TechNote (Archived)

Batch converting older FreeHand files

Issue

FreeHand 3 and 4 files cannot be opened in FreeHand versions 9 and later.

Reason

These older files cannot be opened by the more recent versions of FreeHand because additional features were implemented in these later versions.

Solution

You can open a FreeHand 3 or 4 file in FreeHand 7 or 8 and then save this file as a version 7 or 8 file. This process will be referred to as "converting" in this TechNote. The file that gets created in the conversion process can be opened in FreeHand 9 and later.

Note that the files produced in the conversion process cannot be opened in FreeHand 3 or 4. If you want to be able open the original files n FreeHand 3 or 4, make a copy of the original files before converting them.

If you do not have either FreeHand 7 or 8, you can download a Macintosh or Windows version of FreeHand 8 below. This version is try-only, which means that it cannot be purchased and will no longer open after 30 days of use. Support is not available for this version. (Phone support is available only to registered users of software purchased from an authorized reseller.)

Non-purchasable version of FreeHand 8

Windows: freehand-trial.exe (13 MB)
Macintosh: freehand-trial.hqx (18 MB)

Additional FreeHand 8 troubleshooting resources

If you experience difficulties after installing the Macintosh version, consult Cannot locate FH_PowerPlant error launching FreeHand 8 (TechNote 13061). If this TechNote does not address the issue, please visit the FreeHand Support Center page to find more TechNotes by keywords.

Batch processing script (for Macintosh users only)

Converting multiple files one at a time can be a time-consuming process. This TechNote also provides downloadable scripts and instructions for FreeHand versions 7 and 8. These scripts and instructions will allow Macintosh users to process these files in batches. Because no script is currently available for the Windows platform, Windows files must be converted manually.

Batch processing script

FreeHand 7 file conversion script (28K)
FreeHand 8 file conversion script (28K)

System requirements

Your computer must meet the following requirements for the script to work:

Power Macintosh with Mac OS 8.5 or later.
32 MB of free available system RAM.
40 MB of available disk space.
256-color monitor capable of 800 x 600 resolution.
CD-ROM drive.
FreeHand 7 or 8 installed.

Using the batch processing script

Follow the steps below to convert a group of FreeHand 3 or 4 files to FreeHand 7 or 8 format:

Download the FreeHand 7 file conversion script or the FreeHand 8 file conversion script and save it to the desktop.
Decompress the script using Stuffit Expander (see Decompression software below).
Make sure that either FreeHand 7 or FreeHand 8 is installed on your Macintosh (download and install the version of 8 above if you do not have either on your system).
Launch FreeHand 7 or 8.
On the desktop, locate the FreeHand Conversion file and double-click to open it.
Double-click either Conversion to FH7 or Conversion to FH8.
Click Run in the dialog box which opens.
Navigate to the folder containing the files to be converted and click Choose. FreeHand 7 or 8 will open all of the FreeHand 3 or 4 files in the folder, save them back into the same folder and create a log file, Conversion_log.txt, on the desktop.

The resulting files can now be opened and edited in FreeHand 7 or 8 and later (depending on the conversion option selected).

Note: The FreeHand batch conversion script ignores any files in the folder that are not FH3 or FH4 format.

Script limitations

Conversions should be limited to no more than 200 files at a time. If more than 200 files are converted simultaneously, FreeHand may crash and leave some files unconverted. If this occurs, run the conversion script again. New log file information is appended to any previous log file information.

Identifying FreeHand 3 and 4 files

On Windows, FreeHand 3 files will have a .fh3 extension, and FreeHand 4 files will have a .fh4 extension. On Macintosh, a FreeHand 3 file will have a file type of FHD3, and a creator of FHA3. For a FreeHand 4 file, the file type is AGD1, and the creator is FH40.

Decompression software

The files available for download in this TechNote are in a compressed format and will have to be decompressed. You will need decompression software, such as WinZip (Windows) orStuffit Expander (Macintosh), to expand the files after they have been downloaded to your hard drive. Macromedia does not support third-party software, including, but not limited to, decompression software such as Stuffit Expander by Aladdin Systems, Inc.

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Free downloads

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