CorelXara 2.0
CorelXara 2.0 is an amazing, inexpensive vector drawing program that can save your images directly to .gif and jpg formats. From the minute I opened the program, I was creating stunning effects. I visited the tutorial site and was simply amazed at the images created with this software.
One of the initial most prominent details for me, was the fact that there are no pop up menus residing on your canvas and the canvas is large so I could really spread out. Have you used those programs where you always end up needing to open a new canvas, do your work and then combine the two? Well, CorelXara 2.0 has enough room to work on all the elements for your image on one canvas and simply using your mouse to move things around.
The main interface is almost self explanatory and it contains some exceptional options. In the upper right corner of the main interface are some buttons for galleries. If you are connected to the internet while working, you can download those galleries to your cache and use the images in the galleries on your current project. You can also save the images in the galleries to your hard drive. Included are color, layer, frame, bitmap, line, font, clipart, and fill galleries.
CorelXara does have a plug-ins menu but, CorelXARA can only use effects plug-ins, no other types.
The arrow (selection) tool not only allows you to move elements in you image, but also allows you to rotate and size your image with X, Y coordinates and width/height.
The Freehand tool allows you to draw lines, with settings that fit your mouse movements as closely as possible. You can smooth those jerky mouse movements with the smooth option and by setting the smoothness in terms of percentage.
The shapes tool allows you to set points and then shape the line in between the points using your mouse.
The Rectangle tool allows you to create rectangles but, not always just ordinary rectangles. You can create angled rectangles using the toolbar and choosing the angle.
The Ellipse tool works similar to the Rectangle tool.
The Quick Shape tool makes it easy to create stars and odd sided and shaped elements.
I really liked the Blend tool. It will blend multiple elements together.
The fill tool allows you to apply gradients and to choose how to apply those gradients.
The Transparency tool makes it easy to create transparent elements and you can choose how the transparency is applied.
The Mold tool is a great tool too. You can apply the shapes on the tool bar to an element and automatically have it shaped for you.
CorelXara 2.0 also does animation, and animating is an easy and straight forward task.
Not only is CorelXara 2.0 an awesome program, with the purchase you receive 24 issues of the Xealot! newsletter filled with great information. If that isn't enough, every month there is a new tutorial for a project using CorelXara with great advanced techniques, but written so it is easy to understand. And if that isn't enough, CorelXara has great help files that should be able to answer just about any question you may have.
If everything I have mentioned here does not make you want CorelXara 2.0, go take a look at their Gallery and see what is possible with CorelXara 2.0. Once you look there, I know you will be convinced just how exiting this program is.
System Requirements
a 486 or higher processor
8 MB of RAM
8 MB of hard drive space
Windows 95/98, or Windows NT 4.0 (not Windows 3.1)
VGA card and monitor
a mouse or tablet
An internet connection (for initial download, and to connect to the on-line resources)
Price 89.95, upgrade 79.95
Try the free 15 day demo at i/us.
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