Placing Fireworks graphics in FreeHand

FreeHand can import Fireworks layers, states, vectors, text, bitmaps, and some effects that are shared by both applications. Hidden Fireworks layers are ignored and are not imported. The options you select in the Fireworks PNG Import Settings dialog box determine if the imported content can be edited.

1. Save the document in Fireworks.

2. Switch to an open document in FreeHand.

3. Select File > Import or File > Open.

4. Locate and select the PNG file from the Import dialog box, and click Open.

5. In the Fireworks PNG Import Settings dialog box, select a File Conversion Option:

   Open States As Pages

   Imports Fireworks states onto separate FreeHand pages.

   (Optional) To convert Fireworks layers to FreeHand layers, select Remember Layers. To combine the content of all Fireworks layers onto a single layer, deselect Remember Layers.

   Open States As Layers

   Imports Fireworks states as separate layers.

6. Select a state to import from the State pop-up menu. To import all states, select All (available only if you are opening states as layers or if you are opening a PNG file rather than importing it).

7. Select how to import objects:

   Rasterize If Necessary to Maintain Appearance

   Converts some vector objects to uneditable bitmap images. Only objects with effects, strokes, and fills not shared by FreeHand are converted.

   Keep All Paths Editable

   Lets you edit all imported vector objects. Some objects might appear slightly different in FreeHand than in Fireworks because of differences in the way the two applications interpret information. Effects not shared by the two applications might be discarded.

8. Select how to import text:

   Rasterize If Necessary to Maintain Appearance

   Converts some text objects to uneditable bitmap images. Only text with effects, strokes, and fills not shared by FreeHand is rasterized.

   Keep All Text Editable

   Enables you to edit all imported text. Some text might appear slightly different in FreeHand than in Fireworks, and effects not shared by the two applications might be discarded.

9. Select the Import As A Single Flattened Bitmap option to preserve the look of the entire Fireworks document in an uneditable form.

10. Click OK, and click in the FreeHand document window where you want the Fireworks PNG file to appear.

1. Select the object or objects to copy in Fireworks.

2. Select Edit > Copy and choose Copy from the FreeHand pop-up menu.

3. Switch to an open document in FreeHand.

4. Select Edit > Paste.

5. Select the import options, and click OK.

Use the Copy Path Outlines command to copy selected Fireworks paths to FreeHand. Using the Copy Path Outlines command is useful if you want to copy only paths and not the content within them.

1. Select Edit > Copy Path Outlines and choose Copy Path Outlines from the FreeHand pop-up menu.

2. Switch to an open document in FreeHand.

3. Select Edit > Paste to paste the paths.

1. Select File > Save As.

2. Type a filename and choose a destination folder.

3. Select Illustrator 8 from the Save As pop-up menu.

   Note: Use the Illustrator 8 graphics file format when exporting from Fireworks to any other vector graphics application, including FreeHand.

4. Click the Options button.

5. In the Illustrator Export Options dialog box, choose a state option:

   Export Current State Only

   Preserves layer names and exports only the current state.

   Convert States To Layers

   Exports each Fireworks state as a layer.

6. To export the file for use in FreeHand, select FreeHand Compatible.

   Choosing FreeHand Compatible omits bitmaps and converts gradient fills to solid fills.

7. Click OK, and then click Save.

8. Switch to an open document in FreeHand.

9. Select File > Open or File > Import to navigate to the file you exported from Fireworks, and click Open.