Xara Designer Pro x 16 new install and update.

I had XDPX11 on my old computer. (actually one of the few programs it could still run :D)

Installed XDP11 on my new machine and today I installed XDPX16.

The program offered to UPDATE (saying something about 365 support?)

I downloaded the update but have not installed it yet.

1. Where is this download put (not in my downloads folder, or in the programs folder)

2. Are the Updates (143mb download) permanent to my xdpx16 installation? Or do they stop working after 365 days?

3. If a year and a half from now I have to reinstall, will I be able to install that update if I want it?

I've been out the loop a while. I thought the 365 had to do with the online collaborative building of websites. I guess that's not right...that's Xara Cloud... So then 365 is just for support? or updates?

About me...how I use the product.
Used Xara product for so many yeats. Graphics and diagrams mostly. I have also built websites in .xar files, but never in an online platform that allowed collaboration with others. I still have no interest in doing that. Though a magix website has been included with my upgrade purchase, I wont be using their hosting.

Hi Samantha

The update is probably in your Downloads folder. It is a matter of where you normally download files to. My default is my desktop, but this varies by user.

In the US, you can go to https://www.magix.com/int/support/my-service-center/ sign in and go to a page with your purchased products and if necessary download a clean version.

With the 365 support, the product you purchased is always there to use. But the access to the Online Content Catalog, and updates and bug fixes stop after the 365 days.

I began using Xara products way back with 2004/2005 xara xtreme, webstyle 4, 3d, etc. I am familiar with logging into my account to see my purchases and re-downloading if necessary or find serial numbers. :D I know I can get the software back later if needed.

All these years, I have enjoyed using Xara products. I backed away from online activity and haven't bought upgrades since version 11. This is the first new version I've had in years. In past versions, I always got a CD, with loads of content, templates, etc. This version installed in less than a minute. (maybe because I already had version 11 in the computer). In past versions, even if I reinstalled on a computer, the program always searched for updates and asked if I wanted to install them, even if years after purchase. There was no limit on how long those updates were available. Liked having resources on CD. Available when and if I needed it, at no further cost, UNLESS I purchased additional web packs,etc.

In part, you said "and updates and bug fixes stop after the 365 days."

My concern is the availability of the update content that arrived after the program was installed today.

Please clarify: If 425 days from now I have to reinstall the software for whatever reason...
- will the update that just came in be available to me again since I received it in that initial 365 day window?
Or if I reinstall I wouldn't get the update I just put in because it is beyond the 365 days since purchase?
- does it mean the update features added to the program will continue to function or cease functioning at day 366?
- I understand online content will not be available after 365 days. Guess I better spend time downloading from online so I have it available later should I need it.

Before posting here, I looked in the downloads folder, it was empty, no update. Nothing placed on desktop either.
What is the file extension used on updates? I know the approx size but not name or extension to do a search for it.
If I download from websites, email, etc I know where those go.
However, XDPX16 did not put the update into the downloads for or any place I can find.
I would like to put it with my copy of the install file for future use, especially if it will not be offered in the future.

(Reference:) This is what is in the update:
PDF Auto Bleed
New Line charts and improved chart handles
Paragraph Background Colours
Link to SmartField URL option

Improvements:
Panorama Maker program has been updated with various improvements
PDF manual is now a download link. This is to reduce installer file size.
Objects will now remember their angle of rotation
SVG filter improved
Added post-import colour and style processing
Added double/triple/quadruple click and drag within text
And more than 30 other fixes and improvements.

if it is the automatic update of the program, that goes into windows temp and is deleted after install - to save you would need to look at the details of the UAC dialog, the windows box that dims the screen and asks if you want to install, note the path, navigate to it and save out, before proceding with the install

actual program installers such as panorama studio should be in a magix folder in your documents folder, the xara program installer may ask if you want them saved there

ah thank you.

