For More Information, Contact: For Immediate Release:
Macromedia Macromedia
Kirsten Armstrong Susan Nicolls
kirsten@macromedia.com snicolls@macromedia.com
(415) 252-4088 (415) 553-2751
MACROMEDIA SHIPS FIREWORKS 2
Comprehensive Study by Webreference.com Shows Fireworks 2 to be the Leading
Product for Web Graphics Optimization
San Francisco, CA – March 15, 1999 – Macromedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: MACR) today
announced that Fireworks(R) 2 is now shipping. Fireworks 2 is a major new
release of Macromedia’s award-winning Web graphics production environment
that specifically addresses the needs of Web designers who create and
maintain graphics-rich, interactive Web sites. With powerful new features
for integrated graphics, coding and sitewide editing, Fireworks 2
effectively bridges the gap between graphics and code. Fireworks 2 enables
rapid edits across multiple graphics, ensuring consistent design throughout
an entire Web site and accelerating Web workflow.
In a study conducted by Webreference.com of 16 different Web graphics
applications, Fireworks 2 produced the best optimization for GIF animations
of any software tested, creating smaller file sizes without compromising
image quality, when compared with Adobe ImageReady, Equilibrium
Debabelizer, and 14 other products. For complete results of the study,
visit http://www.webreference.com/dev/gifanim/results.html.
Fireworks 2 is now available as a standalone application or integrated with
Macromedia Dreamweaver(TM) 2, the leading solution for professional Web
site design and production, in the Dreamweaver Fireworks Studio(TM).
Together, Dreamweaver and Fireworks provide an unbeatable environment for
producing dynamic Web graphics and clean HTML code. For a limited time,
registered customers using the previous version of Fireworks with any other
Macromedia product can upgrade to Fireworks 2 for only US $39 (see pricing
and availability for details).
“When Macromedia first released Fireworks it changed Red Square’s design
and production workflow,” said Tony Redhead, Principal at Red Square
Design. “With Fireworks 2, workflow from design through production and
coding has been tightly integrated, making the creation of Web pages even
more streamlined.”
NEW FEATURES IN FIREWORKS 2
Fireworks 2 has several new features for designing, optimizing and
integrating Web site graphics. With Fireworks 2, Web designers can 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. Integration
with Macromedia Dreamweaver 2 enables designers to easily launch the full
set of Fireworks editing features, then return to Dreamweaver once graphics
work is complete. For sitewide editing and rapid updates, Fireworks 2
features graphic and text styles that can be shared among workgroups to
ensure consistent design across a project, and a Find and Replace function
that can globally update text, fonts, colors, and URLs. Along with an
improved user interface and ease-of-use optimizations, Fireworks 2 enables
Web site creators to progress from concepts to completed Web graphics in
one environment, without needing to switch tools. For more information or
to download a free 30-day evaluation copy, visit
http://www.getfireworks.com.
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
Fireworks 2 is now available for Windows 95/98, Windows NT 4.0 or later,
and MacOS 7.5.5 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 http://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 Web site for just US $39 until June 15,
1999. To purchase or for more details, please visit
http://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.
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Macromedia, Fireworks, Dreamweaver and Dreamweaver Fireworks Studio are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Macromedia, Inc., as indicated.
Other company names, brand names and product names may be trademark(s) of
others.