Macromedia’s newest offering, Studio MX 2004, contains all new versions of Dreamweaver MX, Flash MX, Fireworks MX, and Cold Fusion MX, as well as FreeHand MX, released earlier this year in Studio MX Plus. All of these applications have a new sleek appearance, and new creative features.

Released in two versions, you can choose Studio MX 2004 (including Flash) or Studio MX 2004 with Flash Professional, a more robust version of Flash, for data-driven applications, interactive presentations, and high-quality video. A new version of the Flash Player, Flash Player 7, is included with either package, and for free download at Macromedia so everyone can enjoy the new Flash features.

Long the leader in web-related applications, Macromedia raises the bar yet again with even more advances in cross-application compatibility. Working with Dreamweaver, Flash, and Fireworks together to create a complete multimedia site was never easier. Enhance your productivity with customizable workspaces and the improved and expanded property inspector.

New enhancements to the property inspector put even more of the options for the tools you need right at your fingertips. CSS is now integrated into Dreamweaver, making sleek CSS sites a real joy to create. Attributes like bold or italic type are now rendered in CSS, rather than with font tags.

Activation

One of the big changes in the 2004 suite is the activation scheme and was also one of the most discussed. I found it to be a relatively painless process, taking only a few seconds and then I was on my way. To be fair I do have DSL so I didn't have to wait for a modem to dial up and call in to Macromedia, but I can't imagine that once you are connected the process is any different than what I experienced. The EULA (End User License Agreement) is more flexible than before allowing for installation and activation on a desktop and laptop both owned by the primary user providing the programs are not used simultaneously. Read the specifics of the EULA here. The install and activation for my laptop went just as smoothly as for the desktop machine. This doesn't mean I'm in favor of activation. I am thinking of replacing this machine and that will mean a call to Macromedia. I guess we will cross that bridge when we get to it.

Collapsible panels for more working room

Customizable panels are in all of the new programs. You can easily group, ungroup, dock or float panels. Each panel or panel group can be collapsed or expanded depending on your needs to save space. Even the panel bar on the right side of the application window can be completely collapsed to give you more working area.

Collapsed panels

Start page

All applications in the suite have the new Start Page (except Freehand MX, which is not a new version but the one that was included in Studio MX Plus). From the Start Page, you can access last used documents, start new projects, choose a template, access Macromedia Exchange, and many other things. The Start Page appears whenever you don't have a document open. It can be turned off if desired.

System Requirements

Windows:
600 MHz Intel Pentium III processor or equivalent
Windows 98SE, Windows 2000, or Windows XP
256 MB Ram (512 recommended)
800 MB available disk space

Macintosh:
500 MHz Power PC G3 Processor
Mac OS 10.2.6
256 MB Ram (512 recommended)
500 MB available disk space

Pricing

Prices are listed on the Macromedia page. There are various prices depending on whether you are buying the full, academic, or an upgrade version, or from an eligible product. Find pricing and ordering information here. As always you can also purchase individual products.

Download trials of Macromedia Studio MX 2004 here.

Check out what's new in Dreamweaver MX 2004 --->>>