I did find the program installers for PS and content and moved to a safe location for future use.
Unfortunately, I did not get the install file for the update before it installed. Now only a CACHE file remains in my AppData folder, not helpful for the future.

So my original concern remains...
If my program requires a reinstall on this or another machine after 365 days have passed, would I get offered that same update I just applied without having to pay for it? In previous versions of the software the answer would be yes. In version 16 with this 365 day pay plan?

If I seem paranoid about this issue, please know it comes from reality not just worry.
The last NEW machine I bought was in 2015, a dell laptop. After spending time updating, installing, moving files personalizing the system, the hard drive died at 5 months. With that machine, I attempted to merge all my older backups, prune clean resources into one trimmed usable resource. Lost everything on that drive, could not be salvaged.. I bought a fresh backup drive, had set up my backup software to run that evening. Never got a chance. The drive died 2 hours before scheduled backup. I moved back to my old nasty 2010 model when Dell would not stand behind their product. Finally got a new laptop. Trying again.

The version you bought and just downloaded will be the one you will be able to download in perpetuity.
Try the download here: https://www.xara.com/us/designer-pro/download/.

Run the application and in the Local Designs gallery, right-click on the blue folders or text and pick Download All. This will put all of the Xara content into the Cache folder.
This is what you would lose access to after expiry of the Update Service. Back it up elsewhere too.

Xara may be delivering a v17.0 in the next few weeks and you would not be entitled to it and you would revert back to v16.3.1 or an reload after the expiry date. You could use it and its upgrades forever if your machine never broke but you know the chances of that already.
Write to it and complain that this is unfair. They might bump you up to v17.
Also watch out for v17+ new features; they are honey traps as will probably not work in v16.3.1 so you are coerced into renewing.

Most of what I advise in https://www.talkgraphics.com/showthr...-Service-Cover is still valid across current applications and versions.

Acorn

uninstall

reinstall, as it updates captures the update ;)

Acorn Thank you for excellent info.
I will follow your instructions for both backup and the v17. I will definitely review your link.

handrawn. Yes. I was considering that.
Might try loading on the old monster machine just to get the UPDATE pack. Then uninstall.
Thanks. :D

Thank you all for assisting me.

I have been reading the other thread advised by Acorn re: the change to the service update and how the online content is handled. Gracious sakes much has changed with Magix/Xara since my version 11. I had no idea.

My first impression is how sad.

The Xara products have always been lovely. And I was happy to recommend them to clients and friends. I bought web designer versions so I could support others and kept the PRO version for my own use, upgrades, knowing that each time I was getting the CD with all the resources that came with each program. I didn't hesitate to buy v16 when I got the new computer. Just on my list of normal things to do.

This time, the CD Designer Pro X version 16 only has the base program. When I clicked the Local Designs Gallery in the program, it was empty even though I installed from the CD. I clicked each blue folder. Empty. Used to be you got a ton from the CD install, more than the download version, then you supplemented with online content. It never dawned on me that the CD install would not load content. It always has in my experience. Acorn's instruction to download all is a life saver. Without doing that I would have been left with NO content after 365. It is slow to download, but it is coming in. I might not have checked this aspect of the program for a while, and then it might have been too late to get it all. THANK YOU.

I attached a pic of the local design galleries.
Each blue folder was empty, only offered + more online... (just like E-books and Presentations in the pic)
huge surprise to find nothing in the folders after a cd install
Attachment 126433

@Xara - if you don't yet understand what your Customers experience, this is an accurate summary:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by samrc

...Without doing that I would have been left with NO content after 365. It is slow to download, but it is coming in. I might not have checked this aspect of the program for a while, and then it might have been too late to get it all.

---

It is painful for me to see this time and again.

It should not be left to luck, guesswork or TG.

