FreeHand 7 Graphics Studio
Article Abstract:
Macromedia's $449 FreeHand Graphics Studio 7.0 offers a comprehensive illustration application suite, including extensive support for Web graphics. The new version of the flagship application, Freehand, features a superbly redesigned interface than organizes colors, layers, and styles options into tabbed palettes. Freehand supports Shockwave-enabled streaming audio and video and pan and zoom features for superior Web graphics. Other additions to this new version include an excellent autotrace feature, and flexible, easy-to-use multicolor gradients. Freehand is able to search for and replace both text and graphics, and automates many production tasks. Drag and drop interactivity with Photoshop is included. Other applications included in the suite are XRes 3, an imaging editing utility, Extreme 3D, a modeling and animation tool, and Fontographer 4.1.5, a font design application.
Publication Name: Publish
Subject: Publishing industry
ISSN: 0897-6007
Year: 1997
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Extensis PhotoTools 2.0
Article Abstract:
Extensis's $129.95 PhotoTools 2.0 DTP software add-on features a revamped interface that supports previews in real time and gives dialog boxes unlimited undo functions. The new release focuses on enhancing existing functions rather than adding new functions, but one new feature of note is the PhotoButton filter that provides 16 editable vector shapes that can be used to make shaded buttons. The PhotoCastShadow drop-shadow filter adds more realistic shadow effects and makes it easier to edit shadows. The PhotoText feature for creating a dialog box for type and performing complex formating adds the ability to save a text block and its formatting as editable type for future changes. New character-based style sheets format text automatically, and PhotoTools can now be accessed from Photoshop's Action palette. PhotoTools is the best set of Photoshop plug-ins.
Publication Name: Publish
Subject: Publishing industry
ISSN: 0897-6007
Year: 1998
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WildRiverSSK 1.0/Eye Candy 3.0
Article Abstract:
Fortune Hill's $99.95 WildRiverSSK Adobe Photoshop-compatible graphics/imaging utility includes a variety of modules for creating textures and detailed 3D effects. The MagicMask component provides 24 superior embossing filters, the MagicCurtain module handles gradient and coloring features, the MagicFrame module provides rectangular frame creation and the DekoBoko component creates excellent carved-bevel effects. However, WildRiverSSK's overall interface suffers from a cluttered, non-intuitive design. Alien Skin Software's $199 Eye Candy 3.0 Photoshop-compliant graphics utility provides 21 separate filter effects, including new Smoke, Weave, Chrome, Fire, Water Droplets and Fur features. Eye Candy's interface is simple to navigate, but the performance and help-access procedures are relatively slow.
Publication Name: Publish
Subject: Publishing industry
ISSN: 0897-6007
Year: 1997
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic: