Introduction
Using Xara Designer Pro X11
Pricing and Support
Conclusion
Introduction
Creating graphics is not a cakewalk, but that need not dissuade aspiring designers – especially since many
programs now include more intuitive and easy to use abilities that can allow anyone to create awesome quality
graphics. Xara Designer Pro X11, the newest version of a well-known graphic program includes all the illustration,
photo editing, DTP and web design features you may need.
Xara Designer Pro X11 is from Xara, a company based in Gaddesden Place, UK. Other than Xara
Designer Pro X11, Xara also creates other graphic software such as
Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 11 and
Xara Web Designer 11 Premium. You can learn more
about their products and download a trial version of Xara Designer Pro X11 from
their site.
My contact for this review was Nova Fisher -- thank you, Nova.
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Using Xara Designer Pro X11
Download the installer, run the setup routine and follow the instructions. When launched, you will see the
Xara Designer Pro X11 interface, as shown in Figure 1, below.
Figure 1: The Xara Designer Pro X11 interface
Let’s explore how you can use Shapes with a blending effect applied within Xara Designer Pro X11, and then use
it within PowerPoint:
- Launch Xara Designer Pro X11, which typically opens with a blank document. Select the
QuickShape Tool (highlighted in red within
Figure 2) from the Tools palette. This action will show a fly out, from which
you can then select the Star shape (highlighted blue in
Figure 2).
Figure 2: Star shape selected
- Now, hold the Ctrl key while dragging to draw a proportionate shape that has the same height
to width ratio. Place the shape towards the left edge of the document. If you require, go ahead and optionally
change its fill color by clicking on a swatch within the row of colored diamonds below the document area (see
Figure 3 again).
Figure 3: Shape drawn
- Now, access the Edit | Duplicate QuickShape menu option, as shown
highlighted in red within Figure 4.
Figure 4: Edit | Duplicate QuickShape menu option
- This will create a duplicated shape. Place this new shape at the opposite edge of the document, and also
change its fill color to something that contrasts with the color of the original shape (see
Figure 5).
Figure 5: Duplicated Shape
- Select the Blend Tool from the Tools palette, as shown highlighted in
red within Figure 6.
Figure 6: Blend Tool selected
- When the Blend Tool is activated, click on start object (the first star shape) then drag the pointer over the
end object (the second star shape). As you drag the pointer a "blend line" appears, as you can see in
Figure 7. Release the mouse button.
Figure 7: Blend line is visible
- This will create the blend, as shown in Figure 8. Notice that since the only difference
between the two shapes was the color fill, you now see several intermediate shapes in between that alter slightly
from each other.
Figure 8: Blend created
You can edit the blend result by changing Steps parameter (shown highlighted in
red within Figure 8, above). Steps determine the
number of intermediate stages in the blend.
- Make sure you Save your Xara document. Then copy the blended shapes
(Ctrl+C).
- Open PowerPoint and access the Home Tab of the
Ribbon. Here click the
bottom part of the Paste button. From the drop-down menu that appears, choose the
Paste Special option, as shown highlighted in red within
Figure 9.
Figure 9: Paste Special option
- This opens the Paste Special dialog box, as shown in Figure 10,
below. Here select the Picture (Enhanced Metafile) option, as shown highlighted in
red within Figure 10, and click the OK button.
Figure 10: Paste Special dialog box
- In Figure 11, below you can see that the blended shapes are pasted on the slide.
Ungroup the shapes and use as required.
Figure 11: Blended shapes placed in a PowerPoint slide
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Pricing and Support
Xara Designer Pro X11 costs US$299. Support is through e-mail, an online knowledge base, and
FAQs. Extensive online tutorials including demo movies are available.
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Conclusion
Xara Designer Pro’s capabilities far exceed anything available within PowerPoint or other Microsoft Office
programs, and is thus a great companion product. Even otherwise, the program can quickly create all sorts of
graphics. The price: performance ratio is also amazing.
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