Exporting Files

[eagle]

We have regular trouble exporting files created in Xara X to Adobe Illustrator (ai.eps) format or more importantly anything that can be read on Mac. Is there something we are missing here or is it just one of those PC/Mac things? [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img] andrew.bird@hunterplastics.co.uk

[eagle]

We have regular trouble exporting files created in Xara X to Adobe Illustrator (ai.eps) format or more importantly anything that can be read on Mac. Is there something we are missing here or is it just one of those PC/Mac things? [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img] andrew.bird@hunterplastics.co.uk

[gwpriester]

Eagle

I'm not sure why you decided to ask your question in the form of a poll?

Xara can only export to Illustrator 7.0 (Mark G correct me if I am wrong). And even Illustrator 9.0 cannot support most of Xara's better effects.

Your best bet is to export your file as a TIFF at the desired resolution. A TIFF converts your document into a bitmap image which can be read by just about any program in the known universe. 300-600 dpi is about as fine as you need to get.

Xara, alas, only exports an RGB TIFF, but Sean Sedwards has posted a freeware utility called X-Port CMYK that you can download from the XaraXone Shareware Page (an excellent resource for all things Xara by the way) that can convert your RGB TIFF to CMYK TIFF.

You can also try Xara's native EPS file format.

Or you can create a PRN printer file. See
WebXealot #26 for an overview on creating a PRN file. A service bureau or commercial printer can print directly from a PRN file without having to print out of QuackXPress, or other page layout programs.

Gary

Gary Priester

Moderator Person

Be It Early So Humble...

[Mark Goodall]

Xara X exports of AI files in version 7 format. This does not support transparency, alpha channel bitmaps etc ( they have only just discovered them in version 9). So you may have problems if you use these features and expect them to be imported as you might expect. For instance vector objects may become bitmaps where transparency is used.
Otherwise the Xara X AI export and import does do a reasonably good job, working within the limitations of AI.
If you are importing into Photoshop and don't care about editability then Xara X EPS export is a good option.
Obviously bitmap exports will work well.

Mark Goodall
Xara Ltd