What is Macromedia Freehand MX?

The Macromedia Freehand MX software is a desktop drawing application based on vector drawing. With Freehand MX you can create vector graphics that you can rescale at any rate without loss of quality, and you can also print them at any resolution. You can use Freehand MX to create illustrations for web or for print, like company logos and commercial flyers. You can also use Freehand MX to convert illustrations into FLASH animations. Flash is also a software from Macromedia (recently ADOBE bought MACROMEDIA but they still use the same name…).

The most important aspects of Macromedia Freehand MX:

1. Integration with Macromedia Flash MX.
Racionalizes the development of Macromedia Flash MX projects designing complete projects in a single document. You even can import complex Flash films (SWF) to a FreeHand MX document more efficiently. Imported SWF archives can be published with the new capacity to execute and to publish of Macromedia Flash MX. Macromedia Flash MX can also open and import FreeHand MX files.

2. Multiple attributes.
You will be able to give more visual power and enhancement to your designs and illustrations with a limitless number of outlines, fills and effects attributes, that can be applied to a single vector object or text. There is no need to duplicate objects any more to reach a certain visual effect, wich leads to faster and easier updates, ncluding less objects.

3. Automatic Edit function.
You can change the form of rectangles, ellipses and polygons in a simple, easy and fast way without sacrificing the control and the capacity to edit primitive graphics. You can easily round a rectangle corner, create star polygons, convert ellipses into arcs and much more.

4. New user interface.
An integrated and flexible workspace thats shared with all Macromedia Studio products. Panels can be grouped, contracted or expanded.

5. Action Tool.
Create complex actions between objects, symbols and pages like “Goto and play” and “Goto and stop” and also more complex behaviours like “Get URL” or “Load External Movie”.

6. Panel Object.
Now you will be able to quickly change the properties of an object or text, like outline, filling, font and effect, in a centralized location. The new Object Panle provides centralized control of piling up several attributes.

7. Automatic effects.
FreeHand MX includes vector effects (like curving, outline and transforming) and raster effecys (like bevel, shade and gradient transparency). The ordering that the Object panel provides allows you to apply the effects in any order.

8. Connector tool.
The connector tool quickly assigns an information architecture, data flow or site maps. The line style allows you to totally personalize the aspect of the connections and apply them quickly.

9. Fascinating 3D effects with the Extrude tool.
The extrude tool provides complete and automatic control of the extrusion attributes, like 3D rotations, illumination and shared vanishing points.

Hope this brief introduction helped you out, be sure to check us back for more Freehand MX tutorials. Have fun!