Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
application without loss of quality. The edited file can then be re-imported into
an image editing program. By creating a vector graphic and importing it into an
image editing application, the font data is preserved and the font appearance
remains unchanged. The graphic can then be saved or exported as a Web-
friendly format, as we mentioned several times already, GIF or JPG.
I created a personal logo for my Web portfolio using Macromedia Freehand.
The logo type was designed and then
converted to curves
when complete. By
converting the file to curves, the font data is not needed and the editable text
turns into an un-editable graphic. The file can now be saved as an .eps file. Then,
it can be opened in Fireworks or Photoshop and eventually exported or saved
to GIF or JPG format.
Navigation and Buttons
One great way I found to create graphical buttons is to make them in
Macromedia Fireworks and then slice and export them out as a Web page
containing a nice neat table. Then the table can be copied and pasted into a layer
and positioned anywhere on the Web page freely and easily. The visual
advantage to this is that you can work directly in Macromedia Fireworks, make
a Web screen, and see how the navigation fits into the Web page itself. You can
create shapes using the shape tools in Macromedia Fireworks and place type
on the shapes to create individual buttons. Or, you can make complete
navigation panels that incorporate all site controls.
Remember, navigation also can be HTML Web text only.
A Word About
Slicing and Exporting Pages
Both Macromedia Fireworks and Adobe Photoshop provide image slicing and
exporting functions. However, I prefer the slicing and exporting tools found in
Fireworks better than in Photoshop. On the other hand, I like the typographic
effects, image editing features, and overall design control I get with Photoshop.
