It’s Adobe MAX time, that amazing time when we all get new toys to play with.

And the teams have certainly delivered this time. Most of the core software if not all got some great new features and there are some amazing new apps to continue the collaboration between devices and desktop.

Lets focus on Muse this is the 2014.2 release and here are the big hitters.

Use SVG(Scalable Vector Graphics) in your Muse projects.

That means you can now create a logo, illustration or icon in illustrator and place it natively in Muse. Keep the crispness of the vector based graphics in tact without the need to roundtrip through Photoshop.

Four SVG’s in Muse Questions answered:

1. Can I use any other SVG tool instead of illustrator?
Yes you can use any tool that can export SVG graphics (test before going live though as a precaution the updated. Photoshop supports SVG as well now.)

2. Can I use SVG images as background images?
Yes you can even use full width backgrounds and the great thing about this is that they will scale beautifully.

3. Can I use any Muse FX with SVG’s?
Yes and No. You can use scroll FX, opacity control, fill in both solid and gradient mode along with corner radius but not the shadow, glow and bevel FX.

4. Does this feature work with older browsers?
Yes and No. It does not force browsers that do not support SVG to use them but Muse cleverly creates a poster image of the graphic to use as a fallback for browsers that do not support SVG.

Synchronized Text

This is a wonderful new feature that you will will find extremely useful moving forward. The basic premis is that you create content in one place, tag it then use the same content box on another page or layout, need to change the text? Now you don’t have to worry about all the other places that text maybe as the changes will synchronise across the site. Here is a usage scenario.

You build a site for a client but don’t have the text content yet. Add filler text to create the text areas on the pages. Tag them in the new content panel on the various layouts. Once the client supplies the text for you add it to one of the tagged text locations and hey presto all the other instances are now synchronised saving you a ton of time.

Three Sychronized text questions answered.

1. Does this work on other types of content such as widgets and images?
No its “Synchronized Text” only at present.

2. Does it work with in browser editing?
Yes we have tested it and it works well with our Media Temple Hosting (which should be the same for other non-Business Catalyst Hosting services). We published a test site with mobile and desktop, changed some synchronised text in the desktop version and and it updated the mobile version as well and tried it vice-versa all work well. Then we synced the site back to our local version and it was seamless.

3. Does it work with Business Catalyst hosting?
The jury is out on that one our early tests were at best inconclusive. Across Safari, Firefox and Chrome the system did not work great but I am sure it will be fixed at some point.

Find and Replace

A much needed tool that adds to your daily workflow. CMD+F on the Mac opens a familiar find and replace panel.

When would you use it? Lets say you have added a persons name to the content in various places on a site (and not used synchronised text) you realise there is a typo now you can just use find and replace to find all the instances of that typo and fix them easily.

Secure FTP

Is my FTP not secure? Well it is when you are on your own networks but if you are working from your local Starbucks then you are on an open Network. If some ruthless tech schmo is sniffing around the joint for open access to open ports on servers and you just happen to be accessing your server via non-secure FTP then they maybe able to gain access to your server.

Well that sucks right? So thats why you have SFTP or Secure File Transfer. There is a details explanation here — What is SFTP?

Rule of thumb is this when you are on your own network at home or the office you should be safe using FTP (thats not a guarantee do some digging or ask your IT person for advice) but when you are in a hotel, cafe or other open WifI hotspot use SFTP.

And my favourite little addition?

The new multi-purpose “Publish” button which has a great little drop down for publishing to FTP, Business Catalyst or HTML export.

Just select the option and then each time you hit the publish button for that site it will use your chosen export option. Thanks Adobe Dev Team this is simple genius.

One last thing…

Where has the “manage” button gone? Well since that was only useful for BC hosted sites its now moved to the file menu. Find it at File > Manage Business Catalyst Site

But wait there is a little more. We are about to launch an awesome resource for all you Muse users find it here www.123muse.com subscribe to our launch announcement updates.