Page 1 Using Fireworks...
Page 2 If you access a third-party Web site mentioned in this guide, then you do so at your own risk. Macromedia provides these links only as a convenience, and the inclusion of the link does not imply that Macromedia endorses or accepts any responsibility for the content on those third-party sites.
Page 3: Table Of Contents
CONTENTS ......7 CHAPTER 1: Selecting and Transforming Objects Selecting objects ........... 7 Selecting pixels .
Page 4 ......97 CHAPTER 5: Applying Color, Strokes, and Fills Using the Colors section of the Tools panel ......98 Organizing swatch groups and color models .
Page 5 ......225 CHAPTER 12: Optimizing and Exporting About optimizing ..........226 Using the Export Wizard.
Page 6 Contents...
Page 7: Chapter 1: Selecting And Transforming Objects
CHAPTER 1 Selecting and Transforming Objects As you work in Macromedia Fireworks MX 2004, you manipulate vector and bitmap objects, text blocks, slices and hotspots, and areas of pixels. Using the selection and transformation tools, you can move, copy, delete, rotate, scale, or skew objects. In documents that have multiple objects, you can organize the objects by stacking, grouping, and aligning them.
Page 8 Using the Pointer tool The Pointer tool selects objects when you click them or when you drag a selection area around all or part of the objects. To select an object by clicking, do one of the following: • Move the Pointer tool over the object’s path or bounding box and click. •...
Page 9 Using the Select Behind tool When working with graphics that contain multiple objects, you can use the Select Behind tool to select an object that is hidden or obscured by other objects. To select an object that is behind other objects: •...
Page 10: Selecting Pixels
To select everything on every layer in the document: • Choose Select > Select All. Note: Select All does not select hidden objects. To deselect all selected objects: • Choose Select > Deselect. Note: You must deselect the Single Layer Editing preference to select all visible objects on all layers in a document.
Page 11 Bitmap selection tool options When you choose the Marquee, Oval Marquee, Lasso, Polygon Lasso, or Magic Wand tool, the Property inspector displays three Edge options for the tool: creates a marquee selection with a defined edge. Hard prevents jagged edges in the marquee selection. Anti-alias lets you soften the edge of the pixel selection.
Page 12 Plotting points to create a marquee selection The Polygon Lasso tool allows you to select specific pixels in a bitmap image by clicking repeatedly around the perimeter of the pixel area you want to select. To select a polygonal area of pixels: Choose the Polygon Lasso tool.
Page 13 A marquee appears around the selected range of pixels. Pixels selected with a lower tolerance (above), then a higher tolerance (below) To select similar colors throughout the document: Select an area of color with a marquee or lasso tool, or with the Magic Wand tool. Choose Select >...
Page 14 Adjusting selection marquees After selecting pixels with a marquee or lasso tool, you can edit or move the marquee border without affecting the pixels beneath it. You can manually add pixels to or delete pixels from a marquee border using modifier keys. In addition, you can expand or contract the marquee border by a specified amount, select an additional area of pixels around the existing marquee, or smooth the border of the marquee.
Page 15 Creating a marquee from intersecting marquees You can select pixels in an existing marquee by drawing a marquee that overlaps the original. To select a pixel area defined by the intersection of two marquees: Hold down Alt+Shift (Windows) or Option+Shift (Macintosh) while creating a new marquee selection that overlaps the original marquee.
Page 16 Creating an inverse pixel selection Starting with a current pixel selection, you can create another pixel selection that selects all the pixels that are not currently selected. You can use this method to select and then erase all pixels surrounding the original selection, for example. To create an inverse pixel selection: Make a pixel selection using any bitmap selection tool.
Page 17 Selecting an area around an existing marquee You can create an additional marquee to frame an existing marquee at a specified width. This lets you create special graphics effects, such as feathering the edges of a pixel selection. To select an area around an existing marquee: After drawing a marquee, choose Select >...
Page 18 Saving and restoring marquee selections You can save the size, shape, and location of a selection to reapply later. To save a marquee selection: • Choose Select > Save Bitmap Selection. To restore a marquee selection: • Choose Select > Restore Bitmap Selection. Note: You can save only one selection at a time.
Page 19: Editing Selected Objects
To insert a new bitmap by copying and pasting a pixel selection: Select an area of pixels using a pixel selection tool. Choose Edit > Insert > Bitmap via Copy. A new bitmap object based on the pixel selection is created in the current layer, and the selected pixels remain in the original bitmap object.
Page 20 To duplicate a selected object by dragging: • Alt-drag (Windows) or Option-drag (Macintosh) the object using the Pointer tool. To duplicate a pixel selection, do one of the following: • Drag the pixel selection using the Subselection tool. • Alt-drag (Windows) or Option-drag (Macintosh) the object using the Pointer tool. To clone a selection: •...
Page 21: Transforming And Distorting Selected Objects And Selections
Transforming and distorting selected objects and selections You can transform a selected object or group, or a pixel selection, using the Scale, Skew, and Distort tools and menu commands: Scale enlarges or reduces an object. Skew slants an object along a specified axis. Distort moves the sides or corners of an object in the direction you drag a selection handle while the tool is active.
Page 22 Resizing (scaling) objects Scaling an object enlarges or reduces it horizontally, vertically, or in both directions. To scale a selected object: Do one of the following to display the transform handles: Choose the Scale tool. Choose Modify > Transform > Scale. Drag the transform handles: To scale the object both horizontally and vertically, drag a corner handle.
Page 23 Flipping objects You can flip an object across its vertical or horizontal axis without moving its relative position on the canvas. To flip a selected object: • Choose Modify > Transform > Flip Horizontal or Flip Vertical. Skewing objects Skewing an object transforms it by slanting it along the horizontal or vertical axis, or both axes. To skew a selected object: Do one of the following to display the transform handles: Choose the Skew tool.
Page 24: Organizing Objects
Transforming objects numerically Instead of dragging to scale, resize, or rotate an object, you can transform it by entering specific values. To resize selected objects using the Property inspector or Info panel: • Enter new width (W) or height (H) measurements. Note: If the W and H boxes aren’t visible in the Property inspector, click the expander arrow to see all properties.
Page 25 Grouping objects You can group individual selected objects and then manipulate them as if they were a single object. For example, after drawing the petals of a flower as individual objects, you can group them to select and move the entire flower as a single object. You can edit groups without ungrouping them.
Page 26 Stacking objects Within a layer, Fireworks stacks objects based on the order in which they were created, placing the most recently created object on the top of the stack. The stacking order of objects determines how they appear when they overlap. Layers also affect the stacking order.
Page 27 About arranging objects among layers The Layers panel offers another dimension of organizational control. You can move selected objects from one layer to another by dragging the object thumbnail or the blue selection indicator in the Layers panel to another layer. For more information, see “Organizing layers”...
Page 28 Chapter 1: Selecting and Transforming Objects...
Page 29: Chapter 2: Working With Bitmaps
They are sometimes referred to as raster images. Macromedia Fireworks MX 2004 combines the functionality of photo-editing, vector-drawing, and painting applications. You can create bitmap images by drawing and painting with bitmap tools, by converting vector objects to bitmap images, or by opening or importing images.
Page 30: Creating Bitmap Objects
Creating bitmap objects You can create bitmap graphics by using the Fireworks bitmap drawing and painting tools, by cutting or copying and pasting pixel selections, or by converting a vector image into a bitmap object. Another way to create a bitmap object is to insert an empty bitmap image in your document and then draw, paint, or fill it.
Page 31: Drawing, Painting, And Editing Bitmap Objects
To convert selected vector objects to a bitmap image, do one of the following: • Choose Modify > Flatten Selection. • Choose Flatten Selection from the Layers panel Options menu. A vector-to-bitmap conversion is irreversible, except when Edit > Undo or undoing actions in the History panel is still an option.
Page 32 To change the color of pixels to the color in the Fill Color box: Choose the Paint Bucket tool. Choose a color in the Fill Color box. Set the tolerance value in the Property inspector. Note: The tolerance determines how similar in color pixels must be to be filled. A low tolerance value fills pixels with color values similar to the pixel you click.
Page 33 Erasing bitmap objects You can use the Eraser tool to remove pixels. By default, the Eraser tool pointer represents the size of the current eraser, but you can change the size and appearance of the pointer in the Preferences dialog box. For more information, see “Editing preferences”...
Page 34: Retouching Bitmaps
Retouching bitmaps Fireworks provides a wide range of tools to help you retouch your images. You can alter an image’s size, reduce or sharpen its focus, or copy and “stamp” a part of it to another area. The Rubber Stamp tool lets you copy or clone one area of an image to another. The Blur tool decreases the focus of selected areas in an image.
Page 35 To set Rubber Stamp tool options: Choose the Rubber Stamp tool. Choose from among the following options in the Property inspector: determines the size of the stamp. Size determines the softness of the stroke (100% is hard; 0% is soft). Edge affects the sampling operation.
Page 36 To smudge colors in an image: Choose the Smudge tool. Set the tool options in the Property inspector: specifies the size of the brush tip. Size sets a round or square brush tip shape. Shape specifies the softness of the brush tip. Edge sets the intensity of the stroke.
Page 37 Removing red-eye from photos In some photographs, the subjects’ pupils are an unnatural shade of red. You can use the Red-eye Removal tool to correct this red-eye effect. The Red-eye Removal tool paints red areas of a photograph only, replacing reddish colors with grays and blacks. Original photograph;...
Page 38 Replacing colors The Replace Color tool lets you select a color and paint over that color with a different color. Original photograph; after using the Replace Color tool To replace one color with another: Choose the Replace Color tool from its pop-up menu. Click the Change color well in the Property inspector to select the color probe, and choose a color from the pop-up menu, or click in the image to choose the color you want to replace.
Page 39: Adjusting Bitmap Color And Tone
If you prefer to apply filters in an irreversible, permanent way, you can choose them from the Filters menu. However, Macromedia recommends that you use filters as Live Effects whenever possible.
Page 40 You can apply filters from the Filters menu to pixel selections, but not Live Effects. You can, however, define an area of a bitmap and create a separate bitmap from it, and then apply a Live Effect to it. If you apply a filter to a selected vector object using the Filters menu, Fireworks converts the selection to a bitmap.
Page 41 The Levels feature sets the darkest pixels as black and the lightest pixels as white, then redistributes the midtones proportionally. This produces an image with the sharpest detail in all of its pixels. Original with pixels concentrated in the highlights; after adjusting with Levels You can use the Histogram in the Levels dialog box to view the pixel distribution of a bitmap.
