|
|
|
|
||||
| An error occurred. Please try later. |
This seems to be the time of year for major upgrades. After the successful launch of the entire MX series in 2002, Macromedia has released new versions of Dreamweaver, Flash, Fireworks and a very slightly modified version of Freehand and included Cold Fusion MX 6.1 Developer edition to crown their new suite. Unlike the previous Studio MX that included the excellent Contribute, the new polished Macromedia Studio MX 2004 is a big change that indicates that things are really heating up with regards to major applications for the Web. My only regret is that Contribute was left out and Freehand did not make this cycle of re-workings with the new interface. Aside from those minor concerns, there is a great deal here to like about the much improved new Macromedia applications.
If Adobe rules the print, bitmap and vector graphics arena, and most recently have been aggressively seeking a strong presence in multimedia and Web creation, Macromedia has long since been the major player in all things Web related. They have managed to hold on to that position with the advent of powerful applications. At one time Freehand was once the truly dominant name in vector graphics. With the last incarnation of the Macromedia line up, Freehand was revamped for a new life as an addition to the Web tools, already a strong hold with Macromedia, as something of a great add-on application that offered an option to the now dominant Illustrator.
The position of being an add-on is clear in this version. Little has changed regarding Freehand. The good news is that it was always a solid application for vector graphics. It was easier to use than most and came with a nice clean interface. The advantage of having Freehand around now is the integration with the remainder of the franchise. This is not a bad thing. For some it may eliminate the need for a dedicated vector tool. There are some great things I still like about Freehand. Granted Illustrator is the current powerhouse in vector graphics, seeing Freehand around is convenient, reassuring and like an older application still worth having.
The major applications here are Dreamweaver, Flash and Fireworks. The revised interface that all three have been given are nothing short of amazing. While it is more evolutionary than revolutionary, the change makes for an even easier experience for new users. Of all of the applications here, with regards to end–users with slight HTML experience, Fireworks is still a dynamite application.
I must concur with others in saying that when it comes to optimizing images for the Web, Fireworks is in a class by itself. This really is the best application money can buy. Adobe has tried very hard to emulate Fireworks, but hands down, Macromedia has done this the correct way. With a plethora of help, and exciting elegant interface and the tight integration with other Macromedia applications, this is as good as it gets. Powerful enough for the professionals, but accessible enough for the newbies, this is the ultimate tool for Web image creation. While it is a bit slight with regards to bitmap editing, the positive sides are the help systems built into it and the ease of use here.
While Photoshop is still the heavyweight in bitmap editing, the gradients, special effects and other changes in Fireworks merit the upgrade. The color gradient feature is impressive. The changes are well worth spending time with and full of room for exploration. This is the one tool that newbies can gain the most from without having to climb a steep learning curve.
The giant of the crowd is no doubt Dreamweaver MX 2004. A huge application that comes with an equally intimidating learning curve, the power and performance of Dreamweaver is legendary. If you want the most high end tool for Web creation, this is the one. For casual users, FrontPage from Microsoft may be all you need. However, if you are ambitious and willing to put in the time, there is a great deal to like about this Photoshop of Web creation.
The interface of Dreamweaver has always been a bit dense. The various new versions MX and now MX 2004 have shown a consistent desire on the part of Macromedia to put everything into a more smooth interface. When starting up you are presented with a slew of options. Nearly every format imaginable is supported and the whole process is geared towards a wizard type of set up to start with at the opening screen. From there, you are on your own. To make the process easier, the interface is more welcoming than in previous incarnations.
Support is strongly present for interactive Web pages with extensions like JavaScript, Microsoft’s Active Server Pages, and Macromedia’s Cold Fusion. There is also expanded support for Cascading Style Sheets and a new editing toolbar. It is with regards to ease of complex features that MX 2004 excels taking some of the painstaking work out of creating complex Web pages.
Taking on the dual role of both hard core HTML editor and visual design application, Dreamweaver is really poised to take on the needs of high end detailed Web site creators while still accommodating the discerning designer. Having come a long way from being a design tool, Dreamweaver is now more than ever incorporating more and more into its scope. Part what you see is what you get tool and hard core coding application, the dual nature of Dreamweaver is now more apparent than ever. While this is a tool for the pros, there is enough here to keep the really hard working designer or the very interested hobbyist occupied for months on end, if not years.
Also incorporated into the MX 2004 suite is the developers edition of Cold Fusion MX 6.1 as part of the package. Although a complete package, this version has some constraints built in and does require access to a server. For most end users the inclusion of Cold Fusion can be a non issue. Because of its requirements, and set up, it must be installed separately from the remainder of the suite. For developers of Web site applications and the very serious Web professionals, I see where this is an essential. For designers more concerned with detailed pages, this may fall more into the arena of the hard core coders than the visual aware designers.
Flash, which is now ubiquitous on the Internet, is still on hand and reworked following the new look of the MX 2004 Suite. The big additions are more automated processess, support for cascading style sheets and a professional version, included here in this suite, that offers more data handling.
