Macromedia Fireworks 1.0 Arlington MA

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Originally published at Internet.com

Fireworks, from Macromedia, is the next-generation tool for creating and producing Web graphics. Fireworks offers one of the fastest ways to produce virtually any type of image or GIF animation for Web pages, from simple ad banners to more complicated animated image maps. The program is easy to use and is loaded with special effects.

Fireworks truly offers a rich environment for creating Web graphics. One key Fireworks innovation is the concept of "Live Effects." These include drop shadows, bevels, embosses, and glows. Unlike effects in traditional applications, Live Effects are properties of the object to which they are assigned - if that object changes, the effect updates automatically. Editability extends even to properties such as image maps, which retain their associated URLs when reshaped or moved. Fireworks also provides a built-in "Image Map layer" to facilitate assignment of URL links, as well as a button generation feature which automatically produces up, down, rollover, and hit states for button graphics, along with the JavaScript code to control the button behavior.

Fireworks also features a text window which provides capabilities expected of high-end illustration applications, including precise control over kerning, scaling, and leading as well as the ability to attach text and even paragraphs to paths. Text, like any Fireworks object, is always editable.

Fireworks imports BMP, GIF, JPG, PICT, PNG, FreeHand, Illustrator, Photoshop, and RTF files. An Export Wizard automatically takes complete control of file format, palette settings, dithering, and more to optimize Web graphics. Included is the ability to directly view the graphic after each optimization adjustment without switching to your browser and to compare alternative files to choose the best mix of quality and file-size reduction.

Fireworks is a powerful tool for creating any type of Web page graphic and boasts a feature list that won't quit. If you are a serious Web designer looking for a tool to create professional Web page graphics, check out