Sams Teach Yourself Macromedia® Fireworks® MX in 24 Hours

Sams Teach Yourself Macromedia® Fireworks® MX in 24 Hours

Released December 2002
Publisher(s): Sams
ISBN: None

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Book description

Sams Teach Yourself Macromedia Fireworks X in 24 Hours is written for Web designers who are looking for a book to quickly and easily get up to speed with Fireworks.

The reader most likely has some experience creating Web pages and designing Web graphics, and probably plans on using Fireworks in conjunction with Macromedia Dreamweaver.

Readers will learn everything they would need to know in order to use Fireworks in a professional graphics production environment - everything from how to create and edit graphics, to using complex techniques like transformations, to optimizing graphics for use on Web pages, to creating animations and interactive elements.

Table of contents

  1. Copyright
    1. Dedication
  2. About the Authors
    1. Contributing Author
  3. Acknowledgments
  4. We Want to Hear from You!
  5. Reader Services
  6. Introduction
    1. Who Should Read This Book
    2. How This Book Is Organized
    3. What’s on the Web Site?
    4. Conventions Used in This Book
  7. I. Learning the Basics: Image File Fundamentals
    1. 1. Getting to Know the Fireworks MX Interface
      1. Getting Started with Fireworks MX
        1. Opening Fireworks MX for the First Time
          1. File Menu
          2. Edit Menu
          3. View Menu
          4. Select Menu
          5. Modify Menu
          6. Text Menu
          7. Commands Menu
          8. Filters Menu
          9. Window Menu
          10. Help Menu
      2. Finding Your Tools
        1. Select Tools
          1. Pointer and Select Behind
          2. Subselection
          3. Scale, Skew, and Distort
          4. Crop, Export Area
        2. Bitmap Tools
          1. Marquee and Oval Marquee
          2. Lasso and Polygon Lasso
          3. Magic Wand
          4. Brush
          5. Pencil
          6. Eraser
          7. Blur, Sharpen, Dodge, Burn, and Smudge
          8. Rubber Stamp
          9. Eyedropper
          10. Paint Bucket and Gradient
        3. Vector Tools
          1. Line
          2. Pen, Vector Path, and Redraw Path
          3. Rectangle, Rounded Rectangle, Ellipse, and Polygon
          4. Text
          5. Freeform, Reshape Path, and Path Scrubber
          6. Knife
        4. Web Tools
          1. Rectangle, Circle, and Polygon Hotspot
          2. Slice and Polygon Slice
          3. Hide and Show Slices and Hotspots
        5. Color Tools
          1. Stroke Color
          2. Fill Color
          3. Default Stroke and Fill
          4. No Stroke or Fill
          5. Swap Stroke and Fill Colors
        6. View Tools
          1. Standard Screen, Full Screen with Menus, and Full Screen Mode
          2. Hand
          3. Zoom
          4. Task: Navigate an Image with the View Tools
          5. Task: Explore the Various Screen Modes
      3. Using the Property Inspector
      4. Laying Out Panels
        1. Docking and Grouping Panels
          1. Task: Saving Your Panel Configuration
      5. Looking for More Help?
      6. Summary
      7. Workshop
        1. Q&A
        2. Quiz
    2. 2. Image Collection and Management
      1. Creating Fireworks Native Images (PNG)
        1. Task: Create a Blank Source Image
      2. Using Supported Formats
        1. Task: Import Additional Graphics
      3. Collecting Graphics
        1. How to Collect Images from the Web
          1. Task: Collect Images from the Web
        2. How to Browse a Removable Disk for Images
          1. Task: Work with Images on a Removable Disk
        3. How to Scan a Photograph
          1. Task: Scan an Image Using Fireworks
        4. How to Import an Image from a Digital Camera
