Ok.... Xara has changed the product lines and changed the names too!
As of the latest release in June 2010, these are the three main graphic products from Xara:
Though I currently have all three editions, I will now only update the PRO version #3.
1) If you want a decent vector graphic/photo program:
Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 6 (XPGD) (Formerly known as Xara, Xara Xtreme. last version XX5)
This product is about $90, less if you upgrade from previous version.
2) If you want a decent web builder:
Xara Web Designer 6 (XWD) (Current version XWD6)
It is around $50. XWD6 has been reviewed fully in another thread.
I liked it a lot and expect that many CSB users will like using this product.
3) If you want BOTH 1) vector graphic/photo program AND 2) Web builder AND more advanced abilities for each of those, the PRO version XDP6 combines the two lighter programs into one well integrated program.
Xara Designer Pro 6 (XDP) (Formerly known as Xara Xtreme Pro, last version XXP5)
This version is about $300, less if you upgrade from earlier version
If you upgrade to this version, you do not need either of the lighter versions!
Pro includes all the features of the other two, PLUS: * Shortcut key configuration (speed up favorite functions)
* Color Separation Support (for professional printing projects)
* PANTONEĀ® color support (for professional printing projects)
* PDF/X export (for professional printing projects and Illustrator support)
* XPS Support (Microsoft's answer to Adobe pdf, vector based)
* Multi-core processors (even faster if you have multi-core processors!)
* HD Photo import (Windows Media Photo)
* Panorama Studio (Quickly stitch your photos into long panoramas!)
* HTML Website Creation
* Navigation bars & menus (builit in menu bars for your web pages, no separate program needed)
* Widget Support (ebay, google, weather, etc like the old Trellix webgems)
* Pop-Ups and Slideshows
From the Xara site: http://www.xara.com/us/products/designer/advanced/
"Xara Designer is simply the best graphics software for all your drawing and photo design needs, ideal for both print and the web.
If you're looking for drawing software then Designer is a perfect solution for everything from simple logos to astonishingly detailed illustrations.
If you're working with photos then Designer will match your ambitions from simple one click auto-enhance of your photo through to awesome photo compositions.
If you are looking for software for creating web graphics then Designer can help you produce all the graphics you'll need for your site, from smart buttons to eye catching Flash animations. And with Designer Pro you can even produce complete HTML web pages and sites."
I hate the full price of the XDP, PRO version for first time users. Wow! What a chunk of money to put out at once.
Then I think about what you get with it:
Vector program it compares with:
Illustrator CS4 cost: was $600, now $581.37 at amazon.com now that CS5 is out OR Corel Draw $500, professional quality vector programs for professional printing projects
PLUS
photo tools of Paint Shop Pro photo abilities $60-$80
PLUS
panorama photo stitching $30-$50 depending on program
PLUS
animated gif software (since Paint Shop Pro no longer supports it) $20-$50 depending on program
PLUS
basic flash software $30 XDP has about 1/ the abilities of Swish MiniMax3 at $60
PLUS
better than basic 3d extrusion of vector graphics $25-$50 depending on program
PLUS
desktop publisher program Anything you can do in Publisher is possible in this program! v2007: $148
PLUS
website building software CSB was $50, XWD is $50/Site Spinner $50 or Site Spinner Pro $100
PLUS. wonderful featuresnot in any other software, Like:
- Speed is AMAZING. Adobe and Corel products can not compare for speed of rendering!
- The Layers go down to individual object/item on the layer making it simple to find/identify/fix problems.
So when you consider the sum of it's parts this one program XDP Pro at $300 is a great bang for the buckI have used many programs over the years for all these purposes.
And I have used Xara's Pro software for all these purposes. Over the years, I have turned to Xara's product more and more. It has become the favorite "DESIGN" software, hands-down. Interface is clean and the easy to see/use.
Menus make sense. The program uses the same techniques whether you are using the photo, or vector or web design areas. Once you learn how to use a tool, you have learned it for all aspects of the program.
All in all, the PRO version is my favorite since it fits EVERY aspect of design, and does it well.
Only one program to upgrade going forward.