PNG export -- can't enter DPI number manually

**handrawn** · 12 May 2016, 08:15 AM

diid I ask if you are aware that just because a rendering issue manifests itself in a particular program that does not mean that the cause of it resides in that program

no I don't think I did, because I sort of assumed I didn't need to

you asked why it was, but I think you have made up your mind already

I too respect your opinion...

**David.P** · 12 May 2016, 09:19 AM

A Windows program is expected and required to conform to the Windows GUI, which includes GUI settings like the size of menus, toolbars and dialogs.

A program that does not conform to these requirements has the fault on its side, especially if this has ridiculous effects like not being able to enter certain numbers in certain dialogs.

It is however known that especially Xara with its non-standard, proprietary black GUI that does not respect the user's preferences and settings regarding colors and sizes does not care about personal usability requirements. Instead the attitude at Xara obviously is "You can have any color you want as long as it's black, and you can have any menu font size as long as it is tiny".

All of this is clearly a problem with Xara software only, and not a problem on the user or on the configuration side.

**mwenz** · 12 May 2016, 01:22 PM

So, David, let me get this straight.

One can design for a hi-dpi screen but one cannot design with a hi-dpi screen?

Yep, the GUI needs to be scalable. (And user-configurable at least in the tone of black.) Both have been requested. As far as hi-dpi screens go, smaller software companies have just recently started to do these things. Serif did it just over the last couple versions, Corel is finally there. Adobe got there beginning with the introduction of their CC model, but it too wasn't fully realized for a version or two.

I think hi-dpi scaling of a GUI is a bigger job than people suspect. It isn't as simple as flip a switch and recompile. In some instances (maybe most instances), it takes a complete reworking of the code. That's what it took Adobe for their applications (Photoshop was their easiest to port, InDesign took a complete rewrite).

What Xara are planning in this regard is anyone's guess. Unless Charles or another person from Xara pop in here and let us know they are working on it.

**David.P** · 12 May 2016, 01:48 PM

I partially agree, especially with the

part.

However this issue is not even about redesigning or hi-dpi scaling of a GUI yet. The Windows DPI settings are just different size levels (100%-150%) of a still essentially low DPI GUI. Many applications follow these settings without problem (in fact most classic applications that use standard GUI elements like window decoration and menus). With its proprietary black GUI that does not adhere to any of the above standard elements, Xara however completely fails in this respect.

Additionally, what Xara also has been ignoring since the "dark theme" was rolled out are the window colors and metrics settings of Windows, where you can set your preferred Menu text size and font, inter alia.

A third issue is the one that is the subject of this thread.

**mwenz** · 12 May 2016, 03:06 PM

You mentioned in one of your posts using a hi-res screen. What does that mean?

**David.P** · 12 May 2016, 03:15 PM

My office screen has 105dpi, my laptop is at 147dpi and my external monitor has 185dpi.

A bread-and-butter 19" screen has 86dpi. An iPhone 6 has 326dpi.

**David.P** · 22 June 2016, 06:50 PM

OK. Moved to a 4K screen with Windows 10.

XPGD is UNUSABLE, see screenshot (scaled down 50% in order to somewhat fit in the forum). Everything, particularly toolbar buttons, is 1/4th the size it should be.

http://i.imgur.com/lAcZTOQ.png

Windows scaling is also of course no solution because this reduces the visible drawing quality to 1/4th of what the monitor can display.

Xara REALLY needs to act here.

**Acorn** · 22 June 2016, 07:15 PM

David, you could piggy-back onto this Dear Xara... Thread: http://www.talkgraphics.com/showthre...700#post496700.

Acorn

**David.P** · 22 June 2016, 07:44 PM

Thanks Acorn. Posted over there as well.

**Michael** · 25 June 2016, 07:53 AM

My ussual setup of xara is bare bones i.e. without the fancy dark skin (it's a skin, really)
I do agree with David that there's a lot to be desired concerning the GUI of Xara's program. And, no, I don't want to start the discussion again about the colour of the interface but I do want to stipulate that there are definite rules for a Windows program and that Xara doesn;t meet al the specs. Using Xara on a 10.5 inch screen with HD resolution (Lenovo Yoga for example) is a trade off between usability vs readability. For example; the font used in the menu's is way too small and when you scale up the size through Windows own DPI settings the whole UI of Xara gets distorted.
LibreOffice has a more intelligent way of presenting the user interface where one's able to choose the font and size of the menu and the icon set used for toolbars.
Xara depends heavily on CodeJocks framework which should give its uders freedom over the possibility to choose other styles. I really would like to see if we as a group of users could help Xara to come up with different styles for the skin of the program (and I've made this offer before...) For thos interested; have a look at the innards of the .cjstyles files in ara main folder and a look at the website http://www.codejock.com/ (that's a safe wevbsite, Angelize!)