Aldus announces Aldus FreeHand 4.0 for the Macintosh

SEATTLE, October 20, 1993--Aldus Corporation today announced Aldus FreeHand
4.0 for the Apple Macintosh, a major upgrade to its advanced graphic
design and illustration software program. New capabilities in Aldus
FreeHand 4.0 include enhanced text controls, intuitive color controls, a
streamlined user interface, extensive graphic capabilities, and multi-page
layout functions.

"The 4.0 Macintosh upgrade is a major milestone in Aldus FreeHand's product
development," said Lorene Lee, product marketing manager. "Aldus FreeHand
4.0 promises to be more accessible for users, while at the same time
providing even more powerful tools for high-end graphic design and
illustration. The new version really aims to provide a complete solution
for those in graphic services, graphic trades, and the publishing arena."

Professional features 

The upgrade features a new customizable user interface that eliminates
almost all of the dialog boxes and replaces them with floating palettes.
The palettes eliminate the need for users to repeatedly enter dialog
boxes, while providing a greater maximization of workspace. For example,
Aldus FreeHand's Inspector palette helps users manage text, layout, and
element attributes. The user interface enhancements are designed to
provide an environment that is easy to use by positioning the tools for
quicker access.

Aldus FreeHand 4.0 incorporates into multiple page design a live 56 l/2-
inch square pasteboard. The pasteboard is the first of competing
illustration applications to allow users to layout multiple pages in any
combination of custom sizes and orientations, as well as move text and
objects between pages.

The new version also allows users to specify columns and rows, gutters and
margins, and paragraph controls. These capabilities create a more flexible
and efficient process by allowing users to create, combine, review, and
color separate from a single file.

Aldus FreeHand 4.0 now allows users to type directly into their design,
eliminating the need to use a dialog box for text entry. Users now have
the ability to wrap text around or inside objects of any shape, drag and
drop tabs right into the design, and engage in professional track kerning.
The new version contains a wrapping tab feature unique to any desktop
publishing or illustration program. With these increased text controls,
users can now use Aldus FreeHand exclusively for graphic-intensive single
or multiple page layout.

In addition, Aldus FreeHand 4.0 now allows users to mix, then drag and drop
color from wells in the enhanced Color and Tints palettes right into their
design, even into objects that are not selected. With the new drag and
drop color interface, creating graduated fills and radial fills is
designed to be quick and easy. The new palettes allow for automatic
creation of standard tints or custom percentages, and for mixing,
defining, and naming saved colors.

Aldus FreeHand 4.0 has increased its graphic capabilities to include path
operators for creating objects which previously would have been time
consuming. Other increased graphic capabilities include built-in editable
arrowheads, a polygon tool for drawing stars and regular polygons, and a
calligraphic pen mode with variable nib width and angle. These new graphic
capabilities broaden the users graphic horizons, while maintaining
precision, control, and user flexibility.

System configuration 

Aldus FreeHand 4.0 for the Apple Macintosh is System 7 savvy (also runs
under System 6.0.7 or later); requires Macintosh-compatible hardware.

The recommended system configuration for Aldus FreeHand 4.0 for the Apple
Macintosh is any Apple Mac IIci series or greater, PowerBook, Quadra, 8MB
of RAM, a 120MB hard drive, a mouse or a drawing digitizing tablet with
stylus.

Availability and pricing 

Aldus expects to ship Aldus FreeHand 4.0 for the Apple Macintosh to
retailers in the United States and Canada by the end of 1993. Localized
versions for other markets will be announced later.

Aldus FreeHand 4.0 will have a suggested retail price of $595 (U.S.).
Registered users of prior versions of Aldus FreeHand will be able to
obtain the upgrade for $150. To purchase a retail version of Aldus
FreeHand, an upgrade, or to obtain more information, customers can call
Aldus Customer Services at (206) 628-2320.

Aldus Corporation (NASDAQ:ALDC) creates computer software solutions that
help people throughout the world effectively communicate information and
ideas. The company focuses on three lines of business: applications for
the professional publishing and prepress markets; applications for the
general consumer market; and service and support programs for professional
end-users. Aldus has subsidiaries in Europe, Asia, and the Pacific Rim
serving a worldwide network of dealers and distributors.

Aldus Corp, 411 First Ave South, Seattle, WA 98104-2871
206-622-5500

 ============================================================
 From the  'New Product Information'  Electronic News Service
 ============================================================
 This information was processed from data provided by the
 above mentioned company. For additional details, contact 
 the company at the address or telephone number indicated.
 OmniPage Pro is now used for converting all printed input! 
 ============================================================
 All submissions for this service should be addressed to:
 BAKER ENTERPRISES,  20 Ferro Dr,  Sewell, NJ  08080  U.S.A.
 Email: RBakerPC (AOL/Delphi), rbakerpc@delphi.com (Internet)
 ============================================================
