Student Web Design Studio (Dreamweaver 4, Fireworks 4, Flash 5, Freehand 10)

• Platform:    Windows, Macintosh
• Media: CD-ROM
• Item Quantity: 1

Dreamweaver
Dreamweaver is one of the few visual Web-design tools to find favour with Web professionals. What designers want is fast visual design tools that generate code which works on multiple browsers and platforms, along with the ability to hand-tweak the underlying HTML. This is exactly why Dreamweaver is popular. It is a well-behaved package that combines rich features with the ability to type in your own custom code. Version 4.0 is even better in this respect, with an enhanced syntax-highlighting code editor and an optional split view, so you can switch seamlessly between visual editing and HTML coding.

The heart of Dreamweaver is its page designer, with floating tool palettes offering drag-and-drop insertion of elements such as images, tables and navigation bars. The Assets panel makes it easy to reuse images, links, animation and other elements throughout a Web site, with the added benefit that editing a library item changes it automatically wherever it is used. It is a very capable editor, but two features make it really shine. The first is integration with external editors, including Macromedia's own products Fireworks 4, for Web graphics (Dreamweaver 4/Fireworks Studio 4.0 combines the two products at a lower price), and Flash 5, for vector-based animation. The other killer feature is extensibility, with thousands of free add-ons available from Macromedia's site.

Existing users will find Version 4.0 a great upgrade. Along with the improved code editor mentioned above, there is an excellent Java-based script debugger, integrated access to O'Reilly reference material on CSS, HTML, and JavaScript, built-in Flash buttons and text effects, table-based layout view, and team development with Visual SourceSafe. There is also the option to upgrade to Ultradev 4, for dynamic database access. --Tim Anderson

Dreamweaver 4.0:
Dreamweaver is one of the few visual web design tools to find favour with actual web professionals. Designers want fast tools generating code for multiple platforms, along with the ability to hand-tweak the underlying HTML--this is exactly why Dreamweaver is popular. It is a well-behaved package that combines rich template features with the ability to enter your own custom code. Version 4.0 is a further improvement in this respect, with an enhanced syntax-highlighting code editor and an optional split view for seamless switching between graphic editing and HTML coding.

The heart of Dreamweaver is the page designer with its floating tool palettes and drag-and-drop insertions. The Assets panel makes it easy to reuse images, links, animations and other elements, with the added benefit that editing a library item changes it automatically wherever it is used. Though a very capable editor, two features really make it shine. The first is its integration with external editors such as Macromedia's own Fireworks 4 for web graphics and Flash 5 for vector-based animations. The other killer feature is expandability, with thousands of free add-ons available from Macromedia's site.

Existing users will find Dreamweaver 4.0 a great upgrade. Along with the improved code editor, it boasts an excellent Java-based script debugger, integrated access to O'Reilly reference material on CSS, HTML and JavaScript, built-in Flash buttons and text effects, a table-based layout view and a team development tool in Visual SourceSafe. If that wasn't enough, there's also the option to incorporate Ultradev 4 for dynamic databaseaccess. --Tim Anderson

Fireworks 4.0:
Fireworks is a dedicated Web graphics application. You can create both vector and bitmap images, optimise them for web pages, and add numerous special effects for export to HTML.

The starting point is a familiar range of drawing and painting tools--shapes, lines, brushes, pens and selection tools. In the default vector mode these create editable, scaleable objects, and in bitmap mode they paint pixels. Fireworks supports layers and masks, overlaid virtual surfaces you can edit independently, enabling a wide range of stunning effects. There is also a library panel where you can store graphic elements for reuse.

A key feature for web designers is optimisation. Fireworks 4.0 offers optimal control over the trade-off between quality and size with "2-up" and "4-up" views permitting original and altered versions to be compared. There is also strong support for GIF, JPEG and PNG image formats, and for hotspots and slices--techniques for mapping or dividing an image to accommodate HTML features. Integration with Macromedia's Dreamweaver 4 is better than ever: Designers can export to Dreamweaver, or alternatively launch Fireworks from Dreamweaver, edit the image then save it back with all Fireworks-specific details preserved. --Tim Anderson

Flash 5

Flash is the current de-facto standard for animated graphics on the Web. Flash movies are playable by any Web browser with Flash player installed, which according to Macromedia is 92% of the online population. The secret of its success is the use of vector graphics, so that Flash movies are small and quick to download. The player is free, but to create Flash movies you need an authoring tool, and although some third-party products can export in Flash format, Macromedia's own product is by far the most advanced.

