About this forum

[FFH Thü]

Since 2011 our organisation is in contact with Quasado to give input for their development of a FreeHand like vector application called "Stagestack" (formerly known as "Expressive"). It is still in an early development status but shows promising features like FreeHand-like path tool, CMYK color mode support, multipage layouts, with much more to come.

Quasado, a business software developer in Germany, uses spare time to work on this project. Now we are asked to support the development financially, so that more programmers can work on Expressive and make it advance quicker.

So please, members and FreeHand users, become backers/donators, also your input is welcome here in the forum.

For more informations visit:
http://www.quasado.com/
http://www.stagestack.com

[cyclopsdx]

This looks extremely promising and, the fact that it's a privately-run venture, means that cross-compatibility shouldn't be an issue as there are other interests at heart than just corporate greed.

In terms of feedback? From my perspective, it just needs to do what FreeHand does, in the same way and at the same speed - simple as that. As long as production PDF exports and flexibility of opening old FH files is updated, I'll be a happy man.

Looking forward to seeing how this progresses.

I guess the only issue Quasado have is whether they're allowed to name Tools and Actions exactly what they were in FH and whether they're able to exactly emulate the specific tool actions. Is this something they're able to do?

I'd love to see some of the team stopping by the forum every now and then to update us. In the meantime, I'm heading over to the site to donate. Good luck.

[FH Addict]

I immediately gave my contribution when I discovered the Expressive Project two months ago. I felt THIS software was finally THE solution for FreeHanders. Then I read this project started 2,5 years ago… that's very long. So, if Quasado is ready to give a strong and fast effort into the developpment of Expressive, I will give again. no doubt

[Head]

Hi Thü, Mark, Bez,

Just a thought, but are there likely to be any conflicts of interest with regard to what can be discussed here on the Quasado Expressive thread, bearing in mind that, as a part of the settlement, Adobe have invited FreeFreeHand to discuss ways in which AI might be developed to make it more ‘FreeHand-like’ in the future?

Seems like we could easily put you all on the spot here if we're not careful.

All the best,

Nigel

[Jules V]

Found it, fab news, look forward to developments and hope the same DTP flexibility is included, it's the seamless working between the illustration and the DTP keeps the workflow-ing happy days

[FFH Thü]

[Ralph]

Am delighted to discover that Freehand has a chance of being reborn. This indeed is great news following the dismal news that Adobe had all but sunk Freehand.

I am retired now so do very little drawing, but I still have a collection of Freehand files and had planned hanging onto an Apple computer that would remain compatible... I'm heartened to view all the videos from Quasado that show how far initial development has come along. Realistically though, it's a huge undertaking to create software as good as the original, given that Freehand was developed for many years to get where it did.

But even if the most important features could be recreated (which in my view are the basic editing and path manipulation tools, grouping, subediting within groups, the keyboard shortcuts for tool switching etc. etc.).

Of course there are so many features that Freehand added over the years, but to make it simple, if this new program could be what Freehand was when it was version 7, I think that achievement would give this new program enough impetus and features to ensure its likely success.

Ralph

[BrianW]

Glad to hear that the quest for a suitable replacement is progressing. One thing about FH that I used to value was that it was possible to use it as a complete DTP layout tool, with only Photoshop needed for bitmaps. I would create multi-page booklets with heavy graphics easily, ready imposed for printing. And I see no program as good as FH for creating lettering and fonts. It is only lacking in effects such as greyscale shadows. What I cannot get away with is the Adobe drawing tools, so for me the main thing is to get set up with the Bézier tools and general text capabilities.

[Buttercup1993]

Is this going to be commercial software or open source software? Just curious.

[mixr]

The future looks bright again!
Good luck!