A new version of Xara Xtreme was released recently, Xtreme 4.
Here are some reviews:
Chicago Tribune
“This software draws on all the powers of a modern PC to give even beginners the ability to enhance our surroundings with home-brewed works of professional looking art.”
Los Angeles Times
“…the greatest thing about Xara Xtreme is the enjoyment one gets from just playing. It is the adult equivalent of that first tray of watercolors that enraptures children during art time in kingergarten.”
Computer Arts – Recommended
“Xara’s latest release is a superb illustration tool …One thing we particularly like about Xara is the live solid object scaling and dragging…It soon becomes a tool you’ll pick up again and again for photorealistic vector ‘painting’ – seriously rivalling Expression and thoroughly spanking Illustrator’s bottom…Xara Xtreme Pro is well worth splashing out for.”
Digit
“Live Effects is the standout illustration feature. This will let you edit an object (including vector drawings), even after you have applied an effect to it. DTP tasks are made easier by new support for multiple page documents and an enhanced text tool.(tools) such as the colour picker – are one-click simplicity. The Transparency tool in particular is fast and easy to use.”
PC Pro
“The program’s main strength remains its underlying speed. Xara has always stood out for the astonishing speed of its vector handling, as well as the sheer hands-on creativity this enables. ..the ability to apply a drop shadow, graduated transparency, or both, to your text in real-time is impressive…You’re getting an extraordinarily powerful package for little more than the upgrade cost of the latest Illustrator.”
Practical Web Design
“Although it’s primarily known as a vector-drawing program, Xara Xtreme has capabilities that extend into photo-editing and animation, making it a great all-round tool for the creation of web graphics. Optimised for quick learning and rapid workflow, this is a deceptively powerful package.” “Importantly, Xara seems committed to maintaining its software’s innovative edge.”
Click to read more about: Xara
Xtreme 4.0
Until next time 
Peter – Your Xara Guide
