Blur or Smudge Tool Odd Behavior

Having an odd problem with a brand new computer. Windows Vista on an HP Pentium
Dual core, 4.5 GB memory, running Fireworks CS3, ver. 9.0.0.1188. When I try to
use any of the tools under the Blur selector box, the tool cursor point on the
screen (round, square, etc), jumps all over the place and is impossible to
control. There is no accuracy, it skips & jumps. All other tools seem to be
working fine.

Anyone seen anything like this? Thanks.

Yes. The bitmap editing tools are not happy under Vista Aero.

You can do one of two things. Turn off Aero completely or have Vista disable
Aero only when Fireworks is running.

For the latter,
1) go to where Fireworks is installed, usually
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Fireworks CS3
2) Right-click on Fireworks.exe and select Properties
3) Select the the Compatibility tab
4) Under Compatability mode label, select the checkbox for Run this program in
compatability mode for: and select Windows XP (Service Pack 2) from the drop
down box.
5) Under the Settings label, check Disable desktop composition
6) Click OK.

Now, when you start up Fireworks, your system will flicker as Aero is
disabled, but your bitmap tools will work. When you close Fireworks, your
system will flicker as Aero returns.

See also, discussion
http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/webforu...id=14&catid=19
3&threadid=1270292&enterthread=y
The post on 09/13/2008 by lallsopp claims that desktop composition does not
need to be disabled, but I find that my bitmap tools do not work properly
unless I do. You can try it both ways and see what works for you.

:smile;

Thank you so much... I followed your instructions & get a message when starting
Fireworks, "The color scheme has been changed to Windows Vista Basic....", and
the bitmap tools work as they should. Thanks again, you saved me a great deal
of aggravation!