Xara 3D Review – Easy 3D Text Animation

So what really is Xara 3D?
Xara 3D is simple 3D animation program, which is very easy to use and it’s great program for beginners or people, who just wants fast and amazing outcome. Graphic designers usually use this program to create nice 3D text, then export it to Photoshop for example and add some spice. Xara 3D serves well also for clean 3D logos,buttons creation. Program is really light weighted too, installation file is just 25mb small! If You hear about Xara 3D first time, then just keep reading and You’ll understand what’s this program capable of.

I added few images which were created using Xara 3D to keep Your interest:


Xara 3D here has been used as primary tool for 3D text creation and everything else can be easily done in Photoshop or other program You prefer.
The user interface is highly intuitive and I felt good after just 30minutes playing with tools – it felt even too simple, but as I already said - everybody with simple needs for starters will be satisfied. Xara 3D is worth just as low-cost way to start to get acquainted with the basics of 3D animation and rendering. The program comes with plenty of samples, textures, demos and there are great videos easy to download and understand. With Xara3D you can create an endless variety of 3D graphics from TrueType fonts and imported 2D shapes with wide range of controls as lightning, bevel, font size, type, color extrude depth and texture rendering. All images are anti-alias in very smooth and professional quality. Below are few examples what Xara 3D can do:
These examples can be used great as excellent 3D logotype, button or just graphic effect. Of course, if You are looking for something that allows You to get more creative, You may want to consider using programs like Maya or 3dsMax. Below are examples of simple animations Xara 3D is capable of:
I hope these animations will not crash Your browser, if it goes really slow, just tell me, I will take those out. Xara 3D allows You to create animated 3D graphics that surely will attract more attention than a static image. Those awesome 3D animations can be created in seconds – *.gif, *.avi and *.swf formats, every animation You create also can be saved as screensaver.
Overview:
Pros:

• Intuitive interface
• Easy to learn and use
• Allow to create advanced animations and 3D effects in seconds
• Result is very smooth and anti-aliased ( important for logotypes, headers etc.)
• Light-weighted and there is no need for powerful computer to use it
• Low-cost program

Cons:
I found just one very big con for this program – Xara 3D is limited in its animation options, 3D effects, lighting and Your creativity. If You are serious graphic designer – You will have to retouch Xara 3D output in other software programs as Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash.
Okay, now You have seen what Xara 3D can do. I found few tutorials for You to help get known with this program. Enjoy:
If You liked this post, keep in track with this site, because I will create nice Xara 3D + Photoshop tutorial in next few days.
Xara 3D is shareware, a free download ( 15 days trial) is available so You can test by Yourself how good this program is. To download the free trial version, or to see more videos and examples about Xara 3D, click here. Actually the price is especially attractive, xara.com offers this program for: $44.99-54.99 USD, low in comparison to many other 3D programs as Maya, 3dsMax etc.

Filed Under: Tutorial Design