FreeHand gets a leg up on Illustrator

Article Abstract:

In the ongoing competition between the Aldus Freehand 3.0 and the Adobe Systems Illustrator 3.0 graphics software packages, Freehand is moving ahead of Illustrator in nearly every area. Freehand 3.0 lists for $595, while the upgrade from 2.0 is $150. Freehand requires a Macintosh Classic or higher, 2Mbytes of memory and a hard disk. In a comparison of these two PostScript drawing programs for the Macintosh, Illustrator triumphs in text handling and graphing, while Freehand rates higher in ease of use, WYSIWYG functioning, 'undo' features, fills, special effects and color. The programs' features tie in the areas of drawing and selecting, but Freehand's overall superiority makes it the first choice. However, if text handling and graphing are most important, then Illustrator may be the best choice.

Author: Schmal, Jim
Product/Service Evaluation, Adobe Systems Inc., ADBE, Computer graphics, Software Packages, Illustrator 3.0 (Computer graphics software), Aldus FreeHand 3.0 (Draw software)

User Contributions:

Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:

CAPTCHA


Drawing made easy: Freehand

Article Abstract:

Aldus Corp's Freehand is the easiest and most flexible graphics software package available. The $495 program for Apple's Macintosh requires 1Mbyte of RAM and two 800Kbyte floppy disk drives or a hard disk. Freehand combines some of the most desirable features of Adobe Illustrator and Cricket Draw in a way that is very easy to learn. The program handles text better than any of its competitors and allows the user to combine several different typefaces, sizes, and colors in the same text block. The program's font access is awkward, and users may have difficulty importing PostScript files into a page makeup program. Freehand makes it easy for inexperienced users to create graphics, but artists who have already invested the time required to learn Illustrator may find Freehand unnecessary.

Author: Gruber, Philip
Electronic computers, Software, Desktop publishing software, Graphic arts, Graphic Forms, DTP Software, Apple Macintosh (680X0-based system), Aldus Freehand (Draw software)

User Contributions:

Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:

CAPTCHA


Pushing ahead: Freehand 2.0

Article Abstract:

Freehand 2.0, from Aldus Corp, is a versatile $495 computer graphics program for the Macintosh II. Hardware requirements include a Mac 512 with 1Mbyte RAM (Mac II recommended), and two 800Kbytes floppy disk drives (hard disk recommended). Freehand 2.0 has more drawing features than Adobe Illustrator 88. Overprinting for lines and fills has been added to version 2 for improved color separation capabilities. Freehand 2 now has a bundled process color card and a color monitor adjustment card. A guide to commercial printing gives users help to match on-screen colors with printed results.

Author: Schmal, Jim
Aldus FreeHand 2.0 (Computer graphics software)

User Contributions:

Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:

CAPTCHA


Subjects list: Evaluation, Product information, Graphics software, Aldus Corp., ALDC
This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.