Xara Xtreme's Direct Action Tools allow you to create effects such as transparency, bevels or gradient fills by selecting the tool then dragging over the area you want to affect.

Traditionally, to apply these effects you make your changes in a dialog box and they are transferred to the drawing. With Xara Xtreme's Direct Action Tools, you can apply all these effects on the object itself - without having to enter any numbers in a dialog box! And the changes take place instantly - it's as close to using your hands as you will get with a graphics package.

This is a BIG advantage, because it not only saves time, but also keeps the creative work and the image itself at the center of your focus. It makes experimenting with effects and settings much easier too.

Direct Action Tools include the Bevel, Shadow, Transparency, Fill, Contour and Blend tools.