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Price: $49.00 US, includes CD and manual; CD only $39.00 US
Download Xara 3D 5!
Xara is well known for three primary features regarding their software. Lighting speed, small sized applications and ease of use are the three common denominators that set their programs apart. Nowhere will you see bloated code, busy interfaces or difficult commands in the Xara universe. Creating compact fast full-featured applications is a specialty that Xara specializes in creating. With the release of Xara 3D 5, they have continued to further their reputation in the area of 3D.
Anyone who has worked with three dimensional applications for even a short period of time can attest to the enormous complexity involved in creating graphics that venture beyond the two dimensional world. For those not savvy with the full bodied applications that are the ruling royalty among software pundits, turning an idea into a animation is not that easy if you do not have full command of the tools needed to do so. Helping those not yet able to navigate those waters, Xara fills in the gap by providing an application that makes the creation of 3D forms literally fool proof.
As is the case with Xara X, Xara 3D ships with a well composed movie that gives you the lowdown on the basics. Within no time even a novice can walk away with some rather impressive results without having to climb a steep learning curve. Large visible buttons and an almost plain jane interface (this is not a put down when you consider how convoluted a graphical interface can be) make the process that much less intimidating.
Keeping with the idea of fast applications with small footprints, Xara 3D manages to accomplish the company’s goals. Measuring about 20 MB on your hard drive with full install, the installation includes a battery of textures and effects that take into consideration almost every conceivable option one could expect in animation. If that is not enough, the CD also includes some rather extensive “goodies” that go beyond the expected.
To help with the creation of new text images for the web, and perhaps beyond, the Xara 3D CD also includes a gratis copy of Webster 2. One could consider Webster 2 a light version of Xara X. Considering the kinds and types of images and text you are working with, the inclusion of Webster is a rather generous move on the part of Xara.
If you are curious as to output, Xara 3 D can create content for the following formats:
Flash vector, JPEG progressive, JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG (including full PNG alpha channel, animated GIF, AVI, SCR (Screensaver) and ICO (icons) to create icons, naturally. Your options for creating 3D images for the web are just that much larger considering that they have covered a fairly large area of formats.
As an extra added plus, Xara has included Xara Cube. What this permits is the ability to customize your own bitmap images on a rotating cube as a screensaver. While this may not be a huge productivity enhancement, it is just one of those thoughtful touches that proves once again that Xara likes to consider its end-users and provide more than is needed as a bit of thank you.
Installation of 3D is about as painless as one, two, three. In my experiences, the application loaded well and without difficulty of any kind. The one point to take into consideration is accessing the contents of the CD directly. One cannot go into the content of the CD without clicking with your right mouse button to explore. While this is a minor point, I prefer direct access to the CD without having to take extra steps. There are always times, granted not many, where you are inclined to see more of what is on the CD than the standard splash screen. For most end-users, or casual users, this may not be an issue. For them, this may be the optimum setup for them. It is just something to keep in mind.
Keeping in mind the great price points for 3D, and its very modest system requirements, Xara 3D can run on a wide range of PC’s from the latest and greatest to something a great deal less powerful. If computer power is a constraint in using graphics software, Xara has effectively removed that obstacle. For power users, 3D may have its place, but I really see the application as more of a back to basics application for those that need graphics on the fly.
However, content created in Xara 3D can be exported to Flash, which is now the crowned king of animation for the Web. Should you be using Adobe Illustrator, or something along those lines, content created in the high-end applications can be exported to 3D, but not directly. Surprisingly, 3D does not support directly import Adobe Illustrator files. Perhaps there is a reason for this, but it does not impair your ability to utilize this particular software.
The import options are a bit limited. Mainly confined to Xara’s own native formats and Windows Metafile formats, there is little support for vector programs. However, importing files is not the real purpose of 3D. For something full featured and comprehensive, or in other words, power users, Macromedia’s arsenal of software is more appropriate. For end users with less ambitious goals, but seeking well created images for the Web, Xara 3D offers a package that is long on practicality and short on complexity.
If you are in the market for an application that allows you to create 3D titles and logos for use on Web pages, and price points are a consideration, as well as avoiding a steep learning curve, Xara 3D is an excellent starting place. Taking into consideration all of the extras, instructional video and other support resources, this application will have even the design challenged able to create solid logos and 3D titles in a matter of minutes. While I do not see this a professional tool, there are professionals who may be able to gain something as well. If you are working with time constraints and want something fast and solid, Xara 3D provides an easy practical answer.
Windows 95, 98, 2000, Me, XP and NT4
Processor: 486 or faster
32 MB of RAM
Full Installation size, approx 20 MB with extras.
While you can download the product, my suggestion is to order the CD. When you consider the fact that it ships with a manual and CD, it just makes sense to order the boxed set. For me, this is more of a preference. When you purchase the box you have instant access to all of the extras, as well as back up just in case you forget to do so, as well as hard copy manual for those times when you need a book and not a help file. While the enclosed video is great, I can envision that some users may need to read their way to their solutions. For me, I like having written hard copy documentation.
Download FREE Xara 3D 5 trial!!!Talk to Kurt in Graphics Unleashed Forums
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