Acorn

@Xara I paid extra for a CD of version 16 as I have always done, expecting the full program and all the resources.
If the CD just has the same empty install file, why charge me extra for it.
That was a total rip off.
And a true disappointment.
Several hours later the program is not done pulling in content from online. It appears complete, no longer says "downloading". Then I check content and still find + more online... under folders. I have had to click download all several times. VERY poor delivery system. Especially compared to past performance by the same company. And no, its not my internet connection. It is solid and stable. Very sad change to a really nice product. Even without using version 16, I am unimpressed with the program and the company behind it.

By the way, I installed XDPX version 11 from my CD on the same new machine. Though I have not used it yet, and have not tried to update or download anything into it, the design gallery is loaded with content. This is what I expected from my new version 16.

The download all completed after several attempts.

I see that the online content also contains symbols, in the list above "First Look". That does not appear to be in the design gallery. I wandered and found icons, but they are not the symbols online.

Other than one by one importing symbols (glass, music, etc), is there a faster way to get them into my program? What a pain and waste of time putting together the basics of the program as offered...

Samantha, try Insert > Symbol for Font Awesome & Material Icons. Works in two modes: Text Tool adds as a glyph; other, adds as a Grouped Shape.

You also have the Online Content Catalogue > Symbols.

There is some overlap.

Acorn

thank you

Hi samrc, I'm sorry you've had to trawl thru the other threads in search of some answers to your Update Service questions. In fact there is an FAQ here in TG, see https://www.talkgraphics.com/showthr...ting-Explained that gives some plain English answers. I hope that helps if you have any remaining questions!

Kate Moir @ Xara

be nice if someone thought to link this during the installation - especially during the trial...

Webmaster:
Thank you.

@Xara
As a long-term Xara customer, I have 3 major issues with this document you posted.
#1 If I had not posed the questions, I would not have seen this document. It would not have been provided to me.
It should have been available to me as a direct link during the installation, or on the opening splash page or a line item under the HELP menu. Xara tells me about updates, upgrades, the cloud advertisement, why not about this important 365 day countdown that limits the use of the program?

#2 The document says

Quote:

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Do nothing, the Update Service expires and you will no longer receive any new features. The feature updates you have installed over the past 365 days will continue to run indefinitely, HOWEVER if you re-install your product on a new computer after the Update Service has expired then the new installation will fall back to the version you last purchased.

---

This is not accurate. The last version I purchased is version 16 just a few days ago in FEBRUARY 2020. After installation of my new version 16 on my new computer, an update brought me to 16.3.0.57723. That update was published in OCTOBER, 2019. On thedate of purchase, I bought a program AND that update since that update was already available/published. It did NOT get published DURING my 365 service days. So if I have to reinstall the program I am owed that update also.
This issue is exactly why I posed the question "will the update that arrived AFTER my install be available if I have to reinstall?"
That question is still on the table. What will happen @Xara?

#3 The version 16 program did not install with content, even though installed from the CD (paid extra for it). I bought a CD because every Xara version I have owned, I installed from the CD to load basic content (bitmaps, fills, styles, themes, etc). Then once the program was running, you could choose to load more content from the online options.
So after installation, I clicked "Help > Download content installer and Panorama Studio". I knew this must be the way to bring in the content to the new program. Right? Well No. Fonts and Fills. That's it. I was stunned to find the Galleries were still empty. No templates, no clip art, no anything.
I paid for a complete program with content. Options. Features. To find out that the only content is stored in an online catalog, is only available to me while I pay you is shocking. Once I understood the catalog limits, I downloaded content to my computer and will copy for future use. Even in that, it took many tries to get the content into the computer. I used the "Download All" option And it would appear that it was finished only to find that no, there is still more content. Misleading. (and please don't blame it on the machine or the internet connection. One is brand NEW and the other is solid and stable)
If I had just started to use the program to edit existing files, or making some vector drawings, it might have taken me a while before I noticed the lack of content in the galleries. I might not have known until it was too late to bring it in and lost it because your company would cut my connection to the only catalog.
Your current model is a rip off. Designed to trick a customer into renewing the service update so they can keep what they already bought. More than 15 years experience with Xara products, lots of purchases, lots of recommendations to others that also bought. I have yet to delve into the program yet. Spent so much time just trying to set it up. I am saddened, disappointed and very unhappy with this purchase so far.

