Hi KWard,
To edit the object colour, please try this instead.
This loads the colour editor with the current object colour as required.
Printable View
Hi KWard,
To edit the object colour, please try this instead.
This loads the colour editor with the current object colour as required.
Though Webdesigner is the only program I know that allows the user to build a webpage really WYSIWYG ...
I find it truly annoying that it does not allow me to define the webpage directory structure myself.
When exporting the webpage, Xara re-compresses the images while storing them in a single directory. (Huh Photoshop? What's that?!)
Why not work like dreamweaver?
Have the image gallery "import" a directory with images. When these images are used, Xara simply has to tag them in the code, without having to "export" them to a single directory. Images will be addressed to with relative paths. Et voila.
This way I can define the directory names, file names and paths where those files can be found and copied from.
There is no need to export and upload entire webpages after an adjustment. Simply the index.htm (and maybe some new images) must be uploaded.
For example:
1. when building a gallery of PDF leaflets, I'd like to have thumbnail and PDF file listed in the same directory, with the same name.
2. more control during compression of images in photoshop/photopaint/netpaint/whatever
Not necessary. You can always use external images (Web properties dialog / Placeholder tab / "Replace with graphic file" option).
Maybe because there is a Dreamweaver already? ;)Quote:
Why not work like dreamweaver?
Unlike Dreamweaver or any other authoring tool for that matter, WD is designed to create all the graphics within the program. You can import ofcourse, but there's no need to import graphics created with other software becuse you can create it within the WD. If you talk about photographs, these has to be scaled down and recompressed for the web use. And you don't need to do it manually, just drop image to WD, place it where you want, and it will do all the dirty work of resizing image automatically.
No. But you can do it easily - open the folder in explorer, select all files and drag&drop them into WD. Then you can press Delete to remove the stack from the project, and all the images will be present in the Images gallery.Quote:
Have the image gallery "import" a directory with images.
Besides, there is a "Fill gallery" which has this option.
All I've said before, plus - you don't need to care about paths, because if you select external image for placeholder, it will be automatically copied and published with WD. You don't even have to know where is it.Quote:
When these images are used, Xara simply has to tag them in the code, without having to "export" them to a single directory. Images will be addressed to with relative paths. Et voila.
Possibility to update only separate pages is on the whish list so it may have it's way into WD in a future.Quote:
There is no need to export and upload entire webpages after an adjustment. Simply the index.htm (and maybe some new images) must be uploaded.
The idea is that you don't need "photoshop/photopaint/netpaint/whatever". ;)Quote:
2. more control during compression of images in photoshop/photopaint/netpaint/whatever
My wish for future WD is that instead of piling pages only vertically, one could also have horizontal strips of pages.
Reason being that when you have ten or more pages you (I atleast) start to loose track of them when you scroll up and down.
With the possibility of horizontal page stacks the user could arrange pages into meaningful page "groups" like "these pages deal with products, these are for services, and these are for maintenance" etc.
Additionally these horizontal strips could be used to handle state changes of one coherent view. I haven't developed any further vision about this, but I just have a gut feeling that it could be intuitive solution for such.
One can wish, right? ;)
Markku, what about also having a Zoom All Pages included in the Zoom Info Bar?
Ctrl+mouse-scroll allows a pretty fast zoom out (or in).
I too would like to see the option for a more hierarchal page structure (a real Project Manager, if you will) -- allowing for nesting whole sets of pages under category/sub-index pages. The ability to [+] expand or [–] collapse sections would be wonderful.
Consider showing positioning the assigned page names adjacent to the page layout. It could help when zoomed out, when thumbnail sized page images are small. See the graphic below.
The text should probably be properly scaled for readability.
er...not on my copy it doesn't LOL.
There is something odd going on here which I haven't managed to pin down as yet but my web sites were originally created on Xtreme and then when WD was released I used that from then on. Maybe its something to do with setting page length manually via the dialogue box....