          1. Task: Import an Image from a Digital Camera
        5. How to Import a Still from a Video Clip
          1. Task: Capture a Still Using Movie Maker with Windows XP
      4. Organizing and Sharing Graphics
        1. Task: Manage Multiple Images Within the My Pictures Folder
      5. Creating Backups of Source Images
      6. Legal Considerations
        1. Copyright
        2. Trademark
        3. Patent
        4. Privacy and Publicity
      7. Summary
      8. Workshop
        1. Q&A
        2. Quiz
    3. 3. Choosing Optimization Settings and Exporting Graphics
      1. Working with Different Output Formats
      2. Comparing Compression
        1. Working with the Optimization Panel
          1. Task: Preview Different Compression Settings
      3. Advanced Compression Settings
        1. GIF Compression
          1. Palette
          2. Color Depth
          3. Transparency
          4. Swatches
          5. Interlaced
          6. Remove Unused Colors
          7. Save Palette
        2. JPEG Compression
          1. Matte
          2. Quality
          3. Selective Quality
          4. Smoothing
        3. Saving Compression Presets
      4. Exporting from Fireworks
        1. Task: Export Image as Page for Web
      5. Summary
      6. Workshop
        1. Q&A
        2. Quiz
      7. Exercises
  8. II. Bitmap Editing: The Digital Darkroom
    1. 4. Working with Bitmap Images
      1. What Is a Bitmap?
      2. Changing the Canvas
        1. Task: Change Image and Canvas Size
      3. Using the Layers Panel
      4. Choosing Colors and Managing Swatches
        1. Color Mixer Panel
        2. Swatches
      5. Drawing and Painting
        1. Pencil
        2. Brush
        3. Eraser
        4. Task: Working with Layers and the Brush Tool
      6. Summary
      7. Workshop
        1. Q&A
        2. Quiz
    2. 5. Editing Bitmap Graphics
      1. Area Selection Tools
        1. Pointer Tool
        2. Crop Tool
        3. Marquee Tools
        4. Lasso Tools
        5. Magic Wand Tool
        6. The Paint Bucket Tool
        7. Drawing and Painting with Selections
      2. Selection Options
        1. How to Filter Pixel Selections
        2. Adjust Color
        3. Blur
        4. Other
        5. Sharpen
        6. Eye Candy 4000 LE
        7. Alien Skin Splat LE
        8. Selections and the Edit Menu
        9. Task: Remove Objects from a Photo with the Selection Tools
      3. Working with Bitmaps as Objects
        1. Transforming Bitmap Objects
        2. Free Transform
        3. Scale
        4. Skew
        5. Distort
        6. Numeric Transform
        7. Applying Effects to Bitmap Objects
        8. Options
        9. Bevel and Emboss
        10. Shadow and Glow
        11. Task: Compose Objects with Transform and Add Effects
      4. Summary
      5. Workshop
        1. Q&A
        2. Quiz
      6. Exercises
    3. 6. Improving Photos
      1. Color and Contrast Correction with Fireworks
        1. Evaluating Exposures
          1. Tones and the Zone System
          2. Understanding Contrast
          3. Task: Using Levels to Adjust the Brightness and Contrast of a Black-and-White Image
        2. Color Theory
          1. Color Correction Considerations
          2. Task: Color-Correct a Photograph
      2. Photo Retouching Techniques
        1. Taking Advantage of the Exposure and Focus Tools
        2. Smudging, Cloning, and Sampling Pixels
          1. Task: Use the Rubber Stamp and Smudge Tools to Retouch Blemishes Seamlessly
        3. Masking Bitmap Objects with Grayscale Images
          1. Task: Masking an Image
        4. Specify Areas in an Image to Apply Selective JPEG Compression
          1. Task: Choose a Selective Compression Area and Optimize for Export
      3. Summary
      4. Workshop
        1. Q&A
        2. Quiz
      5. Exercises
  9. III. Graphic Design: Working with Art and Text
