Adobe Fireworks CS3 Revealed CHAPTER TWO: WORKING WITH OBJECTS

Chapter 2 Lessons  Work with vector tools  Modify multiple vector objects  Modify color  Apply filters to objects and text  Apply a style to text FireworksChapter 2 2

Understanding Vector Objects  Can modify vector object properties with great flexibility  Can alter appearance by grouping, combining paths, or adjusting alignment  Can apply a solid color, gradient color, or a texture FireworksChapter 2 3

Understanding Vector Objects  Can adjust the stroke appearance  Stroke, Fill, and Filters sections on the Property inspector  Changing the order in which effects appear in the Filters list on the Property inspector FireworksChapter 2 4

Lesson 1  Work with Vector Tools  In this lesson, you will:  Create paths and objects using vector tools  Modify paths and objects using vector tools FireworksChapter 2 5

Lesson 1  Understanding Vector Tools and Paths  Vector object can be  Straight or curved path  Combination of open, closed, straight, or curved paths  Path segments connect anchor points  Path is always editable by adding, deleting, or moving points FireworksChapter 2 6

Figure 1: Points on paths Drag point handles to adjust curve Curve point Corner point FireworksChapter 2 7

Lesson 1  Using the Pen Tool and the Subselection Tool  Pen tool  Add or delete points on a path  Subselection tool  Move points on a path  Both tools  Convert corner and curve points to each other  Modify point handles to adjust curves FireworksChapter 2 8

Lesson 1  Using the Pen Tool and the Subselection Tool  Bézier curves: two-dimensional curves in a vector object  Path scrubber tools  Alter a path’s appearance based on pressure and speed of stroke FireworksChapter 2 9

Lesson 2  Modify Multiple Vector Objects  In this lesson, you will:  Create, copy, align and combine paths of vector objects using the Punch command  Group objects FireworksChapter 2 10

Lesson 2  Aligning and Grouping Objects  Align and distribute objects using  Align commands on Modify menu  Align panel  Group objects into single object  Group command on Modify menu  Can ungroup at any time  Can modify properties for entire group FireworksChapter 2 11

Lesson 2  Combining the Paths of Multiple Objects  Combine Paths commands: applied to two or more ungrouped vector objects  Join  Split  Union  Intersect  Punch  Crop FireworksChapter 2 12

Figure 11: Sample Combine Path commands Original objects Join includes all points of all paths Union path is sum of all paths FireworksChapter 2 13

Figure 11: Sample Combine Path commands Punch outlines top object through path Intersect area is common to all paths Crop uses area of top path to remove those below FireworksChapter 2 14

Figure 20: Grouped objects Paths combined with Punch command Grouped objects FireworksChapter 2 15

Lesson 3  Modify Color  In this lesson, you will:  Apply a gradient fill to an object  Modify a gradient fill FireworksChapter 2 16

Lesson 3  Understanding Fills and Gradients  Fill types available  Solid  Gradient  Web Dither  Pattern FireworksChapter 2 17

Lesson 3  Understanding Fills and Gradients  Pattern fills: bitmap images with complex schemes and textures  Can use preset patterns  Can create a new pattern Figure 21: Pattern categories FireworksChapter 2 18

Lesson 3  Understanding Fills and Gradients  Gradient: two or more colors that blend into each in a fixed design  Gradient tool on the Tools panel  Edit Gradient pop-up window modifies gradient, colors, opacity, and transitions FireworksChapter 2 19

Figure 27: Adjusting fill handles Round handles adjust gradient placement Square handles adjust gradient width FireworksChapter 2 20

Lesson 4  Apply Filters to Objects and Text  In this lesson, you will:  Add filters to objects, including text  Change the order of filters in the Filters list FireworksChapter 2 21

Lesson 4  Understanding Filters  Apply to any object from the Filters section of the Property inspector  Known as Live Effects because you can edit them  Similar to filters, labs, or renders in other programs  Can change order of filters in the Filters list FireworksChapter 2 22

Figure 29: Filter categories FireworksChapter 2 23

Lesson 4  Using the Filters menu  Contains commands that correspond to many features in the Filters section  Not editable after you apply them  Can only undo the action of applying a filter during current work session FireworksChapter 2 24

Lesson 4  Filters and File Size  Enabled filters generally contribute to increased file size  Disabling a filter instead of deleting it does not significantly add to file size  Some filters decrease file size  For example: Blur, Blur More, Gaussian Blur filters FireworksChapter 2 25

Lesson 4  Understanding Transparency  Can adjust the transparency of an image or effect  Controlled by opacity settings on Property inspector  100%: completely opaque  0%: completely transparent FireworksChapter 2 26

Lesson 5  Apply a Style to Text  In this lesson, you will:  Apply a style to text  Add a new text style to the Styles list FireworksChapter 2 27

Lesson 5  Using Styles in Documents  Styles: preset attributes, such as color and texture  Applied to objects and text  Can create a custom style and add it to Styles panel Figure 35: Style applied to objects FireworksChapter 2 28

Figure 40: New Style dialog box Selected properties will be applied when style is applied FireworksChapter 2 29

Lesson 5  Using Plug-ins  Plug-in: adds features to an application  Can install plug-ins from other software applications into Fireworks  Plug-ins are platform-specific FireworksChapter 2 30

Lesson 5  Using Adobe Photoshop Plug-ins and Features  Preferences dialog box  Folders tab contains options for Photoshop plug-ins, textures, and patterns  Import tab allows you to determine how Fireworks translates Photoshop layers and text FireworksChapter 2 31

Summary  Chapter 2 Tasks  Work with vector tools  Modify multiple vector objects  Modify color  Apply filters to objects and text  Apply a style to text FireworksChapter 2 32