The major changes with Flash have to do with making time consuming processes easier, faster and of course improved help menus. The help systems incorporated throughout the suite are an impressive array of online help and help on the disk. For those that work with Flash on a regular basis, this is the one upgrade that will save you time and effort.
The dual nature of the Macromedia Suite is really apparent in this rendition. With professional versions vs more designer oriented ones, Macromedia MX 2004 is an attempt to make design work easier, while still offering enough power, configurability and features that coders will be comfortable with the application. While it may be early to offer conjecture on this point, but it may not be too far into the future when Macromedia offers coder versions of their software and strictly designer oriented software to fit the very different needs of these users.
With price points always an issue, if you are considering purchasing more than one individual appliction from Macromedia, you may do well to consider the suite approach. With just a slight difference in price, but a wider one in range, you will do well to consider the professional version even if your needs are modest ones.
For those wanting to know more about the Web, very serirous non–professionals and pros alike, there is a great deal to like about the new suite. While there have been issues raised online regarding stability, Macromedia has always been good with responding to criticism and offering support and upgrades for applications. Of all of the new major suites, this one is a real must for the professionals. If you are a designer, a serious Web creator part time, or just want to learn what is possible on the Web, Macromedia is the place to start. If your needs are modest, and price points restrictive, you may be better off with an application that does more hand holding. Should you be the kind that doesn’t mind spending time learning software, Macromedia makes the effort well worth your time.
Upgrading to the new suite is very simple. If you can afford to do so, you will definitely want this much refined set of excellent Web tools.
As is the case with more and more new titles, you have to activate this version in order for it to be fully functional.
Talk to Kurt in Graphics Unleashed Forums
Lexar Jump Drive and Platinum II SDHC Card · IRISNotes 2 Executive · IOGEAR Spill-Resistant Wired Keyboard and Mouse Combo · Logitech Z623 Computer Speakers · Gateway FX 6860-UR21P: An All-Purpose Desktop PC · Ridiculously Easy Backup From Rebit · The IOGear GPEN300 · A Review of the 5 inch EZReader Pocket Pro From Astak · A Review of the Barnes and Noble Color Nook · A Review of the Dell XPS 8100 · The Kobo eBook Reader, Just About Reading · The Best Ergonomic Mouse? The Smartfish ErgoMotion Laser Mouse · Sage Act 2010 · Microsoft Windows 7 · Adobe Creative Suite CS2 · Adobe Photoshop CS2 · SwissMemory Victorinox rubyRED Swiss Army Knife/Flash Drive · Tapwave Zodiac 2 · Stardock Object Desktop · Acrobat 7 Professional · Maximizer 8 · QuarkXPress 6.5 · McAfee's 2005 Product Line · Logitech io Personal Digital Pen 2 · IRIS Business Card Reader II for Windows/PC · Sandisk Cruzer Titanium Flash Drive · Microsoft Wireless Comfort Keyboard · Maxon Cinema 4D 9 · Jasc Paint Shop Pro 9 · Norton SystemWorks 2005 Premier · Verbatim Store N' Go 2.1 GB Hard Drive · Corel Painter IX · Paint Shop Photo Album 5 · Adobe Video Collection Professional 2.5 · Alien Skin Eye Candy 5: Textures · Techsmith SnagIt 7.0 · Ulead Media Studio Pro 7 · Xara Webstyle 4 · Maxon BodyPaint 3D Release 2 · Eovia Carrara Studio 3 · AV Bros. Puzzle Pro 2 · AutoFX Mystical Tint Tone and Color · Andromeda Screens, Cutline and Etchtone Plug-In Filters · Macromedia Studio MX 2004 · Microsoft FrontPage 2003 · AutoFX AutoEye 2.0 · Adobe Premiere Pro · Adobe Audition · Amapi Designer 7 · Alien Skin Splat! · Alien Skin Eye Candy 4000 · Alien Skin Image Doctor · Canvas 9 · nik Dfine · Xenofex 2 · QuarkXpress 6 · Jasc Paint Shop Pro 8 · Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Professional · Corel Painter 8 · Nik Color Efex Pro · Caligari TrueSpace 6.5 · Macromedia Contribute · Maxon Cinema 4D · Sonic Foundry Sound Forge 6.0 · nik Sharpener Pro · Jasc Paint Shop Photo Album 4 · Xara Menu Maker 1 · Curious Labs Poser 5 · Macromedia Freehand MX · Adobe Illustrator 10 · Ulead Photoimpact 8 · Xara 3D 5 · Xara X · Microsoft Publisher 2002 · Creature House Expression 3 · CorelDRAW 11 Graphics Suite · Procreate Painter 7 · QuarkXpress 5 · Adobe Pagemaker 7 · Adobe Photoshop 7
Copyright © 1995–2013 Unleashed Productions, Inc., All Rights Reserved.
