Amazon.com Review
Designers with substantial experience with other drawing and painting applications may not realize how much more practical and time-saving Fireworks can be when it comes to making graphics for the Web. Whether you are new to Fireworks or have already dabbled a bit, and are looking to find out all it can do, you couldn't find a more thorough or enthusiastic instructor than Joseph Lowery and his
Fireworks 4 Bible. One of the premier writers on Dreamweaver and Fireworks, Lowery has earned the respect of Macromedia and the many users who have benefited from his advice. Here he fulfills the usual function of the Bible series: basic instruction is mixed with a detailed manual that performs perfectly as a reference guide.
Lowery discusses the particular strengths of Fireworks, the (common Macromedia) interface, and the work environment; every tool, menu, and palette gets scrutinized. Mastering the tools (a "short learning curve," the author notes encouragingly)--vector graphics, bitmaps, colors, strokes, paths, and text--are then examined. Readers are introduced to how the results work on the Web (hotspots, slices, rollovers) and then learn the best methods for making GIF animations (onion skinning, tweening, frame handling). The appendices include a Web primer and keyboard shortcuts. Throughout the book, features that are new in version 4 are highlighted for easy access, as are tips (insights that go beyond basics), notes (technical asides) and cautions (anticipations of common errors).
Why would you want another reference when Macromedia provides great online application support? Because Lowery packs a lot of experience in with the how-to instructions. For example, he is sure to mention any technique that might shave even just a second off work time. Add them up and you may just find yourself with enough leftover time to have another cup of coffee and make more art. --Angelynn Grant
From the Back Cover
If Fireworks 4 can do it, you can do it too ... From vector drawing to bitmap editing to animations, Fireworks 4 puts all the Web graphics tools you need into a single cohesive package. Packed with time-saving tips and real-world examples - including 16 pages of color illustrations - this comprehensive guide shows you how to make the most of Fireworks, whether you're looking for an in-depth tutorial on program fundamentals or savvy advice on the latest layers tools or the new Photoshop integration features. Inside, you'll find complete coverage of Fireworks 4
* Master the basics, from object creation to full-blown photo manipulation
* Enhance your images with sophisticated fills, filters, xtras, layers, and Live Effects
* Automate repetitive tasks with batch processing
* Build in interactivity using hotspots, slices, and JavaScript behaviors - no coding required
* Get up to speed fast on GIF animation and create state-of-the-art banner ads
* Speed up production with new round-trip workflow features, including total Photoshop integration
Bonus CD-ROM includes:
* Demos of Eye Candy 4000 and Xenofex 1
* Samples of eHandsOn Training for Fireworks and Dreamweaver
* Trial versions of Fireworks 4, Dreamweaver 4, Freehand 9, and Flash 5
* Fireworks commands, templates, textures, gradients, strokes, and images
Shareware programs are fully functional, free trial versions of copyrighted programs. If you like particular programs, register with their authors for a nominal fee and receive licenses, enhanced versions, and technical support. Freeware programs are free, copyrighted games, applications, and utilities. You can copy them to as many PCs as you like - free - but they have no technical support. www.hungryminds.com System Requirements: Pentium class PC (Pentium II recommended) running Windows 9x, NT (SP3) or later. Power Macintosh Processor (G3 or higher recommended) OS 8.6 or later; 64 MB RAM; 100 MB hard disk space.
