Free FreeHand

[dinogami]

Hi All -

I just spotted this link on Kamiya's web site. It is apparently an organized attempt to get Adobe to release the code for the old Aldus/Macromedia FreeHand graphics program to open source. The young 'uns in this forum probably won't have any clue what FreeHand was/is, but it was, for a long time, the biggest competitor of Adobe Illustrator as a vector-based graphics program. I started out with FreeHand v. 2.0 way back when, at the recommendation of Robert Lang and John Montroll, who were using it to make all their origami diagrams (and I have used it for any number of non-origami functions as well) -- I'm guessing by the appearance of the link on Kamiya's site that he, too, uses FreeHand for his diagrams. At around v. 12, Adobe bought out Macromedia and discontinued FreeHand in favor of Illustrator. There is, apparently, a sizable global community of people that continue to use FreeHand despite a lack of updates and support; I myself used it exclusively for graphics purposes until very recently, when its age began to show, and I began to learn Illustrator. While Illustrator has some nifty features and functions, I can say that FreeHand is a far easier and faster program to use and its capabilities are still nearly identical (except in some export functions, but that's just because the program isn't being updated to keep up with newer formats, such as newer PDF codes). It also has some capabilities that Illustrator mysteriously lacks.

So if you are (a) an old FreeHand user like myself, (b) a frustrated Illustrator user, or (c) someone that doesn't have a graphics program but would LOVE one for origami (or other) purposes and think an open source, free program would be ideal, then please go to the link above and help out!

[origamimasterjared]

Macromedia Freehand is still #1 in the origami world. Robert Lang, John Montroll, Jeremy Shafer, Jason Ku, Brian Chan, Seth Friedman, Kamiya Satoshi, Komatsu Hideo, everyone at Origami House, etc. and I all use it.

It would be nice to have a slightly more current version. 2003 is starting to become a long time ago.

[marckrsh]

Thant is fantastic news! The site (http://www.freefreehand.org) requests your email address as momentum towards the cause (you can even donate money if you like as well). Origami illustrators seem to prefer the program, as its strength in line manipulation remains unparalleled. Supposedly Illustrator is stronger in the color palate department. It sounds like an uphill battle. Could you imagine a program more powerful than Illustrator AND free? Adobe would be shooting themselves in the foot if they released the code.

[Maeric]

An email alert came today that this thread was open to Origami artists looking to revive FreeHand. As one of the founders of the FreeFreehand Organization, I want to express my welcome to each of you to our movement and especially the delight in seeing FreeHand used in a field of such creativity!

Our organization is made up of Graphic Designers, Cartographers, Illustrators, Fashion & Textile Designers, Packaging, etc. Adding Origami to the list and seeing how FreeHand is used adds another level of depth to our membership. I must say that I was surprised to see the number of FreeHand references on this forum over the years. This forum's poll showing that it is even with Illustrator used as a creation tool says much for this community.

As dinogami said, Adobe acquired and immediately discontinued development of FreeHand in 2004 as it pushed its own Illustrator. With promises of Illustrator becoming more FreeHand-like to former users, it has instead become a slower, bloated, and more complex software than what FreeHand is. As such, the FreeFreehand movement began in Fall 2009 to object to this misrepresentation and begin immediate steps to protest, counteract and release FreeHand from Adobe's grip.
http://www.macworld.co.uk/procreative/n ... llchandate

Much more information is available on our website so please visit and read the home page, Social Q&A forum, blog entries, and especially our past newsletters. Then sign our mailing list to receive monthly news and developments. FreeHand hasn't been updated in 7 years and yet it is still powerful, fast, and unique in its features. Imagine what a new FreeHand will be like when it is updated!

If you have any questions, post them here and I will do my best to answer. Cheers to all.

— Mark

[OrigamiMagiro]

Great to hear from you, Mark!

I very much support your cause as I am an avid Freehand user. As someone who has access to both Freehand MX and Illustrator CS5, I almost always prefer Freehand to Illustrator.

