Will lack of 4K be the DEATH of Xara?
Hello
I simply can't believe that after all this time Xara Designer Pro still doesn't have a 4K interface. >:^[
BACKGROUND
Look, I personally, like many people who are even remotely serious about graphics I have a large, high resolution screen. e.g. Mine is 4K. To get clear that's 3840 x 2160 pixels.
Now, in order for my other Windows applications to be usable, I have had to set the Windows (v10 x64) scaling to way beyond 100%. In fact 175% scaling is the smallest that I can work with on my 27" monitor. Sorry but if I leave the scaling at 100% then my entire system become unusable, with the text way, way, WAY too small to read.
At least once a year, for the last 5+ years, I have tried to give Xara more money by upgrading. But I refuse point-blank to pay for a horribly blurred interface. So I am stuck, still using Xara Designer Pro 10 which I bought in 2014.
XDP is now on version 16.3, but it still has a blurred interface.
WHY? No other applications that I know of still have this problem! The Microsoft Office Suite, all the Adobe packages (e.g. Photoshop, Illustator etc), Mindjet's Mind Manager, every little utility I use like FastStone Capture and GoodSync... even X1 Search who are barely awake regarding updates... ALL of them have pin-sharp menus and pin-sharp text & graphics everywhere you look.
But not Xara. Oh no... they know better. They know that we don't really need to see sharp graphics. No-no-no, what we customers really need are all kinds of bells & whistles...
WTF? What's WRONG with these people?
Look, I used to be a HUGE fan of Xara. I have used Xara since Xara Studio (1994). It used to be my all-time-favourite application.
But now I utterly despair. What am I missing?
J
Re: Will lack of 4K be the DEATH of Xara?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
shiphen
Hello
I simply can't believe that after all this time Xara Designer Pro still doesn't have a 4K interface. >:^[
BACKGROUND
Look, I personally, like many people who are even remotely serious about graphics I have a large, high resolution screen. e.g. Mine is 4K. To get clear that's 3840 x 2160 pixels.
Now, in order for my other Windows applications to be usable, I have had to set the Windows (v10 x64) scaling to way beyond 100%. In fact 175% scaling is the smallest that I can work with on my 27" monitor. Sorry but if I leave the scaling at 100% then my entire system become unusable, with the text way, way, WAY too small to read.
At least once a year, for the last 5+ years, I have tried to give Xara more money by upgrading. But I refuse point-blank to pay for a horribly blurred interface. So I am stuck, still using Xara Designer Pro 10 which I bought in 2014.
XDP is now on version 16.3, but it still has a blurred interface.
WHY? No other applications that I know of still have this problem! The Microsoft Office Suite, all the Adobe packages (e.g. Photoshop, Illustator etc), Mindjet's Mind Manager, every little utility I use like FastStone Capture and GoodSync... even X1 Search who are barely awake regarding updates... ALL of them have pin-sharp menus and pin-sharp text & graphics everywhere you look.
But not Xara. Oh no... they know better. They know that we don't really need to see sharp graphics. No-no-no, what we customers really need are all kinds of bells & whistles...
WTF? What's WRONG with these people?
Look, I used to be a HUGE fan of Xara. I have used Xara since Xara Studio (1994). It used to be my all-time-favourite application.
But now I utterly despair. What am I missing?
J
While I am 100% (even 175%) behind you, I can use my Xara Desktop applications (XDA) without menus in most cases.
Menu selection slows down most workflows. Luckily, few options go down to the third level.
Even a small Toolbar and its Flyouts are quick and simple to remember. The Button Palette can be use to customise a specific Toolbar.
Most of the Dialogs are non-modal so can be kept open. You can do the same with the Galleries and even the Button Palette.
I have a second smaller second monitor at a lower resolution where I can park these windows and view "at scale".
I also use ZoomIt with its LiveZoom toggle. i use Ctrl+Alt+PageDown for left hand and Alt GR+PageDown for right hand as neither are use in Xara.
On the subject of Key Shortcuts, XDPX has the ability to customise these (Alt-U-H).
Most work out of the box and I am sure Ctrl+F (Bring to Front) is used by most as you quickly set up a cadence with Ctrl+F, Shift+Ctrl+F, Shift+Ctrl+B & Ctrl+B.
I, finally, have a Gaming Keyboard and use M2 > (G1 to G6) M3 > (G1 to G6) to set up common tasks. M2+G1 to open all non-modal Dialogs, M2+G2 to repeat Duplicate, ... M3 calls up support applications from the web or my PC.
I am sure i could get more out of it.
Finally, the mouse is the XDA's best friend. Left and right click select and drags with a smattering of meta-keys and a dash of Tool icons works miracles.
SmartShapes are in my opinion the killer to most good workflows I have developed. Text Inside breaks logic.
Hope this acts as a palliative until Xara reacts.
Acorn
Re: Will lack of 4K be the DEATH of Xara?
Alternatively, get down to Currys and splash your £100+ upgrade cash on a nice 22” screen. Problem solved! ;)
And yes, sadly I do think lack of hi-res support is ending DPX as a professional graphics app.
Re: Will lack of 4K be the DEATH of Xara?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jonopen
Alternatively, get down to Currys and splash your £100+ upgrade cash on a nice 22” screen. Problem solved! ;)
Obviously my Post needed TL;DR at the top...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Acorn
...
I have a second smaller second monitor at a lower resolution where I can park these windows and view "at scale".
...
Acorn ;))
Re: Will lack of 4K be the DEATH of Xara?
Sorry your having a bad day. No one should stick to using one tool, feel free to invest in other programs. :2c
Re: Will lack of 4K be the DEATH of Xara?
alternatively invest in a larger screen say 55 inch, then you might be able to read at native resolution 4K, although you will need to move your head a bit more
Re: Will lack of 4K be the DEATH of Xara?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Acorn
Obviously my Post needed TL;DR at the top...
Acorn ;))
Oops, I missed that line about your second screen. :rolleyes: Can’t say I always understand them, but I do always read your posts! ;) I’ve never used a two monitor setup before but can imagine it could be useful. Off topic, but do you happen to know if built-in intel graphics chips like HD Graphics 4600 support two HD screens without degradation to performance?
Re: Will lack of 4K be the DEATH of Xara?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jonopen
do you happen to know if built-in intel graphics chips like HD Graphics 4600 support two HD screens without degradation to performance?
Short answer, yes it will work just fine.
Longer answer, dual screens work a lot better if they are the same physical size and resolution. I'm presuming the 4600 is laptop graphics and in Extend mode (1 image spanned over 2 screens) you may find it awkward dragging windows from one screen to the other. The keyboard shortcut in Win 10 to chnage dual screen settings is Winkey+P.
Re: Will lack of 4K be the DEATH of Xara?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Chris M
Short answer, yes it will work just fine.
Longer answer, dual screens work a lot better if they are the same physical size and resolution. I'm presuming the 4600 is laptop graphics and in Extend mode (1 image spanned over 2 screens) you may find it awkward dragging windows from one screen to the other. The keyboard shortcut in Win 10 to chnage dual screen settings is Winkey+P.
Hi Chris, thanks for confirming this and the potential pitfalls. Yes, it is a six year old laptop.
Re: Will lack of 4K be the DEATH of Xara?
bear in mind, 'yes' is the general case - ie the chips will support it... that does not guarantee any given implementation will, always best to check the actual computer documentation before you buy anything