Here's a 1 page example. Load it and then extend the bottom of the page downwards with the cursor - the extra space appears at the top so you have to select ALL and manually move it up.
Yep - it appears to be the Xtreme to WD import as the problem.
A minor bug which I'm sure John will sort out once he reads these posts
Just copy and paste to a new WD document and that fixes it.
See attached
Added 5 Apr 2009
* Drop down menus (AGAIN) I have now demonstrated WD to six users; they love it but the first question ALWAYS: "What about nav bars?" You show them the layer approach and they just laugh.
* Quickkey to set/reset margins in text
I agree. A minor bug which doesn't detract from what remains a damn good piece of sofware.
The difference with XARA is that you get a real sense that people are actually listening when anyone points these little quirks out and you know that they will be sorted.
WD should most Definitely NOT change the names of imported graphics... Despite what was said in an earlier post - certain tags like <H1> most certainly DO make a difference in Search engine optimization, just as the naming of graphics to something relative to the site also makes a difference in search engine placement! Just change these on your site and watch the placement change with it... It is going to be REAL pain to go back thru each page and RE-NAME the graphics in the folders and on the pages to match, if I want my page to move up in the ranks.
Why not give us the option of keeping the naming for each graphic as it is imported or placed on the webpages? The numbering system just won't cut it for me.
WD really is an awesome program, but the time it saves me in one area is being taken up doing other things to make up for what it won't do.
I don't know if this has been mentioned before -- sorry if it has...
I'd like to see John's (Covoxer's) priceless Tweaks be implemented as a feature such as "Get Tweaks..." that when clicked in the Design Gallery menu, would download & install/update the tweaks automatically. That way Xara could update the download as new tweaks are developed.
I'd also suggest that a graphic icon be developed for tweak placeholders --- so rather than just the yellowish rectangle the placeholder had a little something to highlight that it actually is a placeholder.
Regarding the tweaks, I'd suggest these be promoted as as important feature in the marketing of Xara WD. This form of extendability is very important to users and I thank John for his work in developing them.
Regards, Ross
I just bought the application over the weekend. Thrilled about it, but there are two basic functions which I would like to see. I realize that these functions are available, but not very user friendly as other functions in the application:
1. Easy way to make tables, like with Excel. Tables are an intricate part of any Web page, at least mine, and a user friendly application like Web designer needs to have an easy way to make tables. Right now, it's a real pain in the.... Either you do your tables in Excel and import them, but even then, there is no great flexibility. You can also develop tables using boxes within web Designer, but it's not easy. I'm sure you can can come up with something, you already did a super job with the rest, lets not be stingy and complete the loop.
2. Drop-down menus. Again, there are ways to do this, but they are not easy. Let's go, give us a real easy tool to work with and complete the loop.
That's it. I'm sure I could think of other functionalities, but I'm satisfied with whith what I have.... if you give me the 2 features I am requesting.
:)Rick from Montreal :)
Here's a request I've not yet seen and one I'd love to see (in xtreme as well):
transparency at the layer level. this can be used for image display tricks, but also so that you can see what's going on on a layer below the one you are woking on, for lining stuff up, etc. PSP has this as an example.
See post#7Quote:
I've not yet seen and one I'd love to see (in xtreme as well)
http://www.talkgraphics.com/showthread.php?t=37188
My original: Wish List: Quick keys to set/reset margins
Checked the Quick Keys list again but do not see any Quick Keys for resetting margins. In the work I do it is often necessary to indent a few paras and then drop back to no indent. For example CTRL Q (not currently used in Text Tool) could remove para formatting (a la Word) and CTRL SHIFT I or just plain TAB to indent the para or even BKSPACE.
At the moment I get around it by doing the first indent then using Copy & Paste Attribute. This is a bit of a pain but better than manipulating those ruler markings.
If something has been implemented please advise as I have not found it yet. (May be having a male look:D)
No, it was not proven to be so.It was officially stated that instead of using descriptive image file names one has to use alt property of images.Quote:
just as the naming of graphics to something relative to the site also makes a difference in search engine placement!
