About Philip Pereira Expertise Macromedia Fireworks 3 & 4, Macromedia Dreamweaver 3 & 4 and integration of the two, as well as most of the techniques and methods used by both.
Experience I have used both packages to produce different websites, including the use of Freehand & Flash.
Expert: Philip Pereira Date: 2/27/2001 Subject: Macromedia Fireworks
Question What exactly is Fireworks, and what is it used for? Thanks.
Answer Hi Chris,
Thankks for the question.
Fireworks is a program designed and created to produce web graphics - although it has progressed onto much more.
It is able to produce graphics which are re-editable. If, for example, you draw a box, you can move it as many times as you want without effecting the rest of the image. You can alter its colour, shape, rotation etc. You can even add effects like a glow or drop shadow - all of which can be undone at the touch of a button.
You can produce gif / animated gif files as well as standard JPG files. It also offers you full control of compression and image loss, as well as detailed stats of download time, image size etc.
Importable files include TIFFs, BMPs and even Photoshop files.
Fireworks is best used in conjunction with Dreamweaver. They work hand in hand to produce powerful websites. Fireworks being used to produce the graphics, Dreamweaver for the page design layout.
Fireworks can now even be used to produce an entire webpage including rollovers & drop down menus - although Dreamweaver is better.
In conclusion Chris, Fireworks is an all round graphics program for the web. Able to import almost all know files, alter them as necessary, and then export them for the web. It's GREAT! If you haven't already, download a 30 day trial and try it for yourself, I'm sure you'll agree. You can find it at:
