On the proceeding several pages I've tried to give a reasonably detailed overview of the capabilities of Xara X. My honest hope is that I have encouraged you to give Xara X a try. I know you'll find it worthwhile.

I suppose to many, my enthusiasm for Xara X might seem almost fanatical. I believe I'm being very objective. When I say that this is great software - I really mean it.

I'm interested in software that allows me to be creative - I don't care who makes it. I have invested wasted alot of money on very expensive graphics software that now sits largely unused because I can be so much more productive using Xara X. I've found it productive from the first day I used it. The fact that it is such an inexpensive program is like icing on the cake.

Early in the life of this site I wrote some pages that are, in effect, the mission statement of this site. Something I wrote then is particularly relevant to what I'm trying to say here so I'll quote myself :

"Central to the site's theme is the realization that good software is absolutely essential. To us, good software is powerful yet easy to learn. It must be inexpensive and accessible. It has to be fun to use and capable of producing impressive results of which you can be proud. You are probably aware that programs that meet these criteria are few and far between. The problem is so bad that many computer users resist trying new software. At Alcove Consulting we started using some really great software and it became our secret weapon. While others valiantly expended blood, sweat, and tears developing attractive custom graphics, we were having fun. They lived in a world where it was predicted that eventually only professionals would have the skills necessary to develop websites. This pleased them because they invested lots of time and money in developing their skills. Using our "secret weapons" we found it possible to also create attractive graphics - but we didn't invest much time or money. Perhaps more importantly, we found the good software allowed us to focus on the creative vision itself rather than on how it might be realized." source page

I really used to think of Xara X as a "secret weapon". I perversely enjoyed seeing the relative struggle most others ( even professionals ) had creating computer graphics. I never make any effort to enlighten others that a better tool was available than what they were trying to use. When I received complements on a graphic I wouldn't tell the admirer how easy it had been to create it. I wouldn't tell them how easily they could have created the same thing.

At the same time I felt some guilt. I had long felt we'd all be better off if more people exercised their repressed creativity. With the explosive growth of the internet, I witnessed so many individuals sincerely trying to be creative but not quite carrying it off. I knew that if some of those folks knew about Xara X they might rely less on clipart and create their own web graphics. They would be happier for it and their sites would probably be better. Indeed, the internet would be better. When I tried to think about what I could do with my own website that would be worthwhile, I decided that if I was going to be satisfied with my efforts, I'd have to share with others. One thing near and dear to me was my secret weapon - Xara X. I decided I would give up my petty attempts to keep my enthusiasm for the program a secret. My site would be about helping others successfully express their creativity through web development. Xara X would have a part to play in that.

When I decided to be less secretive about Xara X, I started to tell my professional colleagues about the program and actively encourage them to try it. I've since derived great pleasure seeing them also become Xara X enthusiasts. Their experiences learning the program have reinforced to me just how much fun it is to express your creativity with a nice graphic. Seeing their pride in what they have creatively accomplished is an emotion rarely seen in an adult. I see it all the time in my five-year-old as he learns new things and it is one of the great pleasures of parenthood. Seeing it in an adult makes me wish I had never attempted to keep Xara X a secret. I'm glad my secret is out of the bag.

As I've said before, I sincerely hope you'll give Xara a try. You can do it without risk. Xara Ltd.'s offer of a free trial download provides you an opportunity to see firsthand that everything I've written about Xara X is true. Information on that download is below. Clicking the download link will take you to the Xara Ltd. website where you can download the program or just learn more about it.

PS - In the spirit of full disclosure, I want you to know that should you decide after downloading and trying the full-featured trial of Xara X that you want to purchase it, I will receive a modest referral commission from Xara Ltd. That commission helps support this site and keep it banner free. I know it is premature until you have tried the software but please let me express my gratitude in advance of your purchase: Thankyou.

Back to Introduction ...
Drawing Lines & Shapes ...
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 ... < You are here now
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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.

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