Page 42 To adjust highlights, midtones, and shadows: Select the bitmap image. Do one of the following to open the Levels dialog box: In the Property inspector, click the Add Effects button, and then choose Adjust Color > Levels from the Add Effects pop-up menu. Choose Filters >...
Page 43 Using Auto Levels You can use Auto Levels to have Fireworks make tonal range adjustments for you. To adjust highlights, midtones, and shadows automatically: Select the image. Do one of the following to choose Auto Levels: In the Property inspector, click the Add Effects button, and then choose Adjust Color > Auto Levels from the Add Effects pop-up menu.
Page 44 To adjust a specific point in the tonal range: Select the image. Do one of the following to open the Curves dialog box: In the Property inspector, click the Add Effects button, and then choose Adjust Color > Curves from the Add Effects pop-up menu. Choose Filters >...
Page 45 Tip: You can also adjust highlights, midtones, and shadows automatically by clicking the Auto button in the Curves dialog box. To delete a point along the curve: • Drag the point off the grid. Note: You cannot delete the end points of the curve. Using tonal eyedroppers You can adjust the highlights, shadows, and midtones using the Shadow, Highlight, or Midtone eyedropper in the Levels or Curves dialog box.
Page 46 To adjust the brightness or contrast: Select the image. Do one of the following to open the Brightness/Contrast dialog box: In the Property inspector, click the Add Effects button, and then choose Adjust Color > Brightness/Contrast from the Add Effects pop-up menu. Choose Filters >...
Page 47 Adjusting hue and saturation You can use the Hue/Saturation feature to adjust the shade of a color, its hue; the intensity of a color, its saturation; or the lightness of a color in an image. Original; after adjusting the saturation To adjust the hue or saturation: Select the image.
Page 48 Inverting an image’s color values You can use Invert to change each color in an image to its inverse on the color wheel. For example, applying the filter to a red object (R=255, G=0, B=0) changes the color to light blue (R=0, G=255, B=255).
Page 49: Blurring And Sharpening Bitmaps
Blurring and sharpening bitmaps Fireworks has a set of blurring and sharpening options that you can apply as Live Effects or as irreversible, permanent filters. Blurring an image Blurring softens the look of a bitmap image. Fireworks has six blurring options: softens the focus of selected pixels.
Page 50 To blur an image using Motion Blur: Select the image. Do one of the following to open the Motion Blur dialog box: In the Property inspector, click the Add Effects button, and choose Blur > Motion Blur from the Add Effects pop-up menu. Choose Filters >...
Page 51 Using the Find Edges effect to create a sketch look The Find Edges effect changes your bitmaps to look like line drawings by identifying the color transitions in the images and changing them to lines. Original; after applying Find Edges To apply the Find Edges effect to a selected area, do one of the following: •...
Page 52 Using the Sharpen feature to sharpen an image You can use the Sharpen feature to correct images that are blurry. Fireworks has three Sharpen options: adjusts the focus of a blurred image by increasing the contrast of adjacent pixels. Sharpen increases the contrast of adjacent pixels about three times as much as Sharpen.
Page 53: Adding Noise To An Image
Drag the Threshold slider to select a threshold of 0 to 255. Values between 2 and 25 are most commonly used. An increase in threshold sharpens only those pixels of a higher contrast in the image. A decrease in threshold includes pixels of lower contrast.
Page 54 To add noise to an image: Select the image. Do one of the following to open the Add Noise dialog box: In the Property inspector, click the Add Effects button, and choose Noise > Add Noise from the Add Effects pop-up menu. Choose Filters >...
Page 55: Chapter 3: Working With Vector Objects
Macromedia Fireworks MX 2004 has many tools for drawing and editing vector objects using a variety of techniques. With the basic shape tools, you can quickly draw straight lines, circles and ellipses, squares and rectangles, stars, and any equilateral polygon with 3 to 360 sides.
Page 56 To draw a line, rectangle, or ellipse: Choose the Line, Rectangle, or Ellipse tool. If desired, set the stroke and fill attributes in the Property inspector. See Chapter 5, “Applying Color, Strokes, and Fills,” on page Drag on the canvas to draw the shape. For the Line tool, Shift-drag to constrain lines to 45°...
Page 57 To round the corners of a selected rectangle: • Enter a value from 0 to 100 in the Roundness box in the Property inspector and press Enter, or drag the pop-up slider. Note: If the Property inspector is at half height, click the expander arrow in the lower right corner to expand it to full height.
Page 58 Auto Shape tools create shapes in preset orientations. For example, the Arrow tool draws arrows horizontally. You can transform Auto Shapes to change their orientation. For more information, “Transforming and distorting selected objects and selections” on page Although each Auto Shape tool in the Tools panel uses the same easy drawing method, the editable attributes for each Auto Shape are different.
Page 59 Adjusting arrow Auto Shapes Arrows have five control points. There are control points for adjusting the flare of the arrowhead, the length of the arrow tail, the length of the arrowhead tip, and the width of the arrow tail. To adjust the flare of an arrowhead: •...
Page 60 To adjust a single corner of a beveled, chamfered, or rounded rectangle Auto Shape: • Alt-drag (Windows) or Option-drag (Macintosh) a corner control point of a selected shape. To resize a beveled, chamfered, or rounded rectangle Auto Shape without affecting the corners: •...
Page 61 To set the inner radius of a selected doughnut to zero: • Click the reset radius control point. Adjusting pie Auto Shapes Pie Auto Shapes initially have three control points. There are control points for dividing the shape into slices, adjusting slice size, and for resetting the pie to one slice. You can add as many sections as you want using control points.
Page 62 To resize the inner polygon of a smart polygon, do one of the following: • If the polygon has an inner polygon, drag the inner polygon control point. • If the polygon has no inner polygon, drag the reset inner polygon control point. To reset the inner polygon of a selected smart polygon: •...
Page 63 Adding new Auto Shapes to Fireworks You can add new Auto Shapes to Fireworks using the Fireworks Exchange website. Some new Auto Shapes will appear in the Shapes tab in the Assets panel, and others will appear in the Tools menu, grouped with the other Auto Shapes.
Page 64 You can also modify existing brush strokes and add fills to selected objects you have drawn with the Vector Path tool. The new stroke and fill settings are retained for subsequent use of the Vector Path tool in the current document. To draw a freeform vector path: Choose the Vector Path tool, located in the Pen tool pop-up menu.
Page 65 To draw a path with straight line segments: Choose the Pen tool. If desired, choose Edit > Preferences and enable any of the following options on the Editing tab of the Preferences dialog box, then click OK: previews the line segment that would result from the next click. Show Pen Preview shows solid points while you draw.
Page 66 To draw an object with curved segments: Choose the Pen tool. Click to place the first corner point. Move to the location of the next point, then click and drag to produce a curve point. Each time you click and drag, Fireworks extends the line segment to the new point. Continue plotting points.
Page 67 Adjusting the shape of a curved path segment You can change the shape of a vector object by dragging its point handles with the Subselection tool. The point handles determine the degree of curvature between fixed points. These curves are known as Bézier curves.
Page 68 Converting path segments to straight or curved Straight path segments are intersected by corner points. Curved path segments contain curve points. You can convert a straight segment to a curved segment and vice versa by converting its point. To convert a corner point to a curve point: Choose the Pen tool.
Page 69 To convert a curve point to a corner point: Choose the Pen tool. Click a curve point on a selected path. The handles retract, and the adjacent segments straighten. Selecting points The Subselection tool allows you to select multiple points. Before selecting a point with the Subselection tool, you must select the path using the Pointer or Subselection tool or by clicking its thumbnail in the Layers panel.
Page 70 Moving points and point handles You can change an object’s shape by dragging its points and point handles with the Subselection tool. To move a point: • Drag it with the Subselection tool. Fireworks redraws the path to reflect the point’s new position. To change the shape of a path segment: •...
Page 71: Editing Paths
Continuing an existing path You can use the Pen tool to continue drawing an existing open path. To resume drawing an existing open path: Choose the Pen tool. Click the end point and continue the path. The Pen tool pointer changes to indicate that you are adding to a path. Merging two open paths You can connect two open paths to form one continuous path.
Page 72 Bending and reshaping vector objects The Freeform tool allows you to bend and reshape vector objects directly instead of manipulating points. You can push or pull any part of a path, regardless of where the points are located. Fireworks automatically adds, moves, or deletes points along the path as you change the vector object’s shape.
Page 73 To pull a selected path: Choose the Freeform tool. Move the pointer directly over the selected path. The pointer changes to the pull pointer. Drag the path. To push a selected path: Choose the Freeform tool. The pointer changes to the push or pull pointer. Point slightly away from the path.
Page 74 To distort selected paths: Choose the Reshape Area tool, located in the Freeform tool pop-up menu. Drag across the paths to redraw them. To change the size of the reshape area pointer, do one of the following: • While holding down the mouse button, press the Right Arrow key or 2 to increase the width of the pointer.
Page 75 Cutting paths into multiple objects The Knife tool allows you to slice a path into two or more paths. To cut a selected path: Choose the Knife tool. Note: Using the eraser on Wacom pens automatically selects the Knife tool. Do one of the following: Drag the pointer across the path.
Page 76 To combine selected closed paths as one path enclosing the entire area of the original paths: • Choose Modify > Combine Paths > Union. The resulting path assumes the stroke and fill attributes of the object that is placed farthest back. Creating an object from the intersection of other objects Using the Intersect command, you can create an object from the intersection of two or more objects.
Page 77 Cropping a path You can crop a path using the shape of another path. The front or topmost path defines the shape of the cropped area. To crop a selected path: Select the path object that defines the area to be cropped. Choose Modify >...
Page 78 Expanding a stroke You can convert the stroke of a selected path into a closed path. The resulting path creates the illusion of a path with no fill and a stroke that takes on the same attributes as the original object’s fill.
Page 79: Chapter 4 Using Text
CHAPTER 4 Using Text Macromedia Fireworks MX 2004 has many text features typically reserved for sophisticated desktop publishing applications. You can create text in a variety of fonts and sizes and adjust kerning, spacing, color, leading, baseline shift, and more. Combining Fireworks text-editing features with the wide range of strokes, fills, effects, and styles makes text a lively element of your graphic designs.
Page 80 Creating text blocks All text in a Fireworks document appears inside a rectangle with handles called a text block. To enter text: Choose the Text tool. The Property inspector displays options for the Text tool. Choose color, font, size, spacing, and other text characteristics. Do one of the following: Click in your document where you want the text block to begin.
Page 81: Editing Text
