If I could only have one graphics program, then this would be it. It may not have as many features as some of the heavyweights in the graphics arena, but it has a wonderfully clean interface which is also very intuitive in use. Even though it is a vector based program, it has some useful features for dealing with bitmap images as well.

The latest version (it is now back with its original authors, after Corel's attempt to bury it!) Xara X, has some terrific new features aimed at Web design. For instance you can create a bevelled button of any shape by clicking and dragging with the bevel tool. You can download a trial version from the Xara web site.

Anyway about the image, this was my first attempt at a product mock up and I am quite pleased with the result. The image has about twenty layers, which makes it much easier, as you can work on one aspect of the image and lock everything else, so that you don't inadvertently mess up something that was finished. Working with layers also allows you to hide some of the layers, which again makes it much easier to concentrate on what you are doing. I believe that there is somewhere between 15 and 20 hours work in this one, but I can't really remember, it was done back in early 1999.

This was my dream for a portable computer for an artist. Something that you could carry with you and, with something like Painter loaded, you would have all of the various artists materials at your disposal. Alas, nobody has produced it yet, maybe I'm the only person who would like one.