Fireworks Document Creation & Canvas Management

Posted on Jun 21, 2025 in Computers

Fireworks Document Creation

When a new Fireworks document is created, it is saved by default with a PNG (Portable Network Graphic) extension, which is Fireworks’ native file format. Although images can be saved or exported into other formats, regardless of the optimization and export parameters, the original PNG files are saved in order to facilitate future editing.

Steps to Create a New Document

There are several ways of creating a new document:

1. Opening Fireworks

   • The Start Menu appears, and the Fireworks Document (PNG) option must be selected.
   • The New Document dialog window opens.
   • Document parameters are specified.
   • Click the OK button.

2. Creating via Menu

   • Select File > New.
   • The New Document dialog window opens.
   • Document parameters are specified.
   • Click the OK button.

3. Using Quick Access Keys

   • Press Ctrl + N.
   • The New Document dialog window opens.
   • Document parameters are specified.
   • Click the OK button.

Working with the Canvas

Remember that the work area, or canvas, is where:

• The creating and designing work is done.
• Its size and color are determined when opening a new document.
• Adjustments, cutting, color changes, and rotations can be done later according to design requirements.

After opening a new document, the following dialog box is shown, where the properties of the new canvas are specified.

These properties are:

• Height
• Width
• Resolution
• Color

Height and Width Settings

Height and width measurements can be determined in pixels, inches, and centimeters. It’s important that you select the unit of measurement and then the value (for example: 1024 x 768). Otherwise, your assigned values won’t be kept.

Resolution Guidelines

Resolution must range from 72 to 96 pixels per inch, which is the resolution monitors usually have.

Canvas Color Options

The color of the canvas can be white, transparent, or custom. The last option allows you to select the color. The Swatches pop-up window is displayed, and you can choose the desired color.

After these properties are selected, just click OK, and the work area is created.

Changing Canvas Properties

Adjusting Canvas Size

The size of the canvas can be changed by following these steps:

1. Select Modify > Canvas > Canvas Size.
2. Enter the new dimensions in the Width and Height sections.
3. Click OK.

Modifying Canvas Color

The color of the canvas can be changed by following these steps:

1. Select Modify > Canvas > Canvas Color.
2. Enter the new color options.
3. Click OK.

It’s important to always keep the Negative Area of the work area visible. It will help you organize your objects by dragging them a little outside of the canvas.

If your negative area isn’t visible and your work area is already defined, you can reduce the view to make it visible, as shown here:

Selecting and Manipulating Objects

Cropping deletes unwanted portions of a document. The canvas is resized to fit an area that you define. By default, cropping deletes objects that extend beyond the canvas boundaries. You can retain objects outside the canvas by changing a preference before cropping.

Pointer Tool

The Pointer tool is used to select objects by clicking them or dragging the pointer to create a selection area around them.

Subselection Tool

The Subselection tool selects a single object from a group or the points of a vectorial object.

Scale Tool

The Scale tool increases or decreases an object’s size.

Crop Tool

The Crop tool selects an area to export it to another document.

Transforming Objects

It’s possible to transform or distort an object, a group of objects, or a selection of pixels with the Scale and Distort tool from the Toolbar.

To transform or distort objects using the Menu:

1. Go to Modify > Transform > Distort, Scale, or Rotate.
2. Move them as you wish to change their appearance.