Chapter 5: Working With Vector Objects - MACROMEDIA FIREWORKS 8-USING FIREWORKS Use Manual

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CHAPTER 5
Working with Vector Objects
A vector object is a computer graphic whose shape is defined by a path. The shape of a vector
path is determined by points that are plotted along the path. A vector object's stroke color
follows the path. Its fill occupies the area inside the path. The stroke and fill typically
determine how the graphic looks when published in print or on the web.
Macromedia Fireworks 8 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.
You can draw freeform vector paths with the Vector Path and Pen tools. Using the Pen tool,
you can draw complex shapes with smooth curves and straight lines by plotting points one by
one.
Fireworks offers several methods for editing the vector objects you have drawn. You can
change an object's shape by moving, adding, or deleting points. You can use point handles to
change the shape of adjacent path segments. Freeform tools let you alter the shape of objects
by editing paths directly. You can also edit Auto Shapes using their predefined editing
methods.
Commands on the Modify menu give you more options for editing objects, including
combining objects to create a single object, creating an object from the intersection of several
objects, and expanding the stroke of an object. You can also import graphics and manipulate
them using these commands.
This chapter contains the following topics:
Drawing vector objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Editing paths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
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