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Fireworks Optimization Tutorial

Step1

Export Wizard

  • Open Macromedia Fireworks. If you do not have Fireworks, contact the webteam (webteam@depauw.edu).
  • Open the image you would like to optimize for the web.
  • Now start the Export Wizard by clicking on File » Export Wizard.
    • ImageStep1
  • Select the radio button "Select an export format"
  • Click "Continue"
    • ImageStep2
  • Select the radio button "The Web"
  • Click "Continue"
  • A third box appears titled "Analysis Results" - Click "Exit"
Step2

Compression Settings

  • At this point you should be looking at something similar to what is pictured below.
    • ImageStep3
  • If you see two copies of your image, click the box above the "Export" button that looks like this 3b.
  • This is the screen where you can choose what file type to use - GIF of JPEG. If you aren't sure which one to use, refer to the previous page.
Step3

Choosing the best settings

  • The most important settings at this screen are at the top.
    • ImageStep4
  • The drop down menu contains preset settings. As you choose different settings it will show you a preview of how the image will look and a preview of the image file size.
  • Notice in the above image the file type selected is "GIF Web 216". Also notice that at this setting the file size is 41.10 kilobytes. Fireworks tells me that this would take about 6 seconds to download on a dial-up 56k modem - way too long!
  • From this drop down menu I recommend:
    GIF Websnap 256
    GIF Websnap 128
    JPEG - Better Quality
    or
    JPEG - Smaller File
Step4

Experiment

You may need to try a couple settings to find the one that is the best combination of quality and file size. I suggest using the preset optimization settings in the drop down menu, but feel free to explore the more advanced options to the left.

A good goal is that the total size of all photos on your page does not exceed 50 kilobytes.

Also in this same window you can make changes to the dimensions of the image. Just click on the "File" tab in the upper left corner.
Step5

Export

Once you have a optimization setting that works well with your image, you're ready to export the file. Click the "Export" button in the lower right corner. A familiar "save as" window appears and you can choose where to save the file.
   
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