The controversial eraser tool

[handrawn]

you can break shapes afterwards in xara Bob, or am I missing something? [see attached]

Ricardo - this very argument was used by a long term member here to argue against the need for an eraser in xara in one of the previous eraser threads - and if you only use xara in the traditional vector way it's a fair point

but if you want to draw fast and free to do this would be like trying to race a bike but having to stop every time you need to change gear....

[Ricardo Almeida]

you can break shapes afterwards in xara Bob, or am I missing something? [see attached]

Ricardo - this very argument was used by a long term member here to argue against the need for an eraser in xara in one of the previous eraser threads - and if you only use xara in the traditional vector way it's a fair point

but if you want to draw fast and free to do this would be like trying to race a bike but having to stop every time you need to change gear....

I agree 100%.

[iamtheblues]

you can break shapes afterwards in xara Bob, or am I missing something?....

No Steve, my mistake, I missed the hidden extra step - Break Shapes.

So there's even one more step to accomplish a one step task in Serif - it's not ideal for workflow.
Bob.

[handrawn]

not ideal at all Bob

[mwenz]

I can see the argument from both sides--that of having the eraser and using a brush or line, subtract to produce the broken shape.

In the scheme of things, to me, the work flow isn't hurt by the one extra step presently required in XDP as it is the effect I would be after, not necessarily a minimal speed gain. Why? Because if I was using that process on an element, it isn't like I have dozens of shapes to do it to. Not for my work anyway.

Maybe if all I did was toons, or ? I would see the value of the needed programming time. But there are vector things in XDP that I think need fixed or enhanced before new features or capabilities are added as goes programming time. Heck, I still want the web stuff ripped out and have the two main application lines enhanced for the distinct abilities. Then perhaps having an added capability of an eraser makes sense to take the time to produce.

But...I will admit I am ignorant of how this feature would enhance my designing using XDP. I am open to concrete examples of what it would do for me.

Take care, Mike

[handrawn]

I have moved discussion of web stuff removal to a new thread:

http://www.talkgraphics.com/showthre...-xara-designer

[Ricardo Almeida]

I've discovered another "hidden" Eraser Tool in Xara.

The secret is to use the Contour Tool to make the Freehand Tool work like an eraser:

[Sheff]

For everyone suggesting workarounds to the the eraser: that's the point. We don't want work around. We want an actual eraser. The most effective/convenient workaround right now is to use the eraser in a vector program that has one and cut and paste the object into Xara. You can't tell me that switching tools and and breaking shapes is more convenient.

[mwenz]

Hi Sheff--I haven't yet had any takers to my question about the utility of the eraser.

I suppose it is because of the type of work I do, the subtract shape thing works for me. In thinking about it, if I was doing computer-based, free-hand illustration, that might be a reason I could envision the utility of the eraser.

What I don't know is "the why" from the proponents point of view. So I am guessing in the dark on utility. How would you use this feature and, perhaps, how much of yoru work would benefit from it?

I'm really curious about others' usage (how and how often) of the eraser, in real life situations.

Take care, Mike

[pauland]

Hi Sheff--I haven't yet had any takers to my question about the utility of the eraser.

Wasn't the video in the first post enough?