The Flash work environment has several key features. Movies consist of individual frames connected by the Timeline, where you control how frames are presented over time. Using a technique called tweening, Flash is able to generate intermediate images automatically. Flash also supports layers, which let you organise artwork into separate work areas that are presented together, like combining transparent sheets of acetate.

Flash has a toolbox that contains a range of drawing tools such as shapes, text, pens and brushes. Then there are a set of floating panels that let you transform, flip or rotate objects, add effects such as sounds, or browse libraries of symbols, buttons and other resources. You can make Flash movies interactive by creating scripts that run in response to events such as button clicks. ActionScript is similar to JavaScript, and using Flash tools you can create simple scripts without programming. ActionScript is greatly enhanced in Flash 5, making it possible to integrate Flash into web applications. The new XML object means you can manipulate and interpret XML data.

Flash 4 users will be keen to upgrade. Along with new programming features, there are Bezier drawing tools, rich text formatting with HTML, shared libraries that let you link assets between movies, and many new panels including the brilliant Movie Explorer, for navigating and modifying movie elements. In addition, the whole Flash interface has been updated in line with Macromedia's Common User Interface, to ease use for those who use more than one Macromedia product.

Flash 5 is a superb product, and currently there is no sensible alternative if you want the functionality it offers. One word of warning though: this is a professional tool and not especially user-friendly for beginners. Fortunately, it comes with plentiful online help and tutorials to speed the inevitable learning process. --Tim Anderson

Manufacturer's Description
FREEHAND
The Professional Illustration and Layout Solution for Print and Web. Develop site concepts,create graphics and design scenes for easy export.
- Express your ideas with breakthrough creative tools, rich design features,3D perspective grids and vector transparency.
- Save time with multi-page layouts and enhanced performance.
- Quickly move from concept to completion with tight Macromedia Flash,Fireworks and Dreamweaver integration.

FIREWORKS
The Solution for Professional Web Graphics. Design and Production Create and optimize Web graphics in a professional, robust environment.
- Add sophisticated interactivity and navigation with the pop-up menu creator.
- Macromedia User Interface,industry-standard functionality and file formats.
- Robust professional tools to create,edit and animate graphics,add advanced interactivity and optimize images in an accessible environment.

DREAMWEAVER
The Solution for Professional Web Site Design and Production. Design visually or code entirely by hand - Dreamweaver gives professionals complete control.
- Access the integrated Text Editor with Code View, or use the new Split View to see both Code and Design views simultaneously.
- Launch and edit or launch and optimize Fireworks HTML and graphics from Dreamweaver.
- New Layout view lets you use familiar layout techniques to design complex pages easily.

MACROMEDIA FLASH
The Professional Standard for Producing High-Impact Web Experiences. Design and deliver high-impact graphics with Macromedia Flash.
- Familiar design,animation and assembly features including Bezier tools for precise creation and editing of graphics.
- Macromedia User Interface shared with Dreamweaver and Fireworks is approachable and easily integrates into existing Web production workflow.
- The industry-standard for advanced Web sites and Web applications.

Eligibility: This bundle is available to all students enrolled in a school, college or university, on a full-time or part-time basis, attending courses that award qualifications recognised by the Department of Education & Employment in the UK and the Department of Education in Ireland. The bundle is also available to all teachers teaching in schools, colleges or universities.

Note that the student retail product does not contain any software. Each product contains an order form, which you fill out and post to Macromedia together with proof of your eligibility. When your eligibility has been approved, the manufacturer will dispatch the software directly to you. There is no upgrade path from the Web Design Studio to any individual components upon release of new versions. The product is not for commercial use.

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