Macromedia Fireworks MX 2004 Commercial Version
Macromedia Fireworks MX is the easiest way to create, optimize, and export interactive graphics in a single, web-centric environment.
Macromedia Fireworks MX 2004 Commercial Version Accessories
Macromedia Fireworks MX 2004 Commercial Version Reviews
I am still not overly interested in the graphic end of things but my production does look much nicer now. For me, FIREWORKS fit the bill. Since it is a Macromedia product, FIREWORKS is well integrated with DREAMWEAVER. Those are powerful tools but way beyond what I was willing to learn. The output can be in a variety of formats chosen by the artist.
I actually expect to enjoy learning about these. I have some limited experience with the Adobe line including PHOTOSHOPE and ILLUSTRATOR. I'm still not. This means that PHOTOSHOP and ILLUSTRATOR files are understood and can be combined.
As an added plus, FIREWORKS uses the PNG file format for its native work. This format can be comprised of a mixture of both vector and raster graphics. Using the two products in conjunction with each other has proved much easier than I thought it would be. I was never particularly interested in graphic design. A background as an engineer convinced me of this and my work (limited) in publishing and teaching just makes the point stronger.
Even so, I realize the importance of graphics in presentation. I know that FIREWORKS has many more capabilities that I have not yet tapped. I am most pleased.
Don't get me wrong.its stands tall even when used seperately but what makes it better is its seamless integration with Dreamweaver. There aren't many studio apps. that provide this kind of flexibility.
I started using Fireworks as part of the Studio suite of programs included with Dreamweaver and the other Macromedia products. However, I have taken some original images I shot with my digicam and worked with them to get the results I liked. Unlike PSP (or at least the version I last used), once an item is placed, you can still select that item (text, box, image, etc). I drew the same or similar logos in FW and had no distortion problems. Whether it is as capable in that area is debatable. When I started using Dreamweaver, I wasn't aware of what Fireworks could do and held off using it.
Either way, its not a problem working with FW, DW, and the web.FW is reasonably easy to learn to use. Unfortunately, if you want a thorough discussion on vector and raster graphics and software, this isn't it.As far as original graphics, I like the way FW works. There are many features in Fireworks for this kind of work, and for the most part, unless you are doing something spectacular, you should be able to use FW for this task. and put it somewhere else. You can set up a "canvas" the size you want, have the graphic sized by pixels, and change both easily. I'm not a graphics pro, though I have a decent amount of experience on everything from Paint Shop Pro to programs no longer in use. However, it is nice to have this program in my toolkit for general, advanced amateur use.
It may have been a graphic format conversion issue. I haven't used Photoshop, but have ordered a copy to see the differences. Also, perhaps like other programs, there is a great deal of use of X/Y coordinates, so items can be placed very precisely. I'm also not as skilled in image work as I am in things like creating graphics for web sites or business cards, so I'm not the best source of comparison.
It will take you a while to get good at it, however. But when I needed professional looking graphic logos, and Corel Draw wasn't doing what I needed, I went to Fireworks and haven't looked back.Fireworks does image manipulation similar to Photoshop. Maybe you add Photoshop if you really need it, but for the most part, this just might get the job done. And you probably won't become a graphics pro just by buying this software.
this review is more for you than the professional or even the newbie. For some reason, my logos in Corel Draw were coming out with fuzzy text, even at high resolutions. The native PNG format that FW produces uploads to web pages directly without conversion to JPG or GIF, and I found that very worthwhile.
If you don't have any previous version of Fireworks, I suggest looking at the competition. You can now do 'L' shapes, donuts, etc. Yes there is competition.Ask any web designer which photo editing program they use and chances are the answer will be Photoshop and Image Ready. The basic shapes appears to have doubled.
The interface looks more or less the same, and selecting textures is now presented with a colored picture, but still the same textures. I'm sure there are more upgrades, but I haven't had enough time with it.I first wrote this review with a complaint about the picture quality for renders. Plus there are a lot more features than that of Fireworks MX 2004. If you currently own Fireworks MX, there really is no reason for the upgrade. From my experience thus far, there are basic shapes included to the rectangle, circle, etc. I have been using Fireworks MX for three months now and I must admit that it provides web designers with tools to makes awesome looking pages. I've only begun playing around with Photoshop 7.0 and Image Ready 7.0 (a step back from the CS edition) for two weeks and I'm getting the feeling that once I get use to it I won't turn back. However, I realized that setting the picture quality to 100% instead of the default 80% changed everything.
While the file size increases, it is a better trade off for quality.It would be great if there were much more features for Fireworks MX 2004. However, it still needs some work.Fireworks MX 2004 makes improvements and boasts some new features. These two programs work hand in hand to deliver some of the best, if not the best tools on the market. There are also a few more filters.
The programs work so seemlessly together that it's almost like working in a single program. As a standalone, Fireworks will do what you need. Menus, sites, animated gifs, rollovers, etc.However, I would strongly suggest to you that you at least add Dreamweaver MX 2004 to the mix, preferably Studio MX 2004. It will create excellent web graphics.
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