FIREWORKS ZONE | Adobe Fireworks tutorials and Downloads

The New Fireworks: Fireworks CS3: Adobe Systems introduced the Adobe Creative Suite 3 product line which includes the new Fireworks: Fireworks CS3 (FW9). Fireworks is a bitmap and vector graphics editor, it is designed specifically for web-based graphics. Fireworks CS3 includes many updates, a new logo, new tools and icons.

Integration: a perequisite: After Macromedia acquisition, Fireworks had to integrate with Adobe's products line. That is why the new articles mainly focus on a better integration of Fireworks with other Adobe apps: Illustrator, Flash, Dreamweaver and especially with Photoshop.

Improved Photoshop compatibility: Open PSD files in Fireworks without losing articles. Fireworks CS3 has added a number of articles that improve compatibility with Photoshop files.You can now import Photoshop (PSD) files while retaining hierarchical layers, layer effects, blend modes and effects thanks to Photoshop Live Effects.; When a PSD file with Photoshop layer effects is imported, Fireworks CS3 imports it in editable mode. The user can also apply Photoshop layer effects to any Fireworks document by selecting Photoshop Live Effects from the Live Filters tool in the Property inspector.; Seven new blend modes that are presently available with Photoshop CS2 have been included in Fireworks CS3.

Hierarchical Layers: In Fireworks CS3 the structure of layers in a document can be as simple or as complex as required and all hierarchical layers are preserved. When creating a new file, all items are organized at the same level, in a non-hierarchical manner. You can create new sub layers as needed and move items into them, or move elements from one layer to another at any time. You can also create multiple sub layers and group them.

Rapid Prototyping: This new tool enabes you to create mock up rapidly to share your vision with colleagues and clients. Create a single PNG file that contains multiple pages. Each page is a different document and the canvas size, canvas color and image resolution can be customized for each page. For rapid prototyping, you can create workflows with hyperlinks and hotspot controls on multiple pages. You can then export all of the pages at once as HTML pages. Use a master page that are common to all pages.

Common Library: The symbol libraries management has been deeply revamped and modified: the Fireworks 8 common libraries (Edit > Libraries> has been replaced by a Common library (Window > Common Library). In Fireworks library which was common to all documents was represented by a unique PNG with all the symbols stacked inside. In the new Common Library, a library is a represented by a folder with graphic in the symbol's name. For example: Building.graphic.png; Fireworks has symbol libraries in the Common Library panel from which you can import prepared animation symbols, graphic symbols, and button symbols, as well as navigation bars and multi-symbol themes. Using these symbols, you can quickly create a sophisticated web page containing advanced navigation elements without having to spend time creating original symbols.

: Bridge is part of this integration effort and is now accessible from Fireworks and is a major workflow improvement. To access Bridge: File > Browse (Ctrl + Alt + o)