Dynamic Site Tools

Macromedia Studio MX 2004 features a full complement of tools that enable you to go right to work. Freehand MX is a powerful vector-drawing tool that integrates workflow with not only Flash MX 2004 but also Fireworks MX 2004. Flash MX 2004 is able to talk to the Flash Communication Server MX and have content fed into it through ColdFusion MX, and Flash files can be used in Director MX presentations and, of course, be embedded in a Dreamweaver MX 2004 page.

Dreamweaver MX 2004 is the hub of the Studio. Content created elsewhere can be easily added to Dreamweaver MX 2004 pages, and, if the content is Flash MX 2004- or Fireworks MX 2004-produced, it can be edited in those applications with a single mouse click in Dreamweaver MX 2004. Dreamweaver is easily configured to communicate with ColdFusion MX, allowing you to preview your data in real time. It ships with an abundance of ready-made templates and can even be used as an ActionScript editor.

Fireworks MX 2004 is the imaging application with the capability to accommodate slicing, gif animation creation, pull-down menus , buttons , and a host of other features.

The following is a listing of many of the tools and a short list of their major features:

• Dreamweaver MX 2004

  • Rapid development and management of HTML and XHTML pages.

  • Code and design views accommodate all skill levels.

  • Capability to create template-driven sites for a uniform look and feel.

  • Capability to integrate content from Flash MX 2004, Freehand MX, Fireworks MX 2004, and Director MX.

  • Live data preview.

  • Full CSS support.

• Flash MX 2004

  • Streaming vector-based multimedia means rapid downloads to browsers.

  • Online Internet Application development tool (also known as Rich Internet Applications).

  • Hundreds of third-party components available.

  • Superb integration with Freehand MX.

  • Capability to add video and audio to Flash presentations.

  • Capability to easily create dynamic Flash presentations and sites.

• Fireworks MX 2004

  • One of the best web image optimization tools on the market.

  • GIF animations, buttons, rollovers, and pop-down menus are simple to create.

  • Slicing and hotspot features for large pages or image maps.

  • Full complement of special effects features ranging from Drop Shadows to code-driven special effects.

  • Works with vectors, bitmaps, and images composed of both vectors and bitmaps.

  • Seamless Flash MX 2004 integration.

  • One-click access to Fireworks MX 2004 from Dreamweaver MX 2004 and Freehand MX.

• Freehand MX

  • Freehand MX symbols move seamlessly into Fireworks MX 2004 and Flash MX 2004.

  • Connector tool for rapid creation of site maps.

  • Action tool for creation of prototype clickthrus.

  • Multiple page feature allows for site comp creation in one, not several, documents.

  • Master pages can be applied to different pages of a multipage Freehand document.

  • One-click bitmap editing with Fireworks MX 2004.

  • The most robust collection of typographic tools in the Studio.

  • Libraries can be shared among members of the team.

• Director MX

  • Industrial strength multimedia development tool.

  • Capability to integrate content from various sources.

  • Full-featured programming language.

  • Capability to call content on demand rather than waiting for the entire movie to stream.

  • Access to Flash Communication Server.

• ColdFusion MX

  • Tag-based language.

  • Integrates databases with web pages or Flash movies.

  • Built-in search engine and scheduler.

  • Rapid application development.

• Flash Communication Server

  • Streaming communications between Flash players.

  • Integrates with various middleware.

  • Capability to share objects between connected Flash players.