Using auto-sizing and fixed-width text blocks Fireworks has both auto-sizing text blocks and fixed-width text blocks. An auto-sizing text block expands horizontally as you type. If you remove text, the auto-sizing text block shrinks to accommodate only the remaining text. Auto-sizing text blocks are created by default when you click on the canvas with the Text tool and start typing.
Page 82 You can also use the Text Editor and the commands in the Text menu to edit text, but the Property inspector offers the quickest way to change text attributes and provides more detailed editing control than the other two options. For more information about the Text Editor, see “Using the Text Editor”...
Page 83 The Text tool retains the current text color independently of the fill color of other tools. When you use another tool after using the Text tool, the fill and stroke settings revert to the most recent settings from before the Text tool was used. Likewise, when you return to the Text tool, the fill color reverts to the most recent Text tool setting, and the stroke is reset to None.
Page 84 The color of the Fill Color box in the Tools panel changes to reflect the color you sample with either the eyedropper pointer or the Eyedropper tool, and the color of the selected text also changes. Applying color to highlighted text in a text block You can change the text color of highlighted text in a text block using the Property inspector or any Fill Color box.
Page 85 Zero represents normal kerning. Positive values move letters farther apart. Negative values move letters closer together. Hold down Control (Windows) or Command (Macintosh) while pressing the Left Arrow or Right Arrow keys on the keyboard. The Left Arrow key increases the space between letters by 1%, and the Right Arrow key moves letters closer together by 1%.
Page 86 Text can also flow right to left or left to right. Text flowing right to left and left to right In Fireworks, you set horizontal and vertical orientation as well as the direction of text flow in the Property inspector. These settings apply to entire text blocks only. To set the orientation of a selected text block: Click the Text Orientation button in the Property inspector.
Page 87 The alignment controls appear in the Property inspector when text is highlighted or a text block is selected. Text alignment options in the Property inspector To set text alignment: Select the text. Click an alignment button in the Property inspector. Indenting text You can indent the first line of a paragraph using the Property inspector.
Page 88 Smoothing text edges To smooth out a text edge, you anti-alias it. This makes the edges of the text blend into the background so that the text is cleaner and more readable when it is large. Original text; after smoothing You use the Property inspector to set anti-aliasing.
Page 89: Applying Strokes, Fills, And Effects To Text
To expand or contract selected characters: • In the Property inspector, drag the Horizontal Scale pop-up slider or enter a value in the text box. Drag the slider higher than 100% to expand the width or height of the characters, and drag it lower to reduce their width or height.
Page 90: Attaching Text To A Path
To save text attributes as a style: Create a text object and apply the attributes you want. Select the text object. Choose New Style from the Styles panel Options menu. Choose the properties for the new style and name it. Click OK.
Page 91 To edit the shape of the path: Choose Text > Detach from Path. Edit the path. Place the text back on the path. Changing text orientation and direction on a path The order in which you draw a path establishes the direction of the text attached to it. For example, if you draw a path from right to left, the attached text appears backward and upside down.
Page 92: Transforming Text
To move the starting point of text attached to a path: Select the text-on-a-path object. In the Property inspector, enter a value in the Text Offset text box. Then press Enter. Note: If the Property inspector is minimized, click the expander arrow in the lower right corner to see all properties.
Page 93: Importing Text
Importing text You can copy text from a source document and paste into the current Fireworks document, or you can drag it from the source to the current document. You can also open or import an entire text file in Fireworks. Fireworks can import RTF (rich text format) and ASCII (plain text) formats.
Page 94: Checking Spelling
If you don’t choose a language, Fireworks prompts you to choose a language dictionary every time you spell-check a document. Note: The Macromedia.tlx option is always selected at the top of the Dictionary list. For more information about this option, see “Customizing spell checking”...
Page 95: Using The Text Editor
Choose the desired options in the Spelling Setup dialog box: Choose one or more language dictionaries. Note: The Macromedia.tlx option is always selected at the top of the dictionary list. This is the file that contains your custom spelling dictionary.
Page 96 Chapter 4: Using Text...
Page 97: Chapter 5: Applying Color, Strokes, And Fills
CHAPTER 5 Applying Color, Strokes, and Fills Macromedia Fireworks MX 2004 has a wide range of panels, tools, and options for organizing and choosing colors, and applying colors to bitmap images and vector objects. In the Swatches panel, you can choose a preset swatch group such as Color Cubes, Continuous Tone, or Grayscale, or you can create custom swatch groups that include your favorite colors or colors approved by your client.
Page 98: Using The Colors Section Of The Tools Panel
Using the Colors section of the Tools panel The Colors section of the Tools panel contains controls for activating the Stroke Color and Fill Color boxes, which in turn determine whether the strokes or fills of selected objects are affected by color choices.
Page 99 Applying colors using the Swatches panel The Swatches panel displays all the colors in the current swatch group. You can use the Swatches panel to apply stroke and fill colors to selected vector objects or text. To apply a color to the stroke or fill of a selected object using the Swatches panel: Click the icon next to the Stroke Color or Fill Color box in the Tools panel or Property inspector to make it active.
Page 100 Customizing the Swatches panel You can add, delete, replace, and sort color swatches or entire swatch groups using the Swatches panel. Note: Choosing Edit > Undo does not undo swatch additions or deletions. Swatches panel To add a color to the Swatches panel: Choose the Eyedropper tool from the Tools panel.
Page 101 To save a selection of sampled colors: Add sampled colors to the Swatches panel. Choose Save Swatches from the Swatches panel Options menu. The Export Swatches dialog box opens. Choose a filename and directory and click Save. Clearing and sorting swatches You can clear and sort swatches using the Swatches panel Options menu.
Page 102 By default, the Color Mixer identifies RGB colors as hexadecimal, displaying hexadecimal color values for red (R), green (G), and blue (B) color components. Hexadecimal RGB values are calculated based on a range of values from 00 to FF. Color model Mode of color expression Values of Red, Green, and Blue, where each component has a value from 0 to 255.
Page 103 Creating colors using the system color pickers You can create colors using the Windows System or the Macintosh System dialog boxes, instead of using the Color Mixer and Swatches panel. To pick a color from the system color picker: Click any color box. Choose Windows OS or Mac OS from any color pop-up window Options menu.
Page 104 Dithering with websafe colors Sometimes you might need to use a color that is not a websafe color. For example, your company logo may use a color that is not websafe. To approximate a websafe color that doesn’t shift or dither when exported with a websafe palette, you use a web dither fill.
Page 105: Using Color Boxes And Color Pop-Up Windows
Using color boxes and color pop-up windows Throughout Fireworks you will find color boxes—from the Colors section of the Tools panel to the Property inspector to the Color Mixer. Each displays the current color assigned to the associated object property. Choosing colors from a color pop-up window When you click any color box, a color pop-up window similar to the Swatches panel opens.
Page 106: Working With Strokes
Working with strokes Using the Property inspector, the Stroke Options pop-up menu, and the Edit Stroke dialog box, you can have full control of every brush nuance, including ink amount, tip size and shape, texture, edge effect, and aspect. Applying strokes You can change the stroke attributes of the Pen, Pencil, and Brush tools so that the next vector object you draw has the new stroke attributes, or you can apply stroke attributes to an object or path after you draw it.
Page 107 To remove all stroke attributes from a selected object, do one of the following: • Choose None from the Stroke Options pop-up menu in the Property inspector or the Stroke Options pop-up window. • Click the Stroke Color box in either the Tools panel or the Property inspector and click the Transparent button.
Page 108 To set general brush stroke options: On the Options tab of the Edit Stroke dialog box, set the ink amount, spacing, and flow rate. Higher flow rates create brush strokes that flow over time, as with an airbrush. To overlap brush strokes for dense strokes, choose Build-up. To set the stroke texture, change the Texture option.
Page 109 Placing strokes on paths By default, an object’s brush stroke is centered on a path. You have the option of placing the brush stroke completely inside or outside the path. This allows you to control the overall size of stroked objects and to create effects such as strokes on the edges of beveled buttons.
Page 110: Working With Fills
Working with fills Using the Property inspector, the Fill Options pop-up menu, the Fill Options pop-up window, and the Gradient pop-up window, as well as a collection of bitmap textures and patterns, you can create a wide variety of fills for vector objects and text. Using the Paint Bucket or Gradient tool, you can also fill pixel selections based on current fill settings.
Page 111: Applying Gradient And Pattern Fills
Applying gradient and pattern fills You can change fills to display a variety of solid, dithered, pattern, or gradient characteristics that range from solid colors to gradients. These characteristics resemble satin, ripples, folds, or gradients that conform to the contour of the object to which you apply them. Additionally, you can change various attributes of a fill, such as color, edge, texture, and transparency.
Page 112 Adding a custom pattern You can set a bitmap file as a new pattern fill. You can use files with these formats as patterns: PNG, GIF, JPEG, BMP, TIFF, and PICT (Macintosh only). When a pattern fill is a 32-bit transparent image, the transparency affects the fill when used in Fireworks.
Page 113 Editing a gradient fill You can edit the current gradient fill by clicking any Fill Color box and then using the Edit Gradient pop-up window. Color ramp Preview Edit Gradient pop-up window To open the Edit Gradient pop-up window: Select an object that has a gradient fill or choose a gradient fill from the Fill Options pop-up menu in the Property inspector.
Page 114 Creating fills with the Gradient tool The Gradient tool is in the same tool group as the Paint Bucket tool. This new tool works much as the Paint Bucket tool does, but it fills an object with a gradient instead of a solid color. Like the Paint Bucket tool, it retains the properties of the last-used element.
Page 115 Setting hard-edged, anti-aliased, or feathered fill edges In Fireworks, you can make the edge of a fill a regular hard line or soften the edge by anti-aliasing or feathering it. By default, edges are anti-aliased. Anti-aliasing smooths jagged edges that may occur on rounded objects, such as ellipses and circles, by subtly blending the edge into the background.
Page 116: Adding Texture To Strokes And Fills
Adding texture to strokes and fills You can add three-dimensional effects to both strokes and fills by adding texture. Fireworks provides several textures, or you can use external textures. Adding texture to a stroke Textures modify the brightness of the stroke, but not the hue, and give strokes a less mechanical, more organic look, as if you were applying paint to a textured surface.