I must say that I was surprised to see the number of FreeHand references on this forum over the years. This forum's poll showing that it is even with Illustrator used as a creation tool says much for this community.

I assume you are referring to this poll. While the poll suggests that Freehand is "even" with Illustrator for the generic origami diagrammer, it is my impression that among high level origami designers who diagram the most, the preference for Freehand is significantly higher then "even", as has been mentioned elsewhere.

My only concern with this project is that, while I would love for you guys to succeed in 'freeing freehand' I am skeptical that anything can be done about it. It seems to me from the macworld post and your website that your solutions always seem to create a losing situation for Adobe, making compliance seem unlikely. Am I missing something? I would love to get more involved in this project if I could foresee some possible realistic outcome...

[Maeric]

Great to hear from you, Mark!
My only concern with this project is that, while I would love for you guys to succeed in 'freeing freehand' I am skeptical that anything can be done about it. It seems to me from the macworld post and your website that your solutions always seem to create a losing situation for Adobe, making compliance seem unlikely. Am I missing something? I would love to get more involved in this project if I could foresee some possible realistic outcome...

Hi Jason-

Thanks for support and especially your note that among high level Origami designers, FreeHand is favored. As I said earlier, seeing FreeHand used in this field is quite a surprise since our organization assumed all endeavors were covered. Now that I've read through more of this forum and several other Origami sites, I see the importance for precision as well as the decorative aspect. Of course, FreeHand (or other vector apps) would be logical solutions to Origami, especially from its traditional origins brought into this century. The art created is astounding.

On to your question, the challenge here is going up against a corporation like Adobe. It is assumed that corporations rule in this country and customers have little choice. Beyond complaining on Adobe's forums and hoping for the best, little else has ever been done in the past therefore with this active effort "outside the box," Adobe is facing many thousand customers directly. And it has been a step-by-step process of ramping up our actions based on how Adobe management responded.

We began with simple petitioning, then with a Mission Statement to each executive, then PR articles, raising awareness in various design avenues, and lastly a user mail-in campaign to each individual Adobe executive responsible for FreeHand's situation. Unfortunately, Adobe remained aloof. This brings us to our least favorite option, legal means, of which I assume you refer to.

Without going into detail of this current situation, we have tried every passive approach known. Living in a country where Wall Street and Corporations rule, this is the hand we are dealt with and we will have to deal with it as such or forget FreeHand forever. In our various professions, this application is too valuable to let die without trying it all.

Jason, I know I'm painting a bleak picture here but I need to be truthful of this reality; none of us who started this organization went in blindly. Let's suppose we do lose FreeHand in all this wrangling with Adobe; what is so different than what we have now? At least we gave it our all. BUT, there is nothing saying that it can't end peacefully if public exposure and possible legal means show Adobe that their customer base means business. Or that we will not take their dictates automatically or out of fear. As with us, I would not ask you to support the cause blindly either but to consider what importance FreeHand means to you. It could get ugly with Adobe or it might be relatively peaceful, but what counts is having FreeHand back and thriving.

— Mark

[dinogami]

My only concern with this project is that, while I would love for you guys to succeed in 'freeing freehand' I am skeptical that anything can be done about it. It seems to me from the macworld post and your website that your solutions always seem to create a losing situation for Adobe, making compliance seem unlikely.

Along the same lines, one of my questions -- as someone that knows basically nothing about programming and program intellectual property rights -- has been: would it be more or less difficult than freeing FreeHand to design a new program from scratch that has many (or most or all) of the capabilities that FreeHand has?

[origami_8]

As much as I would wish for it, I also highly doubt that Adobe would free such a powerful tool. They bought Freehand because it was there hardest concurrent in this field. The only real chance I see is to get Adobe to release a new and updated version but the question is if there is a big enough market so that they can really profit from updating such an old program.
Being a Freehand user myself I'd love to see your project being successful.

[Maeric]

As much as I would wish for it, I also highly doubt that Adobe would free such a powerful tool. They bought Freehand because it was there hardest concurrent in this field. The only real chance I see is to get Adobe to release a new and updated version but the question is if there is a big enough market so that they can really profit from updating such an old program.
Being a Freehand user myself I'd love to see your project being successful.

