Getting Started

Adobe Fireworks^® is a professional imaging application that combines vector and bitmap imaging technologies and techniques in a single graphics application. This unique approach to imaging is due to the specific focus of Fireworks, which is creating and manipulating screen graphics for the Web or for other screen-based tools such as mobile applications or Adobe Flash^® products. Fireworks is a tool that lets you quickly and easily create, edit, or alter graphics and designs. And it’s a blast to work with, too!

With the release of Adobe Fireworks CS5, the program has gained even more distinction as a unique application for rapid prototyping. The built-in flexibility of Fireworks and its “everything is editable all the time” mandate have been present since it was created. When you’re creating mockups and prototypes, where client or design changes can come fast and furious, this type of flexibility is very important. Features such as multiple pages, Device Central and Photoshop integration, and workflows like FXG 2.0 export and AIR prototyping make Fireworks an essential tool in the design process.

About Classroom in a Book

Adobe Fireworks CS5 Classroom in a Book is part of the official training series for Adobe graphics and publishing software developed by experts in association with Adobe Systems. The lessons are designed to let you learn at your own pace. If you’re new to Adobe Fireworks, you’ll learn the fundamental concepts and features you’ll need in order to begin to master the program. And, if you’ve been using Adobe Fireworks for a while, you’ll find that Classroom in a Book teaches advanced features, including tips and techniques for using the latest version of the application and for creating web and application prototypes. Although each lesson provides step-by-step instructions for creating a specific project, there’s room for exploration and experimentation. You can follow the book from start to finish, or do only the lessons that match your interests and needs. Each lesson concludes with a review section summarizing what you’ve covered.

What’s in this book

This edition covers many new features in Adobe Fireworks CS5, such as Adobe Device Central integration, the new Compound Shape tool, enhancements to the Properties panel, improved text handling, and exporting graphics for use in Flash Catalyst.

An overview of the new Adobe interface is covered in the first lesson, where you will learn how to configure the panels and document windows in Fireworks to suit your workflow. You will learn how to edit bitmap images and work with vector paths to create web interfaces. You will learn how to create and edit symbols, a powerful feature of Fireworks, and learn how Fireworks integrates with other Adobe CS5 applications like Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Bridge, and Flash.

Prerequisites

Before you begin to use Adobe Fireworks CS5 Classroom in a Book, you should have a working knowledge of your computer and its operating system. Make sure that you know how to use the mouse and standard menus and commands, and also how to open, save, and close files. If you need to review these techniques, see the documentation included with your Microsoft Windows or Macintosh system.

Installing Adobe Fireworks

Before you begin using Adobe Fireworks CS5 Classroom in a Book, make sure that your computer is set up correctly and that it meets the necessary system requirements for software and hardware. You’ll need a copy of Adobe Fireworks CS5, of course, but it’s not included with this book. If you haven’t purchased a copy, you can download a 30-day trial version from www.adobe.com/downloads. For system requirements and complete instructions on installing the software, see the Adobe Fireworks CS5 Read Me file on the application DVD or on the Web at www.adobe.com/support.

Make sure that your serial number is accessible before installing the application.

Starting Adobe Fireworks

You start Fireworks just as you do most software applications.

To start Adobe Fireworks in Windows:

Choose Start > All Programs > Adobe Fireworks CS5.

To start Adobe Fireworks in Mac OS X:

Open the Applications/Adobe Fireworks CS5 folder, and then double-click the Adobe Fireworks CS5 application icon.

Copying the Classroom in a Book files

The Adobe Fireworks CS5 Classroom in a Book CD includes folders containing all the electronic files for the lessons in the book. Each lesson has its own folder; you must copy the folders to your hard disk to complete the lessons. To save room on your disk, you can install only the folder necessary for each lesson as you need it, and remove it when you’re done.

To install the lesson files, do the following:

1.	Insert the Adobe Fireworks CS5 Classroom in a Book CD into your CD-ROM drive.
2.	Browse the contents and locate the Lessons folder.
3.	Do one of the following: To copy all the lesson files, drag the Lessons folder from the CD onto your hard disk. To copy only individual lesson files, first create a new folder on your hard disk and name it Lessons. Then, open the Lessons folder on the CD and drag the lesson folder or folders that you want to copy from the CD into the Lessons folder on your hard disk.

