The rotation thing

[ad1066]

Artrage allows for rotating the canvas, for one (I seem to recall Corel Painter does as well, but I could be wrong). To be perfectly honest, I would actually like this to be a feature as well. From an ergonomic point of view, it's easier for me to draw vertical lines than horizontal, and this feature would bring the program a step closer to the experience of drawing on actual paper. I'm willing to wager that most people are not even aware of how often they rotate a piece of paper when they're drawing on it.

If viewing Xara Designer Pro as merely a desktop publishing or web design product, then this feature wouldn't be very useful at all. However, as a vehicle for illustration, especially in concert with a drawing tablet, it makes perfect sense.

So, yeah, +1.

-- Ben

[mwenz]

I didn't know about Artrage. Just went and looked. While I didn't see that one can rotate the canvas itself, I did see that one can rotate the floating panels.

If this is an important issue for anyone and while awaiting Xara to implement such a feature, they can create a "piece of paper" on a layer. Lock the layer and draw away on layers above it. At least visually one would see the "paper" at a pleasant angle to the eye.

fwiw, I do rotate a piece of paper when both drawing and writing. Since 1987, though, I have never had an issue with drawing on a "fixed" piece of "paper" in an illustration program. I guess I'm dualistic thatta way.

I also do not and likely will not use XDP6 for anything other than illustrations. And, as if I had a vote or an influence on Xara's decisions, would rather have them spend time on other features to enhance the vector-side of the program. That doesn't mean I don't think my list of wanted enhancements or features are any more important than anyone else's.

Take care, Mike

[zaphodeist]

Oh come on! Fire! Rotation that important to the majority?! I'd rather see Xara bring in diffusion curves and other vector stuff. Sheesh!

[zaphodeist]

Post I was referring to above has been removed btw

[handrawn]

Hi John

it was a spammer

[zaphodeist]

Hi Steve - I guessed as much and I was the one who reported the post ... but only after reacting. Left my post looking a bit inflammatory though which is why I posted the next post.

I know what I mean

[Big Frank]

I've been using Xara in one form or another for over 10 years and not once can I recall having a gnawing hankering to rotate the workspace, clockwise or otherwise. So, no, I don't see any need for it whatsoever. If you do, yoepie, and if the Xara developers can spare the time I hope they fulfil your dream. But I wouldn't be betting on seeing it any time soon...