The latest release of Xara’s popular Designer Pro X all-in-one creative software includes enhancements to its suite of photo editing tools plus a new delivery model.
Combining photo editing, vector illustration, page layout and website design, the integrated software provides efficiencies via a WYSIWYG interface that requires no program switching, lower memory and computing requirements, an easier learning curve, higher productivity and significantly better value for money. Two new W3C standard transparency blend modes have been added to the photo editing tools, along with an easier way to rotate, scale / pan and crop images, including for horizon straightening. Non-destructive editing tools enable the user can return to the original image at any time.
Close to 30 new Photo Filter Pre-sets have been added, including new Cross Process Photo Effects and tools for painting effects directly on the photo for localised control of parameters like brightness and saturation. Two new photo grids, ‘Static’ and ‘Smart’ provide different ways to layout photos, while Xara SmartShapes provide a quick and easy way to create and edit common shapes.
This screen shot shows some of the filter effects available in the latest version of Xara Designer Pro X. (Source: Xara Group.)
Flexible text handling is one of the strengths of Xara Designer Pro X, with the popular Font Awesome collection of symbols and Google Material Design Icons providing more than 1500 symbols in total. For Web Designers there are new Parallax scrolling effects, 30 types of scrolling animation, plus 40 new ‘on reveal’ animation types. The popular ‘sticky’ feature has also been enhanced and users can benefit from the inclusion of nine new general website themes and 166 Business theme sets that were previously sold for US$15 each set. An enhanced Online Content Catalog will also be included free for one year as part of Xara’s new Update Service, which gives access to new updates as they happen in the 365 days after purchase.
Xara Designer Pro X365 is priced at US$299. Upgrades from v11 to Xara Designer Pro X365 cost US$99. System requirements are Windows Vista, 7, 8 and 10 and it requires a minimum 500MB of RAM and 300MB hard-disk space. For more information and a trial version visit xara.com.
