Macromedia has released a free update to its Freehand 8 design software for print and the web (CI No 3,320). New features in Freehand 8.0.1 include support the open Flash 3 file format, meaning designers can indulge their yen for editable vector transparency or preserve their clipping paths when transferring files to Flash. Vector capability is particularly important as a way for Macromedia to futureproof Freehand. Because they scale elegantly and occupy comparatively small files, vector graphics are in some ways better for web use than the bitmapped GIF and JPEG images widely deployed today. Vendors, including Macromedia and Adobe, are jockeying to have their vector technology adopted as standard (CI No 3,421). Fortunately, the fight between Adobe and Macromedia in the halls of the standards bodies doesn’t prevent interoperability between their respective applications. Freehand 8.0.1 also provides import-export and full drag-and-drop support for Adobe Photoshop 5. It will be available for download from Macromedia’s web site (http://www.macromedia.com) from September 1.
