Color Fill Line Drawing XaraXtreme 4

**Crooked Eye** · 18 October 2009, 03:35 AM

I am new to Xara although I have had it for a while I am renewing my artistic ventures. Any how, I recently finished a line drawing of a dog as part of a dog tutorial. It is composed of several line segments but I can not figure out a way how to fill the drawing with a color. The image is closed. I have tried to convert the lines to a shape but that hasn't worked. I would appreciate any help.

Also, I know there are several workbooks. Is there a series that will take me through ALL the Xara features? Thanks in advance.

Dave

**iamtheblues** · 18 October 2009, 05:07 AM

Hi Dave, if your line is not connected you will see a message in the status bar telling you this.
If it is connected the message will show this too. When all lines are connected, the shape will automatically fill with colour (default is black).
If you can post your .xar file, we can see if there's a problem.
Saludos,
Bob.

**Crooked Eye** · 18 October 2009, 05:52 AM

Thanks, I will attach the file for your review.

Dave

**steve.ledger** · 18 October 2009, 06:10 AM

Hi Dave, Welcome to TG.

I'm afraid none of your lines are joined, yes they 'touch' but they are not joined to create a single closed path which will allow a fill.

To help you understand, please review this Video tutorial from Egg:

**iamtheblues** · 18 October 2009, 06:12 AM

Dave, I have attached a modified version of your file, which shows where the lines are not connected. What I would advise is drawing a continuous outline of the dog shape, which will fill with colour when all joined up. This outline (shape) can be put behind your cute drawing (Ctrl + B) and then given the colour of your choice. This way you will still see all of the lines you previously drew.
Edit: I see I've been beaten to it! The video will show you how to draw a continuous outline.
Saludos,
Bob.

**a4hire** · 18 October 2009, 06:41 AM

I would leave your lines just as they are. Most of the line work I do is just that, line work, and then for color draw a shape with the continuous outline and make it the color you want it to be and then set it to no outline, or line width of zero. And then move it behind the line work. This allows you to have different stroke shapes for your line work and have color too.

**handrawn** · 18 October 2009, 09:17 AM

I agree with Bruce that you do not need to redraw it - I wouldn't. Here is an alternative to his suggestion [that involves no redrawing at all]

First: you have left one gap at the ear top that needs to be patched with a line [ see attachment - I did this in red to highlight - you should use the same color brown as the rest]

Once you have done this follow these steps:

select all
arrange menu: click 'convert line to shape'
arrange menu>combine shapes: click 'add shapes'
edit menu: click 'copy' to copy it to the clipboard
arrange menu: break shapes
select everything and change the color
deselect everything
edit menu: click 'paste in place' to paste the clipboard copy back where it came from

there is more than one shape created so you should select everything and duplicate, then drag the duplicated shapes out to investigate what you have, that you can usefully use

drawing all the way round in one go is good practice - but you don't have to sweat it upfront, especially if you like to use the freehand tool

**Egg Bramhill** · 18 October 2009, 02:44 PM

Don't know if this is the same way as Steve J's suggestion but here's a cheap and cheerful way to do it.

**Crooked Eye** · 18 October 2009, 07:31 PM

My sincere thanks to everyone who took the time to help me, I appreciated all the suggestions and video. FANTASTIC HELP EVERYONE

**cmpan1** · 18 October 2009, 11:56 PM

I'm noticing (for me at least) that a lot more of the help provided by the admins and senior members here is answered with short videos.

I just wanted to say thanks for the time and effort you folks take to do this. I truly hope that XARA understands, and shows their appreciation to you. And, that one of the main reasons for their devoted user base is greatly due to the support received here in this forum.

There's nothing more frustrating or annoying then spending a LOT of money on some of the so-called big aps.... then when there's a problem, you have to fill out a 'support ticket', or there are no decent forums to speak of.

Again thanks so much to all who give their time to help out the beginner Xara uses become proficient in using the app.

Cheerio from a Yank

Cliff