Macromedia Studio 2004
Macromedia Studio MX 2004 Macromedia has announced Macromedia Studio MX 2004, whichincludes major new releases of Macromedia Flash, Dreamweaver, and Fireworks.Studio MX 2004 provides an integrated workflow for designing and developing thefull spectrum of Web sites and Internet applications. For advanced developersdelivering rich Internet applications, Studio MX 2004 will also be availablewith Macromedia Flash MX Professional 2004.
Macromedia Studio 2004
Studio MX 2004delivers substantial new releases of its leading professional tools.Dreamweaver MX 2004 simplifies Web site and application development, offeringenhanced Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) support, cross-browser validation,built-in graphics editing, and updated support for ASP.NET, PHP, and ColdFusionserver technologies. Flash MX 2004 makes it easier than ever to create richinteractive content with new timeline effects, easy import of Adobe Illustratorand PDF content, and CSS support. Fireworks MX 2004 delivers a broad array ofnew design tools and effects. FreeHand delivers new productivity tools andpanels, and improved Mac OS X performance.
Macromedia Studio MX 2004 was a software suite released by Macromedia in September 10, 2003,[1] before it was acquired by Adobe Systems. This software package superseded Macromedia Studio MX Plus and was replaced in August 2005 by Macromedia Studio 8.
Adobe Systems, which had acquired Macromedia in December 2005,[2] disabled the activation server for legacy Macromedia products on December 15, 2012.[3] Users who wish to activate Macromedia Studio MX 2004 after this date will need to follow this procedure.
Macromedia Studio MX 2004 was a software suite released by Macromedia in September 10, 2003,[1] before it was acquired by Adobe Systems. This software package superseded Macromedia Studio MX Plus in late 2003 and was replaced in August 2005 by Macromedia Studio 8.
Studio MX 2004 bundles Dreamweaver MX 2004, Fireworks 2004, Flash MX 2004, and Freehand MX. As you might have noticed, Freehand remains unchanged from the most recent version. Also, and perhaps most importantly, there is the option to purchase the package with Flash Professional for only $100 extra. This option includes the impressive new features in Studio MX 2004, which I will cover later.
Flash MX 2004 provides full support for PDF and EPS files, including Illustrator 10 files. I used to have all kinds of troubles bringing my Illustrator files into Flash, but all those problems seem to have been fixed.
On September 10, 2003, Macromedia released the Macromedia Flash MX 2004 multimedia program, which included a new version of the object-oriented programming language ActionScript 2.0.
FireworksMX 2004 lets users import files from all major graphics formats andmanipulate both vector and bitmap images to quickly create graphics andinteractivity. Images can be easily exported to Dreamweaver, Flash andthird-party applications.
Getmore done by purchasing Fireworks as part of Studio MX 2004, theintegrated tool set that includes the newest versions of Fireworks,Dreamweaver, Flash and FreeHand. Studio MX 2004 is also available withFlash Professional.
Macromedia, Inc. today announced Dreamweaver MX 2004, the professional choice for building web sites and applications. Dreamweaver MX 2004 continues the product's tradition of innovation by providing a solid foundation for widespread adoption of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), a well respected, but previously difficult to implement web standard. Because CSS helps developers separate presentation and style from content, websites built with CSS require less bandwidth, are easier to maintain, and give developers and end users precise design control. Dreamweaver MX 2004 is the only comprehensive tool to deliver deep CSS support in a visual development environment, removing the learning curve and enabling developers to use this standard to cost-effectively deliver great experiences on their web sites and applications.
Dreamweaver MX 2004 builds on the success of Dreamweaver MX by further integrating visual layout tools, application development features, and code editing support within a technology-agnostic, platform-independent environment. By supporting all major HTML and server technologies, Dreamweaver MX 2004 unlocks the power of open, standards-based development for the web community while enhancing the basic tools that professionals need. Dreamweaver MX 2004 also includes SecureFTP, dynamic cross-browser validation functionality, built-in graphics editing, seamless integration with Microsoft Word and Excel, and updated support for ASP.NET, PHP, and ColdFusion server technologies. For more information on Dreamweaver MX 2004, which is expected to ship in September, visit www.macromedia.com/go/dmx2004/.
