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In this issue:
Is it 2002 Already?
Happy 2002, the last year that will read the same backwards and forwards for quite some time. The last one was 1991. I believe the next will be 2112, which I do
not think any of us will be around to see. But, hey, you never know!
We have covered just about all of Xara's features (if I left any out, let me know) and so for the next few issues we will concentrate on a Glossary of terms
(also covered in the Help menu but covered here in a bit more detail with linked references to subjects covered in previous WebXealots). I have also added to and updated much of the information.
I am open to suggestions as to where the WebXealot should go next. If you have any ideas or would like to see any features not previously covered, covered in
depth, feel free to suggest away.
TIP of the Month
Judi Assony has provided a mini tutorial for creating Kaleidoscopic images which you can find in the TIP of the Week section. Here are two recent GIF-related tips:
GIF Exporting TIP: When exporting GIF images, when you try to reduce the number of colors in 256 color space, more often than not, the number of
colors does not change. Try this: Place the text insertion cursor inside the Max Colors: text entry box and either use the Delete or Backspace
key to delete the number 256. Now you can enter any number of colors you want.
GIF Exporting TIP Two: When exporting a GIF image, try the Optimized palette, 16 Colors first. If necessary use Error Diffusion
dithering. Many times the image quality will be just as good as if you used 256 colors and the file size will usually be very compact.
Insider Information
Following up the December Group Show, which was a big hit by the way, January's Featured Artist is Derek Cooper, known to the Xara Gallery Conference regulars as Masque.
Derek's work combines a watercolor-like realism with a strong sense of design. Have a look.
The January Xara X Tutorial revisits a champagne glass tutorial done about five years ago. This time we use the new tools and improvements which take the glass and bubbles image to the next level.
The January Guest Tutorial #11 prepared by Newton Florentino sheds some light on how Newton imparts such luminous, soft flesh tones to his incredible Xara images.
Just Released! Webstyle 2.1
 Xara has just announced the release of Webstyle 2.1.
Webstyle 2.1 lets you create create slick rollover buttons, banners, animated titles, or complete Web pages even if you have no artistic talent or training. Webstyle 2.1, includes a FrontPage add-in and a
Dreamweaver extension which add 'Webstyle graphics' to the Insert menu of FrontPage and Dreamweaver. Clicking Insert opens WebStyle, where you can create and edit your graphic and a Save
inserts them right back into your web page, avoiding the need to fiddle with graphic files, HTML and javascript.
A free trial version of 2.1 is available for download now from xara.com. A CD is sent to each purchaser with the complete set of almost 1000
Webstyle templates, plus bundled fonts and a tutorial movie. Additional template packs will be offered to owners in future. List price of Xara Webstyle 2 is $69.00 US (+ VAT in Europe). Existing owners of Webstyle
2.0 can upgrade to 2.1 free of charge.
If you have a web site you've created with Xara, let your editor (yep, old you know who) know and we'll add your site to the list of sites in the Xara Links page.
And last but not least, your editor is always looking for new talent to showcase in the XaraXone Featured Artist page. If we don't get some
more talented folks to step forward, your editor is going to have to make another guest appearance.
If you think you have the right stuff (10-12 really cool images—created
with Xara, or created mostly with Xara), drop me a line and if possible send me an URL where I can see your images. The world is waiting to see your images, so don't be shy. OK?
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