Xara has updated both of its flagship vector and bitmap design tools -- Xara Photo & Graphic Designer and Xara Designer Pro -- to version 7. New features include the addition of fly-out galleries, a magnetic snap feature, and a photo-erase tool that aims to simplify the process of replacing the background in one image with that of another.

Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 7 is aimed at graphic enthusiasts, while Xara Designer Pro 7, which adds web-design functionality and professional-level tools such as CMYK and PANTONE support, is geared towards professional designers and web builders.

Other new features in version 7 of both programs is the ability to cut, copy and paste entire pages, including all elements and attributes, within documents and between them. In addition to this, Xara Designer Pro 7 includes a number of new features that debuted in Xara's recently updated Web Designer Premium 7, including tools for creating web slideshows and web presentations, the ability to anchor graphics into flowing text and a new "live" copy feature that allows multiple live copies of vector and photo objects that are automatically updated whenever a single instance is edited.

Both Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 7 and Xara Designer Pro 7 are available to download as a free trial versions for PCs running Windows XP, Vista or 7. The full versions costs $89 ($39 upgrade) and $299 ($129 upgrade) respectively.