Adobe Fireworks CS3 Revealed CHAPTER THREE: IMPORTING, SELECTING, AND MODIFYING GRAPHICS

Chapter 3 Lessons  Work with imported files  Work with bitmap selection tools  Learn about selection areas  Select areas based on color FireworksChapter 3 2

Understanding Importing  Can import many different file types  Can select areas of pixels using different tools  Can manipulate pixel selection  Can flatten or merge objects and layers to reduce file size FireworksChapter 3 3

Lesson 1  Work with Imported Files  In this lesson, you will:  Import graphics with different file formats into a Fireworks document FireworksChapter 3 4

Lesson 1  Considerations for Importing Files  Importing several images can increase file size FireworksChapter 3 5

Lesson 1  Using Different File Formats  Copying and pasting  Places image on Clipboard: consumes resources  Dragging and dropping  Does not place image on Clipboard: saves resources FireworksChapter 3 6

Lesson 1  Using Different File Formats  Can determine how Photoshop files import  Import tab of Preferences dialog box  Can determine how vector objects import  Vector File Options dialog box FireworksChapter 3 7

Figure 2 and Figure 3 Figure 2: Import tab in Preferences dialog box Figure 3: Vector File Options dialog box FireworksChapter 3 8

Lesson 2  Work with Bitmap Selection Tools  In this lesson, you will:  Use the marquee tools to select and change pixels in an image FireworksChapter 3 9

Lesson 2  Understanding Pixel Selection Tools  Marquee selection: flashing perimeter around selected pixels  Often called “marching ants”  Selection is temporary but can manipulate pixels FireworksChapter 3 10

Lesson 2  Understanding Pixel Selection Tools  Bitmap Via Copy: copies and pastes selected pixels  Bitmap Via Cut: cuts and pastes selected pixels  Both commands paste selected pixels as new object on active layer FireworksChapter 3 11

Lesson 2  Using the Marquee Tools  Selects pixels in a specific shape  Rectangle/Square  Oval/Circle  Properties  Style  Normal  Fixed Ratio  Fixed Size  Edge FireworksChapter 3 12

Figure 12: Using the Oval Marquee tool FireworksChapter 3 13

Lesson 2  Using the Transformation Tools  Scale tool: resizes  Skew tool: slants along horizontal and vertical axes  Distort tool: alters size and proportion FireworksChapter 3 14

Figure 11: Skew and Distort Samples Original object Skewed object Distorted object FireworksChapter 3 15

Figure 17: Rotating an object FireworksChapter 3 16

Lesson 3  Learn About Selection Areas  In this lesson, you will:  Select pixels in an image using the lasso tools FireworksChapter 3 17

Lesson 3  Using the Lasso Tools  Define an exact pixel selection  Lasso tool  Works well on images with curves  Tracing ability a plus FireworksChapter 3 18

Lesson 3  Using the Lasso Tools  Polygon Lasso tool  Works well on images with straight lines or asymmetrical outlines  Creates marquee in stages by clicking mouse FireworksChapter 3 19

Lesson 3  Using Select Menu Commands  Select Inverse  Select Similar  Feather  Expand Marquee  Contract Marquee FireworksChapter 3 20

Lesson 3  Using Select Menu Commands  Border Marquee  Smooth Marquee  Save Bitmap Selection  Restore Bitmap Selection FireworksChapter 3 21

Figure 23: Result of Smooth Marquee command Smoothing removes pixels from selection FireworksChapter 3 22

Lesson 4  Select Areas Based on Color  In this lesson, you will:  Add select areas of color using the Magic Wand tool  Merge layers  Flatten the image FireworksChapter 3 23

Lesson 4  Using the Magic Wand Tool  Selects pixels based on color  Tolerance  Range of colors the tool selects  Increasing tolerance increases the ranges of similar colors selected  Select Similar command adds matching colors to selection FireworksChapter 3 24

Figure 26: Sample Magic Wand and Select Similar selections Tolerance 64 selects nearly all of grape Tolerance 16 selects some green grape pixels FireworksChapter 3 25

Lesson 4  Merging and Flattening Objects and Layers  Helps to manage file size but objects are no longer editable  Modify menu commands  Merge Down  Flatten Selection  Flatten Layers FireworksChapter 3 26

Figure 31: Objects flattened on individual layers FireworksChapter 3 27

Summary  Chapter 3 Tasks  Work with imported files  Work with bitmap selection tools  Learn about selection areas  Select areas based on color FireworksChapter 3 28