Playing With Fire: Tapping the Power of Macromedia Fireworks 4 [Paperback]

Linda S. Rathgeber (Author), David C. Nicholls (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764535498 | ISBN-13: 978-0764535499 | Publication Date: July 15, 2001

This stunning, four-color book features a unique Q&A format built around hundreds of lavishly illustrated, step-by-step techniques. It also features guest artists throughout. The Q&A format makes for easy, instant access to solutions. The extensive, step-by-step color figures make following and understanding the steps and their effects even easier and more compelling. Links and references make access to additional information easy and fast. And a cross-platform CD-ROM includes all the files from the book, plus tryouts of Fireworks, Dreamweaver and other products.

This full-color step-by-step techniques book is designed to be the ultimate Fireworks reference.

Editorial Reviews

Review

If you're ready to really push Fireworks creatively to the limit, this is the book to get! -- Sandee Cohen,author and web graphics consultant author and Web Graphics consultant Sandee Cohen, author and Web Graphics consultant Sandee Cohen, author and web graphics consultant

This is the most exciting Fireworks book to come along yet and has earned a spot smack-dab on my desktop. -- Al Sparber, author, web developer and Macromedia evangelist

From the Back Cover

Playing with Fire Introducing the ultimate Fireworks recipe book! Drawing on real solutions from real Fireworks designers, Linda Rathgeber and David Nicholls show you exactly how to create more than 75 specific looks, textures, and effects, from dripping text and pearlized buttons to flipping pages and rolling numerals. Whether you're a Fireworks fan, a Dreamweaver developer, or a Photoshop veteran, this is the one book you need to answer those burning Fireworks questions—and start playing with fire. "The most exciting Fireworks book to come along yet…. If you want to learn how to make killer Web graphics and interfaces … don't put this book down. Run, don't walk, to the nearest checkout stand immediately!" — Al Sparber, author, Web developer, and Macromedia evangelist CD-ROM includes: Over 20 Fireworks tools, utilities, and demos including SWiSH, Ignite, and TopStyle Pro Fireworks 4 and Dreamweaver 4 trial versions Sample art from the book and links to useful sites EyeCandy 4000 filters demo version by Alien Skin Software System Requirements: Pentium PC running Windows 95 or later, Windows NT 4 or later; Power Macintosh running System 8.6 or later. See the About the CD Appendix for details and complete system requirements. www.hungryminds.com

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (July 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764535498
• ISBN-13: 978-0764535499
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,815,701 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #33 in Books > Computers & Technology > Graphic Design > Web Design > Fireworks

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Going beyond Fireworks 4, September 10, 2001

By 

M. Perkins - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Playing With Fire: Tapping the Power of Macromedia Fireworks 4 (Paperback)

Actually, I had a very different- somewhat typical review planned for "Playing With Fire", when I read a negative review that was posted on this site. 'They' were disappointed that the book had 'nothing to do with fireworks 4' . After reading in utter amazement I realized 'the rub'. The difficulty is confusing 'how to do Fireworks 4 MECHANICS' with 'now that you have it downloaded, now what? I would bet that if that disgruntled reviewer purchased Joe Lowery's Fireworks Bible first, they would come out with a wealth of 'mechanical' knowledge covering material for the very elementary user thru to the advanced. And sometime along the way, I have absolutely no doubt that that very same reviewer, unless they already had an extensive (emphasize the word - extensive) art background, would begin hungering for a book that showed them how to put all these fabulous tools to work - creating artwork.
'Playing with Fire' admittedly does not begin with..."so you just downloaded Fireworks 4 and want to know where to start." There are many manuals and books for that. Where 'Playing with Fire' does begin, is when the 'computerartist' has finished the basic tutorials, copy-catted what he was taught and added his own little 'bent' to the image or idea, but now is ready to develop his very own creations from 'soup to nuts'. But how is he going to do that?
Playing with Fire closes 'the gap' between those who have Fireworks 4 and those who can create spectacular work using Fireworks 4. Not only does the book teach mechanical aspects beyond the 'baby basics'(I can't count the number of insights I received and I began with Fireworks 2!), it dissects artwork using a software that is already within the user's hands. There is plenty of artwork 'how to' manuals out there, but many of them presuppose you know where to access and apply your tools.It takes the reader step by step, point by point showing you not only what to 'draw' or paint - but where to access the tools within Fireworks.
It was because of this book I now know how to create an effect that I have been seeking the answer to for nearly two years! Because I saw my answer was in that book, I need to confess - I actually went into a bookstore of all things (unheard of thing for me to do since ...!) and paid ... MORE!!! - because I simply couldn't wait a moment longer. Then lo and behold I found ideas I didn't even know you could do in Fireworks!
So, Dear Reader, if you want to have the answers to the questions before you even know you need to ask them, about 'how do they do that?' artwork using Fireworks 4, get this book.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable Creative Tool, April 1, 2002

