FAQ

Part of Studio 8

Product Information

What is Macromedia Studio 8?

Studio 8 is the essential software suite used to design, develop and maintain interactive online experiences. The Studio 8 suite includes the latest release of Dreamweaver, Flash Professional, Fireworks, Contribute and FlashPaper products.

What are the significant new features and benefits in Studio 8?

Studio 8 offers web designers and developers a new level of expressiveness, efficiency and simplified workflow. There are new creative tools for video effects and animation; efficient time-saving tools; support for latest industry standards; and better workflow across products.

What do the Studio 8 products do?

The Studio 8 suite includes five products to support the design, development and maintenance of online experiences:

Dreamweaver 8 - develop Web sites and applications
Flash Professional 8 - author rich interactive content
Fireworks 8 – create and optimize Web images
Contribute 3 – maintain, update and control web content
FlashPaper 2 – convert files to PDF and FlashPaper

Are ColdFusion and HomeSite software products part of the Studio 8 release?

Yes. HomeSite + and ColdFusion MX 7 Developer Edition are part of the Studio 8 release. They are included with Dreamweaver 8.

How many licenses of Contribute are included in Studio 8?

Studio 8 comes with one license of Contribute 3. Additional copies can be purchased, and Contribute is available in scalable multi-packs.

Why is Flash Professional in the Studio suite instead of Flash Basic?

Studio 8 is used by professional web designers and developers who require advanced design and development tools. Since Flash Basic 8 has a more limited feature set compared to Flash Professional 8, Studio 8 includes Flash Professional 8 rather than Flash Basic 8. Flash Basic 8 is offered as a stand-alone solution. Flash Professional 8 has the robust, advanced features required by Web designers and developers, and complements the other professional products in the Studio 8 suite.

Does Studio 8 include a new video encoder?

Yes. Studio 8 includes a new video encoder as part of the Flash Professional 8 feature set. It is integrated within Flash Professional 8 but can also be used as a stand-alone encoder.

Are you discontinuing Studio 8?

No. Studio 8 remains a key solution in the Adobe portfolio of products.

Is Adobe offering new solutions that combine Macromedia and Adobe popular products?

Yes. We have taken the first step in integrating our products with the announcement of three new product bundles for design, web and video software solutions. Learn more ›

Why was FreeHand removed?

After every release we do extensive research with our customers, who underscore the need to address ongoing maintenance demands. Contribute and FlashPaper were added to address the maintenance process as part of a designer’s and developer’s traditional workflow. FreeHand remains an excellent solution for illustration, and will remain a stand-alone product offering.

What is happening to FreeHand or Illustrator?

Adobe is evaluating the product roadmap for all of the existing and newly added software solutions, and it will make determinations at a future point in time. Until then, all products will be sold and supported.

What is happening to GoLive or Dreamweaver?

How do I upgrade to the Design Bundle or Web Bundle from Creative Suite?

If you have Adobe Creative Suite 1.0, 1.1 or 1.3 (either Standard or Premium edition), you can upgrade to the Adobe Design Bundle. If you have both Adobe Creative Suite 1.x and Studio MX 2004 or earlier, you can upgrade to the Adobe Web Bundle.

Pricing and Availability

What is the price of Studio 8?: The suggested commercial retail price of Studio 8 is $999 (U.S.).; back to top
In what languages is Studio 8 available?: Studio 8 is available in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Spanish and Traditional Chinese. In addition, Studio is available in English with Portuguese documentation.; back to top
What are the upgrade paths for Studio 8?: Past Studio customers can upgrade to Studio 8 for $399. Dreamweaver and Flash customers wishing to purchase the Studio 8 suite can review the upgrade pricing information.; back to top
Can I buy Studio 8 through a volume purchase program?: Studio 8 is available for volume licensing through the Adobe Open Options (AOO) 4.5 program. Please see the AOO main page on all Adobe websites or visit our website dedicated to Transitioning Macromedia Volume Licensing (MVLP) contract holders to Adobe Open Options (AOO). If you already have a MVLP contract in place, you can continue purchasing under this contract for a limited time.; back to top
Do you offer educational pricing for Studio 8?: Yes. The education version of Studio 8 is available at a discounted price to qualified educational end users. Please visit the Adobe Education Store or see the Volume License Program information for qualified educational institutions.; back to top
Can I try Studio 8 before buying it?: Yes. A 30-day free trial version of Studio 8 is available for download now.; back to top
Can I still buy MX 2004 products?: No. Studio MX 2004, Studio MX 2004 with Flash Professional, Dreamweaver MX 2004, Flash MX 2004, Flash MX Professional 2004 and Fireworks MX 2004 are no longer available for purchase.; back to top

