Xara X - Tool Information - Wow Web Designs


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Xara X

Latest Version:
1.0

Developer:
Xara

Category:
Graphics > 2D

Platform:
Windows 9x, 2000, or NT4

License:
Commercial, 30-day time-trial, List Price $149

Rating:
Not rated yet

Date added:
Mar 2nd, 2001

Last updated:
Mar 2nd, 2001

Suggested by:
Accatone (142)

Review:
Xara X is an exceptional illustration package which has been in the market since 1994. Until recently the program had been distributed by Corel, and was known as CorelXara). Although it is not as widespread as Adobe Illustrator or Macromedia Freehand, Xara X does not fall short in features or performance, and it is actually faster (not to mention its price, which is less then half of that of the competition).

If you are new to Xara, the first thing you will probably notice is the deceptively simple looking interface: There are no hidden tools; tool options will appear on top of the screen. We particularly liked the shape editor tool which combines curve creation and editing. Other tools of interest are transparency, mold, shadow, and bevel. Transparency can be applied to both vector and bitmap objects. Mold can create impressive perspective effects. Creating smooth drop and cast shadows is a snap, and so is making bevels.

Xara X supports pressure sensitive natural media brushes, and you can create your own too. The program is blazing fast in redraws, and it even renders scaled bitmaps beautifully no matter how much you scale them.

Xara X gives strong support to web graphics production. You can create image rollovers, image maps, and GIF animations. There is also a powerful built-in image optimization feature.

Bottom line: If you are looking for a light weight yet powerful vector illustration application at an affordable price, you can't go wrong with Xara X. The full version comes with 3000+ clipart images, 200 photographs, 500 fill textures, 250 fonts, and 80 tutorial movies.

User reviews:

by Roots (unregistered) - Mar 8th, 2002
Indeed Xara's speedy performance is impressive to say the least - but everything has its limits - also Xara X. The intuitive way of working with the limited but powerful tools invites stacking more and more effects on your objects and here even Xara runs out of breath. But compared to the biggies like Illustrator and CorelDraw Xara IS incredible fast in rendering your graphics.

For the price it is amazing how feature packed Xara is - and a couple of its more nifty functions would certainly make my day if they found their way over to -let´s say - CorelDraw - but if you are a longtime CorelDraw / Illustrator user, you won´t find much in Xara that you seriously can´t be without.

New creative users in the vector department couldn´t pick a better set of tools to learn the tricks of the trade - but seasoned graphic artist can live without Xara X.

[zoom in screenshot - 90K]

(6,597K)

Downloads to date:
850

Related Links:
Official Xara X Page
Feature tour, image galleries, featured artists

XaraXone
Xara tutorials, modules, and links

Used for (1):

XaraXone