Macromedia Ships Latest FreeHand

Macromedia Inc. Monday released
FreeHand 9, its design and layout software that was created
specifically for cross-media publishing.

Macromedia (MACR) hopes that FreeHand 9
will change the way designers
approach their work by providing a toolset for vector graphics for both
print or Web.

New features and enhancements include Flash integration, increased
productivity, and new creative tools. With over 200 million users, The
Macromedia Flash Player has over 200 million users, making it “the standard
for creating vector graphics displays.” Support for the Macromedia Flash
file format within FreeHand allows designers to create high-impact, low
bandwidth Web animations and graphics. Productivity enhancements include an
improved visual management environment for multi-page documents and dozens
of workflow features. New illustration features include three-dimensional
perspective grids and live enveloping.

Flash 4 FreeHand 9 Studio provides designers with a cost-effective method of
integrating FreeHand 9 and Macromedia Flash 4, and publishing high-impact
designs to the Web. Flash allows designers to add Web-based motion, sound
and interactivity to their content. FreeHand users will appreciate the
newly-announced Macromedia Flash printing technology, allowing intelligent
printing from Web applications. Freehand allows designers to export
animated Macromedia Flash files from within FreeHand or import them into
Flash 4 to add sound and interactivity.

Additional features for Web graphics production include:

• “Release-to-layers” feature creates animations and other motion effects
  without a timeline, letting designers rapidly deploy animated Flash content
  
• Integrated HTML publishing with URLs, embedded Flash files, and
  Macromedia Dreamweaver formatting for easier cross-media publishing
  
• The Macromedia Symbol Library, enabling designers to use master
  elements across multiple pages and designs