Page 117 Adding texture to a fill Textures modify the brightness of a fill, but not the hue, and give fills a less mechanical, more organic look. You can add a texture to any fill. Fireworks ships with several textures from which to choose, such as Chiffon, Oilslick, and Sandpaper.
Page 118 Chapter 5: Applying Color, Strokes, and Fills...
Page 119: Chapter 6: Using Live Effects
CHAPTER 6 Using Live Effects Macromedia Fireworks MX 2004 Live Effects are enhancements that you can apply to vector objects, bitmap images, and text. Live Effects include bevels and embossing, drop shadows and glows, color correction, and blurring and sharpening. You can apply Live Effects to selected objects directly from the Property inspector.
Page 120: Applying Live Effects
Applying Live Effects You can apply one or more Live Effects to selected objects using the Property inspector. Each time you add a new effect to the object, it is added to the list in the Effects pop-up menu in the Property inspector.
Page 121 Experiment with the settings until you get the look you want. If you want to change the effect settings later, see “Editing Live Effects” on page 124. Width of bevel Contrast Softness Angle of bevel Button bevel preset Inner Bevel pop-up window To apply a Live Effect to selected objects: Click the Add Effects button in the Property inspector, then choose an effect from the Effects pop-up menu.
Page 122 Applying beveled edges Applying a beveled edge to an object gives it a raised look. You can create an inner bevel or an outer bevel. A rectangle, with Inner Bevel, and with Outer Bevel To apply a beveled edge to a selected object: Click the Add Effects button in the Property inspector, then choose a bevel option from the pop-up menu: Bevel and Emboss >...
Page 123 Applying shadows and glows Fireworks makes it easy to apply drop shadows, inner shadows, and glows to objects. You can specify the angle of the shadow to simulate the angle of the light shining on the object. Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, and Glow effects To apply a shadow or inner shadow: Click the Add Effects button in the Property inspector, then choose a shadow option from the pop-up menu:...
Page 124: Editing Live Effects
Plug-ins from the Filters menu When you install a Photoshop plug-in in Fireworks, it is added to the Filters menu and to the Property inspector. You should use the Filters menu to apply filters and Photoshop plug-ins only when you are certain that you will not want to edit or remove the effect. You can remove a filter only if the Undo command is available.
Page 125 Reordering Live Effects You can rearrange the order of the effects applied to an object. Reordering effects changes the sequence in which the effects are applied, which can change the combined effect. In general, effects that change the interior of an object, such as the Inner Bevel effect, should be applied before effects that change the object’s exterior.
Page 126 To create a custom Live Effect using the Styles panel: Apply Live Effect settings to selected objects. For more information, see “Applying Live Effects” on page 120. Choose Add Style from the Styles panel Options menu. The Add Style dialog box opens. Deselect all properties except the Effect property, enter a name, and click OK.
Page 127 Do one of the following: Choose Save as Command from the History panel Options menu. Click the Save button at the bottom of the History panel. Save button Enter a command name and click OK to add the command to the Commands menu. Editing Live Effects...
Page 128 Chapter 6: Using Live Effects...
Page 129: Chapter 7: Layers, Masking, And Blending
CHAPTER 7 Layers, Masking, and Blending Layers divide a Macromedia Fireworks MX 2004 document into discrete planes, as though the components of the illustration were drawn on separate tracing paper overlays. A document can be made up of many layers, and each layer can contain many objects. In Fireworks, the Layers panel lists layers and the objects contained in each layer.
Page 130 The Layers panel displays the current state of all layers in the current frame of a document. To view other frames, you can use the Frames panel or choose an option from the Frame pop-up menu at the bottom of the Layers panel. For more information, see “Working with frames”...
Page 131 To add a layer, do one of the following: • Click the New/Duplicate Layer button with no layer selected. • Choose Edit > Insert > Layer. • Choose New Layer from the Layers panel Options menu, and click OK. To delete a layer, do one of the following: •...
Page 132 To name a layer or object: Double-click a layer or object in the Layers panel. Type a new name for the layer or object and press Enter. Note: The Web Layer cannot be renamed. However, you can name web objects on the Web Layer, such as slices and hotspots.
Page 133 To show or hide a layer or objects on a layer: • Click the square in the middle column to the left of a layer or object name. The eye icon indicates that a layer is visible. To show or hide multiple layers or objects: •...
Page 134: Masking Images
Using the Web Layer The Web Layer is a special layer that appears as the top layer in each document. The Web Layer contains web objects, such as slices and hotspots, used for assigning interactivity to exported Fireworks documents. For more information on web objects, see Chapter 9, “Slices, Rollovers, and Hotspots,”...
Page 135 About vector masks If you have used other vector-illustration applications such as Macromedia FreeHand, you may be familiar with vector masks, which are sometimes called clipping paths or paste insides. The vector mask object crops or clips the underlying objects to the shape of its path, creating a cookie-cutter effect.
Page 136 About bitmap masks If you’re Photoshop user, you may be familiar with layer masks. Fireworks bitmap masks are similar to layer masks in that the pixels of a mask object affect the visibility of underlying objects. However, Fireworks bitmap masks are much more versatile: you can easily change how they are applied, whether using their grayscale appearance or their own transparency.
Page 137 By default, most bitmap masks are applied using their grayscale appearance, but you can also apply them using their alpha channel. For more information, see “Changing the way masks are applied” on page 149. Note: Fireworks MX and Fireworks MX 2004 grayscale masks behave more like masks in other graphics applications than masks in previous versions of Fireworks do.
Page 138 Select the object or group you want to mask. If you are masking multiple objects, the objects must be grouped. For more information about grouping objects, see “Grouping objects” on page Do one of the following to paste the mask: Choose Edit >...
Page 139 Masking objects using the Paste Inside command If you are a Macromedia FreeHand user, you may be familiar with the Paste Inside method of creating masks. Paste Inside creates either a vector mask or a bitmap mask, depending on the type of mask object you use.
Page 140 Select the object into which you want to paste the contents. This object will be used as the mask, or clipping path. Choose Edit > Paste Inside. The objects you pasted appear to be inside or clipped by the mask object. Using text as a mask Text masks are a type of vector mask.
Page 141 Masking objects using the Layers panel The quickest way to add an empty, transparent bitmap mask is through the Layers panel. The Layers panel adds a white mask to an object, which you can customize by drawing on it with the bitmap tools.
Page 142 Masking objects using the Reveal and Hide commands The Modify > Mask submenu has several options for applying empty bitmap masks to objects: applies an empty, transparent mask to an object, revealing the entire object. To achieve Reveal All the same effect, click the Add Mask button in the Layers panel. applies an empty, opaque mask to an object, which hides the entire object.
Page 143 Do one of the following to create the mask: Choose Modify > Mask > Reveal Selection to show the area defined by the pixel selection. Choose Modify > Mask > Hide Selection to hide the area defined by the pixel selection. The results of Reveal Selection and Hide Selection A bitmap mask is applied using the pixel selection.
Page 144 To group objects to form a mask: Shift-click two or more overlapping objects. You can select objects from different layers. Choose Modify > Mask > Group as Mask. Editing masks You can modify masks in many ways. By modifying a mask’s position, shape, and color, you can change the visibility of masked objects.
Page 145 When you select the mask thumbnail, the mask icon appears beside it in the Layers panel, and the mask’s properties show in the Property inspector, where they can be changed if desired. To select a mask: • Click the mask thumbnail in the Layers panel. The Layers panel displays a yellow highlight around a mask thumbnail when it is selected.
Page 146 Moving masks and masked objects You can reposition masks and masked objects. They can be moved together or independently. To move a mask and its masked objects together: Select the mask on the canvas using the Pointer tool. Drag the mask to a new location, but don’t drag the move handle unless you want to move the masked object separately from the mask.
Page 147 To move a mask independently using its move handle: Select the mask on the canvas using the Pointer tool. Choose the Subselection tool and drag the mask’s move handle to a new location. To move masked objects independently of the mask using the move handle: Select the mask on the canvas using the Pointer tool.
Page 148 Modifying a mask’s appearance By modifying a mask’s shape and color, you can change the visibility of masked objects. You change the shape of a bitmap mask by drawing on it with the bitmap tools. You change the shape of a vector mask by moving the mask object’s points. If a mask is applied using its grayscale appearance, you can modify its colors to affect the opacity of the underlying masked objects.
Page 149 Changing the way masks are applied You can use the Property inspector to ensure that you are editing a mask and to identify the type of mask you are working on. When a mask is selected, the Property inspector lets you change the way the mask is applied.
Page 150 Both vector and bitmap masks can be applied using their grayscale appearance. Bitmap masks are applied using their grayscale appearance by default. When a mask is applied using its grayscale appearance, the lightness of its pixels determines how much of the masked object is displayed. Light pixels display the masked object.
Page 151 Adding objects to a masked selection You can add more objects to an existing masked selection. To add masked objects to a masked selection: Choose Edit > Cut to cut the selected object or objects you want to add. Select the thumbnail of the masked object in the Layers panel. Choose Edit >...
Page 152: Blending And Transparency
Blending and transparency Compositing is the process of varying the transparency or color interaction of two or more overlapping objects. In Fireworks, blending modes allow you to create composite images. Blending modes also add a dimension of control to the opacity of objects and images. About blending modes When you choose a blending mode, Fireworks applies it to the selected objects in their entirety.
Page 153 Blending mode examples Original image Normal Multiply Screen Darken Lighten Difference Saturation Color Luminosity Invert Tint Erase Blending and transparency...
Page 154 Adjusting opacity and applying blends You can use the Property inspector or the Layers panel to adjust the opacity of selected objects and to apply blending modes. An Opacity setting of 100 renders an object completely opaque. A setting of 0 (zero) renders an object completely transparent. You can also specify a blending mode and opacity before you draw an object.
Page 155: Chapter 8: Using Styles, Symbols, And Urls
CHAPTER 8 Using Styles, Symbols, and URLs Macromedia Fireworks MX 2004 provides three panels in which you can store and reuse styles, symbols, and URLs. Styles are stored in the Styles panel, symbols are stored in the Library panel, and URLs are stored in the URL panel. By default, all three panels are organized in the Assets panel group.
Page 156 Applying a style You can use the Styles panel to create, store, and apply styles to objects or text. Styles panel When you apply a style to an object, you can later update the style without affecting the original object. Fireworks does not keep track of which style you applied to an object. If you delete a custom style, you cannot recover it;...
