Web Tools and Features

GIF and JPG export

While gif and jpg export for the web is not new in FHMX, it has been improved, and the anti-aliasing looks much better. When I exported the lizard graphic here I was encouraged that the "ghost line" from FreeHand 10 was gone.

But there are some inconsistencies. No matter what export settings I used, this wireframe extruded box never had one side when exported, and as you can see the ghost line (the thin red line on the right edge) made an appearance. The ghost line was in almost all of the images I tried exporting as gif or jpg. I have gone back to dragging the image from FreeHand and dropping it into a new image in Fireworks to export. This is a time consuming annoyance I could do without. I can't pinpoint it because I can't always duplicate it.

The box above was exported yesterday. Today, no ghost line on either image below. Until the export feature works consistently, I probably won;t use it and will continue my drag and drop or cut and paste to Fireworks method.

Connector tool

This new tool is terrific for web site sitemaps, or flow charts. It also works great for family tree charts.

Because the connector lines update dynamically when a linked object is moved, it saves you time when editing your charts.

Action tool

Showing even more of the new integration, the Action tool lets you assign Flash actions to an object.

Output area  

By using the new Output Area tool, you can define and export or print only certain areas of your document; you can even export areas of multiple pages!

Gradient Improvements

New gradient fills 

Two new gradient fills have been added to FreeHand MX: rectangular and cone gradients.

Gradient fill handles  

Gradient fill handles like the ones in Fireworks let you adjust the gradient fill with much more precision.

Style behavior changes  

You can control what types of object attributes a style will apply to. Just choose Style Behavior from the Styles panel options menu.

Adding Pages to documents

The new Add page button on the bottom of the application window makes adding pages a cinch...no more having to go to the document panel for that simple chore.

Master pages make setting up a multiple page document and keeping it consistent throughout easy to do, and you can have other master pages to keep the layout of even a long document easy to set up.

 What do I think?

I have found this overall a good upgrade. Many of the problems I had in FreeHand 10 are gone; such as speed and crashing issues. However, some are not completely gone, such as the gif and jpg export ghost line. Since I will rarely use it for web work, this is not a huge issue, but it is annoying.

Want to know more?

Download a free trial of FreeHand MX here.

Related Links:

Macromedia
FreeHand Class at Eclectic Academy
FreeHand Class at LVS Online

Check out what's new in Flash MX 2004 --->>>