    1. 7. Working with Vector Paths
      1. Drawing Points and Lines
        1. Task: Trace Line Art to Create Vector Art
        2. Editing Bézier Curves
        3. Changing the Appearance of a Path Object
          1. Task: Apply Stroke and Fill Settings to Vector Paths
        4. Arranging Path Objects with the Layers Panel
        5. Working with Groups of Paths
      2. Opening and Importing Vector Graphics
      3. Summary
      4. Workshop
        1. Q&A
        2. Quiz
      5. Exercises
    2. 8. Creating Text and Typographic Effects
      1. Using the Text Tool
        1. Creating Text Objects
        2. Selecting Text
        3. Importing Text from Other Applications
        4. Proofreading Text with Fireworks MX
          1. Find and Replace
          2. Check Spelling
      2. Setting Properties for Text and Text Objects
        1. Task: Entering, Styling, and Importing Copy
      3. Changing Text Flow with Text Blocks, Paragraph Settings, and Paths
        1. Text Blocks
        2. Paragraph Settings
        3. Attaching Text to Paths
          1. Orienting Text Along a Path
          2. Task: Attach Text to Path and Use Kerning to Adjust Character Spacing
      4. Summary
      5. Workshop
        1. Q&A
        2. Quiz
      6. Exercises
    3. 9. Tools and Techniques for Layout and Design
      1. Reshaping, Altering, and Combining Paths
        1. Freeform Path Editing
          1. Using the Redraw Path Tool
          2. Pushing and Pulling Paths with the Freeform Path Tool
          3. Massaging Shapes with the Reshape Area Tool
          4. Adding or Subtracting Pressure Information with the Path Scrubber Tools
        2. Combining Paths
          1. Join and Split
          2. Union
          3. Intersect
          4. Punch
          5. Crop
        3. Altering Paths
          1. Simplify
          2. Expand Stroke
          3. Inset Path
          4. Task: Altering Paths to Create Effects
      2. Converting Text into Paths
      3. Using Paths as Masks
        1. Task: Apply Converted Characters as a Mask
      4. Using Rules, the Grid, and Alignment
        1. Placing Guides with the Rulers
        2. Laying Out and Drawing with the Grid
        3. Aligning Objects with the Align Panel
      5. Summary
      6. Workshop
        1. Q&A
        2. Quiz
      7. Exercises
    4. 10. Tricks of the Trade
      1. Creative Fill Techniques
        1. Working with Gradients
          1. Task: Create a Gradient for Future Usage
        2. Using Preset and Custom Patterns
      2. Advanced Stroke Options
        1. Creating Your Own Textures
      3. Adding Effects to Vectors
        1. Task: Put It All Together to Create a Button Graphic
      4. Summary
      5. Workshop
        1. Q&A
        2. Quiz
      6. Exercises
  10. IV. Creating Animations: The Power of Motion
    1. 11. Planning and Creating Animation for the Web
      1. Animation Theory and Storyboarding for the Web
      2. Creating and Organizing New Frames
        1. Specifying Frame Names, Timing, and Looping
        2. Working with Layers and Frames
          1. Task: Create a Basic Animation
      3. Converting Objects into Symbols
        1. Task: Create an Animation Symbol to Animate an Object
        2. Inserting Motion Tweens
      4. Summary
      5. Workshop
        1. Q&A
        2. Quiz
      6. Exercises
    2. 12. Improving and Finishing Your Animation
      1. Inserting Motion Tweens
        1. Task: Creating a Simple Motion Tween
      2. Viewing and Selecting Objects Across Frames
      3. Exporting an Animated GIF
        1. Task: Optimize and Export an Animated GIF File
        2. Exporting Individual Frames as Files
        3. Importing Animated GIFs
      4. Summary
      5. Workshop
        1. Q&A
        2. Quiz
      6. Exercises
    3. 13. Working with Flash MX
      1. Exporting as a Flash SWF File