Support Information

How do I upgrade from Studio MX or MX2004 to the Adobe Web Bundle?: If you have both Adobe Creative Suite (version 1.1 or 1.3) and Studio MX 2004 or an earlier version of Studio you can upgrade to the Adobe Web Bundle.; back to top
Why does the upgrade to the Adobe Web Bundle require both Creative Suite and Studio MX?: By including the two most complete packages for designing, publishing and managing content for the web, we wanted to offer as attractive of an offer as possible to the customers who already have purchased these suites separately. With so many products and suites available separately, it’s impossible to create upgrade paths that satisfy every combination of upgrade from standalone or previously purchased suites to the bundles. However, there are separate upgrade paths available from prior versions of the Creative Suite and Studio MX to Creative Suite 2 and Studio 8. Please refer to Adobe.com for eligibility and availability.; back to top
Can customers trade Adobe products in for Macromedia products, and vice versa?: If your product was purchased recently, you may be able to return it to the location from which you bought it and purchase the other products instead. Adobe and Macromedia allow returns for products bought directly from our phone or web store up to 30 days after the purchase date. Adobe Authorized Reseller policies may vary. If you have questions about our return policy and your other options, please call Adobe Customer Service or visit our website. If you are interested in owning both Adobe and Macromedia products you may be interested in the new Adobe Bundles. When returning product, please ask customer service or your reseller about your options to purchase these products.; back to top
What if a customer has recently bought products—for instance, in the last 60 days—and wants to upgrade or return them?: Customers who wish to return products should contact Adobe Customer Service.; back to top
Is Adobe offering any extended support contracts on Macromedia products?: Yes. Support programs will be offered without change until Jan 15, 2006. At that time, we expect to offer new support programs across all products. Customers with existing support contracts will continue to receive support under their existing contracts and will be offered the opportunity to migrate to a new program when their contracts expire. The new offerings will not be announced until Jan 15, 2006.; back to top
Why should I register my product?: When you register, your serial number is recorded into our database. This allows us to verify the number for you if it has been lost. Registered users also receive special software offers and notifications of product upgrades and updates. Additionally, customers who have purchased our products are eligible for the Getting Started Support Program, which offers
several types of free support that vary by product. Register your product today ›; back to top
I misplaced my serial number. Can you please look up my serial number in your user database?: Please review our Service Note for suggestions on locating a lost serial number. If you still can’t find it, please contact Adobe Customer Service and enter your name, address and company name (if applicable) in the online form. For customers outside the United States and Canada, please visit one of our International Support Centers.; back to top
How can I send in feedback or a feature request for a future version of Studio?: Please submit feature requests through our online Software Feature Request form.; back to top
What is product activation?: Product activation is an anonymous, secure and hassle-free one-time process that authenticates licensed users during the installation process. The activation process verifies that the serial number is legitimate and has not been activated on more systems than allowed by the End User License Agreement (EULA). It does not affect the ability of licensed users to use their software as they always have. For more information on Adobe's product activation process and policies and to review our expanded EULA, please visit our Product Activation Center. Note that activation is not required for products acquired under a volume license agreement.; back to top
How can I participate in future Studio beta programs?: To participate in future Studio beta programs, read about our Beta Programs.; back to top
How can I get help using Studio products?: You can get information about all technical support programs for Studio—including a number of free online options—at the Adobe Support Center.; back to top

FAQ

Product Information

Pricing and Availability

Support Information

Product Information

Pricing and Availability

Support Information

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Products in Studio 8