BACKGROUND
Xara, back in the day, created a thing of wonder with the concept of the Support Folder. Yet, probably, only the originator (Charles Moir?) or the original developer knew or might not have realised what its full potential could be.

Drop a large number of MP4s onto the design page and they are magically added into a Design Folder in the same location as the design file.
Only when you export or publish website does the knitting together take place and everything in the Support Folder is copied across into the index_htm_files folder.
You only have to worry about the upload time!

REAL-WORLD PROBLEMS
The confusing point to many is that even if added in, then deleted and never saved, the asset is there and remains in the Support Folder.
It then follows that with a publish, these large files get uploaded regardless! Is his why your site takes forever?
Knowing this one fact allows you to take charge of your content.

Xara has a number of importers that additionally add in additional content.
You now know where to look and see what is happening your your design.

THE OVER-COMPLICATION
Strangely, a PDF Link add just the PDF document but then goes to all the trouble of creating a Placeholder with the following code:
Code:
<a href="index_htm_files/P3041071.pdf"><img src="https://webdesigner.xara.com/pdficon_large.png" border="0"></a>
Without web access, you have a dead image and it has rubbish resolution.

Create your own form a symbol or other design. I would use an SVG and drop it into the Support folder.
Then change the placeholder to:
Code:
<a href="index_htm_files/P3041071.pdf"><img src="index_htm_files/pdf.svg" border="0"></a>
I actually just create a Link on some object and path there instead: index_htm_files/P3041071.pdf.

TAKING CONTROL
The trick is knowing that you do not have to use an large MP3/MP4, PDF, SWF or other large file to create the Support Folder, a blank file suffices.
  • I select a text label LOG and in Web > Properties > Link > Link to file, link to log.txt and Accept.
  • The attached design file goes into greater detail.
  • Having saved the design file, log.txt is the proud occupant of a vast Support Folder.
  • Drop your images, sounds and videos there and all you need do is add a link to index_htm_files/filename and you can download it.
  • Wrap it in an <img> tag and you can see it.
  • Better, Image Filename an object or thumbnail and this is replaced with the full strength image.
  • Wrap it in an <audio> tag and you can play it.
  • Wrap it in a <video> and you can view it.

Yes you need to understand some HTML but Xara's Placeholders show you how to improve its offerings.

GOING FURTHER
What I discovered is that if you put jQuery version 3.6.0 into the Support folder and name it jquery.js, this overwrites the version 1.11.1 Xara still bundles.
Some image sliders will fail but you have overcome around three jQuery security issues with such a stale version.
You can also create sub-folders and this is perfect for images, code and styling content.

ONE APPROACH
Xara - Bootstrapping the Support Folder.zip is a ZIP with a design file and its associated Support Folder.
The design file is sufficient to create its Support Folder but you can use it for link the three labels to save time.

The file does very little; it is here to show the principle.

I already posted an External Slider using these concepts...

Acorn