        1. Using Quick Export for Flash and Other Applications
      2. Working with PNGs in Flash
        1. Editing Bitmap Symbols in Flash
          1. Task: Import a PNG into Flash
        2. Exporting as JPEG or GIF for Image Call
          1. Task: Use loadMovie to Load a JPEG Image into an SWF Animation
      3. Exporting from Flash to Fireworks
      4. Summary
      5. Workshop
        1. Q&A
        2. Quiz
      6. Exercises
  11. V. Designing Web Pages: Layout, Interactivity and Publishing
    1. 14. Slicing Layouts
      1. What Are Slices, and Why Should I Use Them?
      2. Creating Slices on the Web Layer
        1. Task: Slice a Web Page Layout
      3. Specifying Slice Properties
        1. Task: Apply a Common GIF Palette to All Slices
      4. Exporting Image Slices
        1. Task: Export the Layout
      5. Summary
      6. Workshop
        1. Q&A
        2. Quiz
      7. Exercises
    2. 15. Creating Interactive Graphics
      1. Adding Links and Hotspots to Slices
        1. Task: Add a Link and Hotspots to a Sliced Layout
      2. Adding Behaviors to Slices and Hotspots
        1. Task: Set Up Behaviors for Topics and Navigation
      3. Creating Interactive Button Symbols
      4. Working with Symbols and the Library Panel
        1. Task: Import and Export Symbols
      5. Summary
      6. Workshop
        1. Q&A
        2. Quiz
      7. Exercises
    3. 16. Exporting HTML Code from Fireworks
      1. Specifying HTML Export Settings
        1. Task: Export HTML Layout with Graphics and View the Page in a Browser
      2. Editing HTML Source Code
        1. Task: Editing HTML Source Code
      3. More Automated HTML Code Tools
      4. Summary
      5. Workshop
        1. Q&A
        2. Quiz
      6. Exercises
    4. 17. Working with Dreamweaver MX
      1. Roundtrip Editing
        1. Editing Fireworks Elements from Within Dreamweaver
        2. Updating Edits Made in Fireworks
      2. Creating Dreamweaver Templates from Fireworks Layouts
        1. Task: Create a Dreamweaver Template from a Fireworks Layout
      3. Using Dreamweaver’s Web Publishing Tools
        1. Task: Create an FTP Connection in Dreamweaver
      4. Summary
      5. Workshop
        1. Q&A
        2. Quiz
      6. Exercises
  12. VI. Speed Up Your Workflow: Automation and Customization
    1. 18. Batch Processing and Configuration Sharing
      1. Batch Processing
        1. Task: Batch Process a Group of Images
      2. Sharing Customized Fireworks Configurations
      3. Summary
      4. Workshop
        1. Q&A
        2. Quiz
      5. Exercises
    2. 19. Creating Custom Scripts for the Commands Menu
      1. Using the History Panel to View Your Steps
      2. Saving a Custom Script from the History Panel
        1. Task: Edit an Image and Save History as Script
        2. Task: Create a Command to Automate Effects Application
      3. Viewing Custom Scripts as Text
        1. Task: View a Custom Script as Text
        2. Understanding the Script
      4. Organizing the Commands Menu
      5. Batch Processing Files
        1. Task: Batch Process Selected Files Through the History Panel
        2. Changing Export Settings with a Batch Process
          1. Task: Change Export Settings with a Batch Process
        3. Using Find and Replace During a Batch Process
          1. Task: Use Find and Replace During a Batch Process
        4. Using Batch Processing to Rename Files
        5. Creating a Script to Perform Batch Processing
      6. Summary
      7. Workshop
        1. Q&A
        2. Quiz
      8. Exercises
    3. 20. Harnessing the Power of Macromedia Extensions
      1. Downloading and Installing Fireworks Extensions
        1. Task: Start to Use the Extension Manager
        2. Task: Install a Downloaded Extension
        3. Task: Use Your New Extension
        4. Using the Extension Manager for Management
