Getting Off to a New Tip

Well I got so involved with the Emboss demonstration I've flat run out of time to conjure up my tips list so it will have to wait until the next issue. I suppose the only tip I can give you (and myself) is don't put things off until the last minute :-)

The Prizes Go On!

Several months ago, I received a CD ROM disc from Wetzel and Company called Watercolor Backgrounds. It was a prerelease copy and all the files were in Mac PICT file format with no file name extensions. The only application that could open them was Photoshop and only when I used the Open As... command. Illustrator could not open the files, CorelDRAW could not open the files, and Macromedia Freehand could not open the files. Then I thought, how about everybody's favorite little program. The files opened in Xara without extensions, and without specifying a file format.

Is Xara a terrific application or what?

Anyway, I've just received two copies of the new and improved CD's that are in JPEG file format in a variety of resolutions. There is an HTML file on the CD that lets you preview all the splendid watercolor background images (over 500 MB worth!).

The thing that really excites your editor (still me) is this, you can import any of these images into Xara and do a multitude of cool things with them. Like what you ask? I'm thinking, give me a minute and I'll think of something. OK Once you've imported the images, you can go to the Bitmaps gallery and apply them as a Fill to objects, Quick Shapes, text, and stuff like that. You can also use the images as backgrounds for brochures, advertisements and other print-related things. Or, you can place the fills over a photographic bitmap image and apply transparency to achieve a watercolor effect.

The disc sells for $99.95 (USD) from the i/us site.  CLICK HERE to get more information.

Winning has never been easier. Just CLICK HERE and send me an e-mail message and tell me in a short paragraph please, how you like (or heaven forbid, don't like) the New Web Xealot! Please include the words Watercolor Backgrounds in the subject portion of your message.

And finally this

As the new WebXealot requires a lot more effort on my part, I will be only doing one issue per month. As I get more organized, there will be an e-mail notification when the latest issue is posted along with a list of topics covered.

Cool? Not Cool? Let me know. Don't e-mail me (unless you feel the absolute need to), just send your thoughts my way and I'll exercise my psychic talents.

And finally, finally, thanks to Chris and Arlen at i/us for continuing to support the Xealot! You can repay their support by checking out all the neat products available on the i/us site.

©1999 Gary W. Priester

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