By 

Chris Vance (Charleston, WV United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Playing With Fire: Tapping the Power of Macromedia Fireworks 4 (Paperback)

"Playing With Fire" is one of those books that readers are going to love or are going to hate. You will love this book if you already have been introduced to Fireworks in the past and are in search for some new ideas for graphical design. You will hate this book if you are trying to learn the fundamentals of how to use Fireworks 4. If you are a beginner you should work through the Fireworks tutorial that came with the software and possibly another beginner level book such as "Dreamweaver 4 Fireworks 4 Studio: A Beginner's Guide". If you already have used Fireworks and are intermediate or advanced then this book should be in your library. When I first read through the book I felt as though it needed more volume to justify the price, after all most books on Fireworks are 500 pages or more. Then I realized as I experimented with some of the projects that this book is about creativity and originality. The thing that sets most web design apart from the crowd is graphics that catch the eye of your audience and make them want to read further. This book has several design elements that most Fireworks users will find as valuable inspiration that they may apply to their web pages. "Playing With Fire" does not teach you how to use Fireworks, it teaches you how to take the next step with Fireworks and create professional designs.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a book you can use!!!!, August 19, 2001

By 

Robert N. Lane (Ashland, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Playing With Fire: Tapping the Power of Macromedia Fireworks 4 (Paperback)

I had heard this book would be out the first part of July, and I was hoping to snag a copy before I left on vacation to Germany. No such luck! I had to wait until I returned the end of July, but the wait was worthwhile.

I am new at working with HTML, Dreamweaver, and Fireworks. But I'm not new to computers, I cut my teeth on Visicalc and a PC. I have been plowing through computer books ever since.

Most books are nothing more than a re-hash of the user manual. They walk you through all the menu functions and commands. That really doesn't help if you have read the user manual, which of course I have. What users want IMHO is a book that shows them how to create something using the tools in the program.

Linda does just that. Her book is a tutorial of different real world graphic challenges that can be implemented with Fireworks. It shows you how to do the real innovative techniques. You want gold metalic type faces? She walks you through the entire process. You want a gel effect, or a glass type effect? This book shows you how. It doesn't waste time explaining all the tools and menu options, that's what the other Fireworks books do. This one just hunkers down and walks you through a diverse number of ways to create exciting graphic interfaces that will have you and your viewers saying WOW!

Al Sparbar's book, Dreamweaver Magic, is a tough act to follow. I don't know that I could say this book is better, but I would definitely place it in the same class. I am very impressed and would recommend it to anyone that wants to really tap into the power of Fireworks. If you know the basics of the program you will have no trouble immediately absorbing this book and moving to a new level in your graphics abilities. If you don't know the program, read the user manual or one of the other books on the market first. You do need to know how to use the program. But Linda's examples are clear and concise and walk you through some wonderful material from start to finish.

Linda is also wonderful about giving you some inside tips, like the fact that if you create too many items in the Fireworks library you are going to slow down your program. Too many authors tell you how to create library items without pointing out the pitfalls. Weeks later when the program degrades the poor user has no clue why or how to resolve the problem.

I give this book real kudos.

Robert Lane, CPA, MBA Web Developer Ashland, Oregon