Fireworks, Photoshop, Fireworks, Photoshop. If you've been researching Web-graphics software, these two names are likely rattling around your head incessantly. So which program is right for you? Well, while Photoshop wrangles the title of best overall high-end image editor year after year, it's still not the most robust solution for Web graphics--that claim belongs to Fireworks 4.0. Dedicated to the Web-graphics world, each new Fireworks release strengthens its hold on its domain (no pun intended). And if Dreamweaver is your Web editor of choice, uniting the two programs will make you a very happy matchmaker indeed.
Fireworks' strengths lie in its focus on the creation and optimization of bitmapped and vector Web graphics. Files are easily integrated into Macromedia Flash and Dreamweaver, and importing/exporting Adobe PhotoShop and Illustrator files is a breeze, especially with the program's improved layer-mask handling and a new Color Fill Live effect. Version 4 rolls out a new interface that Flash, Dreamweaver, and FreeHand users will recognize. Tabbed menus allow for customization and keep the screen tidy while organizing elements. New tools for adding interactive elements--rollovers, navigation bars, and pop-up menus--are a very welcome sight. And a Live Animation feature creates frame-based GIF animations, using symbols, instances, and tweening features familiar to Flash users. With built-in HTML and JavaScript capabilities, version 4 delivers the goods to the Web-graphics design community.
Like we mentioned, Dreamweaver users will fully realize Fireworks' full potential. These two programs assimilate perfectly, creating the most powerful Web-editing suite available today. --Eric Twelker--This review refers to the Windows version.
Macromedia Fireworks 4 delivers a robust solution for Web design professionals who seek a standard way to create and optimize Web graphics. Quickly create resolution-independent vectors, edit bitmap images, and create GIF animations with multiple frames in a professional environment. Fireworks 4 Web graphics workflow is optimized for creating advanced interactivity. Easily develop buttons, rollover effects, and sophisticated navigation schemes with multilevel pop-up menus in a step-by-step visual environment. Support for multiple file formats and common design standards lets you quickly design and produce graphics, HTML, and JavaScript that can be moved seamlessly between popular graphics and HTML applications, such as Adobe Photoshop and Macromedia Flash and Dreamweaver. Use accessible controls to reposition, redirect, and reanimate simple animations across multiple frames from within the Fireworks workspace. Quickly set up and execute batch processes, including commands, by using the step-by-step Batch Processing Wizard. Edit and update HTML and JavaScript code and graphics from Dreamweaver, while maintaining edits to your table. Use enhanced setup and export of HTML/JavaScript and images to customize automatic file naming, table handling, and other output options.
Macromedia's Director 8 Shockwave Studio is a powerful multimedia solution for creating engaging rich-media corporate presentations, e-merchandising applications, and entertainment. Director 8 combines graphics, sound, animation, text, and video to build streaming, multiuser, interactive Web content that is easy to deploy for CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, and the Web. It streamlines the authoring process with centralized, automated functions that make it easier to manage assets, edit complex animations, build graphics on the fly, and create content for low bandwidth. Director 8 Shockwave Studio has a modern, professional authoring environment that enables developers to deliver impressive results. Studio components include:
Director: integrates, controls, and delivers media created from the studio's content creation tools
Fireworks: creates graphics in a robust design and production environment
Sound editor BIAS Peak LE: creates and edits sound for use in Director
Behavior libraries: quickly and easily creates interactivity in Director
Shockwave Multiuser Server 2: delivers multiuser experiences and multiplayer games on the Internet
Dreamweaver UltraDev is an enhanced version of Macromedia's leading Web-authoring tool. The standout additional feature is dynamic content, which is when pages have live links to databases or other types of server-side scripting. Most products of this type require extensive manual coding, but UltraDev has an extensive library of built-in scripts, called Server Behaviors, that allow even moderately sophisticated sites to be built with little or no code. Version 4 looks similar to its predecessor, but includes important changes that make it more complete and easier to use.
One of the best new features is the split code and design view, which lets you edit either the code or the visual design and see changes instantly echoed between them. There is also built-in security, so you can create login procedures and password-protected sites. Finally, the Live Objects wizards automatically create page elements to handle common tasks, such as a master/detail page set, or forms to insert and update records.
UltraDev supports three kinds of server-side scripting: Active Server Pages, JavaServer Pages, and Cold Fusion. Unfortunately, it does not support PHP, which is popular on Linux and Unix servers, although because UltraDev is extensible, there may be some third-party add-ins. The features for the three models are similar but not identical, although in every case there is excellent database support. Its great strength is that you can focus on designing your pages and let UltraDev handle the data access code. You can even display live data at design time, making it easier to get exactly the right appearance.
Everything in Dreamweaver is also in UltraDev, so this is the ideal package for Web authors who need to add dynamic content with a minimum of fuss.
About Fireworks 4:
Fireworks is a dedicated Web graphics application. You can create both vector and bit-map images, optimize them for Web pages, and add numerous special effects for export direct to HTML.
