February 2013 Guest Tips and Tricks - Making Surreal Backgrounds with Xara Fractals

[Gare]

I can't/won't take credit for the attached, either, a vector version of the Linux Penguin. There are at least three vector clipart websites that offer the same drawing for free in svg file format, but none of them credit an artist. Sad.... All I did was import it to Xara: the use of gradients to create the cartoon character is wonderfully inspired and I think every Xara artist can learn from it by examining the shapes.



And a big thanks to whoever originally created it!

My Best,

Gary

[stygg2003]

Thanks for sharing Gary, simple shapes and gradients to make a striking image. It's a great image.

Stygg

[Gare]

What we have in digital art today is a meme called "The glass button look". And the Linux penguin relies heavily upon this simple but effective set of steps that I've attached and annotated.



It's trendy, and like any trend, it soon grows boring as everyone copies it. But if you need a quick interesting-looking, dimension button, it takes three steps.

-g

[dcahall]

Thanks for sharing both of these Gare. The second one is very similar to some things that were in your book. When I started looking at the penguin, it reminded me of some of the steps I took to do that bronze boy but much more sophisticated.

It is wonderful how people are willing to share on this forum.

[dcahall]

@Stygg I also wanted to thank you for sharing that wonderful water scene. I took that thing apart and you have really given me some insight for future work. Your tutorial has certainly generated a lot of interest and spread some real knowledge.

I look forward to future tutorials.

BTW: I really like those trees that were in your image. Now I have to see if I can learn to do something like that as well.

[Gare]

It is wonderful how people are willing to share on this forum.

Then help spread the word, Dave. If a friend invites a friend to come around, eventually Xara can support itself with new registered users.

I try to remind myself not to be political on TalkGraphics, but we need to remember our Gracious Sponsor once in a while, too!

Even if no one buys anything, I like classrooms to be full. I can hear when there's some empty seats each month.




That was a joke.

-g

[dcahall]

Then help spread the word, Dave. If a friend invites a friend to come around, eventually Xara can support itself with new registered users.

I try to remind myself not to be political on TalkGraphics, but we need to remember our Gracious Sponsor once in a while, too!

Even if no one buys anything, I like classrooms to be full. I can hear when there's some empty seats each month.




That was a joke.

-g

Not really a joke......I agree that we need to spread the good word. I mention Xara every chance I get (even in public places like Best Buy) any time anyone mentions graphics. After you guys opening my eyes, I will now expand my opportunities to conversations about art/digital art as well.

[Gare]

@Dave—

Just make sure you don't get your butt kicked out of Best Buy (otherwise known as the Showroom for Newegg.com) by recommending Xara when they have MyFirstDrawingProgram on sale there for $29!

It's not so much "commercialism" as it is "evangelism", which every company puts out for these days, especially Adobe Systems.

In a tough economy (and I suppose this is preaching, sorry!) folks like us who use graphics software take a hit just like everyone else does in other segments of the economy when a "Little Guy" fails, disappears. I'm not ashamed in the least to say that when I need something for around the house, I'll go to K-Mart first. Why? Because if K-Mart tanks (and it looks as though Sears might go first), it cuts down on the selection one has to comparison shop. ultimately, we help create a monopolistic atmosphere in the market place when we spend in a casual fashion, when in reality, value and savings are more important than ever.

To bring it home, I think Xara has to survive as a software vendor if we are to enjoy diversity in tools in the years to come. Oh, yeah, it's a terrific product, too (!), but it's a pretty well-marked path between action and reaction when we patronize and support by recommendation a product we need and use.

To get this thread back on track and to let me to put my public address system back in the box, I'm attaching a Xara file with four bitmap textures inside, and they seamlessly tile, so there is no reason why you can't treat them in a composition just like a fractal fill. The only real difference is that fractal patterns generated inside of Xara Designer result in a saved Xara file that is very small.



Look at the last page in this document and see how in stages I distorted and bumped on texture, then saved as a bitmap copy so I could continue the fun, and the result I think is an interesting rough sidewalk sort of look.

My Best,

Gary

[dcahall]

Interesting fills. How do I add them to the Fill Gallery?

Is there a way for me to add my own creations to the Design Gallery?

[dcahall]

How do you create those bitmap fills?