Fundamentals of Adobe Fireworks CS4

Objectives

This course provides Web Designers and Graphic Creators with the knowledge and hands-on practice needed to create rich Web graphics. You will learn how to use tools in Fireworks CS4 to create and edit Web graphics with both vector and bitmap images, work with layers, build buttons, symbols, slice images, and optimise and export graphics.


Pre-requisites:

Experience of the Windows or Macintosh operating system or previous attendance on the equivalent training course. Familiarity with Web terminology.


Course Includes:

A comprehensive set of reference notes covering course topics, follow-up telephone support and, for training on Transmedia premises, lunch and refreshments.


Course Outline


Introduction to Fireworks


· Understanding the Interface
· Using the workspace
· Working with preferences/ panels
· Making room on the screen


Creating Graphics


· Vectors and bitmaps
· Creating/ Combining shapes
· Auto Shapes and their properties
· The Pen tool; The Freeform tool
· Drawing lines
· Using Rulers, guides and grids
· Using Smart Guides for positioning and controlling layouts
· Aligning and Transforming Objects
· Transforming Objects


Working with Colour


· Picking and Using Colour
· The new Colour Picker
· The Colour Mixer panel
· Using the Eyedropper tool
· Working with colour schemes from Adobe Kuler


Using Fills and Strokes


· Fill types
· Creating gradients/ strokes
· Adding arrows
· Creating a picture frame


Retouching Tools


· The Bitmap Painting Tools
· Making selections
· Using the Pencil/ Brush/ Eraser/ Rubber Stamp/Blur and Sharpen/ Dodge and Burn/Smudge tools


Image Editing and Colour Correction


· Using the Imgae Editing panel/ Property Inspector/ levels and curves
· Adjusting hue and saturation/colour in channels/ Unsharp Mask
· Removing red-eye
· Creating slideshows


Working with Text


· Formatting Text
· Checking spelling
· Importing text
· Inserting special characters
· Typing text on a path
· Converting text to paths







Working with Symbols


· Creaing symbols
· Applying 9-slice scaling
· Using the Common Library
· Customising and reusing assets: graphic symbols, form elements, text symbols and animations
· Editing symbols in place
· Creating a site flowchart
· Exporting symbols to Flash CS4
· Using the Flex widgets


Buttons


· Creating Buttons
· Using Graphics as Buttons
· Customising the Rollover States
· Exporting and Using Buttons


Live Effects and Filters


· Using Photoshop Live Effects
· Incorporating Photoshop Layer Effects
· Using blends/ Assets panel/ Styles
· Using Live Styles


Layers and Slicing


· Introducing/ managing/ sharing layers
· Using Master Pages
· Image slicing
· Using the Polygon Slice tool
· HTML slicing
· Exporting a single slice
· Creating complete web pages with CSS-based layouts
· Integrating foreground and background graphics with slices


Integration with Creative Suite 4


· Integrating with Photoshop CS4
· Illustrator CS4, Dreamweaver CS4 and Flash CS4
· Drag and Drop


Optimising and Exporting Documents


· Optimising Graphics
· Exporting HTML
· Using the Export wizard/ Image Preview menu/ Export Area tool
· Creating password protected PDF documents