There is a number of much more important rating factors than html layout. Most important are references from other sites. When you modify your page in any way, it is revisited by SE and may have rating reset to the different level it was before editing. You have to wait for some time to see it stabilize.Quote:
Just change these on your site and watch the placement change with it...
It would be a waste of time and effort. If you have correct alt set for all images, renaming files will not influence the rating of your site.Quote:
It is going to be REAL pain to go back thru each page and RE-NAME the graphics in the folders and on the pages to match, if I want my page to move up in the ranks.
Because most graphics is supposed to be created within WD, so have no names, or taken from your camera and have a meaningless name. And the correct method of describing image content is not it's file name but specially created for this purpose alt property. Read W3C if you don't know it. Google doesn't read your image filename if it has alt property. Using alt tags is also necessary for accessibility reasons.Quote:
Why not give us the option of keeping the naming for each graphic as it is imported or placed on the webpages?
Then don't use it.Quote:
The numbering system just won't cut it for me.
That's because you do things that you used to do with other programs, but you don't have to do it with WD. But you still do... If you want to use WD the way you use other authoring tools, then you are going a wrong way. If you want another Dreamweaver but with Xara name, there will be none. XWD provides absolutely different work flow, it's a different tool, you have to use it differently.Quote:
...but the time it saves me in one area is being taken up doing other things to make up for what it won't do.
Unfortunately I couldn't get the quotes nested, so:
About h1 being important for SEO..
When something is unproven, it doesn't mean it isn't true. I don't think either side of the H1 debate was proven (or could be), so we can appreciate that either view may be/is valid.
Rather than debate the point incessantly it might just be better to say that <h> tags are not supported and their relevance is debatable.
On the subject of XWD image numbering scheme being unsuitable:
I'm not sure if you mean XWD or the numbering scheme.Quote:
Then don't use it.
The criticism of image naming seems perfectly valid to me. I can understand why it would be problematic, since XWD doesn't just import images it modifies them, so the images used in a web page may not be the same as those imported.
A little patience and explanation goes a long way.
What you say is true, but it's pretty blunt. A little empathy and patience with the user who may not have the same technical background would not go amiss. XWD is a great tool, but it's not above improvement and the feedback here deserves a better reception than it sometimes gets.Quote:
That's because you do things that you used to do with other programs, but you don't have to do it with WD. But you still do... If you want to use WD the way you use other authoring tools, then you are going a wrong way. If you want another Dreamweaver but with Xara name, there will be none. XWD provides absolutely different work flow, it's a different tool, you have to use it differently.
I'm beginning to wonder if some people would be put off XWD, not because of the questions and criticisms of it, but because of the reception they sometimes get.
Paul
Just a little more on the image numbering mechanism - if anyone is relying on a particular numbering for images in a website, I suspect that just changing the XWD could cause all the images to be renumbered differently when the site is next generated - so don't depend on the numbering system!
As covoxer (john) says, this isn't an issue when using XWD as intended - complete website generation.
Paul
Yes, but we can't waste the developing resources to support something that is not proven to be true. It's priority falls far below ewerything else that is proven to be true.
It's your choice. You may not use numbering sheme or, if you wish, WD altogether. :DQuote:
I'm not sure if you mean XWD or the numbering scheme.
Well, so do a little search on forum. :rolleyes:Quote:
A little patience and explanation goes a long way.
I have a lot of patience! Othervice I wouldn't comment all those posts at all. :pQuote:
A little empathy and patience with the user who may not have the same technical background would not go amiss.
You mean, it would be better if I ignored it? I had explained something that I think I had to explain.Quote:
XWD is a great tool, but it's not above improvement and the feedback here deserves a better reception than it sometimes gets.
Someone, sometimes... Who knows... Way too many unknown to answer this question. Make a vote if you wish. But there was not a single post telling that someone drops XWD because of bad reception on this forum. While there are qute a few posts saying something quite different. :rolleyes:Quote:
I'm beginning to wonder if some people would be put off XWD, not because of the questions and criticisms of it, but because of the reception they sometimes get.