Page 157 To create a new style: Create or select a vector object or text with the stroke, fill, effect, or text attributes you want. Click the New Style button at the bottom of the Styles panel. Choose the attributes you want to be part of the style from the New Style dialog box. Note: To save other text attributes not listed, such as alignment, anti-aliasing, auto-kerning, horizontal scale, range kerning, and leading, choose the Text Other option.
Page 158: Using Symbols
To import styles: Choose Import Styles from the Styles panel Options menu. Choose a styles document to import. All styles in the styles document are imported and placed directly after the selected style in the Styles panel. Using style defaults If you want to delete all custom styles from the Styles panel and restore any deleted default styles, you can reset the Styles panel to its default state.
Page 159 Creating a symbol You can create graphic, animation, and button symbols using the Edit > Insert submenu. You can create a symbol from any object, text block, or group, and then organize them in the Library panel. To place instances in a document, you simply drag them from the Library panel onto the canvas.
Page 160 Editing symbols You can modify a symbol in the Symbol Editor, which automatically updates all associated instances when you finish editing. Note: For most types of edits, modifying an instance affects the symbol and all other instances. There are some exceptions, however. For more information, see “Editing instances”...
Page 161 You can import symbols from other libraries, including libraries containing symbols prepared in Macromedia Fireworks and libraries containing symbols that you or someone else previously exported. Conversely, if you have created symbols that you would like to reuse or share, you can export your own symbol libraries.
Page 162 Importing symbols Fireworks has symbol libraries in the Edit > Libraries submenu from which you can import prepared animation symbols, graphic symbols, and button symbols, as well as navigation bars and multisymbol themes. Using these symbols, you can quickly create a sophisticated web page containing advanced navigation elements without having to spend time creating original symbols.
Page 163 To import a symbol by dragging and dropping or copying and pasting, do one of the following: • Drag a symbol instance from the document containing the symbol into the destination document. • Copy a symbol instance in the document containing the symbol, then paste it into the destination document.
Page 164: Working With Urls
URLs.htm and any new libraries you create are stored in the URL Libraries folder in the Macromedia/Fireworks MX 2004 folder in your user-specific Application Data (Windows) or Application Support (Macintosh) folder. For information on locating this folder, see “Working...
Page 165 To create a new URL library: Choose New URL Library from the URL panel Options menu. Enter the library name in the text box and click OK. The new library name appears in the Library pop-up menu in the URL panel. To add a new URL to a URL library: Choose a library from the Library pop-up menu.
Page 166 For example, http://www.macromedia.com/support/fireworks is the absolute URL for the Macromedia Fireworks Support web page. Absolute URLs remain accurate regardless of the location of the source document, but they do not link correctly if the target document is moved.
Page 167: Chapter 9: Slices, Rollovers, And Hotspots
CHAPTER 9 Slices, Rollovers, and Hotspots Slices are the basic building blocks for creating interactivity in Macromedia Fireworks MX 2004. Slices are web objects—they exist not as images, but ultimately as HTML code. You can view, select, and rename them through the Web Layer in the Layers panel. This chapter discusses the concepts central to slicing and gives procedures for using slices to incorporate interactivity into your web pages.
Page 168 One challenge of web graphic design is ensuring that images download quickly Optimizing without sacrificing quality. Slicing enables you to optimize each individual slice using the most appropriate file format and compression settings. For more information, see Chapter 12, “Optimizing and Exporting,” on page 225.
Page 169 Note: Alternatively, you can add HTML text-formatting tags to the HTML after it has been exported using a text editor or HTML editor such as Macromedia Dreamweaver. Click OK to apply your changes and close the Edit HTML Slice window.
Page 170 You can also insert a slice on top of the vector path to create irregular slice shapes. To draw a polygon slice object: Choose the Polygon Slice tool. Click to place the vector points of the polygon. The Polygon Slice tool draws only straight line segments.
Page 171 Showing and hiding slices Hiding a slice renders the slice invisible in the Fireworks PNG file. You can turn off all or some web objects. Because slices are web objects, they are listed beneath the Web Layer in the Layers panel, where visibility can be turned on or off for a selected slice.
Page 172 Moving slice guides to edit slices Slice guides define the perimeter and position of slices. Slice guides extending beyond slice objects define how the rest of the document is sliced upon export. You can change the shape of a rectangular slice object by dragging the slice guides that surround it. Nonrectangular slice objects cannot be resized by moving slice guides.
Page 173: Making Slices Interactive
You can also choose from a variety of mouse events that trigger interactive behaviors. Behaviors in Fireworks are compatible with Macromedia Dreamweaver behaviors. When you export a Fireworks rollover to Dreamweaver, you can edit Fireworks behaviors using the Dreamweaver Behaviors panel.
Page 174 Adding simple interactivity to slices The drag-and-drop rollover method is a fast and efficient way to create rollover and swap-image effects. Specifically, the drag-and-drop rollover method allows you to determine what happens to a slice when the pointer passes over it. The end result is commonly referred to as a rollover image. Rollover images are graphics that change appearance in a web browser when you move the pointer over them.
Page 175 In Fireworks, when you select a trigger web object created using a behavior handle or the Behaviors panel, all of its behavior relationships are displayed. By default, a rollover interaction is represented by a blue behavior line. Creating a simple rollover A simple rollover swaps in the frame directly under the top frame and involves only one slice.
Page 176 Creating a disjoint rollover A disjoint rollover swaps in an image under a web object when the pointer rolls over another web object. In response to a pointer rolling over or clicking a trigger image, an image appears in a different location on the web page.
Page 177 Applying multiple rollovers to a slice You can drag more than one behavior handle from a single slice to create multiple swap behaviors. For example, you can trigger a rollover and a disjoint rollover from the same slice. A slice triggering a rollover behavior and a disjoint rollover behavior Note: You can also add multiple behaviors using the Behaviors panel.
Page 178 restores the target object to its default appearance in Frame 1. Swap Image Restore sets a slice to be a part of a Fireworks navigation bar. Each slice that is part of Set Nav Bar Image the navigation bar must have this behavior. The Set Nav Bar Image option is actually a behavior group containing the Nav Bar Over, Nav Bar Down, and Nav Bar Restore behaviors.
Page 179 Editing behaviors The Behaviors panel also gives you the ability to edit existing behaviors. You can specify the type of mouse event (such as onClick) that triggers the behavior. Note: You cannot change the event for Simple Rollover and Set Nav Bar Image. To change the mouse event that activates the behavior: Select the trigger slice or hotspot containing the behavior you want to modify.
Page 180: Preparing Slices For Export
Preparing slices for export Using the Property inspector, you can make slices interactive by assigning links and targets to the slices. You can also specify alternate text to be displayed in a browser while an image is loading. In addition, you can choose an export file format to optimize a selected slice. If the Property inspector is minimized, click the expander arrow in the lower right corner to see all slice properties.
Page 181 Assigning a target A target is an alternate web page frame or web browser window in which the linked document opens. You can specify a target for a selected slice in the Property inspector. If the Property inspector is minimized, click the expander arrow to see all properties. To specify a target for a selected slice or hotspot in the Property inspector: •...
Page 182 Auto-naming slice files If you do not enter a slice name in either the Property inspector or the Layers panel, Fireworks reverts to auto-naming. Auto-naming assigns a unique name to each slice file automatically based on the default naming convention. To auto-name a slice file: •...
Page 183 To change the default auto-naming convention: Choose File > HTML Setup to open the HTML Setup dialog box. Click the Document Specific tab. In the File Names section, create your new naming convention by selecting from the lists. (Optional) To set this information as the default for all new Fireworks documents, click Set Defaults.
Page 184 To define how Fireworks exports HTML tables: Choose File > HTML Setup, or click the Options button in the Export dialog box. Click the Table tab. Choose a spacing option from the Space With pop-up menu: creates a nested table with no spacers. Nested Tables —...
Page 185: Working With Hotspots And Image Maps
Working with hotspots and image maps Web designers can use hotspots to make small parts of a larger graphic interactive, linking areas of web graphics to a URL. You can create an image map in Fireworks by exporting HTML from a document that contains hotspots.
Page 186 To create a rectangular or circular hotspot: Choose the Rectangle Hotspot or Circle Hotspot tool from the Web section of the Tools panel. Drag the hotspot tool to draw a hotspot over an area of the graphic. Hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Macintosh) to draw from a center point.
Page 187 Preparing hotspots for export You can use the Property inspector to assign URLs, alternate text, targets, and custom names to hotspots. If the Property inspector is minimized, click the expander arrow in the lower right to see all properties. You assign hotspot properties the same way you assign slice properties. For more information on using the Property inspector to assign URLs, alt text, target frames, and custom names, see “Preparing slices for export”...
Page 188 Comments in the General tab of the HTML Setup dialog box. For information on placing exported Fireworks content into Dreamweaver, see “Working with Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004” in Working with Other Applications on the Fireworks Support Center at www.macromedia.com/support/fireworks. Creating rollovers with hotspots Using the drag-and-drop rollover method of creating interactivity, you can easily attach a disjoint rollover effect to a hotspot if the target area is defined by a slice.
Page 189 Using hotspots on top of slices You can place a hotspot on top of a slice to trigger an action or behavior. You may want to do this if you have a large graphic and you want only a small portion of it to act as the trigger for an action.
Page 190 Chapter 9: Slices, Rollovers, and Hotspots...
Page 191: Chapter 10: Creating Buttons And Pop-Up Menus
CHAPTER 10 Creating Buttons and Pop-up Menus In Macromedia Fireworks MX 2004 you can create a variety of JavaScript buttons and pop-up menus, even if you know nothing about JavaScript. The Fireworks Button Editor leads you through the button-creation process, automating many button-making tasks.
Page 192 • A button is easy to edit. Double-click the instance on the canvas, and you can change it in the Button Editor or the Property inspector. • Like other symbols, buttons have a registration point. The registration point is a center point that helps you align text and the different button states while in the Button Editor.
Page 193 To create an Over state: With the Button Editor open, click the Over tab. Do one of the following to create the button’s Over state: Click Copy Up Graphic to paste a copy of the Up state button into the Over window, and then edit it to change its appearance or text.