"Dreamweaver is not only the most sophisticated and extensible web design and development environment, it is also by far the most accessible and standards-friendly," said Jeffrey Zeldman, member emeritus of the Web Standards Project and author of Designing With Web Standards. "If you're a developer who wants the precision and power of CSS, you have two choices: code by hand or use Dreamweaver MX 2004."
"Macromedia Dreamweaver was built to reflect the way our customers told us that they want to code, design, and develop web sites and applications," said Sho Kuwamoto, vice president of product development, Macromedia. "Dreamweaver MX 2004 stays true to our roots of following our customers' lead by delivering what they asked for: support for standards like CSS and SecureFTP, more support for leading server technologies, and increased integration with our products and other leading tools."
Dreamweaver MX 2004 includes state of the art, standards-based design controls to ensure high-quality design. The entire design environment is built around CSS to enable fast, more efficient development of clean-coded, professional sites with sophisticated designs. Dynamic multi-browser validation automatically checks tags and CSS rules for design compatibility across leading browsers, the most common headache for developers. A built-in graphics editor using Macromedia Fireworks technology enables users to crop, resize, and edit graphics without leaving the Dreamweaver environment.
The open, technology-agnostic nature of Dreamweaver MX 2004 allows developers to work with their technologies of choice. Its platform-independent development environment supports all major server technologies, including Macromedia ColdFusion, ASP.NET, JSP, and PHP. SecureFTP encrypts all file transfers and prevents unauthorized access to data, file contents, user names, and passwords. Seamless integration with Microsoft Word and Excel enables users to preserve formatting as CSS when cutting and pasting into Dreamweaver. The product also includes tighter integration with Macromedia Flash, Fireworks, and other design and development tools in Macromedia Studio MX 2004.
Dreamweaver MX 2004 also incorporates a streamlined design and development environment to help web professionals find what they need faster, increasing their performance, productivity, and quality of work. Core feature improvements, such as enhanced table editing and a streamlined file editing process, all help users better manage the basics. Users can code more efficiently with right-click coding tools, revamped find and replace, and an improved tag inspector that enables quick, comprehensive property editing. Dreamweaver MX 2004 also includes advanced integration with Macromedia Contribute 2, a new tool that allows Dreamweaver users to delegate web content updates to content owners without giving up control of their site. Dreamweaver MX 2004 is "Designed for Windows XP" and "Built for Mac OS X." For more information on new features in Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004, visit www.macromedia.com/go/dmx2004new/.
Dreamweaver MX 2004 also includes the MX Elements for HTML, application building blocks that enable developers to rapidly deliver great experiences with a consistent look and feel. The MX Elements for HTML include style sheets, sample content, and templates. The style sheets are easy starting points for sophisticated use of CSS for positioning, with templates for common page layouts. The MX Elements have the distinctive Halo look and feel.
Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004, available for Windows and Mac OS X v10.2.6, is expected to ship in September. Pricing is $399 for new users, $199 for upgrades from Dreamweaver MX and Dreamweaver 4, and $99 for education customers. The product will also be available as part of Macromedia Studio MX 2004, which costs $899 for new users, $399 for upgrades from Studio MX, $499 for upgrades from any eligible product, and $199 for education customers. Macromedia DevNet Professional members will receive Dreamweaver MX 2004 automatically as part of their annual subscription. Education, corporate, and government volume licensing will also be available. The product is expected to be available in English in September, with Simplified and Traditional Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish expected to ship shortly thereafter.
The heart of Macromedia Studio MX 2004 is their web building program, Dreamweaver MX 2004. I will be writing this review from the perspective of the package as a whole with special emphasis on how the contents relate to web construction and especially how they interact with Dreamweaver. I will, also, have links to separate reviews and discussions of most of the programs that are this five part review. The programs that comprise Macromedia Studio MX 2004 include:
First, however, I will summarize Macromedia Studio MX 2004 as a whole and each program's function. For more information on each program and how they are used, click on the name of each program above for its review.