Offshoot of the Xara Xone creating a Casino poster.

[Egg Bramhill]

I didn't want to distract from Gary's tutorial in his thread so I thought I'd start another to compliment his. Basically this comes about due to Riks idea in post #5 of an alternative method of creating the roulette wheel shape rather than use Gary's blend technique.



Watch in HD

Egg

[pauland]

That's interesting Egg, though I think Gary's method is probably easier to get to grip with.

I don't have access to my Xara software at the moment, or I would give it a go. I can't help but think there has to be an easier way!

In the past I used to make quite a few projects that required circle segments and I used to do it by segmenting circles with a rotated line - quite close to Gary's method and I used to slice them then subtract a circle from the centre to get the shape I wanted.

It's always interesting to see different approaches. Thanks to you and Gary for the videos.

[Albacore]

Yey I would do it your way as well Egg although still slightly different. I would set up in Page Options, General tab, under "angle constraint" the rotation angle. Then I would follow your instructions making the two lines into the double segments using the Shape Editor tool in the correct position with the segment centred at 12 o'clock. Then just rotate holding down Ctrl to constrain the rotation and to copy the segments by "right clicking". I would then just follow your video instructions to make both chequered panels.

Mind you Gary's blend method was refreshing to see and I will try and store in the old grey matter.

[mikeymopar]

...In the past I used to make quite a few projects that required circle segments and I used to do it by segmenting circles with a rotated line - quite close to Gary's method and I used to slice them then subtract a circle from the centre to get the shape I wanted...

that's how i've done it many times in the past too. i did try the roulette wheel both ways and Gary's way will be quicker, at least for me, the SECOND time around
man does Gary ever fly through with those keyboard shortcuts. i'm so used to the top menus or right-clicking on an item(s) that i spend more time writing down all of his keyboard shortcut references in his videos to refer back to for the times that he'll explain how to accomplish something using the shortcut only and i'll have no idea what he did

(i'm trying to get out of "minimum post count " so please be patient with my next few (possibly lame) posts )

[pauland]

You can't help but think that it should be far easier to create a segmented circle (which is really the core of the wheel creation).

[stygg2003]

You can't help but think that it should be far easier to create a segmented circle (which is really the core of the wheel creation).

I've done both Gary's and Egg's vid. tuts. of the Casino poster and found both just as good as each other but I agree you would think there would be an easier way. With that in mind, I've set my grandkids a challenge to see if they can come up with something on the school computers, call it part of their IT education Some really smart kids in that class, put me to shame

Stygg

[theinonen]

There is easier way outside of Xara and it is called polar array.

I have never been big fan of boolean operations or compound shapes and much prefer breaking and joining things manually for more direct control of things. Much of the same simple math like in Garys video still apply but with this approach need only focus on small part.

Personally I would draw circle and then use parallel tool to duplicate the shape 2 times. Then I would draw small line to connect the circles and move the reference point of line into centre of circles. After that copy line 40 times around the reference point, use those copied lines and circles to break each other to get segments from the circles and then join 4 segments that form the checker pattern. Then would only need group those together and once again move reference point into centre of circles.

If you copy that group 20 times around the reference point, you get full circle. If not want full circle, you can just do 360/20=18 and then you have the angle and If want half circle, you use that angle and change quantity to 10. Very easy and fast.

I can then just export to Draw or PDF and import to ArtWorks, Xara or whatever.

[Gare]

man does Gary ever fly through with those keyboard shortcuts. i'm so used to the top menus or right-clicking on an item(s) that i spend more time writing down all of his keyboard shortcut references in his videos to refer back to for the times that he'll explain how to accomplish something using the shortcut only and i'll have no idea what he did

I'm flattered in a nerdy way that you think I fly through the shortcuts. I've been using Xara since 1995 (I think) and I'm impatient enough getting my ideas down on "paper" that I invest the time in a shorter way to accomplish something.

But—and this is a big "but"—there are only so many shortcuts you can memorize until you start getting on public transportation and look for the ESC key when you want the vehicle to stop. I also teach several different programs and I do get them mixed up, as I did this month with Helène's query over Ctrl+Shift+E (incorrectly) being the shortcut to Make stuff into editable shapes.

I will bear in mind to keep the shortcuts onscreen longer if everyone thinks that would help. Time is of the essence with these monthly tutorials: It takes me a good day or two to invent a tutorial, the voice-over is entirely ad-libbed so there's no script to copy shortcuts from, and then the editing, appearing at the beginning which is terrifying, and then editing, editing, editing to polish the sucker.

When I used scripts, everyone told me I was delivering the info at Mach 4 and to slow it down. I thought doing it impromptu would help...note I use "I want you to", "um", and several other "stalls" while I'm trying to think of what I did two days ago to pull off the tutorial.

Which basically leaves me zip time to create a printed transcript. I did them for the first year, but as the tutorials became more involved and my participation in this forum more active, I find I have time to eat a sandwich, but no time to digest it.

I like your car avatar, by the way. I'm bad at guessing year and model, but it's definitely an American car, judging by the styling.

My Best,

Gary

[mikeymopar]

i vote for keeping the tutorials how you're already doing them. i, and i'm sure like all the others that watch them, very much appreciate what you bring here. it has been awesome being able to save your videos and replay them as needed to pick up on all the shortcuts that you use. and while i'm not that good artistic-wise, i do know my way around Xara pretty well save for the shortcuts. right-clicking and the little menu bars have it all too; just longer to find it. in watching your tutes i've learned a few shortcuts that i've actually remembered.....teach an old dog new tricks. now if only i can absorb a smidge of the talent that pours out from the people here thx Gary, et al. for all your time.

(and, yeah. avvie is a pic of my car that i tweaked of course using xara. '68 charger rt that i've owned since '83)