Page 194 Using bevel effects to draw button states As you create graphics for each button state, you can apply preset Live Effects to create common appearances for each state. For example, if you are creating a four-state button, you can apply the Raised effect to the Up state graphic, the Highlighted effect to the Down state graphic, and so on.
Page 195 Choose Edit > Libraries and import button symbols into the document’s Library panel from the button libraries on the submenu. These libraries contain a wide variety of premade button symbols prepared by Macromedia. You import and export button symbols just as you import and export animation and graphic symbols.
Page 196 Editing button symbols Fireworks button symbols are a special kind of symbol. They have two kinds of properties: some properties change in all instances when you edit an instance of the symbol, and other properties affect only the current instance. Fireworks button symbols let you take advantage of the convenience of symbols yet allow you to edit certain properties of a button instance, such as text, without affecting other instances.
Page 197 • Additional behaviors assigned to an instance using the Behaviors panel • The Show Down State on Load option in the Property inspector for instances in a nav bar Note: In Fireworks MX 2004, you need not choose the Show Down State on Load option for every button instance in a nav bar.
Page 198 Setting the URL for a button symbol or instance A URL, or Uniform Resource Locator, is a link to another web page, website, or anchor on the same web page. The URL can be a symbol- or instance-level button property. You can attach a URL to a selected button instance in the Property inspector or in the URL panel.
Page 199 Do one of the following in the Property inspector: Choose a preset target from the Target pop-up menu: loads the web page into the same frame or window as the link. None _self loads the web page into a new, unnamed browser window. blank loads the web page into the parent frameset or window of the frame that contains parent...
Page 200: Creating Navigation Bars
To set the alt text for a button instance in the workspace: Select the button instance in the workspace. Enter the description in the Alt Text box in the Property inspector. Creating navigation bars A navigation bar, or nav bar, is a group of buttons that provide links to different areas of a website. It generally remains consistent throughout the site, providing a constant method of navigation, no matter where the user is within the site.
Page 201 About the Pop-up Menu Editor The Pop-up Menu Editor is a tabbed dialog box that guides you through the creation of a pop-up menu. Its many options for controlling the characteristics of a pop-up menu are organized in four tabs: has options for determining the basic menu structure, as well as the text, URL link, and Content target for each menu item.
Page 202 Creating a basic pop-up menu The Content tab of the Pop-up Menu Editor is where you determine the basic structure and content of the pop-up menu. The current or default settings for the options on the other Pop-up Menu Editor tabs are applied to the menu when you create it. To create a simple pop-up menu: Select a hotspot or slice that will be the trigger area for the pop-up menu.
Page 203 Creating submenus within a pop-up menu Using the Indent Menu and Outdent Menu buttons on the Content tab of the Pop-up Menu Editor, you can create submenus—pop-up menus that appear when the user moves the pointer over or clicks another pop-up menu item. You can create as many levels of submenus as you want. To create a pop-up submenu: Open the Content tab of the Pop-up Menu Editor and create menu items.
Page 204 To move an entry in the pop-up menu: With the desired pop-up menu displayed in the Pop-up Menu Editor, click the Content tab. Drag the menu item to a new location in the list. Click Done. Designing the appearance of a pop-up menu After you create a basic menu and optional submenus, you can format the text, apply graphic styles to the Over and Up states, and choose vertical or horizontal orientation in the Appearance tab of the Pop-up Menu Editor.
Page 205 To set whether a pop-up menu is HTML- or image-based: With the desired pop-up menu open in the Pop-up Menu Editor, click the Appearance tab. For information on opening an existing pop-up menu in the Pop-up Menu Editor, see “Editing pop-up menus” on page 209.
Page 206 Adding pop-up menu styles You can add custom cell styles to the Pop-up Menu Editor. Custom cell styles are available along with the preset choices on the Appearance tab when you choose the Image option as the cell type, which sets pop-up menus to use graphical backgrounds in their cells. To add a custom cell style to the Pop-up Menu Editor: Apply any combination of stroke, fill, texture, and Live Effects to an object, and save it as a style using the Styles panel.
Page 207 To set advanced cell properties for the current pop-up menu: With the desired pop-up menu open in the Pop-up Menu Editor, click the Advanced tab. For information on opening an existing pop-up menu in the Pop-up Menu Editor, see “Editing pop-up menus” on page 209.
Page 208 Positioning pop-up menus and submenus The Position tab of the Pop-up Menu Editor lets you specify a pop-up menu’s position. You can also position a top-level pop-up menu by dragging its outline in the workspace when the Web Layer is visible. To set the position for a pop-up menu using the Pop-up Menu Editor: With the desired pop-up menu open in the Pop-up Menu Editor, click the Position tab.
Page 209 To set the position for a pop-up submenu using the Pop-up Menu Editor: With the desired pop-up menu open in the Pop-up Menu Editor, click the Position tab. For information on opening an existing pop-up menu in the Pop-up Menu Editor, “Editing pop-up menus”...
Page 210 To move an entry in the pop-up menu: With the desired pop-up menu displayed in the Pop-up Menu Editor, click the Content tab. Drag the menu item to a new location in the list. Click Done. About exporting pop-up menus Fireworks generates all the JavaScript necessary to view pop-up menus in web browsers.
Page 211: Chapter 11: Creating Animation
CHAPTER 11 Creating Animation Animated graphics add an exciting, sophisticated look to your website. In Macromedia Fireworks MX 2004, you can create animated graphics with banner ads, logos, and cartoons that move. For example, you can make your company mascot dance across a page while the logo fades in and out.
Page 212: Working With Animation Symbols
“Optimizing an animation” on page 222. Export the document as an Animated GIF or SWF, or save it as a Fireworks PNG and import it into Macromedia Flash for further editing. For more information, see “Animation export formats” on page 223.
Page 213 Move the Animate dialog box. Although the default is 72, you can enter any number you wish in the Move text box. Movement is linear, and there are no keyframes (unlike in Macromedia Flash and Director). is the direction, in degrees, in which you want the object to move. Values range from 0 Direction to 360 º...
Page 214 is the percent change in size from start to finish. Although the default is 100%, you can Scaling enter any number you wish in the Scaling text box. To scale an object from 0 to 100%, the original object must be very small; vector objects are recommended. is the degree of fading in or out from start to finish.
Page 215 Editing symbol graphics You can change the graphic your symbol is based on as well as its properties. You edit symbol graphics in the Symbol Editor. The Symbol Editor lets you use any of the drawing, text, or color tools to edit the graphic. While you’re working in the Symbol Editor, only the selected symbol is affected.
Page 216: Working With Frames
Working with frames You build animations by creating a number of frames. You can see the contents of each frame using the Frames panel. The Frames panel is where you create and organize frames. You can name the frames, reorganize them, manually set the timing of the animation, and move objects from one frame to another.
Page 217 Showing and hiding frames for playback You can show or hide frames for playback. If a frame is hidden, it is not displayed during playback and it is not exported. To show or hide a frame: Do one of the following: Choose Properties from the Frames panel Options menu.
Page 218 To copy a selected frame and place it in a sequence: Choose Duplicate Frame from the Frames panel Options menu. Enter the number of duplicates to create for the selected frame, choose where the duplicate frames are to be inserted, and click OK. Duplicating a frame is useful when you want objects to reappear in another part of the animation.
Page 219 To share a layer across frames: Double-click the layer. Select Share Across Frames. Note: All the contents in a shared layer appear in every frame. To disable the sharing of a layer across frames: Double-click the shared layer. Deselect Share Across Frames. Choose one of the following options for how to copy objects to frames: Leave the contents of the shared layer in the current frame only.
Page 220: Tweening
Using onion skinning Onion skinning lets you view the contents of frames preceding and following the currently selected frame. You can smoothly animate objects without having to flip back and forth through them. The term onion skinning comes from a traditional animation technique of using thin, translucent tracing paper to view animated sequences.
Page 221: Previewing An Animation
Note: If you plan to import your animation into Macromedia Flash for further editing, you do not need to export it. Flash can directly import Fireworks PNG source files. For more information, see “Working with Macromedia Flash MX 2004”...
Page 222 Setting the animation repetition The Loop setting in the Frames panel determines how many times the animation repeats. This feature loops frames over and over so you can minimize the number of frames needed to build the animation. To set the selected animation to repeat: Choose Window >...
Page 223: Working With Existing Animations
“Exporting an animation” on page 250. You can export the animation as a Flash SWF file, and then import it into Macromedia Flash. Or you can skip the export step and import your Fireworks PNG source file directly into Flash. This option gives you the most control over how your animation is imported.
Page 224: Using Multiple Files As One Animation
Using multiple files as one animation Fireworks can create an animation based on a group of image files. For example, you can create a banner ad based on several existing graphics by opening each graphic and placing it in a separate frame in the same document.
Page 225: Chapter 12: Optimizing And Exporting
This balancing act is optimization—finding the right mix of color, compression, and quality. Exporting graphics from Macromedia Fireworks MX 2004 is a two-step process: • First, you prepare a document or individual sliced graphics for export by choosing optimization settings and comparing previews to determine an acceptable balance between quality and file size.
Page 226: About Optimizing
About optimizing Optimizing graphics in Fireworks involves doing the following: • Choosing the best file format. Each file format has a different method of compressing color information. Choosing the appropriate format for certain types of graphics can greatly reduce file size. •...
Page 227 Using Export Preview When accessed through the Export Wizard, the Export Preview displays recommended optimization and export options for the current document. When selected directly from the File menu, the Export Preview displays the current document export settings as defined in the optimize panel.
Page 228 To export using Export Preview: Choose File > Export Preview to open the Export Preview. To edit optimization settings, click the Options tab. For information about the options available on this tab, see the following procedures. To edit the size and area of the exported image, click the File tab and change the desired settings.
Page 229 To set optimization settings using Export Preview: Click the Options tab. Most of the options available here are similar to those in the Optimize panel. For more about these options, see “Using optimization settings” on page 231. Click the Optimize to Size Wizard button to optimize a graphic based on a target file size. Enter a file size in kilobytes and click OK.