The starting point is a familiar range of drawing and painting tools, such as shapes, lines, brushes, pens, and selection tools. In the default vector mode they create editable, scalable objects, and in bit-map mode they paint pixels. Fireworks supports layers and masks--virtual overlaid surfaces that you can edit independently, enabling designers to achieve a wide range of effects. For example, you can vary opacity and blending to fine-tune the final appearance. Other Fireworks panels include color, stroke, fill, and effects. There is also a library panel where you can store graphic elements for reuse.
A key feature for Web designers is optimization. Fireworks offers maximum control over the critical tradeoff between quality and size. A two-up and four-up view lets you compare the quality of original and optimized versions, using techniques such as reducing color depth and removing unused colors. The software offers strong support for GIF, JPEG, and PNG image formats. Fireworks also lets you create animation that is exported as an animated GIF. It will also generate JavaScript to produce image rollovers and, in this new version, pop-up menus. There is great support for hotspots and slices, techniques for mapping or dividing an image to support HTML features. Integration with Macromedia's Dreamweaver 4 is better than ever in version 4 of Fireworks. Dreamweaver UltraDev 4/Fireworks Studio combines the two products at a lower price. You can export to Dreamweaver--or launch Fireworks directly from Dreamweaver--edit an image, and save it back with all Fireworks-specific information preserved. --Tim Anderson
This Macromedia UltraDev 4/Fireworks 4 bundle is an efficient way to develop ASP, JSP, or ColdFusion Web applications. Rapidly build database-driven Web applications with total control over source code, plus integrated Web graphics. Professional hand-coding environment includes ASP, JSP, and CFML keyword color-coding, autoindenting, punctuation balancing, and the ability to debug client-side JavaScript directly in your browser. Create, edit, and animate Web graphics in Fireworks 4; add advanced interactivity; optimize images; and integrate seamlessly with UltraDev 4 for efficient development. View live, server-side data in the workspace, and make edits to layout and logic on the fly. Maximize productivity with built-in server behaviors, the ability to create your own library of reusable server behaviors easily, and powerful shortcuts for creating user authentication, master/detail pages, and more. Improve development efficiency with sitewide reports, project tracking, and integration with version-control systems like Microsoft Visual SourceSafe for Windows and leading content-management systems.
Dreamweaver and Fireworks are all you need to build great-looking sites. Create your Web graphics in Fireworks and then integrate them seamlessly into the Web pages you built with Dreamweaver. In Dreamweaver, Roundtrip HTML gives you total control over code. In Fireworks, professional vector and bitmap editing tools let you produce comps and modify files from any graphics source and edit anything, anytime. Together, Dreamweaver and Fireworks reduce production time with tight integration, and History Palettes helps automate repetitive tasks. In addition, the ability to customize both applications using HTML, JavaScript, or XML gives you the power you need for fast-paced Web development.
Macromedia Dreamweaver UltraDev and Fireworks are all that you need to build great-looking JSP, ASP, or CFML database-driven Web applications. Quickly build your site in Dreamweaver UltraDev and connect to any database to create searchable employee directories, forms for capturing customer information, and even sophisticated sales and inventory management systems. Create your Web graphics in Fireworks, and then integrate them seamlessly into your dynamic Web applications. Designed specifically for application development, Dreamweaver UltraDev is a brand-new product that is based on the Dreamweaver core architecture. If you already use Dreamweaver, you will appreciate the familiar interface and working environment. If you are developing Web applications currently by hand or with another solution, you will find that Dreamweaver UltraDev makes it fast and easy for you to get your work done.
Macromedia's Director 8 Shockwave Studio is a powerful multimedia solution for creating engaging rich-media corporate presentations, e-merchandising applications, and entertainment. Director 8 combines graphics, sound, animation, text, and video to build streaming, multiuser, interactive Web content that is easy to deploy for CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, and the Web. It streamlines the authoring process with centralized, automated functions that make it easier to manage assets, edit complex animations, build graphics on the fly, and create content for low bandwidth. Director 8 Shockwave Studio has a modern, professional authoring environment that enables developers to deliver impressive results. Studio components include:
Director: integrates, controls, and delivers media created from the studio's content creation tools
Fireworks: creates graphics in a robust design and production environment
Sound editor BIAS Peak LE: creates and edits sound for use in Director
Behavior libraries: quickly and easily creates interactivity in Director
Shockwave Multiuser Server 2: delivers multiuser experiences and multiplayer games on the Internet
Studio 8 is the essential software suite for designing, developing and maintaining interactive online experiences. Combining the latest release of Dreamweaver, Flash Professional, Fireworks, Contribute, and FlashPaper, Studio 8 offers web designers and developers a new level of expressiveness, efficiency, and simplified workflow to create websites, interactive experiences, and mobile content. Support for Windows and Mac OS X enables Studio to deliver projects on a wide range of operating systems, browsers, and server technologies
Macromedia Studio 8 has many new and improved features that make it a significant release and invaluable upgrade. New Contribute web content management capabilities, easier-than-ever high-quality video tools, new graphic effects like blends and blurs, performance optimizations, improved user interfaces, and integration support for today's latest technologies are just a few of the new and enhanced features in Studio 8. And now anyone can upgrade -- whether you're one version back or three. Customers of any past version of Dreamweaver, Flash, or Studio are eligible to upgrade to Studio 8 for a single, simplified price regardless of version number. (See system requirements for full details on upgrade requirements.)
