Course Specifications

Course length: 1 day

Course Description

Macromedia Fireworks MX: Level 2 is a hands-on instruction book that teaches you powerful techniques for creating and editing Web graphics and pages. You will learn advanced skills for working with vector graphics, photographic images and effects, slicing and rollovers, symbols and animation, and exporting to HTML.

Target Student:   This course is designed primarily for new or prospective Web designers who want to create, modify, and optimize graphics for use on Web sites using Macromedia Fireworks.

Prerequisites:  To ensure your success, we recommend you first take the following course or have equivalent knowledge:

• Macromedia Fireworks MX: Level 1

Benefits:  After completing this course, students will be able to create and edit paths. Students will create graphic effects such as text wrapping to a path. Students will create image effects, and learn techniques for sharpening images. Students will create complex rollover behaviors, and create animation and buttons using symbols.

What's Next:  After completing this course, students can learn more by taking the Macromedia Fireworks MX: Level 2 course.

Performance-Based Objectives

• Create and edit vector paths precisely and efficiently using the Pen and Subselection tools.
• Wrap text on a path and convert text to paths.
• Sharpen images and improve their contrast precisely.
• Create image effects such as cloning, masking, and patterns.
• Create and edit complex rollover behaviors, including multi-state navigation bars and drop-down lists.
• Use instances of symbols throughout a Website, and modify the original symbol to update all instances.
• Create animation and buttons using symbols.
• Modify HTML export settings to create files that match the format of the HTML editor application you use.

Course Content

Lesson 1: Vector Paths

Topic 1A: Vector Path Concepts
Topic 1B: Drawing and Editing Rough Paths
Topic 1C: Creating Paths Precisely with the Pen Tool
Topic 1D: Text and Paths

Lesson 2: Image Effects

Topic 2A: Improving Sharpness and Contrast
Topic 2B: Editing Images
Topic 2C: Patterns
Topic 2D: Masking
Topic 2E: Saving Effects and Styles

Lesson 3: Advanced Rollovers and Slicing

Topic 3A: Triggering Rollovers from Polygonal Areas
Topic 3B: Pop-up Menus
Topic 3C: Behaviors
Topic 3D: Navigation Bars

Lesson 4: Symbols, Instances, and Animation

Topic 4A: Button Symbols
Topic 4B: Graphic Symbols
Topic 4C: Creating Animation

Lesson 5: Exporting Pages for a Website

Topic 5A: Text Slices
Topic 5B: HTML Export Options