Page 230 To set animation settings using Export Preview: Click the Animation tab. Use the following techniques to preview animation frames: To display a single frame, select the desired frame in the list on the left side of the dialog box, or use the frame controls in the lower right area of the dialog box. To play the animation, click the Play/Stop control in the lower right area of the dialog box.
Page 231: Optimizing In The Workspace
Optimizing in the workspace Exporting graphics for use on the web is a two-step process: optimizing, then exporting (or in some cases, simply saving). Optimizing graphics ensures they possess the right mix of color, compression, and quality. After you finalize a graphic’s optimization settings, the graphic is ready for export.
Page 232 To choose a preset optimization: • Choose a preset from the Settings pop-up menu in the Property inspector or the Optimize panel: forces all colors to websafe colors. The color palette contains up to 216 colors GIF Web 216 (see “Optimizing GIF, PNG, TIFF, BMP, and PICT files”...
Page 233 Previewing and comparing optimization settings The document preview buttons display the graphic as it would appear in a web browser, based on optimization settings. You can preview rollover and navigation behaviors, as well as animation. The Original button and the document preview buttons The document preview buttons display a document’s total size, estimated download time, and file format.
Page 234 To compare views with different optimization settings: Click the 2-Up or 4-Up button in the upper left of the Document window. Click one of the split-view previews to select it. Enter settings in the Optimize panel. Select the other previews and specify different optimization settings for each preview to compare them.
Page 235 , or Tagged Image File Format, is a graphic format used for storing bitmap images. TIFFs are TIFF most commonly used in print publishing. Many multimedia applications also accept imported TIFF graphics. , the Microsoft Windows graphic file format, is a common file format used to display bitmap images.
Page 236 each contain the 256 colors defined by the Windows or Macintosh Windows and Macintosh platform standards, respectively. is a palette of 256 or fewer shades of gray. Choosing this palette converts the image Grayscale to grayscale. is a two-color palette consisting only of black and white. Black and White is a mathematical palette based on RGB pixel values.
Page 237 Removing unused colors Removing unused colors from an image before exporting or saving makes its file size smaller. Note: This option is available only for GIFs and other 8-bit graphic file formats. To remove unused colors: • Choose Remove Unused Colors from the Optimize panel Options menu. To include all colors in the palette, including colors that are not present in the exported or saved image: •...
Page 238 Various small symbols appear on some color swatches, indicating certain characteristics of individual colors, as follows: Symbol Meaning The color has been edited, affecting only the exported document. This does not change the color in the source document. The color is locked. The color is transparent.
Page 239 Locking colors in a palette You can lock individual colors so that you cannot remove or change them when changing palettes or when reducing the number of colors in a palette. If you switch to another palette after colors have been locked, locked colors are added to the new palette. To lock a selected color, do one of the following: •...
Page 240 You can save custom palettes as external palette files. You can use saved palettes with other Fireworks documents or in other applications that support external palette files, such as Macromedia FreeHand, Macromedia Flash, and Adobe Photoshop. Saved palette files have the .act extension.
Page 241 PNGs support it and most web browsers do not support PNG format. Alpha transparency is often used in exported graphics that contain gradient transparency and semi-opaque pixels. Alpha transparency is also useful for exporting files to Macromedia Flash or Director, because both applications support this type of transparency.
Page 242 To select a color for transparency: Click the Preview, 2-Up, or 4-Up button at the upper left of the Document window. In 2-Up or 4-Up view, click a view other than the original. In the Optimize panel, choose Index Transparency from the Transparency pop-up menu at the bottom of the panel.
Page 243 Optimizing JPEGs Using the Optimize panel, you can optimize JPEGs by setting compression and smoothing options. JPEGs are always saved and exported in 24-bit color, so you can’t optimize a JPEG by editing its color palette. The color table is empty when a JPEG image is selected. As you experiment with different optimization settings, you can use the 2-Up and 4-Up buttons to test and compare a JPEG’s appearance and estimated file size.
Page 244 Selectively compressing areas of a JPEG Selective JPEG compression lets you compress different areas of a JPEG at different levels. Areas of particular interest in an image can be compressed at a higher quality level. Areas of lesser significance, such as backgrounds, can be compressed at a lower quality level, reducing the overall size of the image while retaining the quality of the more important areas.
Page 245 Blurring or sharpening detail You can set Smoothing in the Optimize panel to help decrease the file size of JPEGs. Smoothing blurs hard edges, which do not compress well in JPEGs. Higher numbers produce more blurring in the exported or saved JPEG, typically creating smaller files. A smoothing setting of about 3 reduces the size of the image while still maintaining reasonable quality.
Page 246 Removing halos When you make the canvas color transparent on an image that was previously anti-aliased, the pixels from the anti-aliasing remain. Then when you export (or in some cases, save) the graphic and place it on a web page with a different background color, the perimeter pixels of the anti- aliased object may be apparent on the web page’s background.
Page 247: Exporting From Fireworks
To save optimization settings as a preset: Select Save Settings from the Optimize panel Options menu. Type a name for the optimization preset and click OK. Saved optimization settings appear at the bottom of the Settings pop-up menu in the Optimize panel and in the Property inspector.
Page 248 Exporting a single image You use the File > Export command to export a graphic after you have finished optimizing it in the workspace. If you are working with an existing image that you opened in Fireworks, you may be able to save it rather than export it, depending on the image’s original file type.
Page 249 Exporting selected slices You can export selected slices in a Fireworks document. Shift-click to select multiple slices. Note: For more information on slicing, see “Creating and editing slices” on page 167. To export selected slices: Do one of the following: Choose File >...
Page 250 For information about exporting to multiple files, see “Exporting frames or layers” on page 251. For information about exporting animations as Flash SWF files, see “Working with Macromedia Flash MX 2004” in Working with Other Applications on the Fireworks Support Center at www.macromedia.com/support/fireworks/.
Page 251 Exporting frames or layers Fireworks can export each layer or frame in a document as a separate image file, using the optimization settings specified in the Optimize panel. The name of the layer or frame determines the filename of each exported file. This export method is sometimes used to export animations. To export frames or layers as multiple files: Choose File >...
Page 252 Use the Update HTML command to make changes to an HTML file you’ve previously created. Note: Macromedia Dreamweaver shares a tight integration with Fireworks. Fireworks handles the export of HTML to Dreamweaver differently than it handles export to other HTML editors. If you are exporting Fireworks HTML to Dreamweaver, see “Working with Macromedia Dreamweaver MX...
Page 253 Generic HTML works in most HTML editors. Exporting Fireworks HTML generates an HTML file and the associated image files in a location you specify. Note: Fireworks also exports HTML when you export to CSS layers and to Macromedia Director. For more information about CSS layers, see “Exporting CSS layers”...
Page 254 HTML Dreamweaver differently than that of other HTML editors. If you are exporting Fireworks HTML to Dreamweaver, follow these instructions, but for additional application-specific notes, also see “Working with Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004” in Working with Other Applications on the Fireworks Support Center at www.macromedia.com/support/fireworks/.
Page 255 HTML file will reside. Note: If you plan to paste the HTML code into Macromedia Dreamweaver, it does not matter where you export the images, as long as they reside in the same Dreamweaver site as the HTML file into which you will paste your code.
Page 256 HTML file will reside. Note: If you plan to paste the HTML code into Macromedia Dreamweaver, it does not matter where you export the images, as long as they reside in the same Dreamweaver site as the HTML file into which you will paste your code.
Page 257 This feature is useful if you want to update only a portion of a document. Note: Update HTML works differently with Macromedia Dreamweaver documents than it does with other HTML documents. For more information, see “Working with Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004”...
Page 258 To update HTML using the Update HTML command: Do one of the following: Choose File > Update HTML. Click the Quick Export button and choose Update HTML from the pop-up menu. Select the file to update in the Locate HTML File dialog box. Click Open.
Page 259 For more information on XHTML, visit the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) XHTML specification at www.w3.org. To export XHTML from Fireworks: Choose File > HTML Setup, choose an XHTML style from the HTML Style pop-up menu on the General tab, and click OK. Export your document using any of the methods available for exporting or copying HTML.
Page 260 To export your document using the XHTML standard, choose the appropriate XHTML style from the pop-up menu. For more information about XHTML, see “Exporting XHTML” on page 258. Choose a file extension from the Extension pop-up menu or enter a new one. Choose Include HTML Comments to include comments regarding where to copy and paste in the HTML.
Page 261 The Quick Export button, located in the upper right corner of the Document window, offers easy access to common options for exporting Fireworks files to other applications. Using the Quick Export button, you can export to a variety of formats, including Macromedia applications and other applications, such as Microsoft FrontPage and Adobe GoLive ®...
Page 262: Sending A Fireworks Document As An E-Mail Attachment
FTP or third-party transport methods such as SourceSafe, WebDAV, and RDS cannot be transported to and from the remote server from within Fireworks. For more information about the File Management menu, see “Working with Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004” in Working with Other Applications on the Fireworks Support Center at www.macromedia.com/support/fireworks/.
Page 263: Chapter 13: Automating Repetitive Tasks
Web designers often spend lots of time doing repetitive tasks, such as optimizing images or converting images to fit within certain constraints. Part of the power of Macromedia Fireworks MX 2004 is its capability to automate and simplify many tedious drawing, editing, and file- conversion tasks.
Page 264: Finding And Replacing
Choose Edit > Find. Press Control+F (Windows) or Command+F (Macintosh). Note: If the files you select are locked or checked in from a Macromedia Dreamweaver site, you are prompted to unlock them or check them out before proceeding. From the Search pop-up menu, choose a source for the search:...
Page 265 Set the options for the selected Find attribute. Choose a find-and-replace operation: locates the next instance of the element. Found elements appear selected in Find the document. changes a found element with the contents of the Change To option. Replace finds and replaces every occurrence of a found element throughout the Replace All search range.
