Creating a Default Setup

This is really not a tip, but more of a reminder as it clearly states how to do this in the Manual. But many may not know how much you can control when creating a default setup page. Below is one person's example of how he sets up a default page for multiple projects.
Version: 3 and above

Submitted by: Daniel Davis.
Italicized items are editors comments

I've found the option of setting defaults per a template file to be one of the most beneficial functions of FreeHand.

I do renderings for three different awning manufacturers entirely in FreeHand™, with some help from Photoshop and XRes. Every rendering I make requires a data block in the lower right corner of the printable page, with the company's name/logo, address, phone, and pertinent data for that specific job.

I've created a template page by selecting a new page first, and changing certain settings like Rulers On, Snap to Point On, Landscape Mode On, Resolution: 600dpi, Show Full Page, anything I always like to set when starting a drawing. I've even put guides on the page for actual printable area!

Then I've loaded the three different data blocks, grouped separately and stacked near each other on the page. Data that changes in those data blocks, like job name, salesperson name, date, etc., I've entered as XXX. Just double-click on the XXX's and reenter the data.

I've saved the file with the "Save As..." command, with the name "FreeHand Defaults" for Macs or "Defaults" for Windows, in the FreeHand folder (replacing the old file) and changing the file type to FreeHand Template. Now, every time I open a New file, I get all of that info right off the bat. I select the two companies' blocks which I don't need, delete them, and place the used block in the lower right corner, snapped to the guidelines for printable area.

This saves me up to twenty minutes per day, just not having to change all those settings every time I go in and out of FreeHand! Hope it saves you some mousing, too!

Daniel Davis,
FreeHand Friend since 4.0!

You can also use a similar way to create settings for different printers you may have. Just create Templates with guides for printable area and printer specific options set (dpi, etc.). Put these templates in a folder in your Apple Menu Folder (Or Start Menu). If you use a utility that gives you hierarchical menus in the Apple Menu (Apple Menu Options, BeHierachic or NowMenus) this gives you easy access to pre-made templates for each printer.