10 Time Saving Adobe Air Apps for Freelancers

by Greg Rickaby on September 7, 2009

Adobe® AIR™ enables you to run WEB APPS on your desktop. I weeded through ‘the crap’ for 3 hours on Labor Day to bring you this list.

1. iPlotz

iPlotz allows you to create navigable mock-ups and prototypes you can easily export to your client(s). It also can be used as project management software as it keeps track of your progress.

Cost: $75

2. ImageSizer

Built to re-size/optimize/rename batches of .jpg images. Can I get a ‘what what’?

Cost: Free

3. RichFLV

Doing a screen-cast? Client need a video on their website? With RichFLV you can edit/cut/read/convert/export .FLV files on the fly.

Cost: Free

I’m a FreshBooks guy myself…however, I’ve found a FREE alternative that is nearly as robust. Time Tracking/Invoice/Expenses/Reports everything a Freelancer needs to cash in on his/her’s valuable time.

Cost: Free

5. Websnapshot

Do you need a screen-shot? NOW! It’s waaay more than that. I’ve come to rely on Websnapshot to do my dirty work, (Print Screen, Photoshop, Re-size, Save for Web, etc…), because time is money.

Cost: Free

TIE 6. ColourLovers vs. Adobe Kuler

My eye for “color matching” is poor, (just ask my ex-wife about how I suck at dressing our son), so I need help when I’m creating a new design for a client, and pre-made color pallets are where it’s at.

Both apps allow auto-importing to your favorite editing program(s):

ColourLovers = Microsoft Expression
Adobe Kuler = Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign

Regardless, of your editing program preference…both apps give you access to great color schemes (for free) that you can use to design a slick looking website, without embarrassing your kid.

Cost: Both are Free

7. Font Picker

I was skeptical at first. I use Photoshop to view all my fonts one-by-one. Then I tried this, and fell in love. No more trying to compare different fonts one-by-one. Just type, select the fonts you like, kill the ones you don’t. It’s like having a font playoff on your desktop – and you’re the commissioner. #win

Cost: Free

8. TweetDeck

Twitter = Free self promotion
TweetDeck = Inbox for your cash

Honestly, this is probably the most used Adobe Air App – ever. If you’re a Freelance Designer and you’re not using Twitter to promote your business…you are missing out on BIG money.

Cost: Free