Optimizing And Controlling The Animation - MACROMEDIA FIREWORKS 2-USING FIREWORKS Use Manual

Symbols and instances
Use symbols and instances to simplify animation and
improve editability across frames. When the original
object (the symbol) is modified, the copies (instances)
automatically change to reflect the modifications to the
symbol.
For example, when animating the word "Cow" across
ten frames, create a symbol from the word "Cow" on the
first frame, and then place instances of "Cow" on the
other nine frames. Move them, transform them, and
apply effects to them.
To change the word to "Llama," change the symbol on
the first frame from "Cow" to "Llama" using the Text
Editor. Every instance of that symbol is updated to
"Llama," but each instance retains its characteristics—
only the text changes.
Optimizing and controlling the
animation
Use the Options panel in the Export Preview to
optimize the animated GIF. Use the Animation panel
to set the frame delay and disposal method of each
frame, and to set how the animated GIF loops when
viewed in a web browser.
Disposal method
The disposal method determines how pixels of the
selected frame are replaced by the next frame when
viewed in a web browser. The four disposal methods are:
No disposal method is specified.
Unspecified—
Fireworks automatically selects the disposal method for
each frame.
Choose Unspecified to create the smallest possible
animated GIFs.
The frame is not disposed before the new frame
None—
is displayed. The next frame appears on top of the
current frame.
Choose None to add a smaller object to the
existing frame.
Restore to Background—
image and restores the area to the background color or
pattern that appears in the web browser.
Choose Restore to Background when moving an object
in a transparent animated GIF.
Erases the current frame's image
Restore to Previous—
and restores that area to the previous frame's image.
Choose Restore to Previous to animate objects across a
background image.
Transparency
Fireworks exports transparent animated GIFs if the
canvas is transparent or if transparency has been defined
on the Options panel of the Export Preview.
Note: Not all web browsers support transparent
animated GIFs.
Frame delay
Set the frame delay to determine how long the current
frame is displayed. Frame delay is specified in
hundredths of a second. For example, a setting of 50
displays for half a second, while a setting of 300 displays
for 3 seconds.
To make frames display as quickly as possible, set the
frame delay to 0.
To enter a frame delay value, choose a frame from
the list and then enter a number in the Frame
delay field.
Web Design Features
Erases the current frame's
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