Fireworks Fundamentals

The skills presented in this section make use of both the built-in and the online tutorials and resources provided by Macromedia Fireworks. You can choose to progress through the tutorials in full or search through individual items listed in the checklist. If you have not already done so, you should print out the Fireworks checklist.

The downloadable tutorial is probably the best way to start learning Fireworks. Select Help > Learning Fireworks from the menu bar. A Web browser opens and takes you to the Fireworks support site, where you can download entire product manuals and tutorials. Locate the tutorials section, download and unzip the Graphic Design Basics Tutorial, and follow along with the PDF file (this is something you may want to do with another person).

If you prefer reading, choose Help > Fireworks Help or press the <F1> key . If the Content tab is not already selected, click it. It is recommended that you go through the highlighted areas:

• Working with Bitmaps
• Working with Vector Object
• Using text
• Applying Color, Strokes, and Fills

There is much more information in these sections than you need to know (especially when it comes to creating and customizing styles), so you may want to read some parts more carefully than others.

You won't retain everything the first time through the content resources. Take time to practice the skills so that they become more natural. The tutorial is worth repeating after you have read the help topics. Skim the Getting Started manual, which can be downloaded from the Fireworks help site, and in several languages:

• German
• French
• Spanish
• Japanese
• Other languages

Stuck? Check out the FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Last updated July 15, 2004
Contact: rit@calvin.edu