Macromedia Studio MX 2003 for Mac

Dreamweaver MX is a visual Web editor that generates highly compatible code while also including useful site-management features. Flash MX is the de facto standard for Web animation, containing rich multimedia content in remarkably compact files. Fireworks is a great tool for putting the finishing touches on existing graphics, adding text effects or other elements, and optimizing the results for Web display. These three are the core Studio MX products, and the suite offers excellent value for these alone.

Integration between the individual products is generally very good. It begins with the interface, which uses common elements such as dockable, collapsible panels and a dynamic property inspector, so that you can switch comfortably between products. On a technical level, the key feature is roundtrip support. You can embed Fireworks graphics and Flash movies in Dreamweaver pages without losing any information, letting you later reopen an element in its original application with all its features intact.

Application development is not just a matter of server-side scripting. Flash MX also has potential as a rich client, with an interface driven by embedded JavaScript. Through a technology called Flash Remoting, Flash MX offers support for Web services. While it may seem strange to think of Flash as a rich client moving beyond the Web page, it does make some sense when you consider that it is cross-platform and very widely deployed.

Taking everything together, Studio MX is an essential development tool, as well as a great bundle for any Web designer. --Tim Anderson

Amazon.com Product Description
Macromedia Studio MX is an integrated suite of software tools for creating rich Internet applications delivered across major platforms and devices. The collection includes Macromedia Flash MX, Dreamweaver MX, Fireworks MX, FreeHand, a developer edition of ColdFusion MX Server, and Flash Player 6.

Work in a familiar, customizable environment with consistent user interface elements, including color management, drawing tools, code editing, a common Property Inspector, and panel management, all making it easy to move between the applications. Create each element of the Web production process, including developing graphics, laying out HTML pages, coding application logic, building rich user interfaces, and assembling complete solutions--all in one suite.

Take advantage of drag-and-drop visual tools and components, code libraries, and extensive code editing support for developing applications using HTML, XHTML, XML, ColdFusion, ASP, ASP.NET, JSP, or PHP. Use precoded HTML objects, Flash components, and complete templates to create or customize the Web solution that best suits your needs. Download additional templates, components, and extensions, or write your own to increase functionality. You can even install third-party add-ons and a full documented set of APIs, letting you customize and enhance all the products in Macromedia Studio MX.

Dreamweaver provides the easiest WYSIWYG design capabilities I've found. MX also incorporates all of the features previously found in Dreamweaver UltraDev. Round-trip editing of Fireworks and Flash imports makes this your total web solution.

While I've always preferred Illustrator over FreeHand, and ColdFusion is strictly for the PC platform, the set is well worth your investment. And, if you're a fan of those two programs, so much the better.