      2. Creating an Interface through Flash MX
        1. Task: Open Flash and Design the Interface
        2. Task: Developing the Interface
        3. Attach Code to the Accept Button
        4. Attach Code to the No Button
        5. Export the Flash File
          1. Task: Export the File from Flash into Fireworks
        6. Task: Test the New Command
        7. Troubleshooting
      3. Summary
      4. Workshop
        1. Q&A
        2. Quiz
      5. Exercises
  13. VII. Fireworks and Friends: Working with Other Applications
    1. 21. Adobe Photoshop and ImageReady
      1. Using Photoshop Graphics in Fireworks
        1. Importing a Photoshop File into Fireworks
          1. Task: Set Photoshop Import Options
        2. Unsupported Photoshop Features
        3. Importing Text and Handling Missing Fonts
          1. Task: Choose a Replacement Font in Fireworks
      2. Placing Fireworks Graphics into Photoshop
        1. Task: Export a Fireworks File to Photoshop Format
      3. Using Photoshop Filters and Plug-ins in Fireworks
        1. Task: Import Third-Party Filters and Plug-Ins
        2. Applying Filters and Effects
      4. Opening a PNG File into ImageReady
      5. Optimizing a Fireworks PNG in ImageReady
        1. Task: Optimize a Fireworks PNG in ImageReady
      6. Summary
      7. Workshop
        1. Q&A
        2. Quiz
      8. Exercises
    2. 22. Macromedia FreeHand and Adobe Illustrator
      1. Importing Vector Graphics into Fireworks
        1. Task: Open FreeHand Files into Fireworks
        2. Working with Adobe Illustrator Files
          1. Task: Open or Import an EPS File into Fireworks
          2. Task: Opening Adobe Illustrator Files
      2. Exporting Fireworks Files to FreeHand and Illustrator
        1. Unsupported Fireworks Options
          1. Task: Place a Fireworks Graphic into FreeHand
      3. Optimizing Bitmap Images and Files to Print
        1. Task: Convert Fireworks RGB Color to CMYK
        2. Image Resolution and Optimization
          1. Task: Take a PNG File into Illustrator and then Export as a PDF
      4. Summary
      5. Workshop
        1. Q&A
        2. Quiz
      6. Exercises
    3. 23. HTML Options and Editors
      1. HTML Setup in Fireworks
        1. Setting General Preferences
          1. Task: Define HTML Export Options
        2. Document Specific Settings
          1. Task: Setting Document Specific HTML Options
      2. Fireworks HTML and GoLive
        1. Exporting HTML to GoLive
      3. Importing HTML Tables
        1. Task: Open and Edit an HTML File in Fireworks
      4. Summary
      5. Workshop
        1. Q&A
        2. Quiz
      6. Exercises
    4. 24. Microsoft Office
      1. Bringing WordArt and Excel Charts into Fireworks
        1. Bringing WordArt into Fireworks
          1. Task: Paste a WordArt Object into Fireworks
        2. Editing the Image
        3. Re-creating the WordArt Text Object
        4. Working with Excel Charts in Fireworks
          1. Task: Bring an Excel Chart into Fireworks
      2. Exporting Fireworks HTML for Use in FrontPage
        1. Copying Fireworks HTML to the Clipboard
          1. Task: Copy Fireworks HTML and Paste into FrontPage
        2. Specifying Fireworks as Your Image Editor in FrontPage
          1. Task: Designate Fireworks as Your Image Editor in FrontPage
        3. Fireworks Behaviors and FrontPage
        4. Place a Fireworks-Generated Image in FrontPage
          1. Task: Use Launch and Edit to Create an Image
          2. Task: Use Launch and Edit to Edit Your File
      3. Summary
      4. Workshop
        1. Q&A
        2. Quiz
      5. Exercises
  14. Glossary

Product information

  • Title: Sams Teach Yourself Macromedia® Fireworks® MX in 24 Hours
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: December 2002
  • Publisher(s): Sams
  • ISBN: None