Xara 3D and Xara Xtreme News

[kbob]

Xara has just updated the flagship Xtreme Vector drawing program to version 5. Lots of nice tools, they specialize in making three d effects super easy to manipulate and create.

http://www.xara.com/us/

For those of us that got in on the very nice price Xtreme X1 offer a while back (was it Deb that tipped us off-Thanks, whoever you were!), the upgrade is as low as $59, a $30 savings. The pro version may be what some of you need if you do a lot of pro-quality print work, which runs around $100 more.

Also of interest, the Xara 3D program (my personal favorite way to start a text heading for graphics) is currently showing at version 6. Again for those that took advantage of the inexpensive buy in at version 5, the upgrade is only $19 for the download version, $29 for the "retail version" which adds in more fonts and textures, some help videos, etc.

That may be an indication that this is about to get a version jump to, since even version 6 is getting a bit long in the tooth.

There's also now a free online version of headline maker, with extremely limited font and style selection (verses the paid version, in any event).
You can try it for free here:

http://site.xara.com/referrer/headmaker_trial.asp

There is a registration requirement to use it on a regular basis, but if you need something quickly this may be a great jumping off point.

Personally, I love their stuff. My Photoshop addiction isn't going away any time soon, but xara can be a fantastic jumping off point.

[PaladinPete]

Thanks for the info. I have both Xara 4 and Xara 3D but haven't decided to upgrade yet. I'm learning my way around Illustrator at the moment .

[kbob]

One thing I noticed (that you already have some of in version 4) is that xtreme now has plugin support for PS plugins! Hmmm....

[kbob]

Those of you that have been using Xtreme may be familiar with the workbooks-kind of a demo/review/how to series of articles.

There is a special preview one on the new version of Xtreme 5 here-

http://www.xaraxone.com/webxealot/workbook77/index.htm

shows a lot of the changes, new features, and other items of note in the new version.

Note that the new version seems to contain all of the stand alone program Web Designer, with even more features than found in that program...hmmm