Adobe ’s first button of Fireworks as part of its CS3 entourage of Web design program includes several new features that will please graphic creative person , entanglement developers , and hobbyists . Fireworks was originally conceived for creating and optimizing Web - base bitmap and vector images , and its drug user - favorable interface and comparatively modest scheme necessary made it the puppet of choice for many Web fashion designer who did n’t need Photoshop ’s gamy - end print - preparation and -editing features .
Adobe Fireworks CS3 includes significant new feature article and excellent integration with Adobe Photoshop ( ) , Illustrator ( ) , Dreamweaver ( ) , Flash ( ) , and Bridge .
Pages and layers
Fireworks ’ new Pages panel reflects Adobe ’s vision of ameliorate connection design work flow from conception to issue . This jury makes it easy to make function prototypes of connection internet site containing multiple page , hyperlinks , hotspots , and rollover graphics within a single pyrotechnic filing cabinet . In addition to designating a overlord varlet comprise elements that you want to appear on every varlet , you could expend the Pages jury to quickly preview pageboy .
Another new feature that plunk for rapid prototyping is the ability to partake layers among different pages . For example , if you need to display a exceptional image on several pages , you’re able to specify those pages by choose the layer control the range from the Layers jury and choose the Share Layer To Pages command . Shared layers are colored lily-livered in the Layers panel .
The addition of hierarchic layer , which reserve you to organise content in sublayers , provides consolidation between Fireworks , Illustrator , and Photoshop . Fireworks maintains the level hierarchy in data file imported from Photoshop and Illustrator , as opposed to late variant that flatten out multilayered files into a exclusive layer .
The fresh Create Slideshow command is also a welcome addition . This command and the included new templet make it easy for non - programmers to create professional - look Flash and non - Flash slide shows . The Create Slideshow dialog box provides several subpanels that permit you to customise attribute for record album and sliding board appearance . For instance , there are six built - in slide - show templates ; five of them require Flash Player . The sixth template is based on Adobe ’s Spry theoretical account , which creates an XML - free-base exposure art gallery and does n’t require extra ballyhoo - ins for consider the lantern slide show . Fireworks CS3 ’s ability to quickly compile and publish a slide show is impressive . Once you ’ve carry through your chute show , you may view it locally on your computer or upload the files to your server for viewing .
Better scaling
The addition of 9 - slice ( or reasoning ) scaling solve the problem of distortion when scaling an object . It let you set apart which parts of a bitmap or vector symbolisation you want to scale and which parts you want to preserve . And scaling is preserved when you copy and glue a symbol from Fireworks CS3 into Flash CS3 . For model , if you copy a symbolization containing a rectangle with rounded corners and 9 - slice scaling is aerate , you may paste the symbol in Flash and descale the symbolization up or down without distorting the corners .
you’re able to now take an image and use the Copy command in Fireworks and the Paste instruction in Dreamweaver to simulate an ikon to a WWW page . The Paste command in Dreamweaver launch its Image Preview dialogue box , which walk you through optimise and save the ikon to your Dreamweaver internet site . Once you ’ve save the image , it mechanically appears on the web page . This transcript and paste method is more effective than in premature versions of the software .
The new Common Library feature provides a agency for make and store symbols — include button , computer graphic , and animation symbols — which you’re able to impart to any image in Fireworks CS3 . The program ships with a variety of common and full-bodied symbols that are suitable for employment in mockups , practical app , and internet sites . fat symbolization contain editable property and dimension that you may change through the Symbol Properties dialog box . you may also produce your own rich symbols , complete with editable property , using the Create Symbol Script command . The command launches a dialog box that allow you to create a JavaScript data file that controls a symbol ’s editable properties and attributes , even if you do n’t know JavaScript .
More creative flexibility
raw creative enhancements in Fireworks CS3 let in a Color Palette for fuse custom colors and the increase of seven Photoshop blend modes . The novel Photoshop Live Effects dialogue loge reserve designers to add and edit Photoshop force within Fireworks . However , Fireworks does n’t let you to control all of the options that are available in Photoshop . Unfortunately , the Eye Candy 4000 LE and Alien Skin Splat LE filters are no longer include in Fireworks CS3 .
Another creative improvement in Fireworks is the Path panel , which contains update tools for editing vector graphics . The Extrude Paths putz , while not as powerful as Illustrator ’s Extrude filter , is a welcome add-on for create simple 3 - D physical object .
Needs improvement
import or opening Illustrator or Photoshop files in Fireworks CS3 is n’t complete . For model , firework will convert a 16 - moment RGB Photoshop file to a individual level bitmap rather than maintaining its hierarchal level . Opening and resaving the file as an 8 - bit RGB Photoshop image before import or open it in Fireworks will prevent this undesirable rebirth . Hopefully , this subject will be address in future updates . Adobe acknowledges this and other consolidation problem between Photoshop and Illustrator file and Fireworks CS3 , and provides suggestion for improving carrying into action on its World Wide Web website in TechNoteskb401026andkb401027 , severally .
Macworld’s buying advice
The release of Fireworks CS3 is the most challenging acclivity of this program since its origin . The new Pages control panel , improved integrating with other Adobe CS3 products , and the addition of levelheaded scaling are reason enough to upgrade . The power to create slideway shows , make custom colour , and expend Photoshop effects are just ice on the patty . If you design and develop Web sites , you ca n’t yield not to apply Fireworks CS3 .
[ Cyndy Cashman teaches Fireworks , Dreamweaver , Flash , Photoshop , and Illustrator at her company , Breakaway Interactive . She has write numerous tutorial and software program reviews for both on-line and print publication . ]
