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I451 Tech Seminar. Macromedia Fireworks: Part One – Basic Tools and Graphics Optimization. What Is Fireworks?. A tool for designing and optimizing graphics and graphics-based functions for websites. Handles both vector-based and bitmap-based graphics.
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I451 Tech Seminar Macromedia Fireworks:Part One – Basic Tools and Graphics Optimization
What Is Fireworks? • A tool for designing and optimizing graphics and graphics-based functions for websites • Handles both vector-based and bitmap-based graphics • Integration with other Macromedia software • Fireworks MX is available on most STC machines • Newest version: Fireworks MX 2004
Why Fireworks? • Quick, simple, powerful (short learning curve) • Excellent graphics optimization • Special tools for dynamic graphics-based functionality (animations, rollover buttons, slices, javascript functions, tables) • Integration with Dreamweaver
About Web Graphics • Web graphics are displayed at 72dpi (dots per inch) • Web browsers primarily display two types of (compressed) graphics formats: .gif and .jpeg • .gif and .jpg formats each have their own advantages and disadvantages.
.gif Images • typically used for images with flat color fields • can be copied into and re-exported from a graphics program without loss in image quality • can be partially or completely transparent • can be combined to create an “animated” series of images • can display a maximum of 256 simultaneous colors • can be displayed/downloaded as “interlaced” images
.jpg Images • typically used for images with complex color combinations (photographs etc.) • great flexibility in level of quality/compression • can be displayed/downloaded “progressively” • can contain/display millions of colors
Graphics in Fireworks • Fireworks can create and import bitmap graphics, but also can be used to create vector graphics that can later be converted to bitmaps • Bitmaps are made up of individual pixels containing specific color values • Vectors are made up of points and paths • In Fireworks, vectors can be created, re-sized, re-shaped and distorted without loss of image quailty
.png files • .png is the file format used to save Macromedia Fireworks images and file information • Will display graphically on some web browsers, but is not optimal • Can be (partially) read by other graphics applications such as Photoshop