Page 341 - Xara Designer Pro X17

Photo Handling 341

Photo Groups

If you edit a photo using some tools such as the integrated Red Eye tool or Clone Tool
(on page 395), the photo becomes grouped with other objects that modify the image in
some way. For example with the Red Eye tool, the ellipse shapes that are used to modify
the red eye areas of the photo are grouped with the photo itself. This is called a PHOTO
GROUP and you’ll see this on the status line when you select such a modified photo.

Similarly - if you enhance a photo while you have an active Mask or region, an enhance
region is placed inside the Photo Group

Just like an ordinary group it keeps the photo together with the other objects that have
been added to modify it, but unlike a group it is still treated as if it was an ordinary photo
by the Photo Tools and other tools. Normally photo groups are automatically placed
inside a clipview object, which clips any objects which overlap the edge of the photo, to
the boundaries of the photo itself. That’s why when you select a photo group the status
line usually shows you have a "Clipped photo group" selected.

If you want to convert a Photo Group into an ordinary photo object, you can use
"UTILITIES" > "OPTIMIZE PHOTO". But note that this is destructive in that thereafter you will
not be able to modify any of the photo edits you’ve applied to the photo. Some other
operations such as content-aware scaling, photo background erase and contoning also
convert photo groups into flat photos, because these operations aren’t able to preserve
the photo group structure.

You can also duplicate/clone (Ctrl+K) objects within photo groups - the cloned object
then appears as the topmost object in the Photo Group (look in the Page and Layer
Gallery (on page 181) to verify!)

Photo Grids, Panels and Frames

There are essentially two types of Photo Grid, which are a compact array of photos:
RESIZABLE PHOTO GRIDS, and SMART PHOTO GRIDS. The PHOTO PANELS are a combination
of photos, text and graphic elements and the PHOTO FRAMES are a collection of simple,
attractive frames.

You can find the grids in the ONLINE CONTENT CATALOG under "COMPONENTS" > "IMAGE
RESOURCES" > "PHOTO GRIDS". All the SmartShape photo grids (as opposed to the
Resizable ones) have 'smart' in the title.

Resizable Photo Grids
These are aesthetically pleasing arrays of photos, Initially, they are set to sizes that are
commonly useful, such as square, 16:9, 4:3, etc. but once you’ve added them to your