Yes, these are very understandable and common sentiments, Anna. What we are doing as a full-blown customer protest hasn't been done at this level with Adobe. . . at least from what I know. The idea that Adobe would release an application that they purchased, on the surface, seems ridiculous. But the idea that they would release it as a result of overstepping FTC rules that kept the FreeHand user base satisfied is what makes this possible. Also that any case against Adobe will be National exposure and create a David vs. Goliath media story. That makes us wonder; would this really be worth it to them? I can only now say confidently that Adobe will never update FreeHand; it was bought only to feed Illustrator and remove its closest competition. Illustrator CS5 is that result.

Also to address dinogami's question of building a FreeHand-like application. Yes, this has been approached and in fact, that process was begun. It turns out that it is a daunting task and it will be years to reach parity with FreeHand. It's simply too remote in both time and money for where FFH is at this moment. Our best bet is on a new "friendly" developer, if not open source.

These are good questions you all are asking.

— Mark

[Adam]

I can only now say confidently that Adobe will never update FreeHand; it was bought only to feed Illustrator and remove its closest competition. Illustrator CS5 is that result.

Wouldn't an anti-trust commission be interested in examining this? I'm guessing that creating a monopoly by means of an acquisition would not be approved by such a commission. Try the European Commission or the US' equivalent of it.

Just an idea that popped into my mind while reading this.

[Maeric]

Wouldn't an anti-trust commission be interested in examining this? I'm guessing that creating a monopoly by means of an acquisition would not be approved by such a commission. Try the European Commission or the US' equivalent of it.
Just an idea that popped into my mind while reading this.

The USA equivalent of the European Commission is the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). So re-examining the original FTC approval of the Adobe/Macromedia merger is on the list. For that matter the EC has been contacted as well by members.

— Mark

[HankSimon]

I don't use Freehand or any other design tool, but I have a couple of possibly contradictory suggestions:

1. What's in it for Adobe ? Is it worth $100 to users, with a commitment of 1000 purchases. Or would you "donate" some Origami models, etc. to Adobe for use in advertising ? Is there some of benefit to provide to Adobe other than more goodwill and reduction of threatening action ?

2. By definition, Freehand users are a creative group. Could people start a gentle, Youtube campaign of humorous posts and video that poke non-abrasive fun at the situation, give voice to the situation, provide no real embarrassment to Adobe, and perhaps provide Adobe with some free exposure ?

A little honey never hurt a lemon.....

And a good Origami model never tears the paper...

- Hank Simon

[Maeric]

I don't use Freehand or any other design tool, but I have a couple of possibly contradictory suggestions:

1. What's in it for Adobe ? Is it worth $100 to users, with a commitment of 1000 purchases. Or would you "donate" some Origami models, etc. to Adobe for use in advertising ? Is there some of benefit to provide to Adobe other than more goodwill and reduction of threatening action ?

Absolutely right about our members promising purchases to Adobe, Hank. This is an excellent question and one we can't figure out why Adobe won't take us up on it. But the upgrade path for all Adobe products is about $300 so multiply that by our present membership of 5500 as well as thousands of users who aren't members. That is good money for Adobe.

2. By definition, Freehand users are a creative group. Could people start a gentle, Youtube campaign of humorous posts and video that poke non-abrasive fun at the situation, give voice to the situation, provide no real embarrassment to Adobe, and perhaps provide Adobe with some free exposure ?
A little honey never hurt a lemon.....
And a good Origami model never tears the paper...
- Hank Simon

Here are some videos created last year where all was much lighter in tone yet still getting the point across about Adobe pushing all us FreeHand users to its own Illustrator:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qZgT3fn ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f8CKjsY ... re=related

The mail-in campaign was very creative and here are a few examples of the custom designed letters, postcards, and posters that were sent to Adobe executives this summer:
http://freefreehand.wordpress.com/2010/ ... spiration/

(I wish we had some of you Origami artists to send in your work... now that would have made an impact!)