As to what other companies are doing...
I also upgraded some Corel products this month with my new computer. When you click on the small download file it installs the program then begins a second download. That file arrives in the same folder that held the small primary download. The second file was almost 600MB. THE CONTENT. So I had the program and the content. Both can be found without searching the bowels of the computer, both can be saved and used for future installs. Simple Easy. Right. What I paid for.

Hi Samantha

#1 If I had not posed the questions, I would not have seen this document
We created this document for TalkGraphics members. We've posted a link to it in Announcements and the moderators have been briefed to link to it as soon as any question is raised about the Update Service to try and prevent exactly the sort of meandering and sometimes confusing answer we've seen in this thread! Acorn prefers to point to his own thread, Magix prefer to point to their own generic Update Service page but this TG FAQ is tailored to the exactly the questions we see asked in Xara support (with input from the moderators, and if I remember rightly Acorn) and it's hopefully clearer than both!

#2 "if you re-install your product on a new computer after the Update Service has expired then the new installation will fall back to the version you last purchased."
If you purchased in February, when you reinstall after expiry you will get 16.3, the version current on the day you registered. If you download it from download.com or whatever, and it's older, it will auto-update to 16.3.

#3 All content is now online, it should appear automatically and immediately in the Online Content Catalog as soon as your register you copy. You don't have to click download or anything else to see the content (not since v7 anyway!). The same goes for any content we release while your Update Service is current. I don't know why this has not worked for you. I'm not clear if you can now see it all, if not I recommend you contact Magix support @ https://support2.magix.com/customer/. You can download anything you see in the Online Content Catalog to your local computer, then you will see it in the Local Designs Gallery.

"as to what other companies are doing..." Yes, we all do it differently. Adobe for example has a different model, where obviously you lose access to everything, program and all, when your subscription expires. We have all made our different decisions about the best way forward, and what we must all try our best to do is explain how our model works.

I hope that makes things clearer.

Kate @ Xara

as usual, and understandably, we get the company line from kate [nice to hear from you btw :)]

but the issue is not being able to see the content online, it's having it on the users computer so that after active update service expiry it is not lost

plus the fact that, any updates to the program beyond 16.3 issued during active update service will be lost if the program is [re]installed on another computer; 'another computer' can be something as simple, and commonplace, as the same computer with a new SSD...

yes you do do things differently as is your right, but it is very confusing, notwithstanding the FAQs

I'm pretty sure I posted to this thread yesterday. It seems to have been removed. I would say that I made some accurate, mostly relevant remarks without resorting to insults, abuse or bad language. The plain unvarnished truth, if you will. It seems to have been unilaterally removed by persons unknown. It is quite possible that some of my remarks may have made uncomfortable reading for some, but that is the way of the world. However, I would have wished to see the original post reinstated, but that is a flight of fancy, I fear.

I went out of my way to refrain from any form of ad hominem remarks, but some truths, it appears are best left unsaid hereabouts. It would be infinitely preferable if Mr. Boulton (CEO of the parish of magiXara) were to make a personal statement in this thread to refute or otherwise any of the obviously offensive remarks I seem to have made in that post, but it seems that freedom of speech is not a value that is cherished.

@ Handrawn - yes that's right, access to the content is lost after expiry of the Update Service. And yes updates after the date of purchase are also lost if you reinstall (except for bug fixes, as described in the FAQ).

@ iamtheblues. I deleted it because your off the cuff and I'm sure unthinking reference to corona virus was likely to cause offence to anyone caught up in this serious business (indeed did cause offence, it was a complaint about that which brought me to this thread). Perspective please, there are more important things in life than the operation of our Update Service!

I will close this thread now, I think Samantha's question has been answered.

Kate @ Xara