great.

To summarise:
@Magix :banghead::rtfmnospam>:|:mad: :point :think: #-o:rules

Acorn

P.S. the last Smiley has a link.

That post made my night!

The farce continues. The same muck around with the XDA v17.0 > Help > PDF Manual jumping to a Magix link that insists on a full download each and every use.

@Xara - do you actually care at all? Do you actually ever try to use the detritus that you and Magix churn out?

Acorn

P.S. Will a Mod move this to the Dear Xara Forum.

I am wondering if magix logic is their way means that you are always looking at an up to date manual ? - now this may well be more principle than substance as I have no idea how often the manual is updated within a version number, if at all

there is [or at least for me] an option to open the PDF in my default PDF app, and I have downloaded the file for use offline

I have other programs where the help link is online only [and therefore, hopefully at least, up to date], with a seperate option to save/download; the annoyance for me with the magix way, is not going directly into the manual

Quote:

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Originally Posted by handrawn

I am wondering if magix logic is their way means that you are always looking at an up to date manual ? - now this may well be more principle than substance as I have no idea how often the manual is updated within a version number, if at all
there is [or at least for me] an option to open the PDF in my default PDF app, and I have downloaded the file for use offline
I have other programs where the help link is online only [and therefore, hopefully at least, up to date], with a seperate option to save/download; the annoyance for me with the magix way, is not going directly into the manual

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No, there is no logic.If an application links always forces a download without checking that it is new then the logic is utterly wrong.

MagiXara are failing to see that a product and its support are two sides of the same coin. Without either, you have a defaced your currency. Without both, you are a blank commodity.

Acorn

ok well we can argue that both ways - all i said was in principle, magix could update what was available to download if they chose to work that way, and like i said, you can just open the pdf in the browser/viewer, you dont have to download duplicate files - apart from not opening directly i don't see this being significantly different to what happens with photoshop, or for that matter toon boom

Quote:

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Originally Posted by handrawn

ok well we can argue that both ways - all i said was in principle, magix could update what was available to download if they chose to work that way, and like i said, you can just open the pdf in the browser/viewer, you dont have to download duplicate files - apart from not opening directly i don't see this being significantly different to what happens with photoshop, or for that matter toon boom

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My objection is having a defunct submenu option (Help > PDF Manual) that always forces a download. Why should I have to take special measures (as listed) or remember NOT to click an option and go to a safe place to look at a document I frequently access. If the link went to the PDF directly, my browser cache would not download it until there was an update. There is no such option.

Acorn

My thoughts on this subject? Glad you asked...

A PDF manual should be installed when the application is installed. The help menu item for such a PDF should link to that installed copy.

If Xara/Magix desires to ever have a link to the web for a manual, it ought to be a proper html5 version that can be updated and have a full index of terms to aid in searching.

A new PDF should be installed during an update.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mwenz

My thoughts on this subject? Glad you asked...
A PDF manual should be installed when the application is installed. The help menu item for such a PDF should link to that installed copy.
If Xara/Magix desires to ever have a link to the web for a manual, it ought to be a proper html5 version that can be updated and have a full index of terms to aid in searching.
A new PDF should be installed during an update.

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I don't know. Perhaps the decision ought to go to a committee in a room full of elephants that they are overlooking...

Attachment 126585
[Source: https://assets.bwbx.io/images/users/.../v1/-1x-1.jpg; Photo illustration by Justin Metz]

Acorn

@ mwenz

of course ;)

And, as of X17 manual there are NO bookmarks as in previous editions. Oh well....>:|

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Panchdara

And, as of X17 manual there are NO bookmarks as in previous editions. Oh well....>:|

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Truly underwhelming isn't it.

@Xara - please up your game.

Acorn

I just checked the latest Magix Video Pro X. Under Help, it says "Download manual" and this opens the following screen:
Attachment 126590

Is this what happens with Xara 17 and the later version 16?

I am still at 16.2.0.5... so clicking on "Open manual" actually opens the one on my hard drive.

I think that many programs open the manual directly from the internet without downloading it, whereas Xara and other Magix programs do not. The problem with this is that the version may not correspond to the version/update that you actually have (another Update Service problem). There should be a proper place to put the manual and the button (link) "Open pdf manual" should open it. There should also be a "Download pdf manual" button/link that does exactly that and prompts you to replace the existing one.

Unfortunately, in my experience, too many users do not have the computer skills to download, move/put the downloaded file in an appropriate location and put a shortcut on the desktop. Thus, the process should be simplified. It is, after all, the manual for the program.

Also, the manual should have a version number. AFAICS, right now there is no way to know which version you have, no way to know if you have the latest version, no way to know if it corresponds to the installed Xara version, no list of manual versions anywhere, no way to know if an update has been released, and no simple way to know if an updated manual has been installed with a new version (at least, I don't think that there is).

I don't even know if the chm file has been updated to include whatever new features came out in an update. My experience with other Magix products is that the new features show up a couple of updates down the road.

So, Acorn, keep plugging away at getting Xara and Magix to fix this, everywhere.

To any Mod - this really has to go into the Dear Xara Forum (a.k.a. Black Hole).
Thanks.

Guess how I find out changes?
I unpack the CHM file and then have a pile of HTML files that I can perform a DIFF on them.

I see little evidence that the developer is tasked to document changes against Defect Lists that require ancillary changes to other things that are essential to support the change.
If Rob-Xar acts as sweeper-up, it is unfair on his position and wasteful for countless others.

Acorn

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Acorn

To any Mod - this really has to go into the Dear Xara Forum (a.k.a. Black Hole).
Thanks.

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In these very difficult times, here's a ray of light.... https://forum.affinity.serif.com/ind...-want-to-help/