Page 266 Finding and replacing text Fireworks makes it easy to search for and replace text. You have a variety of options to refine your search to consider case or to find entire words or parts of words. To search for and replace words, phrases, or text strings: Choose Find Text from the Find pop-up menu of the Find panel.
Page 267: Batch Processing
Finding and replacing URLs In addition to words, typefaces, and colors, Fireworks allows you to find and replace URLs assigned to interactive elements in your documents. To search for and replace URLs assigned to web objects: Choose Find URL from the Find pop-up menu of the Find panel. Enter the URL to search for in the Find text box.
Page 268 To batch-process files: Choose File > Batch Process, and select the files to process. You can select files from different folders or group them by file type. Note: If the files you select are locked or checked in from a Dreamweaver site, you are prompted to unlock them or check them out before proceeding.
Page 269 Click Next, then do one or both of the following: To add a task to the batch, select it in the Batch Options list and click Add. Each task can be added only once. For more information on adding commands, see “Performing commands with a batch process”...
Page 270 Changing optimization settings with a batch process You can change file optimization settings using the Export option in the Batch Process dialog box. To set export settings for a batch process: Choose Export from the Batch Options list and click Add. From the Settings pop-up menu, choose from the following options and click OK: Choose Use Settings from Each File to keep each file’s previous export settings during the batch process.
Page 271 Scaling graphics with a batch process You can alter the height and width of images being exported using the Scale option in the Batch Process dialog box. To set scaling options for batch-processed files: Choose Scale from the Batch Options list and click Add. In the Scale pop-up menu, choose an option: exports files unaltered.
Page 272 To select attributes to find and replace during a batch process: Choose Find and Replace from the Batch Options list and click Add. Click Edit. Select the type of attribute to find and replace from the Find pop-up menu: text, font, color, URL, or Non-Web216.
Page 273 Specifying the batch process output location After you choose all batch options in the Batch Process dialog box, you must choose options for saving your files. You can save backup copies of the original files from a batch process. Backup copies of files are placed in an Original Files subfolder in the same folder as each original file.
Page 274 Saving batch processes as scripts You can save batch process settings as a script or command to re-create the batch process easily in the future. After you choose all batch options in the Batch dialog box, you are given options for saving your files.
Page 275: Extending Fireworks
An extension is a command script, command panel, library, filter, pattern, texture, or Auto Shape that can be added to Fireworks to enhance its capabilities. Fireworks ships with the Macromedia Extension Manager, which allows you to easily install, manage, and delete extensions. Upon installation, Fireworks includes a collection of default extensions in the Commands menu.
Page 276 Scripting with the History panel The History panel records a list of the steps you have performed while working in Fireworks. Each step is stored on a separate line of the History panel, starting with the most recent. By default, the panel remembers 20 steps. However, you can change this value at any time. Creating commands You can save groups of steps in the History panel as a command that you can reuse.
Page 277 Fireworks. You can control nearly every command or setting in Fireworks through JavaScript. Macromedia Dreamweaver also uses JavaScript. You can write scripts that control Fireworks from within Dreamweaver. For documentation on the JavaScript API, see Extending Fireworks.
Page 278 You can rename or delete any commands that you create using the Manage Saved Commands option in Fireworks. You must use the Extension Manager for other commands and extensions that were installed with Fireworks or that you downloaded and installed from the Macromedia Exchange website.
Page 279 Editing or customizing a command script Command scripts are saved as JavaScript. If you know JavaScript, you can open and edit commands in any text editor, such as Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Macintosh). To edit a command using JavaScript: From your desktop, navigate to the appropriate Commands or Command Panels folder on your hard disk.
Page 280 Chapter 13: Automating Repetitive Tasks...
Page 281: Chapter 14: Preferences And Keyboard Shortcuts
CHAPTER 14 Preferences and Keyboard Shortcuts Macromedia Fireworks MX 2004 preference settings let you control the general appearance of the user interface, as well as editing and folder aspects. In addition, Fireworks allows you to customize your keyboard shortcuts. This means that you can customize your shortcuts and standardize them among your favorite software programs.
Page 282 Launch and Edit preferences By setting launch-and-edit preferences, you can control how external applications, such as Macromedia Flash, Macromedia Director, and Microsoft FrontPage, launch and edit graphics in Fireworks. In most cases, Fireworks attempts to locate the source PNG for a graphic on its own. When it can’t locate the source PNG, Fireworks uses the launch-and-edit preferences that you set to...
Page 283 Note: Macromedia Flash is an exception. When launching and editing graphics in Flash, Fireworks always uses the preferences you set in the Launch and Edit section of the Preferences dialog box. determines whether the original Fireworks PNG file When Editing from External Application opens when you use Fireworks to edit images from within other applications.
Page 284: Changing Keyboard Shortcut Sets
If you are accustomed to using shortcuts from other applications such as FreeHand, Illustrator, Photoshop, or products that use the Macromedia standard, you can switch to the shortcut set you prefer. To change the current shortcut set: Choose Edit >...
Page 285 Choose the command whose shortcut you want to modify from the Commands list. If a shortcut exists, it is displayed in the Shortcuts list. Click in the Press Key text box, and press the desired keys for the new shortcut on the keyboard. If the key combination you choose is already used by another shortcut, a warning message appears below the Press Key text box.
Page 286: Working With Configuration Files
Windows Help. About user configuration files Fireworks user configuration files are stored in the Macromedia/Fireworks MX 2004 folder in your user-specific Application Data folder (Windows) or Application Support folder (Macintosh). The location of this folder varies depending on what operating system you use and on whether your system is a multiuser system or a single-user system.
Page 287: About Reinstalling Fireworks
Location of the Fireworks preferences file Fireworks preferences are stored in a file named Fireworks MX 2004 Preferences.txt (Windows) or Fireworks MX 2004 Preferences (Macintosh). The location of this file varies depending on your operating system. • In Windows, preferences are in your user-specific Fireworks configuration folder. For more information about locating this folder, see “About user configuration files”...
Page 288 Chapter 14: Preferences and Keyboard Shortcuts...
Page 289: Index
INDEX Numerics multiframe editing 220 naming frames 217 24-bit color 236 onion skinning 220 32-bit color 236 opacity 214 opening 223 optimizing 222 absolute URLs, entering 166 playing 221 ACT file format, swatches 99 previewing 221 Add Noise filter 54 properties 213 Add Preview Icons preference 282 removing 214...
Page 290 Screen 152 running 274 Tint 152 behaviors Blur filter 49 Behaviors panel 177 Blur More filter 49 Macromedia Dreamweaver 4 173 Blur tool 34 Nav Bar Down 178 blurring 49 Nav Bar Over 178 bitmap areas 34 Nav Bar Restore 178...
Page 291 buttons color bar 98, 101 active area 197 choosing a color with 102 Button Editor 191 cycling through color models 102 creating 191 color correction defined 192 brightness and contrast 45 Live Effects 194 Curves 43 navigation bars 200 Levels 40 overview 191 using eyedropper 45 setting a target 198...
Page 292 commands batch processing 272 darkening creating 276 bitmap areas 34 deleting custom 278 images 36 editing 279 default preferences 284 renaming custom 278 Delete Objects While Cropping preference 282 renaming or deleting Fireworks commands 278 deleting Commands menu 277 frames 218 managing saved commands 278 layers 131 composite paths 75...
Page 293 pie charts 58 expanding strokes 78 polygons 57, 58 Export Area tool 251 rectangles 56 Export Preview 227 rounded rectangles 56, 58 comparing optimization settings 228 selecting a point 69 optimizing 227 spirals 58 panning area 228 splitting paths 75 previewing 227 stars 57 previewing optimization 227...
Page 294 files, unlocking 262 finding and replacing 264 Fill Color box 32 batch processed files 271 Fill Color Live Effect 154 colors 266 fills fonts 266 adding texture to 117 multiple files 265 adjusting 114 non-websafe colors 267 applying color fills 46 selecting source for search 264 applying gradient 32, 112 text 266...
Page 295 HSB color model 102 HTML 252 Gaussian Blur filter 49 copying and pasting from Fireworks to GIF file format Dreamweaver 255, 256 choosing 234 exporting 252, 254 choosing a color palette 235 replacing older version 257 swatches 99 Setup 259 glow effects 123 hue, adjusting 39, 47 GoLive 261...
Page 296 262 kerning 84 locking layers 132 keyboard shortcuts 284 changing current set 284 custom shortcut sets 284 Macromedia Dreamweaver deleting custom shortcut sets 285 Dreamweaver 4 behaviors 173 reference sheet for current set 285 macros 277 secondary shortcuts 284...
Page 297 Optimize to Size wizard 229 optimizing nav (navigation) bars animations 222 creating 200 basics 226 Down state 178 using Export Wizard 227 Over state 178 outlines 106 Restore behavior 178 See also strokes nearest neighbor interpolation scaling method 282 Over button state 192 nested tables 183 Over While Down button state 192 Numeric Transform command 24...
Page 298 Pen tool 64 points adding points with 70 adding 70 curved segments 65 bending adjacent segments 70 deleting points with 70 changing adjacent segments 70 resuming path 71 converting 68 straight segments 65 converting straight to curved 68 Pencil tool 31 deleting 70 perspective illusion 23 moving 70...
Page 299 Radial Blur filter 50 saturation, adjusting 39 raster images 29 saving 247 rectangles 56 animations 250 rounded corners 59 images 248 Red-eye Removal tool 34, 37 Scale tool 22 redoing using History panel 276 scaling Redraw Path tool 74 graphics 271 redrawing paths 74 interpolation options 281 reducing points 77...
Page 300 Send to Back command 26 Smooth command 17 sending documents as e-mail attachments 262 Smudge tool 34 Set Nav Bar Image behavior 178 smudging Set Pop-up Menu behavior 178 bitmap areas 34 Set Text of Status Bar behavior 178 images 36 shadows 41, 123 Snap Distance preference 282 sharing layers 133...
Page 301 Subselection tool text blocks auto-joining paths with 71 auto-sizing 81 selecting masks with 145 fixed-width 81 Swap Image behavior 177 moving 80 swap image rollovers resizing 81 creating disjoint rollovers 176 text paths with single slice 175 attaching text to path 90 swap image, external images for 179 changing shape of path 91 swatch group, choosing custom 99...
Page 302 Replace Color 34, 38 URL library 164 Rubber Stamp 34 adding URLs 165 Scale 22 adding used URLs 165 Sharpen 34 creating 165 Skew 23 entering absolute or relative URLs 166 Smudge 34 URL panel 164 Subselection 71, 145 URLs Text 79 assigning to a web object 165 Transform 21...

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Fireworks mx 2004

MACROMEDIA FIREWORKS MX 2004-USING FIREWORKS Use Manual

CHAPTER 1: Selecting and Transforming Objects

CHAPTER 2: Working with Bitmaps

CHAPTER 3: Working with Vector Objects

CHAPTER 4 Using Text

CHAPTER 5: Applying Color, Strokes, and Fills

CHAPTER 6: Using Live Effects

CHAPTER 7: Layers, Masking, and Blending

CHAPTER 8: Using Styles, Symbols, and Urls

CHAPTER 9: Slices, Rollovers, and Hotspots

CHAPTER 10: Creating Buttons and Pop-Up Menus

CHAPTER 11: Creating Animation

CHAPTER 12: Optimizing and Exporting

CHAPTER 13: Automating Repetitive Tasks

CHAPTER 14: Preferences and Keyboard Shortcuts

Index

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