Stay focused on the code in Dreamweaver 8 with Code Collapse. See what's new in Dreamweaver 8
Flash Professional 8 features integrated and stand-alone video encoding and support for alpha transparency. See what's new in Flash Professional 8
Fireworks 8 sports new batch image processing options. See what's new in Fireworks 8
Contribute 3 frees designers and developers from web maintenance.
Macromedia Studio 8 is the essential software suite used to design, develop and maintain interactive online experiences. Combining the latest releases of Dreamweaver, Flash Professional, Fireworks, Contribute and FlashPaper, Studio 8 offers web designers and developers a new level of expressiveness, efficiency and simplified workflow. In short, Studio 8 is a must-have suite for start-to-finish design, development and maintenance of websites, applications, games, interactive presentations, and mobile content.
Expressing Creativity with Efficiency Studio 8 offers the broadest range of creative tools for expressiveness and creation of vibrant interactive media, websites, or applications. Enhanced tools let you use advanced graphics, text, animation, video, and audio tools with precision control and quality. From simple animated graphics to sophisticated interactive experiences, Studio 8 provides a full suite of tools for limitless creativity that allow you to get more done. Studio 8 also speeds the design, development, and maintenance process with reliable round-tripping between Macromedia products, integration with third-party products, and key features such as batch processing, batch encoding, and general performance enhancements to speed up your projects. Support for both Windows and Mac OS X enables Studio 8 to deliver projects on the platform of choice. This allows you to deliver projects that support the widest range of operating systems, browsers, and server technologies. Develop applications using HTML, XHTML, XML, ColdFusion, ASP, ASP.NET, JSP, or PHP with drag-and-drop visual tools and components, code libraries, and extensive code-editing support.
Studio 8 Applications Included with Studio 8 is Dreamweaver 8, the industry-leading web development tool that enables users to efficiently design, develop and maintain standards-based websites and applications. Dreamweaver is the quintessential and standard-setting web development application available today. Flash Professional 8 is the industry's most advanced authoring environment for creating interactive websites, digital experiences and mobile content. Flash Professional is the industry's most advanced authoring environment for creating interactive websites, digital experiences and mobile content. With Flash Professional, you can design and author interactive content rich with video, graphics, and animation for truly unique, engaging websites, presentations or mobile content.
Also included with Studio 8 is Fireworks 8. Fireworks lets you balance maximum image quality with minimum compression size as you create, edit and optimize images for the web with precise control. Create animated rollovers and pop-up menus with Firework's intuitive visual tools, and utilize round-trip editing capabilities with Dreamweaver and Flash Professional for even greater efficiency. Contribute 3 helps to free designers and developers from web maintenance, allowing others to easily update content in a controlled environment that preserves the integrity of the website. Contribute 3 makes website maintenance easy and lets everyone in an organization publish to websites and bring them alive with up-to-date information. Simply put, there is no easier or more affordable way to keep web content current and relevant. Contribute 3 redefines web publishing, making it an activity open to everybody, every day. And finally, FlashPaper 2 lets anyone easily convert documents, presentations, spreadsheets and other file types into Macromedia Flash documents or PDF files with a single click.
A True All-in-One Tool Studio 8 makes the best practices of web design and development available to everyone, from users working on their first website to those developing advanced web applications. Design and develop with confidence that Studio projects will integrate with and support the latest technologies, platforms, operating systems, and industry standards from CSS and XML to the latest Flash Player 8 client runtime. Studio 8 makes integrating video into projects easier than ever. Drag and drop Flash Video in Dreamweaver 8 to quickly incorporate video to websites and applications. The new high-quality video encoder in Flash Professional 8 is integrated (or works standalone) for distributed batch encoding.
Plus, new run-time support for Alpha channels, embedded cue points in Flash Video files, and the improved, easily-skinnable video playback component will engage more viewers. Going from on-screen to online is effortless using many nonlinear editing systems that export natively to the Flash Video format. Deliver rich content efficiently and consistently with the Flash standard file format (SWF); its structure (and compact size) is optimized for streaming to web users at all connection speeds. The Macromedia Flash Player, installed on over 98 percent of desktops globally, reaches the widest possible audience. Studio 8 parallels the introduction of Flash Player 8, which now hosts more interactive features, lightweight experiences, better performance, and easy auto-updating for the ultimate viewing experience.
Studio 8 also works and plays well with others. In addition to its integrated workflows across Macromedia products, Studio 8 supports optimized workflows with third-party applications. Import graphical elements, EPS and PDF files from Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Creative Suite. Add content from Microsoft Office products with design accuracy using the improved copy and paste in Dreamweaver, or use FlashPaper to convert Microsoft files into PDF or FlashPaper files with one click.
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