Anyone use Fireworks?

Hello
I was wondering what exactly fireworks does. I read that it is like a web optimizer for images and that you can slice stuff. Does it let you slice .psd's? It has some cool export features like exporting to dreamweaver. Also what is so great about this product?

Fireworks is a complete web graphics package. I guess in terms of graphics you could say its just a scaled-down version of Photoshop, but more web-focussed and with a different approach to vectors.

In terms of other web-stuff, it can automatically generate table-based designs including Javascript popup menus and image rollovers and from what I've seen the code is generally a fair bit cleaner than what Imageready produces. I've heard that it now 'supports' CSS when it does that but I don't know to what extent, I never let anything write my code for me.

I guess what's so great about it is it's got a nice clean UI, and is fast and easy to use. In fact, if you've used Flash before then you should be able to pick up the Fireworks UI really quickly because minus the animation stuff they're virtually the same, and they handle vector graphics in almost exactly the same way.

I have used it in the past, but prefer photoshop for design by a fair bit.

I'm using it now and then. As Jono said, it's just a simple version from photoshop. It has the typical macromedia layout and User Interface, and in my opinion, it is easier to learn than photoshop.

I use it a lot, because it has better vector tools than photoshop. It's great for creating common web graphics and web designs. It's much easier to use than photoshop, which does not mean it's not powerful.

You can do lots of things with Fireworks i use it to make avatars If you have office 2003 professional and Macromedia studio 8 they combine well mine did lol

Originally Posted by eravedesigns Does it let you slice .psd's?

Yes, suprisingly so. Like a lot of people have said, it is a scaled down Photoshop, although Photoshop has a lot of advantages over Fireworks, Fireworks has its own advantages such as being better for vectoring and also some people find the code that Fireworks generates a lot better then the code Adobe Photoshop produces but if you ask me, you should use neither .

Originally Posted by controllerboy I'm using it now and then. As Jono said, it's just a simple version from photoshop. It has the typical macromedia layout and User Interface, and in my opinion, it is easier to learn than photoshop.

Due to it's lack of features

Something to note is the fact that this application will slowly fade away due to Adobe's aquisation of Macromedia. This means less use, less compatability etc.

fireworks is the best for just editing images. if you want to create high end graphics then I would use photoshop.

I use it for editing sometimes, but I use Photoshop CS more.