Adobe Fireworks

Pros

• the ability to create any online graphic
• can be used in conjunction with other Adobe software
• has many templates available

Cons

• is time consuming to learn

Adobe Fireworks (formerly Macromedia Fireworks) is a dynamic editing software focused on helping graphic designers develop images and coding for online use and support.

Adobe Fireworks holds a whole host of tools that help creative developers make any element that they'd like to import to the web. This is true regardless of the size or complexity of the image or layout at hand. Fireworks has supported designers in creating simple widgets as well as complex website designs.

The latest version of the software even allows users to develop for other devices like smartphones and tablets. This enhances and extends the already far-reaching implications of the software.

With this latest version of the Fireworks software, users can enjoy the effects of Adobe's newest tools like Clean CSS. This feature enables the extraction of code from elements on the web that have already been designed and uploaded. The Clean CSS code extraction will ultimately save users time while also ensuring the quality of the design. It conserves all of the elements that make a design great like the colors, fonts, and nit picky details that you worked so hard to create. These remain the same throughout the process of transferring the information to another platform. This is an improvement integral to the greatness of the program.

Adobe also advertises better and more rapid access to color changes and more pattern and gradient effects and options. With better color controls available, it is easier than ever to find the exact shade and color match between different platforms.

It also features better CSS support than ever before including the ability to reconstruct code by utilizing the options found in the Properties tab. It is also easier than ever to develop mock ups and complete concept design before diving into a project.

There are brand new themes available for extra aid with skinning. Overall, the effects of the improved API access that lets users quickly create extensions to work. Many of these extensions are beneficial because of the focus on community. The faster connection speeds and better performance area all apparent. When utilizing jQuery themes, users can easily edit the information found within to make skinning a simple task.

Finally, on last aspect of the improved system allows more memory and better memory management tools to ensure everything you create gets saved securely.

Of course this Adobe software works in sync with every other Adobe application. Files from other versions of Adobe software can easily be opened and edited using Fireworks. Common programs that are used to cross editing lines are Photoshop, Illustrator, and Dreamweaver. But, uploading elements from any Adobe software will work.

Though it is described as one of the more minor apps within the Adobe Suite, it is still a favorite design tool among web developers.

Pros

• the ability to create any online graphic
• can be used in conjunction with other Adobe software
• has many templates available

Cons

• is time consuming to learn