macromedia fireworks 8 revealed working with objects

Macromedia Fireworks 8 Revealed

WORKING WITHOBJECTS

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Work with vector tools

Modify multiple vector objects

Modify color

Apply filters to objects and text

Apply a style to text

Chapter Lessons

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Can modify vector object properties with great flexibility

Can alter appearance by grouping, combining paths, or adjusting alignment

Can apply a solid color, gradient color, or a texture

Understanding Vector Objects

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Can adjust the stroke appearance

Stroke, Fill, and Filters sections on the Property inspector

Changing the order in which effects appear in the Filters list on the Property inspector

Understanding Vector Objects

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Work with Vector Tools

In this lesson, you will:– Create paths and objects using vector

tools– Modify paths and objects using vector

tools

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Understanding Vector Tools and Paths

Vector object can be – Straight or curved path– Combination of open, closed, straight,

or curved paths

Path segments connect anchor points– Path is always editable by adding,

deleting, or moving points

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Understanding Vector Tools and Paths

Drag point handles to

adjust curve

Corner point

Curve points

FIGURE 1 Points on paths

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Using the Pen Tool and the Subselection Tool

Pen tool– Add or delete points on a path

Subselection tool– Move points on a path

Both tools– Convert corner and curve points to

each other – Modify point handles to adjust curves

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Using the Pen Tool and the Subselection Tool

Bézier curves: two-dimensional curves in a vector object

Path scrubber tools– Alter a path’s appearance based on

pressure and speed of stroke

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Modify Multiple Vector Objects

In this lesson, you will:– Create, copy, align, and combine

paths of vector objects using the Punch command

– Group objects

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Aligning and Grouping Objects

Align and distribute objects using– Align commands on Modify menu– Align panel

Group objects into single object– Group command on Modify menu– Can ungroup at any time– Can modify properties for entire

group

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Combining the Paths of Multiple Objects

Combine Paths commands: applied to two or more ungrouped vector objects– Join– Split– Union– Intersect– Punch– Crop

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Original objects

Union path is sum of all

paths

Join includes all points of all

paths

Combining the Paths of Multiple Objects

FIGURE 10 Sample Combine Path commands

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Crop uses area of top path to remove those

below

Intersect area is

common to all paths

Punch outlines top

object through path

Combining the Paths of Multiple Objects

FIGURE 10 Sample Combine Path commands (continued)

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Paths combined

with Punch command

Grouped objects

Combining the Paths of Multiple Objects

FIGURE 18 Grouped objects

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Modify Color

In this lesson, you will:– Apply a gradient fill to an object– Modify a gradient fill

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Understanding Fills and Gradients

Fill types available– Solid– Gradient– Web Dither– Pattern

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Understanding Fills and Gradients

Pattern fills: bitmap images with complex schemes and textures– Can use preset patterns– Can create a new pattern

FIGURE 19 Pattern Categories

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Understanding Fills and Gradients

Gradient: two or more colors that blend into each in a fixed design– Gradient tool on the Tools panel– Edit Gradient pop-up

window modifies gradient, colors, opacity, and transitions

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Round handles adjust gradient

placement

Square handles adjust gradient width

Understanding Fills and Gradients

FIGURE 25 Adjusting fill handles

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Apply Filters to Objects and Text

In this lesson, you will:– Add filters to objects, including text– Change the order of filters in the

Filters list

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Understanding Filters Apply to any object from the Filters section of the Property inspector

Known as Live Effects because you can edit them

Similar to filters, labs, or renders in other programs

Can change order of filters in the Filters list

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FIGURE 27 Filter categories

Understanding Filters

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Using the Filters menu

Contains commands that correspond to many features in the Filters section

Not editable after you apply them

Can only undo the action of applying a filter during current work session

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Filters and File SizeEnabled filters generally contribute to increased file sizeDisabling a filter instead of deleting it does not significantly add to file sizeSome filters decrease file size– For example: Blur, Blur More, Gaussian

Blur filters

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Understanding Transparency

Can adjust the transparency of an image or effect

Controlled by opacity settings on Property inspector– 100%: completely opaque– 0%: completely transparent

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Apply a Style to Text

In this lesson, you will:– Apply a style to text– Add a new text style to the Styles list

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Using Styles in Documents

Styles: preset attributes, such as color and texture

Applied to objects and text

Can create a custom style and add it to Styles panel

FIGURE 33 Style samples

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Selected properties will

be applied when style is

applied

FIGURE 38 New Style dialog box

Using Styles in Documents

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Using Plug-ins

Plug-in: adds features to an application

Can install plug-ins from other software applications into Fireworks

Plug-ins are platform-specific

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Using Adobe Photoshop Plug-ins and Features

Preferences dialog box– Folders tab contains options for

Photoshop plug-ins, textures, and patterns

– Import tab allows you to determine how Fireworks translates Photoshop layers and text

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Chapter 2 TasksWork with vector tools

Modify multiple vector objects

Modify color

Apply filters to objects and text

Apply a style to text