Adobe Fireworks

What Is Adobe Fireworks? Adobe Fireworks CS4 software is used to rapidly prototype websites and application interfaces and to create and optimize images for the web more quickly and accurately. It is ideal for web designers, web developers, and visual designers. Many features for creating images for the web and application interfaces. You can also: create both bitmap and vector images in a single file design web effects such as rollovers and pop-up menus crop and optimize graphics to reduce their file size save time by automating repetitive tasks. Called “Adobe’s best kept secret” by fans.

History of Fireworks Originally developed by Macromedia in 1998. (One year after Macromedia releases Flash and Dreamweaver.) Throughout the mid- to late-1990s and early 2000s, Macromedia acquires a number of smaller companies. Altsys (FreeHand becomes Illustrator) FutureWave Software (FutureSplash becomes Flash) iBand Software (Backstage becomes Dreamweaver)

History of Fireworks On December 3, 2005, in a $3.4 billion stock swap, Micromedia’s long-time rival, Adobe, purchased Micromedia and all Micromedia products. Fireworks CS4 was released on September 23, 2008. (219 days ago.)

Vector Images Popular vector drawing programs: Vector images: images that are resolution independent. Common vector formats: AI (Adobe Illustrator) CMX (Corel Exchange) CGM Computer Graphics Metafile Popular vector drawing programs: Adobe Illustrator Adobe Fireworks

Vector images Less common than bitmaps. They can be stretched or resized without reducing resolution. Less common than bitmaps.

Bitmap images Bitmap images: images composed of small squares, known as pixels, that lie on a grid. Also called Raster images. Common bitmap formats: BMP GIF JPG PNG PCX PSD (Photoshop) Popular bitmap editing programs: Microsoft Paint Adobe Photoshop

Bitmap images Most images are bitmap. They are resolution dependent. When you expand a bitmap image, it looses resolution and becomes pixilated.

Photoshop versus fireworks Photostop is used to: Manipulate photos Edit images Primarily bitmap editing

Photoshop versus fireworks Fireworks is used to: Create images Rollovers Animations Image maps Primarily vector image editing

Advantages of Fireworks Fireworks was designed from the ground up specifically for the task of creating Web site layouts and graphics in an efficient and flexible manner. You don’t have to switch between multiple applications because the tools were created specifically for web design and web designers. Although it is primarily a vector application, it has sophisticated bitmap editing features that rival over bitmap applications.

Disadvantages of Fireworks Expensive Around $285 Harder to use than other programs i.e. Photoshop Sometimes confusing

How can we use it Can be used to enhance projects in other programs. Can be used with other Adobe products: Flash Dreamweaver Photoshop Create web site layouts and graphic. Streamlines the process.

Making stuff in Fireworks

Making Stuff in Fireworks

Making Stuff in Fireworks

Resources Used http://help.adobe.com/en_US/Fireworks/9.0/ http://www.adobe.com/products/fireworks/faq/ http://www.pixelyzed.com/pixelforge/whychoosefireworks/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_graphics http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raster_graphics http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobe_Photoshop http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobe_Fireworks http://firetuts.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macromedia

Resources Used http://firetuts.com/2007/12/08/five-easy-steps-to-create-a-barcode-in- fireworks/ http://firetuts.com/2007/10/20/create-mac-like-wallpapers-with-fireworks/ http://firetuts.com/2007/12/01/create-a-planet-from-scratch-with-fireworks/ http://www.adobe.com/devnet/fireworks/articles/why_fireworks.html http://www.fireworksguruforum.com/index.php?showtopic=12603 http://technologytraining.psu.edu/node/207 http://www.entheosweb.com/fireworks/default.asp http://speckyboy.com/2008/12/29/70-adobe-fireworks-resources-is-there-a- future-for-fireworks/