Adobe 38039927 - Fireworks CS3 - PC Extended User Manual page 286

ADOBE FIREWORKS CS3 282
Extending Guide
Supporting functions and methods
Because the Auto Shape file is written in JavaScript, your functions can use global variables, common functions, and
the Fireworks JavaScript API. The Auto Shape JavaScript file contains the definition of the shape's points, and a
series of functions to handle the Fireworks messages as the user interacts with the shape. The file also includes a
series of commands and functions defining the shape's properties and other functionality. These functions are often
separate from the message handling functions so they can be used by multiple message handling functions. For
example, the Cog Auto Shape JavaScript file (Configuration/Auto Shapes/Cog.jsf) contains user-defined functions
near the bottom of the file. These functions perform calculations and create shapes that are useful for the message
handling functions. The top of the file contains a series of variable statements that define useful values for tool tips,
global variables, and constants used throughout the Auto Shape JavaScript file.
You can use the Fireworks JavaScript API and the Fireworks Object Model, along with efficient JavaScript coding
practices, to create effective Auto Shapes (and continue to reuse the most useful functions from each Auto Shape
JavaScript file). For more information, see "Additional Fireworks Functions" on page 294 and the "The Fireworks
Object Model" on page 4.