Hello Marc,

<< ... I don't know what you have against Xara's "policy", I find them most non-agressive, (you should see serif!).>>

Yes, the very bad Illustrator (Well sold) is became a better software after that ADOBE buys ALDUS (FreeHand). The choice of a software (Almost for the Freelances, not for the Employees; and still it's questionable) is also a stuff of taste; so, happily, everybody cannot like the same products.

I have tried several times, not one "Xara 2D", but one "Xtreme" and now one "Designer Pro", justly because I don't like very much Illustrator & I search steadily its substitute; but never I can get a good feeling with this Vector program, it recalls me too much one Coreldraw; I don't arrive to feel a real pleasure with it. Even So, XARA 3D, that often I used, was a good program very easy & convivial; clearly since a long time from XARA company (A company in England if I don't say stupidity, same if I believe that was Korean software from one ULEAD at beginning). The products don't stop to change of name and company, it's tiring.

About MAGIC, I have criterion all over ("Tous azimuts" in French; you understand French).
"Abracadabrantesque" MAGIC, very recent compagny or GROUP; this name of "MAGIC", ridiculous name that defines the deception, the wrong, the simulation, the tricks of wizard or witche, sorcerer or sorceress; this word annoys me, I know too much the real & true meaning of the words & I am hostile to any myth, holy joe fable (fairytale, lie, invention), mystifiers, hoaxers. I fight me along the years against all sorts of idiot "MAGIC". Well of course! this is a professional deformation; this first point cannot stop me to appreciate or not, some products of this company really not "MAGIC"; I look at Disney movies without problem. But a name gives a mind, so it's one thing to consider (with science or conscience).
By principle, a GROUP is a big SECT who wants to rake, pinch, nick, to cast one's net wide. I never support this mind, I believe in ARTISANS, craft industry, the crafts, in good ARTISTS (the true artists, not the Painter from Beaux-Arts, fine-Arts). In a group the developers (the real creators of the real progression of humans) are interchangeables. If these groups make money thanks all the stupid clients and customers, the END or final result after 10 years, is NO FREEDOM, NO LIBERTY, NO CHOICE (As a SECT at POWER). So When I see quibblings of a Group, my antennas go out as a reflex of resistant and rebel. I could to dig my analysis, but I should to write a book.
You know, that the first creators of all the softwares that we use everywhere, don't work in the company that sells their programs. You know well the problem that we have between Creator & Sales executive ("SALE" in French is not "PROPRE, CLEAN", we have all 2 ears, no?). Personnally I supporting always the small ARTISAN, against the big GROUP, the strong. I belong to a race in way of extinction.

Okay, I stop... My answer is already too long, & I havn't say all... XARA is not any more XARA, it's MAGIC GROUP.
But Yes, the old XARA have good softwares. Kenavo! & sorry for the spell mistakes that I don' see.