Resizing images

[Egg Bramhill]

Spot on HD.

[charliescoffee]

I tried unclicking the Smart Transformation a while ago and saving as a template but it didn't work, HOWEVER, I tried it again and now it seems to have saved the change in my default template. However the change occurred, thank you!

[Acorn]

I tried unclicking the Smart Transformation a while ago and saving as a template but it didn't work, HOWEVER, I tried it again and now it seems to have saved the change in my default template. However the change occurred, thank you!

The Smart transform setting is for the application and not the template, the Save template does not include Smart transform.

Decide what you prefer to work with, set it once and forget.

Acorn

[handrawn]

I did wonder....

[browj2]

Maybe I am misunderstanding something here, but this is what I see and do.

In the image below, I have an imported image. Note the end of the arrow that points to the circular rotation handle at the mid top. When you see this, you are in Resize mode. The corner handles will resize the image; the side handles will squish the image, the mid top and bottom handles will squash the image.


If you see the above, click on the image once and the mode will change to the image below - what I call crop mode. The rotation handle is now at the upper right corner. The mid side handles and the mid top and bottom handles will crop, the top left handle will round the corners, and the bottom right handle will resize the image. Mouse over the handles to see what they do.


Thus to change modes, click on the image.

An interesting use is to take the mid left handle (or any other crop handle) and drag outwards. The top and bottom get cropped as the image gets wider and larger.

[Acorn]

@John, 'fraid you have.

In your case, you have Smart transform (ST) set Off.

It is not obvious to many how to determine ST's state.

1. It has a toggle shortcut key - 7. This has not obvious indicator anywhere.
2. If you are diligent, you can find a right-click on the Lock aspect ratio icon.

Your other detail is not quite right.
A click on the image toggles the Rotate/Skew handles.
Your "crop mode" is a move from the Selector tool to the Photo tool and its Clip mode and requires a double-click.
Unfortunately, another double-click is not a toggle, it open your chosen Photo Editing > Bitmap editor.

Other right-click actions on the application furniture are a day's discovery and joy.

Acorn

[browj2]

Hi Acorn,

Hmmm. Whether or not Smart Transform is on or off, the behaviour is the same for the second image. Also, I have the Selector tool on. Import a photo. Click once, the mode changes, click again, the mode changes back. The Selector tool stays on for both modes and Photo does not come on (it did once, but usually does not).

I understand about the Smart Transform. With my first image, if Smart Transform is off, then the middle handles will squash the image; if on, then middle handles will crop but both sides together or top and bottom together.

However, clicking once changes the mode. In this mode, it doesn't matter whether or not Smart Transform is off or on, the middle handles crop. Thus, I never worry about Smart Transform off or on. I just check the mode by looking to see if the rotation handle is at top middle. If not there, then crop, if there, click once, then crop.

Here is what I see:

https://youtu.be/SEcV5eYgDmo

I'm using Xara DPX19.

[handrawn]

but croping is not what the OP wants to do, he just wants to squish and as you said, smart transform off for that... your second image is another question...

[charliescoffee]

Hi Acorn,

Hmmm. Whether or not Smart Transform is on or off, the behaviour is the same for the second image. Also, I have the Selector tool on. Import a photo. Click once, the mode changes, click again, the mode changes back. The Selector tool stays on for both modes and Photo does not come on (it did once, but usually does not).
I'm using Xara DPX19.

This is interesting but it isn't the way my Xara works. I'm beginning to think I'm going to have to delete the program and download again, perhaps something's corrupted.

[charliescoffee]

I've tried many times unchecking "Smart Transformations" and/or holding down the Alt key and neither can be depended on working reliably or at all. In my opinion, and I've been using Xara since Corel, this has to be the stupidest thing Xara designers have done. I've NEVER had to resize the way the program is now defaulting. When I want to resize, I want to change a dimension one way or another, NEVER to include unwanted stuff that existed in whatever original that I very purposely cut out of the figure I'm using. I apologize to those users for whom this change works, but I think it's junk!

How can I get rid of this stupid change? (And don't suggest unclicking "Smart Transformations" or holding down the Alt key, as neither works.)