I’m Switching to Fireworks

I have to say, Adobe Fireworks is so much better than Photoshop. Fireworks is proper graphic creation, but Photoshop, with respect, is only a photo editing software, which was no1, but is now no2, with Fireworks in position no1. Anyway... I'm sure that you'll probably dump the whole idea of Photoshop, once you're used to Fireworks. Chris Wallace is AMAZING!
LOL. Anyway, please drop in to my site, by clicking on my "Name" thingy. Thanks everyone.

I started off with PS (like most of us) but over last 8+ years have been using FW.

Since my work is for the web I find it unbeatable for the job. PS is loaded with features ideal for graphic/print design with all the effects and such, which you really don't need for web design.

However, the way layers are handled in PS is an irritation for me. In Fireworks you simply click the object and you're on the correct layer. No right-click, then choose the objects from a list kind of sh*t. In PS if you don't know the name of the layer you end up selecting the wrong object.

The other main difference is reduced number of effects in FW. But PS plugins usually work in FW as well. Haven't tried brushes though. It all depends on what kind of graphics you like to create.

Someone mentioned crashes: I think it's an issue with the particular system. I've not seen FW crash in all these years. And I've worked with very heavy files for print as well... No problems if you have the RAM.

Adobe has been trying to get more designers to use FW. It seriously is an excellent product. It even runs in Linux without any problem.

Dam. I Wrote Chris in my name instance of José Pacheco or designi1 :D

Hey all,
Thinking fast i can say you made a great decision! the factors you point around the usage of photoshop and fireworks are very clear. When Adobe bought the Macromedia we didnt know if they continue to developper the fireworks. So i think many ppl scared just run to learn some photoshop :D Others like me tryed to use the illustrator instance (i do not have a clear opinion about the usage of illustrator for the web, but i feeling good using it).

But i must confess that i love fireworks for web. Its so simple and fast to use... not so heavy as photoshop. When i right this im thinking same time and got the final conclusion. Change for fireworks! :D

That said, one of the main benefits I find is the pages and master page feature. This allows you to build a multi-page document in much the same way as InDesign allows you to have x number of pages for print publication.

I recently left Photoshop for Fireworks and I ain't looking back. I can't believe I even tried to build Websites in Photoshop now that I am using Fw.

Fw is not without a few things that I don't like but the benefits far, far outweigh the drawbacks.

You have given me reason to go out and buy it! Always a pleasure reading your posts!

I've always wanted to switch but I just can't bring myself to do it - I've always liked the Adobe way of doing things rather than the Macromedia way. The way the palettes are laid out just doesn't feel right to me.

I'm sure I will switch eventually but for now I think the familiarity I have with Photoshop and Illustrator means they make more sense than properly learning Fireworks.

Oh I've tried a few times. I think I'll change with CS5. I have too! FW seems much faster and smoother.

I'll have a look at the resources posted.

Welcome to the club. At work we only have Photoshop, so due to my experiences with fireworks every time I try to do something I get frustrated throw my mouse across the room go home and do it in FW.

A colleague showed me how to do a rounded rectangle with a border in Photoshop. Might not have been the best way to do it but it left me speechless as to the number of steps it took when in fireworks it's as simple as 1, 2, 3.

I've always used Fireworks, and have almost never had to use photoshop for actual layout design or anything. Although, I lack experience in converting over PSD mockups to HTML and CSS, I'm a wizard in doing so with Fireworks. Glad to see some pros are adopting Fireworks. Makes me happy :)

Congrats Chris, you won't regret it! I've been using it for almost 5 years now and I can't imagine switching back to PS :)

I've switched from Ps to Fw years ago... Now I work faster, better, and I can do almost anything in Fw that others can only in Ps+Ai combined... So, do I count?? ;-)

Congrats on the decision -- I have seen lots of people making the switch from Photoshop to Fireworks, but never the opposite, believe it or not. Fireworks is easier for designing for Web/screen, it is much faster, and only people that use Ps (or Ps+Ai) can claim that this is not true. Once a designer tries Fireworks and sees how effective he can be with it, everything changes...

This helpful Fw CS5 article:@optimiced
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/05/22/adobe-f...
)

Cheers, and good luck!

