How would you draw the MarketPlace Logo?

Using the Mould Tool (as Gary suggested), you can get quite a decent result.

But, how do you go about separating all the individual squares?

I tried: Convert to Editable Shapes, then Ungroup. But, that doesn't separate all the squares.
However, you can CTRL+Click to select individual squares. Not ideal, but it does work.

I've used the Mould Tool for, both, the front and the rear set of squares.
Not quite like the original, but, I got fairly close!
I've just added some quick shading for effect.

What do you think?

Well done Rik. In fact, VERY WELL DONE!

That's a good attempt Rik. I know I am being a bit of a pain here but that is a job for Illustrator CS2 and above using 3D effects onto a circle, saving your squares as a symbol which are drawn straight across the page. Go back into an edit of your 3D sphere and then mapping your squares onto that. You would have to rotate your symbol to achieve the look that you wanted and maybe change the lighting a bit as well but that would be it. Sorry I forgot to mention the stray squares on the R/hand side you could either expand your ribbon effect and scale or shear or just add them on manually using pen tool. I know I am out of order here as the question referred to a Xara drawing but when I see something could be done really easier in another piece of software I would use that.

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Originally Posted by Albacore

That's a good attempt Rik. I know I am being a bit of a pain here but that is a job for Illustrator CS2 and above using 3D effects onto a circle, saving your squares as a symbol which are drawn straight across the page. Go back into an edit of your 3D sphere and then mapping your squares onto that. You would have to rotate your symbol to achieve the look that you wanted and maybe change the lighting a bit as well but that would be it. Sorry I forgot to mention the stray squares on the R/hand side you could either expand your ribbon effect and scale or shear or just add them on manually using pen tool. I know I am out of order here as the question referred to a Xara drawing but when I see something could be done really easier in another piece of software I would use that.

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Many users (including me) have Illustrator.
However, I wouldn't know how to do any of what you kindly explained.
If you wanted, you could do a small tutorial (simple steps) and then I would see what you mean?
And actually learn something.

There's a Graphics Chat forum. You could post your tutorial there and develop our skills.
Particularly if there are others like me who tried Illustrator, and couldn't get on with it. And your tutorial may just get me/them started.
If you know what I mean?

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But, how do you go about separating all the individual squares?

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Rik, select the mould, convert to editable shapes, un-group (perhaps un-group again) break shapes ;)

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Originally Posted by Egg Bramhill

Rik, select the mould, convert to editable shapes, un-group (perhaps un-group again) break shapes ;)

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I don't know what I may have been doing wrong?
But, ungroup seems to work without any problems, now.

The original is on the left, and my drawing is on the right.

Apart from the 10 squares on the right (including the ones that seem to be flying off), all the rest were done using the Mould Tool method.
I was quite pleased that the squares that intersect the grey square, are reasonably well positioned.

My late offering:

Attachment 118408

I have used the Mould Tool as well but failed to count the vertical columns correctly so I had extra squares to delete.

I digressed into creating an entire sphere so I could get the curvature right but it would go round the left corner properly.

Lots of last minute fudging so definitely not as automated as I wanted; I even tried the Xara built-in Tracer :<(

Acorn

Nicely done, Acorn.

I think I prefer the 'mould' method.
For me, the horizontal and vertical spacing in between all the squares adjust accordingly. If you know what I mean?!