help with final image

[coldwetnoz]

When I finished my first non-tutorial project, it looked great in Xara. But when I opened it as a jpeg or looked at it in the files where I saved it, it's off center and not all of the image is there. How can it be so different than the way it looked when I saved it? How can I correct this?

Thanks
pslane
Xara Photo and Graphic Designer 7
screenshot attached

[angelize]

The second jpeg you attached here (xara11.jpeg) looks good how did you export that one differently from the first? Where are you opening the jpeg? in Xara? Are there any objects in the drawing that have bounding boxes that extend past the background? or any transparent objects forgotten on the page around the drawing? either of those scenarios will cause extra white space when you export as a jpeg because jpeg format doesnt support transparency.

[coldwetnoz]

I didn't see anything on the Xara screen except the image that looks good. Even when I saved it in xar, it came out like that when I looked at the thumbnail in the file folder. It must have happend when I made a background, then copy/pasted my flower onto the new background.

[wizard509]

Hi coldwetnoz,
I think Frances hit the nail on the head. You must have had a transparent object that you could not see there also, and selected both when you exported.

[coldwetnoz]

Yes I guess that's what happened. But I did look at my layers and didn't see anything. Played around with the background a bit and I got it right. How can you tell there's a transparent object there? Also, is it always better to make your background canvas on the image canvas? I made one on a separate canvas and copy/pasted it on the original image. I think that's where I messed up. Anyway, I did finish it and it looks halfway good.

Thanks!

[angelize]

To check for transparent objects you need to set the view quality slider (on the top bar between the magnet icon and the zoom factor drop down) all the way to the left for outlines and you will see outlines of everything on the page. I hope this helps.

[coldwetnoz]

Yes, it helps and I'll know what to do next time. Thanks.

[wizard509]

The view quality slider can be very helpful sometimes and not just to check for transparent objects but also if you need to select a transparent object that can sometimes be the only way.

[handrawn]

one alternative: in selection tool you can use tab key to select objects in turn - and you can note where the boundary handles are for each object including transparent ones, as you go

[coldwetnoz]

That's alot of good answers. I hope I can find the hidden object next time. Or better yet, don't create a hidden object. Speaking of final images, what do you pros do when you get done with a project before you save? Do you group? I tried conbining shapes and it went weird on me. In other software I use, I have to merge everything at the last. ~Thanks again.