No winners other than the praise of other TGers for this one and no solution either so you are on your own.

Get set.

Go!

Using the Timeline 01 SmartShape, which Imports as three Blobs, transform it into something more visual while keeping its original functionality.
I should be able to increase the number of Blobs, release and return back to the number presented and the same frieze pattern would persist.

Here are my suggestions: Xara Timeline 01 - Frieze Challenge.xar.
Note: the slow loading of the file into your Xara Desktop application (XDA) is down to the heavy coding Xara has had to use with its SmartShapes. The file is only 120kB.

You will also get plaudits in describing your approach as a viable workflow.

Acorn