Quick Start Guide to Macromedia's Fireworks

New file

Start a new file (File-New). Fireworks will begin by asking you what size file you would like.

You can describe the size in pixels or inches. Pixels refer to the number of dots found on a computer screen. Most screens are set to 800 X 600 pixels wide. An image that would stretch across one-quarter of a standard computer screen would be 200 pixels wide. To begin, set this the dimensions to 200X200.

Another important setting is the resolution. This refers to the concentration of dots per inch (dpi) that your image will have. Since most files developed in Fireworks are designed for the Web, the default resolution is 72 dpi, or the maximum resolution on a computer screen.

Leave the canvas color as transparent. Depending upon the file format we export to, the canvas will reflect the color of the background that the image is ultimately placed on.

Drawing tools

Start by drawing a rectangle in the space provided. The color of the rectangle will reflect the settings for the border and fill, found in the toolbox.

Leaving the rectangle selected, on can change the fill color by changing the tool box control.

The thin blue line indicates that object is selected.

To resize the object, select the Transform tool from the toolbox. Once selected, you can practice changing the dimensions and orientation of the rectangle. To best understand how the image will respond to a click and drag, pay close attention to the pointer. If the pointer shows a horizontal double arrow, you can change the width, a vertical double-arrow changes the height, and a rotating arrow will manipulate the orientation about the center circle.

Add a circle to your image by holding the mouse button down while pointing to the rectangle, the options will expand to include a circle. Draw the circle so that it overlaps with your rectangle.

You can manipulate the order of the objects by right-clicking (opposite click - with a one-button mouse, select CTRL while clicking) the object. One of the options that appears is Arrange. Select send to back to move the circle behind the square.

There is much, much more we could do with our blasé rectangle, but for now, we'll move on to other basic functions and in the Color section describe some more enhancements.


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