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Drawing tools

All drawing and vector tools in Xara

  • How do I create an embossed look in Xara ?

    The bevel tool can be used to create an embossed look, simply changing the lighting direction will change the effect from looking pushed out to looking pushed in. There is an example file from the dow...

  • How do I draw a brush line with the line color shown in the Brush drop list

    Before Version 6, the default option was to use the colour shown in the brush drop list. The colour only changed when the user applied a line colour manually. Since version 6 (Designer Pro 6 and Photo...

  • How do I maintain the aspect ratio when resizing a shape with rounded corners?

    The aspect ratio is mantained when resizing quickshapes. Rounded corner rectangles can be resized in the rectangle tool (including aspect ratio changes) while maintaining circular corners. Resizing in...

  • Shape Painter Tool

    The Shape Painter Tool The Shape Painter Tool was introduced in PGD 9 Are there any new shape editing tools? The previous version (PGD 2013) introduced the Shape Erasor tool. PGD 9 now also provides a...

  • Can I snap the end of my arrowhead to the grid?

    The selector tool always works on the bounds of the object. The scale line widths button determines whether it uses the bounds including or excluding line attributes like arrowheads.  The path tools a...

  • I can't apply certain effects to extrusions

    Once an object has been extruded, you cannot apply certain effects and changes to it, such as: Adding or removing text Adjustment of fills To adjust these properties you will need to first remove the ...

  • Can I erase part of a freehand line?

    To erase part of a freehand line: 1. While you are drawing a line, hold down Shift. The pencil reverses so the eraser is downwards. 2. Move the mouse (without releasing the mouse button) backwards alo...

  • When should I use the sketch mode?

    The new Sketch Mode button  on the Infobar of the Freehand tool  removes the automatic joining feature, so that you can rapidly draw  lines without worrying about them being attached...

  • Shape Eraser tool

    Shape Erasor tool. - Erases parts of objects, and can act as a vector erase tool or as a soft eraser tool  What does the Shape Eraser tool allow me to do? The Shape Eraser tool. allows you to Perform ...

  • Can I create brushes?

    To create a new brush type: Design your desired brush shape in Xara, then select it and go into the Freehand and Brush Tool.  Click Create Brush  A dialogue box will appear - give your brush an approp...