Showing posts from: Tutorials

May 24, 2015

Dreamweaver Asset Maintenance in a New Site Build

I've recently found a whole bunch of tips, tricks and just plain common sense articles and snippets I wrote over a decade ago in relation to Macromedia Dreamweaver. Whilst they may be a slightly archaic, they are still relevant to this day in CS6 and CC versions. The following lists suggests several ways to get the most out of existing assets during a site redesign without letting those assets undermine your ability to create a new site optimized for maintenance. • Don’t throw everything Read more [...]
April 30, 2005

Creating a Simple Button Effect Using the MC Tween Prototypes

Not so much a tutorial, as a mini technique with attached code. I added this recently to the Phireworx blog, but thought it would be a good idea to add it within the tutorial section so it doesn't get lost. Using the ubiquitous MC Tween prototype library which has been around and I've been using for a while (found here), I needed to create some quick buttons which had a funky sliding effect complete with alpha fading, so I thought I'd share it with you Read more [...]
September 10, 2004

The Ones That Got Away: Image Loader and Random Link Apps in Flash

Load images using Flash components. Create a Random Link of the Day display for your site. Steve's step-by-step tutorials explain all you need to know to complete both projects quickly and easily -- and extend them to meet your own requirements! Read more [...]
September 10, 2004

Fireworks Is Better Than Photoshop! Challenge #1

The very first response to my politically incorrect blog entry, entitled "Fireworks is better than Photoshop", turned out to be a good example. Not too complicated and not too easy, this example also turned out to be a good one for showing off some of the benefits of using Fireworks vs. Photoshop for web design. Read more [...]
September 2, 2004

Flash’s Hidden Gems: The NumericStepper Component

Never heard of NumericStepper? Whether you need on-screen controls to alter dynamic feedback from effects you're building, or you want to allow users to select numerical data quickly through a form, it's time to meet Flash's NumericStepper component Read more [...]
August 17, 2004

Creating a Spiral Binding with the Ribbon Auto Shape

This week we will use this Auto Shape to create a great looking graphic of a spiral binding. This Auto Shape was created by Hiroshi Miyazawa, who works for Macromedia on the Fireworks QA team. Read more [...]
August 17, 2004

The Flash Anthology: Cool Effects & Practical ActionScript – Chapter 1: Flash Essentials

Life without Flash would be uninteresting and mundane. Flash sites are to static HTML sites what a family-size, deep-crust pizza with all the toppings is to a piece of toast. Many of today's big-impact sites are either full-blown Rich Internet Applications (RIAs) or a prudent blend of HTML and Flash. This careful melding of technologies, coupled with seamless integration, means the difference between an online experience that's striking, and one that's utterly forgettable. Read more [...]
August 17, 2004

The Flash Anthology: Cool Effects & Practical ActionScript – Chapter 3: Animation Effects

The fads of Internet design may come and go, but one thing that will never change is that the more dynamic you make your Flash creations, the more engaging they are to the user. This dynamism can be counterproductive under certain circumstances, especially when multiple effects battle for the user's attention, or the effects are too garish. Identifying the key to effective animation is like the search for the Holy Grail. What some users think is a cool effect, others find patently uninteresting—and vice versa. Never lose sight of the importance of striking a balance between the interface and the animations you're attempting to produce. Read more [...]
August 17, 2004

The Flash Anthology: Cool Effects & Practical ActionScript – Chapter 5: Sound Effects

Sadly, sound within Flash projects is often included as an afterthought—if it's included at all. Hurried, last-minute sound additions typically amount to no more than a clichéd loop that serves little purpose. If you ever find yourself in the position of importing a sound clip into a project without a clear idea of why you're doing it, stop and repeat the Flash designers' mantra: bad use of sound can destroy the entire user experience. Read more [...]
July 16, 2004

Resources for Extending Fireworks-Part 2-Extensions

Right out of the box, Fireworks, no matter the version, is an extremely capable web graphics program. As each new version adds more and more features, the list of things that you're able to do with Fireworks grows and grows. Still, there are ways to make even a good software program better, and the same is true of Fireworks. If you're looking to add capabilities, make things easier by automating tasks, enhance your productivity or creativity, or delve into the inner workings of Fireworks, then you'll want to examine the many ways that the functions of Fireworks can be extended. Read more [...]