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
• 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
• 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-infireworks/
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-afuture-for-fireworks/