Re: FLASH: The Benefits of Freehand?

[Dorian Nisinson]

Tom,

    I would say that I use Flash for 75 % of my design work but I use a lot

of other programs the rest of the time. I have freehand and illustrator

installed on my computer and use both frequently. I examined how and for

what kinds of tasks I was using each and discovered a trend.


Illustrator

    For sending print work to a service bureau and/or printer I tend to send

them  files in either ai, tif or psd with the occasional Quark file thrown

in just to keep me on my toes.

    For opening and inserting Illustrator artwork from a client into Flash.

I like to open the client's art in its native program first because I have

learned I can save myself a lot of effort by correcting some really strange

design decisions before I import it. ( not the look or design of the file

but how it was constructed) I have seen some really strange files created in

ways you might not believe and they can make your Flash movie very large if

not dealt with.

    For designing some Acrobat documents. I haven't used FH9's export to pdf

much yet so that may change.


Freehand 9

    Most times if I have really precise or highly structured art to create I

use FH. The new Perspective grid is such a treat to use to help that kind of

3 dimensionally correct drawing that for that reason alone I love it.

    For creating frame by frame animation using blend and, particularly,

blends on a path.

    For the new live envelope feature for creating certain kinds of

controlled distortion. Very nice.

    And the preview as Flash anti alias is also a welcome addition.


I would definitely recommend increasing the importance of Freehand as a

really useful complement to Flash.


Dorian


----- Original Message -----

From: Tom Green <

tgreen17home [dot] com

>

To: <

flasherchinwag [dot] com

>

Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2000 10:53 PM

Subject: Re: FLASH: The Benefits of Freehand?



>

>

> John Dowdell wrote:

>

> > FreeHand complements Flash in many ways. I'm not sure what you're

looking

> > for in particular, but here are quick notes:

> >

> > --  FreeHand is a general design tool for multiple output formats. The

more

> > design work you do in FreeHand, the greater the flexibility you have in

> > eventual destination.

>

> <snip>

>

> Just what I needed to hear, JD. After listening to Todd and others at

> FlashForward talk about FH9 and your post, I am now seriously considering

> moving Freehand into our curriculum next year and ratcheting down the

focus on

> Illustrator.  Are there any compelling reasons from the group as to why I

> shouldn't?

>

>

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