• We're starting 2011 with an Inspirational Art that will bring a smile to your face. Xara software has always been popular with cartoonists, and the V6 enhancements to pressure support and the freehand tool have made it more so. So we thought it would be a good moment to make cartoons the theme for Inspirational Art, see below.

  • We have some excellent tutorials coming up because José Campoy has kindly given us permission to reproduce all his Xara Xtreme 5 tutorials on the Outsider pages, we jump in this month with tutorials on creating shiny buttons and post-it note reminders. Plus we continue the update of all our old tutorials with one on creating 3D photos.

  • If you have been considering purchasing Web Designer 6 or Designer Pro 6, then now is a good moment, since we are giving away a free copy of our Template Pack 1 with all purchases before 31st January! More info below.

  • Plus we have our regular features including Xara Xone news (don't miss Gary's 2011 redesign), TalkGraphics news and featured movies.
Xara software is a popular choice for cartoonists and this month we feature the work of 4 talented designers who are getting the most from it.

Plus don't miss the new drop down menu that lets you browse thru all past issues.
Visit the Xara graphics forums to discuss or find answers to your graphics needs.
Our pick of Top Talk this month:
  • Find out who has been scribbling in this month’s scribble challenge. Join in the fun today.
  • When did you last post a question, suggestion or even feedback about the TalkGraphics forum!? We would love to hear from you – Join in the TalkGraphics Forum Thread today.
Readers' Choice Awards
We'd really appreciate your nominations in about.com's Readers' Choice Awards. You can nominate Xara Web Designer in the Web Editor category (Best Windows HTML Editor), Designer Pro in 'Best Desktop Publishing Software for Graphic Designers', and Photo & Graphic Designer in 'Best Desktop Publishing Software for Personal Projects'. Nominations close 4th Feb.

Xara Gallery Update
We've continued to update the Gallery on xara.com. To coincide with the cartoon theme we've updated Zeb's Gallery with some great new examples.
Visit the Xara Gallery.

Xara News, As It Happens
If you don't want to wait for the next Outsider, you can sign up to the RSS feed on our News page, or you can join our Facebook community - now with over 3600 followers - or follow our tweets at twitter.com/xaragroup.

"I am so happy with your software and have never written to any company before but had to write you."

"Your product is wonderful"

Susan Waldrop

"Xara gets my highest praises for an excellent editing program and outstanding support program!"

Jim MacGregor

Sketch Mode Option (PGD & DP V6 only)

Have you noticed the new sketch mode option on the InfoBar in the Freehand tool? It’s great for cartoon type work.



Do you have or would you like to have one of these games consoles?
We know how much you enjoy watching movies from Zebtoonz so, to complement our cartoon theme in Inspirational Art, here is another cool animation movie that he's posted on YouTube. All artwork is created in Xara Designer Pro (the animation is done in Toon Boom Studio).



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