Description:
Fireworks has evolved into a versatile application for creating graphics for the Web. Many designers will use it as an alternative to Photoshop and in conjunction with Dreamweaver. Fireworks 3 for Windows & Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide can guide beginners through the maze of tools, palettes, and panels and get them up and running within a few hours. After a thorough introduction to the user interface, the book covers how each tool and technique works in detail. Much of this may already be familiar to readers with any amount of experience in paint or drawing programs, since the tools and actions are similar. For example, the book shows how to draw vector curves using a pen tool, a skill also needed for Illustrator and Freehand. In other instances, although the actions may be like those in other applications, the methods may differ, like using masks or applying effects. In Fireworks, most of the features are executed from individual panels (floating palettes). The step-by-step style of instruction here, which discusses individual tasks in small portions, is ideal for learning your way around these panels and all their options. The Visual QuickStart Series is also known for the division of each page into a column of text and a column of illustrations. This edition includes an abundance of pictures and illustrations, so many in fact, that it seems as though no instruction goes without a visual. A beginner may have difficulty in the chapter on making GIF animations. Without a specific sample project at hand, the text may move a little too fast when explaining frames and tweening. On the other hand, intermediate users who have created animations using shareware apps or Photoshop will have no problems and may find this helpful in adding Fireworks to their arsenal of tools. The book also covers slicing GIFs, creating rollovers, navigational bars, and even swap-image behavior. There's an excellent series of tables showing all the preset patterns, gradients, brushes, effects, and library images that come with Fireworks 3, as well as an extensive list of keyboard shortcuts. --Angelynn Grant Topics covered: Creating artwork for the Web using Fireworks 3, including using paint, vector and text tools, effects, working with color palettes, optimizing images for export, creating GIF animations, rollovers, and navigational bars.
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