You definitely see the world as black and white without any grey, John!
[I've decided to discontinue this debate. If you want to turn it personal, feel free to use PM]
I'm not your enemy John - just trying to say that things aren't always black and white and a softer tone is good. I appreciate the feedback on the forums, brusque though it often is.
Paul
John (covoxer), please remember that talkgraphics is a friendly forum. I'll second Paul, that your tone sounds rude from time to time. We don't need flaming discussions to become the focus at TG.
Regards,
Remi
Time out. Take a deep breath.
Remember a lot of the members (and moderators) have been participating on the forum for long hours at time for many days now trying to: learn the nuances, help neophytes, instruct the web savvy, identify bugs, address uesability issues, find workarounds, etc.
I can't speak for others, but in my eagerness, I'm probably guilty of being in a hurry, not reading carefully, jumping to conclusions, or not being a patient as I should be. It is easy to do when dealing with a new program such as XWD which has such great potential. We all have room for improvement :)
I've learned a lot from all of the members here, one way or another.
By smarter Buttons I mean that when dragging Buttons from the Design Gallery (regardless of what the current/active layer is), you have to ungroup and move the button's objects to the appropriate PopUp Layer and MouseOver Layer for that PopUp layer.
If there were someway to drag a Button from the Design Gallery onto an active Layer whose name included "MouseOver" or "MouseDown" and not require the user to tweek things, it would make things easier especially for those buttons that have a lot objects.
Have an icon in the Text Info Bar and/or a shortcut key.
I'm sure people doing Web pages for technical data, building supplies, manufacturing, architecture, etc., will appreciate this.
Hi John,
I notice you have been editing the thread title in many of your replies.
I don't know about most members but since it is normally the thread title I don't bother to read that. This makes some of your posts seem strange until I notice you have edited the title.
Would like the NAME gallery available in XWD, while building animations.
Helpful feature in XXP and missed it in XWD.
I meant to comment on the numbered images in my previous post.
Since 2000 I have used another program for web building that converts images to serial numbers (number/letter combination like 272090a0.jpg). The program allows for image description. So just like XWD, images are renamed by the program. Having 9 years of personal experience with many websites I have built/repaired (far more if you want to count the thousands made by all the users of this software over the years), I can give true life witness that none of the sites have suffered from numbered image naming. Search rankings at #1 -#10 for keyword and content searches prove that search engines will not lower your rank for numbered images.
Animation Enhancements:
I have only begun to dappling with creating flash animations. But so far, the following seem like they would be helpful:
1- For use, at least when previewing a flash animation: Abilitity to automatically Display the current Frame Name below the preview window.
2- A move button in the frame gallery (or a custom paste-in-place) so you can select multiple objects on different frames and move them (or paste them in place) into the active frame.
3- Ability to tween an object-pair between more than just two consequetive frames; for example between the first and last frame.
4- An Overlay property that overlays All previous frames or until a previous frame with a similar overlay property.
5- A built-in progressbar that has the same functionality of progress bars in movie viewers; an indicator the moves left to right (or top to bottom), an indicator which can be clicked on to jump or dragged during the animation to the closest frame of the tween being played, etc. Template progress bars available in the Design Gallery (just drag them on the first frame and be able to "strech" Left and Right bounds or Top and Bottom bounds). Perhaps a way for the user to create their own.
Hi everyone,
Due to the immense popularity of the Web Designer forum and the high post rate of this particular 'What I'd like to see.....' thread, I have created a new Sub-Forum forum specifically for 'Feature requests, suggestions and bug reports'.
Dear Xara Web Designer..
The new forum will operate in a similar manner to the successful 'Dear Xara...' forum which was created in January.
Please read the Forum opening Sticky post before posting.
This thread is now closed, though obviously must remain viewable for reference.
Thank you for your continued support :)
Steve Ledger (sledger)