Adobe Fireworks CS3 Revealed

Adobe Fireworks CS3 Revealed

CHAPTER THREE: IMPORTING, SELECTING, AND MODIFYING GRAPHICS

Chapter 3 Lessons

Work with imported files Work with bitmap selection tools Learn about selection areas Select areas based on color

Fireworks Chapter 3 2

Understanding Importing

Can import many different file types Can select areas of pixels using different

tools Can manipulate pixel selection Can flatten or merge objects and layers to

reduce file size


Lesson 1

Work with Imported Files In this lesson, you will:

Import graphics with different file formats into a Fireworks document


Lesson 1

Considerations for Importing Files Importing several images can increase file

size


Lesson 1

Using Different File Formats Copying and pasting

Places image on Clipboard: consumes resources

Dragging and dropping Does not place image on Clipboard: saves

resources


Lesson 1

Using Different File Formats Can determine how Photoshop files import

Import tab of Preferences dialog box Can determine how vector objects import

Vector File Options dialog box


Figure 2 and Figure 3

Figure 2: Import tab in Preferences dialog box

Figure 3: Vector File Options dialog box


Lesson 2

Work with Bitmap Selection Tools In this lesson, you will:

Use the marquee tools to select and change pixels in an image


Lesson 2

Understanding Pixel Selection Tools Marquee selection: flashing perimeter

around selected pixels Often called “marching ants”

Selection is temporary but can manipulate pixels


Lesson 2

Understanding Pixel Selection Tools Bitmap Via Copy: copies and pastes

selected pixels Bitmap Via Cut: cuts and pastes selected

pixels Both commands paste selected pixels as

new object on active layer


Lesson 2

Using the Marquee Tools Selects pixels in a specific shape

Rectangle/Square Oval/Circle

Properties Style

Normal Fixed Ratio Fixed Size

Edge


Figure 12: Using the Oval Marquee tool


Lesson 2

Using the Transformation Tools Scale tool: resizes Skew tool: slants along horizontal and

vertical axes Distort tool: alters size and proportion


Figure 11: Skew and Distort Samples

Original object

Skewed object

Distorted object


Figure 17: Rotating an object


Lesson 3

Learn About Selection Areas In this lesson, you will:

Select pixels in an image using the lasso tools


Lesson 3

Using the Lasso Tools Define an exact pixel selection Lasso tool

Works well on images with curves Tracing ability a plus


Lesson 3

Using the Lasso Tools Polygon Lasso tool

Works well on images with straight lines or asymmetrical outlines

Creates marquee in stages by clicking mouse


Lesson 3

Using Select Menu Commands Select Inverse Select Similar Feather Expand Marquee Contract Marquee


Lesson 3

Using Select Menu Commands Border Marquee Smooth Marquee Save Bitmap Selection Restore Bitmap Selection


Figure 23: Result of Smooth Marquee command

Smoothing removes

pixels from selection


Lesson 4

Select Areas Based on Color In this lesson, you will:

Add select areas of color using the Magic Wand tool

Merge layers Flatten the image


Lesson 4

Using the Magic Wand Tool Selects pixels based on color Tolerance

Range of colors the tool selects Increasing tolerance increases the ranges

of similar colors selected Select Similar command adds matching

colors to selection


Figure 26: Sample Magic Wand and Select Similar selections

Tolerance 64 selects

nearly all of grape

Tolerance 16 selects

some green grape pixels


Lesson 4

Merging and Flattening Objects and Layers Helps to manage file size but objects are

no longer editable Modify menu commands

Merge Down Flatten Selection Flatten Layers


Figure 31: Objects flattened on individual layers


Summary

Chapter 3 Tasks Work with imported files Work with bitmap selection tools Learn about selection areas Select areas based on color


Documents

Adobe Fireworks CS3 Revealed