Francis and Mike,

My simple advice: If you love PhotoShop, don't change over. Fireworks, Photoshop, Illustrator, Gimp — they're all tools. Use them and create amazing stuff. I've used Photoshop and I just don't like it as much as Fireworks. Also, something scares me about one tool dominating the scene.

Regarding PSDs and clients, I hear you both. It's a shame that clients need a PSD. Really, there needs to be some sort of open format, a layered PNG of sorts that is viewable even without a graphics editing program.

But, we live in a real world now, so what I do is let my clients know that I design in Fireworks. Amazingly, quite a few of them say...ok, can you send me the Fireworks PNG and I'm covered. For those looking for a PSD (and I've had these), Fireworks has a save as PSD option with some pretty nice options for ensuring the look is right, but it's not perfect. I have had (at rare times) to re-create in PS.

It's not all stars and rainbows, but I really like Fireworks and it works for me. Another handy thing is that even though it's a Fireworks PNG, the file is immediately viewable as a PNG — PSDs aren't.

I second Francis' statement and question above.

Curious,
Mike

What are the benefits of moving to Fireworks ? I am SO used to Photoshop that I don't see the point to change as I am "mostly" happy with Photoshop. And what happens when I need to give my design to be transformed in HTML ? Everybody I work with is waiting for a PSD ! :-/

Francis

This is exciting news and I hope that others will be keen to try the switch after reading this.

I often receive emails through my template site telling me that I should be using Photoshop for my designs and provide PSDs because everybody else does. I stand my ground and cannot wait till more people realise the potential of Fireworks.

I think Rogie has a good idea there with the screencast suggestion. Please keep us updated on how you get on :)

This is great news to hear. I've been using Fireworks since the first version. FOr my web and screen design projects, it just makes sense. I use Photoshop for what its great at - photo editing. FW CS5 is pretty solid, too, and faster than CS4.

Enjoy!

What Photoshop is to image editing, Fireworks is to graphics creation. Welcome to the fold, my friend.

Actually the last fireworks cs4 patch fixes all the bugs.

Hasn't crashed in weeks.

I hope it is an enjoyable journey for you Chris - good luck. Be sure to check out some of these resources to help you get up to speed on Fireworks quickly:

+ Fireworks CS5 Trial: http://www.adobe.com/go/tryfireworks

+ Fireworks tutorials: http://www.adobe.com/devnet/fireworks/
http://www.adobe.com/devnet/fireworks/?view=gettin...
http://www.adobe.com/devnet/fireworks/skill_buildi...

+ AdobeTV Fireworks videos:
http://tv.adobe.com/product/fireworks/

+ Twitter community: #Fireworks CS5, @brucebowman

+ http://www.fireworksguruforum.com/

+ Online Training: http://www.lynda.com, http://totaltraining.com

I have used Fireworks to design a few sites here and there since the MX version when Macromedia owned it, but have never been able to make the switch completely. It has some seriously amazing features for designing for the web but it has always been way to buggy for me. I have had it crash on me just as much as PS while working with larger files.
I love the multi page functionality in FW and it's ability to create a fully clickable prototype before going to code.

Maybe FW CS5 will have some of the kinks and bugs worked out and i'll give it another shot.

I'am with you on that. I was thinking that the other day, when Fireworks opened a file (accidentally mind you) why don't I use it more in webdesign and layout?! I remember in the hey days, when it was Macromedia, it was THE tool for webdesigns. I will definitly d/load the CS5 trial and give it a bash.

I'm right there with you. Rogie's screen casts had me trying it out on a some projects a few weeks back and I've definitely seen advantages to using it over PS. I consider that I've made the switch and am more productive because of it.

First off, congrats! I'd love to hear about your experiences as a convert as most people really want to know what the differences are...Perhaps that is a great place for you to step in with some screen casts?

Second, Fireworks and Photoshop are just a tools. I try not to sell Fireworks as people apparently can make incredible websites with PS too, however, I feel (I hope you do too) that Fireworks is great for websites and web layouts. Obviously I feel it is great for icon design too.

With new features, solidity and speed in CS5, I think you'll be happy bro!