Additional resources

Adobe Fireworks CS5 Classroom in a Book is not meant to replace documentation that comes with the program or to be a comprehensive reference for every feature. Only the commands and options used in the lessons are explained in this book. For comprehensive information about program features and tutorials, refer to these resources:

Adobe Community Help: Community Help brings together active Adobe product users, Adobe product team members, authors, and experts to give you the most useful, relevant, and up-to-date information about Adobe products. Whether you’re looking for a code sample or an answer to a problem, have a question about the software, or want to share a useful tip or recipe, you’ll benefit from Community Help. Search results will show you content not only from Adobe but also from the community.

With Adobe Community Help you can:

• Access up-to-date definitive reference content online and offline

• Find the most relevant content contributed by experts from the Adobe community, on and off Adobe.com

• Comment on, rate, and contribute to content in the Adobe community

• Download Help content directly to your desktop for offline use

• Find related content with dynamic search and navigation tools

To access Community Help: If you have any Adobe CS5 product, you already have the Community Help application. To invoke Help, choose Help > Fireworks Help. This companion application lets you search and browse Adobe and community content, plus you can comment on and rate any article just like you would in the browser. However, you can also download Adobe Help and language reference content for use offline. You can also subscribe to new content updates (which can be automatically downloaded) so that you’ll always have the most up-to-date content for your Adobe product at all times. You can download the application from www.adobe.com/support/chc/index.html.

Adobe content is updated based on community feedback and contributions. You can contribute in several ways: add comments to content or forums, including links to web content; publish your own content using Community Publishing; or contribute Cookbook Recipes. Find out how to contribute: www.adobe.com/community/publishing/download.html.

See http://community.adobe.com/help/profile/faq.html for answers to frequently asked questions about Community Help.

Adobe Fireworks Help and Support: See www.adobe.com/support/fireworks to find and browse Help and Support content on adobe.com.

Adobe TV: http://tv.adobe.com is an online video resource for expert instruction and inspiration about Adobe products, including a How To channel to get you started with your product.

Adobe Design Center: www.adobe.com/designcenter offers thoughtful articles on design and design issues, a gallery showcasing the work of top-notch designers, tutorials, and more.

Adobe Developer Connection: www.adobe.com/devnet is your source for technical articles, code samples, and how-to videos that cover Adobe developer products and technologies.

Resources for educators: www.adobe.com/education includes three free curriculums that use an integrated approach to teaching Adobe software and can be used to prepare for the Adobe Certified Associate exams.

Also check out these useful links:

Adobe Forums: http://forums.adobe.com lets you tap into peer-to-peer discussions, and questions and answers on Adobe products.

Adobe Marketplace & Exchange: www.adobe.com/cfusion/exchange is a central resource for finding tools, services, extensions, code samples, and more to supplement and extend your Adobe products.

Adobe Fireworks CS5 product home page: www.adobe.com/products/fireworks

Adobe Labs: http://labs.adobe.com gives you access to early builds of cutting-edge technology, as well as forums where you can interact with both the Adobe development teams building that technology and other like-minded members of the community.

Also check out these useful links:

• Community MX (www.communitymx.com) for additional free and commercial tutorials and samples

• Fireworks Zone—a tutorial, art, and news resource on all things Fireworks (www.fireworkszone.com)

• Fireworks Guru, the community forum where Fireworks enthusiasts share ideas, artwork, and solutions to design challenges (www.fireworksguruforum.com)

• Sarthak, the regularly updated Fireworks blog of Sarthak Singhal, a member of the Fireworks engineering team (blogs.adobe.com/sarthak)

• Adobe Fireworks Team blog, where you can learn the latest news from the people directly responsible for bringing you Adobe Fireworks (http://blogs.adobe.com/fireworks/)

• Johndunning.com, a prolific creator of Fireworks extensions, designed to make your job even easier (http://johndunning.com/fireworks/)

Adobe certification

The Adobe training and certification programs are designed to help Adobe customers improve and promote their product-proficiency skills. There are four levels of certification:

• Adobe Certified Associate (ACA)

• Adobe Certified Expert (ACE)

• Adobe Certified Instructor (ACI)

• Adobe Authorized Training Center (AATC)

The Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) credential certifies that individuals have the entry-level skills to plan, design, build, and maintain effective communications using different forms of digital media.

The Adobe Certified Expert program is a way for expert users to upgrade their credentials. You can use Adobe certification as a catalyst for getting a raise, finding a job, or promoting your expertise.

If you are an ACE-level instructor, the Adobe Certified Instructor program takes your skills to the next level and gives you access to a wide range of Adobe resources.

Adobe Authorized Training Centers offer instructor-led courses and training on Adobe products, employing only Adobe Certified Instructors. A directory of AATCs is available at http://partners.adobe.com.

For information on the Adobe Certified programs, visit www.adobe.com/support/certification/main.html.