How to Create Screensavers With Xara3D

Xara3D is a user-friendly animation program that allows users to take simple headings or pictures and turn them into animated three-dimensional screensavers or Web icons. The software's interface is very simple to use and has a comprehensive help file. Once the program is installed, you can begin to create screensavers with ease.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Xara 3D software

Create Text for Screensavers

1. Launch Xara 3D. The default screensaver will appear on the screen.

2. Open the text box by clicking on the text icon "Aa" on the toolbar. Delete the current text and replace it with your own.

3. Select a font for your heading from the drop-down menu and choose the font size. You may also change other font formatting.

4. Drag the text with your mouse to position it at the desired angle.

5. Save the heading by selecting "Export Bitmap" from the file menu. Your heading can be saved in a variety of formats: .bmp, .png, .gif, .jpg, Flash .swf, .ico or .cur.

Choose Colors for Screensavers

6. Click on the "Option" bar or the "Color" button on the toolbar to change the color and texture of the text and background.

7. Use the drop-down menu to select which part of the image you would like to change. You can change the entire heading, the sides, the faces, the background, shadowing or lighting.

8. Click on the cursor and use the arrow keys to choose one letter at time if you want to change each letter's color individually.

9. Press the light bulb icon to see and change the colors lights shining on the text or screensaver object. You can drag the arrow to alter the light or change the color of it by double clicking on it and adjusting the color in the box that opens up.

Customize Screensavers

10. Add a shape to the screensaver by using the "DesignPicker" button to choose a default shape from the Xara3D library or one you imported yourself. You can then change the edges of the shape and the size thereof by using the "Bevel Option."

11. Animate the heading by selecting "Animation Options" from the file menu. From this menu you can, among other things, rotate the text or lights and change the animation speed.

12. Click the "Start Animation" button to preview what the animation will look like. Then, save it as an Animated GIF, Flash SWF, AVI movie or ANI cursor file by clicking "Export Animation" in the file menu.

13. Import a graphic file to add to your screensaver by clicking "Import File" and choosing an EMF, WMF or XAR/WEB file from your computer.

14. Speed up movement and positioning by using the keyboard shortcut to turn on the wire-frame mode. Press "Ctrl--Shift--W" to turn it on. The same shortcut will toggle the function off.

15. Adjust the perspective of your screensaver text or object either by pressing the "+" or "-" keys on the numeric keypad in conjunction with the "Ctrl" key. Restore the default perspective by using the "Ctrl-*" key combination.

16. Choose the "Design" option to create buttons, borders and new styles or place your heading on a board.

Tips & Warnings

• Xara 3D has three ways to correct errors: using the curved arrow "Redo" button, selecting "Undo" in the "Edit" menu or by holding down "Ctrl-Z."