Freehand and InDesign

[kelly_hutcheon@adobeforums.com]

As a new user to InDesign, I am wondering the easiest way to get a Freehand 10 document into InDesign and keep it editable. I have a 180 page catalog in Freehand that we would like to convert to InDesign.

Any help is much appreciated!

[Steve_Werner@adobeforums.com]

It's been a long time since I've used Freehand, but I believe that when you save an EPS in Freehand, there's an option for it to remain editable.

[Bob_Levine]

I think Freehand supports the AICB clipboard format. Just copy and paste
to ID.

Bob

[Steve_Werner@adobeforums.com]

Sorry, I didn't read your message carefully. I thought you wanted a format in which to place a FreeHand single-page graphic (but still keep it editable within FreeHand).

What a nightmare...a 180-page catalog in FreeHand.

Robert is correct you can copy artwork from FreeHand. There was a preference or setting for copying in the right format (you'll need to check the Freehand manual for that). However, the text will NO LONGER be editable. It's a limitation of the AICB clipboard format. (For text, you would have to copy it frame by frame with the Text tool, and reformat it.)

[kelly_hutcheon@adobeforums.com]

Oy Vey! Ok, I will give that a try. I just don't want to have to re-type the entire thing! Thanks guys!

[Gabriel_Ayala@adobeforums.com]

Does the place command work when you try to import your document to InDesign?

What a nightmare...a 180-page catalog in FreeHand.




Isn't that the equivalent of doing it in Illustrator? Ack!

Glad to see you doing the right thing now kelly. That should have been done in PageMaker or InDesign in the first place. :)

get a Freehand 10 document into InDesign and keep it editable





I think Freehand supports the AICB clipboard format.




Yes, it does support AICB.

[Steve_Werner@adobeforums.com]

What a nightmare...a 180-page catalog in FreeHand.





Isn't that the equivalent of doing it in Illustrator? Ack!




This is the reason that I'm glad that Adobe hasn't added multiple pages to Illustrator. I'm sure they'll be added as a feature eventually...the marketing people will eventually win out ("...but Freehand has it!") But it isn't what either application was designed for. And here's a good example of what a dead end it is, as well.

[kelly_hutcheon@adobeforums.com]

The place command gives me an error along the lines of "this format is not supported, can't be found, or may be in use" (and i do have the document closed).

I agree Steve, programs should be used for what they are for and not what you wish they could be.

[Dave_Saunders@adobeforums.com]

Does FreeHand provide an RTF export of text?

I seem to recall that it did. Would that help? I guess it depends how threaded those stories are in FreeHand.

Dave

[kelly_hutcheon@adobeforums.com]

Yes, freehand does have a RTF export. However, the way the catalog was designed (badly i might add), it exports all the text we have on the header and footer of every single page! i think the easiest way for me to do it is to just select the text i need and redeign the dumb thing!