MACROMEDIA DEBUTS FIREWORKS 2
Integrated Graphics, Coding and Sitewide Editing Lead New Features Of
Next-Generation Web Graphics Production Environment
San Francisco, Calif. – February 16, 1998 – Macromedia, Inc. (NASDAQ:
MACR) the leader in Web Publishing software, today introduced
Fireworks(R) 2, revolutionizing the way Web sites are built and
maintained by seamlessly integrating with HTML editors and bridging
the gap between graphics and code.
Fireworks 2 is a major upgrade to the company’s award-winning Web
graphics production tool. Unveiled last year, Fireworks was the first
software application to specifically target the graphics production
needs of Web designers. Fireworks accelerates Web workflow with new
features that enable rapid edits across multiple graphics and ensure
consistent design throughout a site. All of this power is offered in
a complete, professional design environment that allows Web
professionals to produce graphics-rich, interactive Web sites with
unprecedented ease and speed.
Fireworks 2 will be available as a standalone application or
integrated with Macromedia Dreamweaver(TM) 2, the leading
professional visual HTML editor, in the Dreamweaver Fireworks
Studio(TM). Together, Dreamweaver and Fireworks provide an unbeatable
environment for producing dynamic Web graphics and clean HTML code.
“The integration between Fireworks and Dreamweaver really addresses
the way designers work today,” said Lisa Lopuck, a San
Francisco-based Web designer who has built high profile sites for
National Geographic Online and Twentieth Century Fox Home
Entertainment. “After I completed one big project with the Fireworks
2 beta, you couldn’t pry it away from me. The editable graphics and
Dreamweaver integration have saved me enormous amounts of time and
effort.”
Bridging the Gap Between Graphics and Code Because graphics and code
on the Web are tightly associated, integrating and optimizing
graphics and HTML production is a central issue facing today’s Web
developers. Fireworks solves this real-world problem by enabling
designers to create graphics with sophisticated behaviors such as
rollovers, then export those graphics and code in a format
immediately recognized by the designer’s HTML editor -without the
need for time-consuming modification. Designers can export code in
the native formats of leading professional HTML editors such as
Macromedia Dreamweaver as well as tools for office users such as
Microsoft FrontPage. Fireworks’ HTML export templates are also fully
customizable so developers can tailor them to individual needs.
While working in Dreamweaver, developers can easily launch the full
set of Fireworks editing features, then return to Dreamweaver once
graphics work is complete. For rapid image optimizations, a new
“Optimize in Fireworks” menu item in Dreamweaver 2 launches just the
Fireworks Optimization engine. Fireworks’ new JavaScript behaviors
appear as native behaviors in Dreamweaver. The two applications
include a number of additional workflow features that enable
roundtrip editing of graphics and HTML code.
Consistent Look and Feel, Rapid Edits Across Sites “As Web sites
become larger and more central to business operations, consistent
design and the ability to rapidly make changes across multiple
graphics become crucial,” said Tom Hale, vice president of marketing
for Macromedia’s Web Publishing division. “Fireworks provides real
productivity advantages to businesses that each day face the
challenge of keeping graphics-intensive sites updated and fresh in
order to attract and keep visitors.”
Fireworks 2 addresses these needs with a host of new features,
including graphic and text Styles that can be shared among
workgroups, and a Find and Replace function that can globally update
text, fonts, colors, and URLs. Fireworks’ powerful batch processing
feature automates common, time-consuming tasks and even generates
JavaScript Scriptlets, drag-and-drop pieces of code. A new URL
manager helps keep links consistent throughout a site; and a
Behaviors palette makes creating sophisticated interactivity fast and
simple. Fireworks even adds a Project Log to assist in task
management.
Professional Design Tools Specifically for the Web Fireworks allows
Web site creators to progress from concepts to completed Web graphics
in one environment, without needing to switch tools. The new release
brings customer-requested enhancements such as tabbed, draggable
palettes, support for scanners and digital cameras, onion-skinning
for precise GIF animations, and the ability to preview animations in
the workplace. Fireworks 2 also introduces Web-savvy innovations such
as color-locking and a Web Dither Fill, used to create unlimited
Websafe colors. Fireworks’ image optimization has been considered the
best in the industry. Fireworks 2 takes optimization a step further
with better JPEG compression and an innovative “Export to Size”
wizard that automatically creates the highest quality graphics for a
user-specified file size.
“Fireworks customers, users of traditional design software, and
first-time graphics creators will love the power of Fireworks 2,”
said Diana Smedley, Senior Product Manager for Fireworks. “Before we
started building the new version, the Fireworks team visited over a
hundred design shops. We talked to designers and programmers, we
watched them work, and we asked them what they wanted. Macromedia’s
answer to those requests is Fireworks 2.”
Pricing and Availability
Fireworks 2 for Windows 95/98, Windows NT 4.0 or later, and MacOS
7.5.5 or later will be available in March, 1999, for an estimated
street price of US $199 in North America. Current registered
Fireworks users can upgrade to Fireworks 2 for US $129. Fireworks 2
can also be purchased as part of the Dreamweaver Fireworks Studio for
US $399. Fireworks 2 and the Dreamweaver Fireworks Studio can be
purchased by calling (800) 457-1774 or bought directly from
Macromedia’s Web site at www.macromedia.com. Macromedia is extending
a special, limited time offer to customers who own the previous
version of Fireworks plus any other Macromedia product: these
customers can upgrade to Fireworks 2 through Macromedia’s Website for
just US $39 until June 15, 1999. To purchase or for more details,
please visit www.macromedia.com. Interested parties outside North
America should contact their local Macromedia distributor.
About Macromedia
Macromedia’s mission is to add life to the Web. By providing its
award-winning Web Publishing, Web Traffic, and Web Learning solutions
to Web designers, consumers, and the enterprise, Macromedia is
delivering a completely new generation of Internet tools and
technologies designed to transform the Web experience. Headquartered
in San Francisco, Macromedia (NASDAQ: MACR) has more than 500
employees worldwide and is available on the Internet at
http://www.macromedia.com. Macromedia also hosts one of the most
engaging entertainment sites on the Web at http://www.shockrave.com.