Resources for learning FreeHand
The FreeHand package contains a variety of media to help you learn the program quickly and become proficient in creating your own FreeHand illustrations. The package includes a printed book, online help that appears in your Web browser, interactive lessons, and a tutorial. In addition, Macromedia provides a regularly updated Web site (www.macromedia.com/support/freehand).
FreeHand lessons and tutorial
If you are new to FreeHand, or if you have used only a limited set of its features, start with the lessons. The lessons introduce you to the main features of FreeHand, letting you practice on isolated examples.
To view the lessons, choose Help > Lessons > Introduction.
The tutorial, in both the Help menu and chapter 1 of the printed manual, introduces the FreeHand workflow by showing you how to create a basic illustration. The tutorial assumes an understanding of the topics covered in the lessons.
Using FreeHand
The Using FreeHand manual contains instructions and information for using all FreeHand tools and commands. It is provided in both online help and book forms.
FreeHand Help
FreeHand Help contains all the information in Using FreeHand, but is optimized for online viewing. FreeHand Help is available any time the FreeHand application is active. For the best experience when using FreeHand Help, Macromedia strongly recommends that you use Netscape Navigator 4.0 or later or Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or later (Windows). For the Macintosh, Macromedia recommends that you use Netscape Navigator 4.0 or later or Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.5 or later. For either platform your browser must contain Flash plug-ins. If you use the 3.0 version of either browser, all the content of the movies and FreeHand Help is still accessible, but some features (such as Search) will not work. Running FreeHand and FreeHand Help simultaneously on a Macintosh may require more than 64 MB of memory, depending on your browser's memory needs.
FreeHand Support Center
The FreeHand Support Center Web site contains the latest information on FreeHand, plus tutorials, advice from expert users, examples, tips, updates, and information on advanced topics. For the latest news on FreeHand and how to get the most out of the program, check the Web site often at http://www.macromedia.com/support/freehand.
