Do I need Fireworks? Duplicate Software?

I have purchased Adobe Creative Suite 3 (Design Premium with Acrobat Pro 9 and
Fireworks CS3). The installation for Fireworks CS3 is on a separate dvd. The
workflow booklet that came with the software has no mention of Fireworks CS3.
Also, I purchased the optional manuals and there is not one for Fireworks. This
creative suite includes INDESIGN, PHOTOSHOP EXTENDED, ILLUSTRATOR, FLASH, AND
DREAMWEAVER. What does Fireworks do that these other program do not. I am not
finding any real meat information on the Adobe site to explain why I need this
application.

Thanks for your input. Kristi

Fireworks is a hybrid vector and bitmap graphics program that is focused on
building Web graphics. It is also great for setting up page mockups.

If you are doing print work, then you don't need Fireworks. If you're doing
Web design, then coming from your other Adobe apps you may find some adjustment
necessary, but FW is really streamlilned for getting the Web worker's
(graphics) job done. While it will also produce HTML, this is
mockup/preview quality only, and any real site building should be done in
Dreamweaver, some other specialized program, or by hand.

See also
http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/webforu...id=14&catid=19
3&threadid=1377746&enterthread=y :smile;

[q]Originally posted by: windowswarrior
I have purchased Adobe Creative Suite 3 (Design Premium with Acrobat Pro 9 and
Fireworks CS3). The installation for Fireworks CS3 is on a separate dvd. The
workflow booklet that came with the software has no mention of Fireworks CS3.
Also, I purchased the optional manuals and there is not one for Fireworks. This
creative suite includes INDESIGN, PHOTOSHOP EXTENDED, ILLUSTRATOR, FLASH, AND
DREAMWEAVER. What does Fireworks do that these other program do not. I am not
finding any real meat information on the Adobe site to explain why I need this
application.

Thanks for your input. Kristi[/q]

Lorraine,

have been creating my web sites in Dreamweaver ... including whatever
mock-ups I needed for the client. I don't do sketches, I just design in
Dreamweaver.

I produce the web graphics in Photoshop using the SAVE FOR WEB feature which
gives me pretty nice control over quality/size.

I will give this app a try, but it sounds like it's adding another step for
me. Thanks for the input and information.

Kristi

This article explains everything quite well:

http://www.adobe.com/devnet/firework...fireworks.html

Fireworks isn't something you use in addition to Photoshop, it's something you
use *instead* of Photoshop.

If you're comfortable with Photoshop then just use that.

However, Photoshop began life as a photo editor for print applications. In
recent years it has added web functionaility.

Fireworks was inherited by Adobe from the Macromedia acquisition. It is
built from the ground up to do web graphics, vector and bitmap integrated
into one streamlined app, and its workflow and methodology suits the web
medium intuitively.



--
Regards

John Waller

Joey,

Perfect Post. BRAVO! Thank you for the much-needed info. Haven't had a chance
to read through everything, but the article is exactly what I was looking for.

Moreover, I will read your blogs. I appreciate the fact that you've provided a
summary as well as content in # of words and anticipated read time. Very smart!

Kudos,
Kristi

On Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:04:43 +0000 (UTC), "JoeyD1978"
<webforumsuser@macromedia.com> wrote:

>This article explains everything quite well:
>
> http://www.adobe.com/devnet/firework...fireworks.html
>
> Fireworks isn't something you use in addition to Photoshop, it's something you
>use *instead* of Photoshop.

I disagree completely. They are two very different applications, and
I use them both - for very different purposes.

Win
--
Win Day
Wild Rose Websites www.wildrosewebsites.com
windayNOSPAM@wildrosewebsites.com

> Fireworks isn't something you use in addition to Photoshop, it's something
> you
> use *instead* of Photoshop.

Not me. I use both. Have done for years.

--
Regards

John Waller

Haha, calm down friends! I do all of my masking and photo work in Photoshop.
Both applications have been a part of my workflow for over ten years. But if I
had to I could do that photo work in Fireworks too, although not as quickly and
efficiently.

However, if you're doing any layout work in Photoshop then it's my opinion
that you're cheating yourself.

[q]Originally posted by: JoeyD1978
I do all of my masking and photo work in Photoshop. Both applications have
been a part of my workflow for over ten years. But if I had to I could do that
photo work in Fireworks too, although not as quickly and efficiently.[/q]
Hmm... are you sure? I've been doing advanced photomanips and other raster work
in Fireworks for years, and I found it quick and efficient. Universal plugins
that can be used both in PS and FW greatly enhance the raster-editing
capabilities of Fireworks (AlienSkin stuff, for example).

Joe, I think that your first advice was spot-on. I practically replaced
Photoshop with Fireworks and it works great, regardless of whether it's about
photos, webdesign, UI or animation. :-)


SiamJai
~~~~
http://design.thaiwonders.com - Innovative Fireworks Tutorials