Description:
As a former Photoshop "evangelist," author Lopuck is the perfect person to tout the versatility and efficiency of Fireworks for creating Web graphics. In Fireworks MX Magic, she brings together several Fireworks power users ("tech heads and artsy folks," including Steven Grosvenor and Jeffrey Bardzell of the cool Phireworx.com) to reveal their working methods and shortcuts through excellent tutorials using professional-quality graphics. (Complete project files are on the companion CD-ROM.)The projects reflect problems, from simple to complex, faced by Web developers every day; for example, creating vector and bitmap art, making animated buttons for use in Flash, or site management using the URL panel, link libraries, Project Log, and Find and Replace. Also covered are not-so-basic but still fundamental Fireworks skills like creating and customizing pop-up menus and "round tripping" a file between Fireworks and Dreamweaver. Even experienced users will appreciate the expert tips included; for example, repurposing the pop-up menu into a Help Tips button on your site by increasing the menu delay to three or four seconds. More advanced sections cover areas many intermediate users never get around to, like using the batch-processing tools to change fonts or scale and export several images, managing the Library and Styles panels for collaborative workflow, or creating a custom command (like "Rotate > Resize > Move"). They even show how to add on a user interface. Although the illustrations in the book are in black and white, most readers will follow along with the project files on the computer, anyway. The writing is clear and precise, without excess commentary or jokes, making the learning process fairly speedy for those already familiar with Fireworks. And, as with other books in the Magic series, Fireworks MX Magic has a wide format that lies open easily on your desk. Taking advantage of the integration between all the Macromedia applications can greatly increase your workflow. If you already use Dreamweaver or Flash but have resisted switching over to Fireworks from ImageReady, Fireworks MX Magic will help you get off the ground running. --Angelynn Grant
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