Fireworks 4.0: Introduction

Course length: 1 day (6 Hours)

Course Description

Overview: In this course, you'll use Macromedia Fireworks to create vector graphics, edit bitmap graphics, optimize images, and create and assign rollover effects for the Web.

Prerequisites: To ensure your success, you must have a basic understanding of your computer's operating system. For example, you should know how to launch an application, create and save files, and copy files from CDs and other media. The Software Training class, Windows 98: Introduction is designed to teach these skills. It is also strongly recommended that you have taken the Software Training courses, Dreamweaver 4.0 Introduction and Dreamweaver 4.0 Advanced, though they are not required.

Performance-Based Objectives

Lesson objectives help students become comfortable with the course, and also provide a means to evaluate learning. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

· Understand the differences between bitmap and vector graphics.

· Use the Info panel to precisely scale objects.

· Use Fireworks to create and manipulate complex vector graphics and apply effects, textures, and patterns.

· Understand the GIF, JPEG, and PNG file formats to choose the right one for each kind of image.

· Import bitmap (raster) graphics and modify them in Bitmap Mode.

· Create selections within bitmap images using the Lasso, Marquee, and Magic Wand tools.

· Import and modify text objects, and merge them with vector graphics.

· Understand image resolution as it pertains to Web based graphics.

· Show and edit rulers, grids, and guides in order to help position items with precision on a Web page.

· Create hotspots to which you will assign links, alt text, and link targets.

· Slice complex images into sections and use the Optimize panel and Fireworks' Preview modes to optimize the images individually.

· Create simple and customized rollover and disjoint rollover effects using effects, patterns, and textures.

· Export a multi-frame Fireworks file with rollover effects as an HTML document.

Course Content

Lesson 1: The Fireworks Environment

Topic 1A: An Overview of Fireworks

Task 1A-1: Previewing a Web Page in Fireworks

Topic 1B: Vector and Bitmap Graphics

Topic 1C: Fireworks Environment Elements

Task 1C-1: Exploring a Fireworks Document

Task 1C-2: Accessing and Arranging Fireworks Panels

Topic 1D: Navigating in Fireworks

Task 1D-1: Zooming and Navigating

Task 1D-2: Resizing the Fireworks Window

Task 1D-3: Navigating Using Shortcuts

Lesson 2: Creating Vector Graphics

Topic 2A: Drawing Tools

Task 2A-1: Drawing with the Pencil Tool

Task 2A-2: Drawing Straight Segments with the Pencil Tool

Task 2A-3: Drawing Line Segments with the Line Tool

Topic 2B: Object Drawing Tools

Task 2B-1: Rectangle Tool

Task 2B-2: The Ellipse Tool

Task 2B-3: Polygon Tool

Topic 2C: Modifying Vector Graphics

Task 2C-1: Using the Stroke Panel

Task 2C-2: Editing Fills

Task 2C-3: Gradient Fills

Task 2C-4: Applying Pattern Fills

Lesson 3: Transforming Vector Images and Effects

Topic 3A: Combining Shapes

Task 3A-1: Combining Vector Shapes

Task 3A-2: Expanding Strokes

Topic 3B: Arranging and Transforming

Task 3B-1: Aligning Objects

Task 3B-2: Adjusting the Stacking Order

Task 3B-3: Using Layers

Task 3B-4: Scaling Objects

Task 3B-5: Skewing and Distorting Objects

Task 3B-6: Knife Tool

Task 3B-7: Grouping

Task 3B-8: Using Rulers, Grids, and Guides

Topic 3C: Applying Effects

Task 3C-1: Applying Glow

Task 3C-2: Applying a Drop Shadow

Lesson 4: Bitmap Images

Topic 4A: Bitmap Basics

Task 4A-1: Importing Bitmaps

Task 4A-2: Enlarging Bitmap Images

Task 4A-3: Cropping Bitmap Images

Topic 4B: Editing Bitmap Images

Task 4B-1: Bitmap Mode

Task 4B-2: Creating Selections

Task 4B-3: Painting Bitmap Images

Topic 4C: Effects with Bitmap Images

Task 4C-1: Applying Effects to Bitmap Images

Topic 4D: Effects with Bitmap Images

Task 4D-1: Vector and Bitmap Graphics

Lesson 5: Using Text

Topic 5A: Creating Text

Task 5A-1: Adding Text

Task 5A-2: Applying Effects to Text

Topic 5B: Merging Text and Graphics

Task 5B-1: Combining Text with Vectors

Task 5B-2: Converting Text to Paths

Topic 5C: Merging Text and Graphics

Task 5C-1: Adding Text

Lesson 6: Optimizing Graphics for the Web

Topic 6A: Web Graphic File Formats

Topic 6B: Optimizing Images

Task 6B-1: Optimizing Photographic Images

Task 6B-2: Optimizing Flat Color Graphics

Lesson 7: Hotspot Links

Topic 7A: Creating Hotspots

Task 7A-1: Adding Hotspots

Topic 7B: Assigning Links to Hotspots

Task 7B-1: Assigning Links

Lesson 8: Slicing and Rollovers

Topic 8A: Slicing

Task 8A-1: Slicing and Optimizing

Topic 8B: Rollovers

Task 8B-1: Creating Drag and Drop Rollovers

Task 8B-2: Using Live Effects in Rollovers

Task 8B-3: Custom Rollovers

Task 8B-4: Creating Disjoint Rollovers

Task 8B-5: Exporting

Task 8B-6: Using Fireworks Files in Dreamweaver