Xara

For other uses, see Xara (disambiguation).
The Xara Group, Ltd.
Subsidiary
Founded 25 July 1981 (1981-07-25)[1]
Headquarters London, United Kingdom
Key people
 Charles Moir (founder)[2]
Owner MAGIX
Website www.xara.com

Xara is a UK-based software company founded in 1981. It has developed software for a variety of computer platforms, in chronological order: the Acorn Atom, BBC Micro, Z88, Atari ST, Acorn Archimedes, Microsoft Windows and Linux. It was originally called Computer Concepts, Ltd.; the company name was changed in 1995 to Xara, Ltd. and later to The Xara Group, Ltd. On 30 January 2007, Xara was acquired by German company MAGIX AG, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary.[3]

History

The company was founded in 1981 by Charles Moir. It started by developing for various 8-bit systems, such as the Acorn Atom and BBC Micro.[2]

Atart ST and Acorn Archimedes development

In 1986, it released its first piece of software for the next generation of computers, Fast ASM for the Atari ST. Development was focused on software for the Acorn Archimedes when it was released in 1987. ArtWorks, the predecessor to Xara Xtreme, was released on the Archimedes.[2]

Xara Networks

In 1995, a subsidiary company called Xara Networks, Ltd. was formed, specializing in the provision of high-bandwidth Internet connectivity to companies and ISPs. Xara Networks was subsequently sold to the ITG group in London, most commonly known for the Global Internet brand, and was subsequently renamed GX Networks.[4]

Move to Windows

Early in the 1990s Xara began developing for Microsoft Windows 95, as Acorn Computers struggled for market share. Artworks was rewritten from the ground up for the platform and in 1994 it was released as Xara Studio. This involved a team of 20+ developers, who worked for more than two years to produce a competitor to then market-leading drawing software CorelDRAW.

The Canadian company Corel brought the marketing rights to the software and re-branded it as CorelXARA. Corel marketed it as a web-oriented companion to CorelDRAW, but it was clearly designed as a stand-alone alternative to the older software. The arrangement with Corel ended after five years.[2]

In 2000, Xara released the software themselves as Xara X, which was superseded by Xara X¹ in 2004, and then Xara Xtreme in 2005. In 2006, a enhanced version was released, named Xara Xtreme Pro. Xara Xtreme Pro was renamed Xara Designer Pro.

Xara Designer Pro development continued and Xara 3D was released. These titles were the predecessors to Xara Photo & Graphic Designer and 'Xara 3D Maker.[2]

Sale to MAGIX AG

On 30 January 2007, Xara was acquired by German company MAGIX AG, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary.[3]

The software house continued development of its range of products, releasing Xara Web Designer in 2009 and Xara Page & Layout Designer in 2013.[2]

Location

Since 1984, the company has been headquartered in Gaddesden Place, Hemel Hempstead, an 18th-century Palladian style villa, designed by the celebrated architect James Wyatt, built in 1768 and reputed to be his first building in the UK.

List of products by platform

BBC Micro

Atari ST

Acorn Archimedes / Risc OS

The company also developed a range of hardware for the Acorn Archimedes including:

Windows

Linux and Mac OS X

References

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