I'm trying to install Freehand on a Mac running 10.6.8. Yes, I have downloaded and installed (placed) the MXa Registration file provided by Adobe. The program does launch, but only a couple of palettes open up. The entire tool bar across the top is missing and when I try to create a new file, nothing happens.
I tied downloading the trial version 11.0.2 as suggested in another post, but the same thing happened.
Can anyone help? I would greatly appreciate it.
-Amy
I had a graphic design business for 10 years and at the time found Freehand to be the best solution. Now I'm an InDesign convert but many of the old freehand files I wish I could open and convert to something in CC. I need to rebuild my portfolio and many of those old Freehand files are great works of art. I no longer have a system that will run Freehand, is there something I can run that would convert these files to Illustrator or something usable. I wish adobe would at least make a patch so I can run it on my Mac long enough to get the key files I want. Anyone have any suggestions or am I just screwed and 10 years of art is gone...
I'm Using Adobe FreeHand MX 11.0, when i need to print out always msg error"Could not complete your request becuase read or write access has been denied".
can your help me solve it?
i'm using Window Vista Home Premium and a try to upgrade the version but still cannot work.
After much too-ing and fro-ing with Adobe tech, cust service and sales, I've been told the only way to get freehand mx on my new imac (snow leopard) is to download the free trial version and after 30 days enter my S/N to make it permanent. I downloaded it when I bought it 4 years ago onto another computer and didn't make a copy.
So, I've installed it. But when I try to open it, nothing happens. Nothing. I've tried opening the program, I've tried opening a FH file, nothing.
Any suggestions? I will be lost without FH!! I just hate illustrator. . . .
Monika
I have not upgraded to OS Lion because it does not work with FreeHand MX. Reluctantly I finally got Illustrator CS5, planning on converting all my many many FH files to AI, which I have yet to learn to use. Now I want to get Lion. Could anyone tell me if I can open FH files with AI after I've installed Lion? Or would I have to convert them while still in Snow Leopard?
Thanks for any advise.
I have a copy of the product and want to activate it again on my new computer (windows 7) and the activating procedure doesn't let me do this via the internet and the phone support can not help me and asked me to get help from the website support center. Now I ask you: how can I acivate my copy of Freehand MX 11?
On the FreeHand Design Facebook page, some tests were run converting FreeHand files over to Illustrator CC. These results may help you with what conversion method to use:
Using gradations and text, here's what happened when exporting from FreeHand in different formats:
1) Exporting a FH file to Illustrator 7 format will have editable text on a path but the type will shift position. Gradients will breakup into bands with noticeable borders. Blends work the best.
2) Exporting a FH file to PDF and opening into AI will have smooth Gradients and Blends, but text will breakup to individual letters and the text path is deleted. PDF's work best if there is no text in your FreeHand file.
3) Using native FH file and opening with Tensai AI Plugin in Illustrator will have accurate gradations and blends. However, text brackets on the path are collapsed on import. Expand the brackets and your editable text will appear.
If you have a FreeHand file with no text, create a PDF and open in the latest AI. If you have text, use the plugin.
When exporting TRANSPARENCY effects from FreeHand to Illustrator in different formats: (see below)
1) Original FreeHand file with Lens effect and transparency. This is how it looks in FHMX:
2) Exporting the FreeHand file to PDF and opening the PDF in Illustrator will divide the transparent sections into blocks. It also removes all actual transparency and 0% areas revert to the white background.
3) Using native FH file and opening with Tensai AI Plugins in Illustrator will keep the transparent effect intact. You can move the elements around and still have transparency.
4) Exporting a FH file to Illustrator 7 will will not work at all; it deletes the overlapping elements. (no image shown)
Bottom line is if you have one or two FH files to convert over to Illustrator, exporting your file to PDF works in most cases. If you have more complex files, or a large number of files, get the Tensai AI Plugin
Hope these examples help.
—Mark
