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Xara Xtreme and Xtreme Pro upgraded to 3.2 - Proceed with caution: Info-rant!

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Darwin:
Xara, which was recently acquired by Magix, has released a paid upgrade to their vector graphics illustration program, Xtreme. Xtreme comes in both standard and Pro versions. The Pro version was released to great fanfare in December 2006, immediately before the Magix takeover. One small bug fix update was released on Jan.17 and now version 3.2 has been released. This release includes a number of feature enhancements and bug fixes along with an apparently "Xara tweaked" version of Magix' Graphic Designer which is included to allow the user to manipulate digital photographs. More important is the newly added feature of being able to select the photo editor of one's choice. The Pro version also comes bundled with Xara 3D. I *believe* that this also heralds a price bump to $249 US (I am pretty sure it was either $179 or $199 before the release, but could be wrong).

Overall, I'm still smarting from paying to upgrade to the Pro version (a brand new app) in December and being expected to pay to move up 2/10's of a version to get what to my mind seems to be largely bug fixes and feature enhancements with two new apps tossed in, neither of which I have the slightest interest in. No one has a gun to my head to upgrade, as has been pointed out repeatedly on the talkgraphics board, and while I'm downloading the trial as I write this (still debating whether to bother installing it), I doubt very much that I'll be doing so. Xara itself advises prospective upgraders to evaluate carefully before upgrading and note that many users may wish to skip this upgrade and wait for the next. Almost like they're saying "our new corporate masters are forcing this on us - read between the lines and take our advice: hold onto your wallets until something more substantial comes down the pike".

I really don't know whether to be ranting about this or not. I've held off in the past - there has been considerable angst on their users' forum since this was announced in February - as I've been waiting to see what wound up being offered in 3.2. I guess I still haven't had time to absorb what it contains and whether or not this is worthwhile. I will say this: Xara Xtreme is a fantastic vector graphics package in either standard or Pro form and I love it. The issue isn't really about the product being good, it's more the "bad taste in the mouth" factor associated with a paid upgrade so soon after release. At any rate, an indepth look at the changes is being released this Friday by one of the Xara-user's gurus Gary Priester (his workbooks and tutorials are awe inspiring) and I guess I'll reserve final judgement until I've had a chance to read what he has to say.

Info-rant over.

tomos:
The Upgrade price alone (to Pro from Xtreme or X1) is now $170

Carol Haynes:
I emailed Xara awhile back about this and they pretty candidly told me not to bother upgrading from Xtreme Pro unless there is something really compelling I want in the Magix version.

I can't help feeling that the days of a fast, clean, efficient and brilliantly designed package at a reasonable price are coming to an end - looks like we are heading for price hikes and a bloatfest - in which case I am sticking with Xtreme Pro  as long as I can and after that I will make the effort to learn Adobe Illustrator properly (it's on my system but I still find myself drawn to Xara's products because they are quicker, more intuitive and just  plain cool to use).

Carol (sobbing into a large hanky .... in  mourning)

PS: I am now going to remove the Xara link from my sig as I don't really like the way things are developing.

Carol Haynes:
PS: For what it is worth here is a list of what's new int he current version:

http://www.xara.com/products/xtreme/whatsnew.asp

There look like to be some useful additions lower down the list: import/export options, text handling improvements etc.  - but most of it is pure window dressing and bug fixes in all but name (smoother scrolling, rotation and more keyboard shortcuts are hardly a .2 upgrade worth $50 ... and Vista compatibility doesn't make a big selling points to my mind). Embedded linking to edit bitmaps is useful - but hardly revolutionary. The price they are charging now for new purchases will make Adobe Creative Suite 3 standard seem attractive - given that they suggest Photoshop as the editor of choice!

It is probably worth noting that there is also a new Xtreme 3.2 (not Pro) which can be got for $79 (full price) - which isn't bad value.

Upgrade prices for Xtreme Pro 3.2 (includes download and unlock code followed by retail package with printed manual) are:

From Xtreme Pro $49
From Xtreme and X1 $170
From Xara XS, Xara X, CorelXARA, ArtWorks, Xara Studio or Webster 2 $199

I'm sure I was told recently that the upgrade from Pro was going to be $39 - so that is a bit disappointing.

[Edit]
The upgrade versions from Xtreme Pro to Xtreme Pro 3.2 do not included printed manuals - these have not changed since version 3.0 !!!
[/Edit]

Darwin:
I share your pain, Carol. I'm *hoping* that if I take what I perceive to be their advice and wait for the next version (4, I guess) that all will be well. However, I suspect that Xtreme Standard is going to go the way of Paint Shop Pro (ie increasingly dumbed down as each release comes out to try to grab new users) and that the Pro version is going to go the way of Illustrator in terms of pricing. In my (senselessly  :P) humble opinion, this is NOT the way to take on Adobe. I *think* Xara were on the right track right before they announced the takeover (two related product lines, keep it simple, quick and cheap even in the pro range, at least initially). This just looks to me like Magix trying to squeeze money out of existing users right quick to justify to their investors the purchase price of Xara.

I'm glad that I'm not alone in feeling this way - the talkgraphics board looks to be split about 50/50 on the issue - there's a pretty vocal group decrying the paid upgrade and pointing out that there's not enough there to warrant it. Current users of Xara 3D are also EXTREMELY annoyed that there is no further discount available to them.

I'll just keep using Pro, watch from the sidelines, and hope my fears are groundless.

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