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

Fireworks Chapter 3 3

Lesson 1

Work with Imported Files In this lesson, you will:

Import graphics with different file formats into a Fireworks document

Fireworks Chapter 3 4

Lesson 1

Considerations for Importing Files Importing several images can increase file

size

Fireworks Chapter 3 5

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

Fireworks Chapter 3 6

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

Fireworks Chapter 3 7

Figure 2 and Figure 3

Figure 2: Import tab in Preferences dialog box

Figure 3: Vector File Options dialog box

Fireworks Chapter 3 8

Lesson 2

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

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

Fireworks Chapter 3 9

Lesson 2

Understanding Pixel Selection Tools Marquee selection: flashing perimeter

around selected pixels Often called “marching ants”

Selection is temporary but can manipulate pixels

Fireworks Chapter 3 10

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

Fireworks Chapter 3 11

Lesson 2

Using the Marquee Tools Selects pixels in a specific shape

Rectangle/Square Oval/Circle

Properties Style

Normal Fixed Ratio Fixed Size

Edge

Fireworks Chapter 3 12

Figure 12: Using the Oval Marquee tool

Fireworks Chapter 3 13

Lesson 2

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

vertical axes Distort tool: alters size and proportion

Fireworks Chapter 3 14

Figure 11: Skew and Distort Samples

Original object

Skewed object

Distorted object

Fireworks Chapter 3 15

Figure 17: Rotating an object

Fireworks Chapter 3 16

Lesson 3

Learn About Selection Areas In this lesson, you will:

Select pixels in an image using the lasso tools

Fireworks Chapter 3 17

Lesson 3

Using the Lasso Tools Define an exact pixel selection Lasso tool

Works well on images with curves Tracing ability a plus

Fireworks Chapter 3 18

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

Fireworks Chapter 3 19

Lesson 3

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

Fireworks Chapter 3 20

Lesson 3

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

Fireworks Chapter 3 21

Figure 23: Result of Smooth Marquee command

Smoothing removes

pixels from selection

Fireworks Chapter 3 22

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

Fireworks Chapter 3 23

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

Fireworks Chapter 3 24

Figure 26: Sample Magic Wand and Select Similar selections

Tolerance 64 selects

nearly all of grape

Tolerance 16 selects

some green grape pixels

Fireworks Chapter 3 25

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

Fireworks Chapter 3 26

Figure 31: Objects flattened on individual layers

Fireworks Chapter 3 27

Summary

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

Fireworks Chapter 3 28