Consistent Default Page Size

**TXUSA** · 05 February 2011, 12:56 AM

I have just switched to using Xara Photo and Graphic Designer 6 for my graphics design needs. Is there any way to create a default page size so that no matter when the program is opened it will always open up to that particular page size?

I am used to working and creating on a full "blank canvas" or pasteboard, rather than using page sizes that Xara seems to prefer. Every time I open the program I have to return to page options to re-set all of my workspace parameters and it gets frustrating after awhile.

For example, my preferred page settings are as follows: Page Size=A0 (which provides me all white space to work in); Outer Margin=0in [8in is always automatically pre-set by the program]; and I always choose Landscape, but the automatic pre-set is always Portrait.

There should be a way for the user to control how the workspace appears each time the program is opened, but I can't find any kind of way to make my page settings "once" and then have those settings be the default from there on out. It's just frustrating and time consuming to go into Options every time I open the program and have to re-set everything all over again. Xara is a very robust program, but it should allow the end user a bit more personal control over how he or she wishes to interact with it. It would certainly be a time saver for any busy designer.

**James Allen** · 05 February 2011, 01:11 AM

Set up your page exactly as you like, including size, orientation, margins, and in Options you can choose your unit and nudge sizes, duplication distance, etc.

Go to File/Save Template and check the “Use as default template" box there, and give the page a name before saving.

From then on it should open as your default page.

*Edit - to alter page size (to AO etc), you go to Options/Page.

**TXUSA** · 05 February 2011, 04:21 AM

James: Thank you. I am now a happy camper, and along with your help on a couple of previous hurdles I was trying to get over, I am on my way to thoroughly understanding and enjoying what the program has to offer. It's a fun and challenging trip. Chalk it up to the frustrations of re-training the brain to forget the old ways of doing things from my previous program and learning the new ways offered by PGD 6. Thanks for your patience, professional assistance, and kindly tips and advice. Keep up the good work you all do. Glad I made the choice to go with Xara.

**James Allen** · 05 February 2011, 05:39 AM

That’s great Tex, and when you do find something not right, give us a holler and someone here will help out. Answers are often a couple of keystrokes away, and I’m still learning about them too.