Xtreme Pro 3.2 & Xtreme 3.2 Released!

[mongarem]

After upgrading to 3.0 pro two months ago, yet another version!
I am a xara-user way back on the Artworks-version for the acorn archimedes (1987)
After getting xara for the PC I was pleased not to see a new version every year ( as with other famous packages).
Now with the introduction of the german partner Magix, it suddenly all changes.
As I am also into digital photography I was initialy pleased with the added RAW_import feature in version 3.2.
After playing with the trial version 3.2 and browsing the program files I did a nasty discovery.
The filter used for importing RAW is dcraw.exe
This is a exellent program for this job.
But it is not a newly written program, I even costs nothing, it is freeware.

See http://www.cybercom.net/~dcoffin/dcraw/

So, I have to pay for added freeware????
This is just one example, big chance that there is other freeware in the system.
For long-time users there should be a minimum fee for this type of upgrade.
In the past xara use to post free 'patches' with added functions.
Nowdays they calling it an upgrade and charge you for it!
Just to please the Magix investers???

A dissepointed fan from Belgium.

[steve.ledger]

The filter used for importing RAW is dcraw.exe
This is a exellent program for this job.
But it is not a newly written program, I even costs nothing, it is freeware.

A good point.

People who shoot RAW are usually fairly keen digital photographers and have a decent enough dcam (low-end cams don't save as RAW) to match.
This being the case they likely have enough RAW developers tools already and would not benefit at all from a RAW import feature added to a vector illustration application. I use Lightroom personally, however aside from the RAW converter/developer that is bundled with the dcam, even the terrific and free PICASA from Google will deal with RAW and save as JPG. Drag'n'Drop from PICASA to XARA is *always* how I import a photo. A perfect solution to finding the right photo for Xara workflow.
So I agree, RAW import is of little value as an update to XARA and not worth paying for.