Xara X is a vector illustration program - not a "paint" program like Adobe Photoshop or PaintShop Pro. Paint programs can be powerful but are very difficult to master because their approach to graphic creation is far from intuitive. In Xara X you create graphics from "objects" rather than manipulate pixels. The objects you use are lines, shapes, and text that are easily created and placed. The objects can be easily and intuitively ordered, resized, filled, grouped, or rotated.

Let me start by showing you some basics - more complex illustrations build upon these basic capabilities.

This line was drawn using the freehand tool. Xara X automatically smoothes your freehand lines! You can intuitively determine how much smoothing is applied.

Xara X's most flexible line drawing tool is the shape editor tool. Use it to create point-to-point lines or precisely controlled curves. The lines it creates are fully editable. It can also be used to edit lines created by the freehand tool.

The lines you draw can be any thickness you want. Unlike "paint" programs, in Xara it is easy to edit a line's thickness. You can edit them at any time - not just when you create them.

Your lines can be any color you want. Selecting colors is remarkably easy in Xara. If you want, you can limit your colors to the internet's web-safe pallet.

Your lines can be the normal continuous style or you have a choice of almost two dozen dashed lines styles.

Easily apply various styles of arrow heads and tails to the lines you create. This feature makes CorelXara useful for doing business graphics like organizational charts or images for PowerPoint presentations.

Xara X allows you to choose how joins and line ends are drawn. This example has rounded joins and ends.

Xara X allows you to do a lot more than draw lines. Your arsenal of graphic tools is greatly expanded by the program's shape creation tools.

It is masterful how Xara's software designers have kept all the choices manageable. Your options aren't hidden deep in menus or dialog boxes - and they don't fill up your screen with hundreds of buttons. It is extremely user-friendly. I wish other software developers would study Xara's interface design and learn from its exceptional usability.

Enough of the the love-in eh? Let's continue on with our introduction to Xara's basic features. It's shape creation tools are fundamental to creating graphics that take advantage of the program's advanced capabilities.

Xara X has a rectangle creation tool that makes it easy to create rectilinear shapes like squares and rectangles. The shapes created with this tool can be square edged or have rounded corners. The radius used for the rounded corners is fully editable.

The program also has a simple tool for creating ellipses and circles. I've drawn these examples without any fills - the subject of the next page. I just thought I should point out here that when you create or edit a shape you can choose whether it is filled or not.

Xara X also has a "quickshape" tool that is the quickest and easiest way to create shapes like these. In the kinds of graphics I tend to create I don't use this tool very often. If you have reason to draw stars - there is no easier way.

In Xara you can also create shapes from your fonts. Once you convert your text into a shape with a single click, it can be easily edited (reshaped) just like any other shape.

In case you
were wondering:
Almost all the
graphics at this
site were created
by yours truly
using Xara X
or Xara3d ...

Xara X's simple line and shape creation tools are the basis of any illustration created with the program. Master these few easy to learn tools and you have empowered yourself to create even highly complex illustrations.

You to be as precise as you find necessary. Want each side of your hexagon to be exactly 1.125 inches long ? No problem! You also have a high degree of control over placement, alignment, and spacing. Each line or shape can be resized, rotated, flipped, or reordered - either individually or as a group. It is incredibly flexible without being intimidating or confusing.

With Xara X the learning of new techniques flows effortlessly out of the skills you've already learned. You can easily teach yourself to master the program - without buying any of those expensive instructional books written for "dummies".

Once you learn to draw lines and shapes ( it will only take several minutes to learn what I've shown you on this page ) you'll want to use fills. It is very easy. The following page introduces you to the world of Xara X's fills.

Please proceed to my page on using fills in Xara X...

Back to Introduction ...
Drawing Lines & Shapes ... < You are here now
Applying Fills to Shapes ...
Applying Transparency Effects ...
Touching Up Photos ...
More Transparency Effects ...
Creative Fun with Text ...
Creating Animated Gifs with Xara X...
More Fun with Animated Gifs ...
Vector Format Graphics for the Web ...
Regarding My Enthusiasm For Xara X...
Back to DesignStop.Com Home ...

Getting Your Own Copy of Xara X...

A free time-limited trial version of Xara X is available for download from its developers. It is fully functional, allowing you to see for yourself how easily this remarkable program enables you to create stunning graphics. At the end of the free trial period you'll be prompted to securely pay Xara Ltd. and register your copy - It is remarkably inexpensive. Given the capabilities of the program you'll likely expect to pay much more. I know I would have gladly paid them more. Note that by following the above link you'll also find links to dozens of tutorials showing you how to achieve all kinds of great effects. They'll help you make impressive graphics right from the start. The site also has a link to a moderated message board where many Xara X users actively communicate with one another - sharing their knowledge and ideas. When you visit the site you'll see why Xara Ltd. is the leader in developing great easy to use graphics software.

Please proceed to my page on using fills in Xara X...