Technical > Avatar/Graphics Help > how to animate in Fireworks

how to animate in Fireworks

Yes, finally someone asking about Fireworks! Hehe. Well, first I would like to know which version you have... 3, 4, or the MX? The interface is a bit different in MX, but shouldn't be that much of a difference. I got 3 and MX, so I can help no matter what =)

Ok, let's begin.

If you are creating animation from scratch, you will need first to create new frames. The frame tool bar is on your right in MX, or it's a separate floating toolset in FW 3/4

If you don't see it, go at the top to Window->Frames, and it should show up =)

Once you have the frames window, you can either make new empty frames:



Or you can duplicate the same frame several times:



And then...



Once you do that, you can alter the images in frames any way you like.



Once you alter the images in frames any way you like, you can change each frame length by double-clicking on the frame length box in the circled area, or you can hold down shift to select all frames, and then double-click to change length on all of them:



You can view your work by pressing play/stop buttons:



There is another way to create simple animations, it's easier to create some standard animations with it, but it's much less flexible. Go to animate selection tab:



Then pick what kind of animation you would like:



It will automatically create the animation of that particular object for you across frames (it will add frames if it needs to).

Once you are satisfied with your new creation, you can go to export preview:



There you can adjust colors, frame length, transparency type, palette, etc. I recommend websnap adaptive for easy altering, smaller size and better colors. I believe it's the default as well. Don't forget to set the export as "animated GIF", and then press export to pick where you want it exported and under what file name:



Once you exported the file, it should look something like this:



In Fireworks 4 and 3, a lot of things are the same as in MX, but if you have any trouble following this, just post away

Nice tutorial, it was interesting seeing ow to make animations in other programs.
--
The Fanta Penguin says FANTA FANTA!

reply to null
lemekim thank you thank you thank you

No problem I am still wondering though which one are you using - MX, 4 or 3?

Fanta: you knew this was coming right, since everytime someone asked something, I was usually like: "In PSP/Photoshop? Uh... well... I think if you open the properties... Nah, just ask someone who knows for sure." lol

said by lemekim:

---

No problem "In PSP/Photoshop? Uh... well... I think if you open the properties... Nah, just ask someone who knows for sure." lol

---

said by Meteor Dive:

---

said by lemekim:

---

No problem "In PSP/Photoshop? Uh... well... I think if you open the properties... Nah, just ask someone who knows for sure." lol

---

Nice to tutorial Lemekim. This should be listed in the tutorials page. Glad to see we have fireworks users (Hey Dark Machina, would you be joining us insomnians? ).
[text was edited by author 2002-05-19 23:09:00]

---

reply to null
Very nice tutorial Lemekim. I printed it all out for my wife
, so thanks
--
Color Me Gone!

reply to lemekim

said by lemekim:

---

No problem I am still wondering though which one are you using - MX, 4 or 3?

Fanta: you knew this was coming right, since everytime someone asked something, I was usually like: "In PSP/Photoshop? Uh... well... I think if you open the properties... Nah, just ask someone who knows for sure." lol

---

reply to lemekim

said by Meteor Dive:

---

said by lemekim:

---

It's "insomniac"... Yeap, that's me alright... Sliep? Is that how you spell it? Let me look it up in the dictionary...

---

Sounds right yeah...hmm where's that bad...? Actually don't rely on me, I lost my sense of grammar for a while now
[text was edited by author 2002-05-19 23:36:39]

reply to null
Good, I guessed right lol. Yea, I like MX a lot better then 3, and I like 3 better then 4 There never was 5...

There are some shortcuts that can be used in Fireworks, additional features that can help you in creating animations, but I don't want to overwhelm anyone... Maybe next time I will make something like "Fireworks 102"

Oh, and thanks Rowdy Are you sure it's not your wife who does all those great images? Hehe j/k, but knowing you, I would wager that she can make some mean pictures as well Bring her in here, convert her to the insomniac side!

Lol MD you too much
[text was edited by author 2002-05-19 23:38:35]

reply to null

Good start.

reply to null

said by dark machina:

---

here what i did YAH!! not much but a start

---

anyone remembers where that chant is from? I forgot...

reply to CyberRage
And on you go into the animation world. Soon you'll be doing your own avatars *One of us* *One of us*
[text was edited by author 2002-05-19 23:49:06]

reply to null
just a question which is the best Adobe, Jasc, or this fireworks?

reply to null
nevermind i already know the answer im in love with fireworks

reply to lemekim
Oh, and thanks Rowdy Are you sure it's not your wife who does all those great images? Hehe j/k, but knowing you, I would wager that she can make some mean pictures as well Bring her in here, convert her to

No No Mr L,, I draw! she makes thing move ("yes dear") LOL
she got Fireworks back in Jan. it's still in the box . plus if she come in here (this site) I'll have to go back to work,
--
Color Me Gone!

reply to null

And number two is out of the gate. "One of us.... one of us."

Hey Rowdy, I think you better just not tell your wife about this forum. heh heh
--
Prop your feet up at Southeast Chat