PDF (adobe.com)

Extending Fireworks



An extension is a command script, command panel, library, filter, pattern, texture, or Auto Shape that adds to the functionality of Fireworks. Fireworks ships with the Adobe Extension Manager, which allows you to easily install, manage, and delete extensions. A collection of default extensions appears in the Commands menu.

If you are proficient in JavaScript, you can create your own Fireworks extensions. You can also use Fireworks Cross Product Communication Architecture to allow ActionScript™ and C++ applications to control Fireworks. For more information, see Extending Fireworks Help.

When installing or creating extensions, note the following:

  • After you install an extension or create a custom command, Fireworks places it in the Commands menu.

  • Third-party extensions are stored in subfolders of the Configuration folder in the Fireworks application folder.

  • Commands that are stored as a SWF file in the Command Panels folder are available as panels in the Window menu.

  • Commands that you create and save using the History panel are stored in your user’s Commands folder.

  • For more information about extending Fireworks, see Extension Manager Help and visit the Fireworks Exchange at www.adobe.com/go/fireworks_exchange.

    Open the Extension Manager from within Fireworks

     Do one of the following:

    • Select Commands > Manage Extensions.

    • Select Help > Manage Extensions.

    Scripting with the History panel

    The History panel records a list of the steps you have performed while working in Fireworks. Each step is stored on a separate line of the History panel, starting with the most recent. By default, the panel remembers 20 steps. However, you can change this value at any time.

    You can save groups of steps in the History panel as a command that you can reuse. Because saved commands are not document‑specific, you can use them in any Fireworks document.

    Saved commands are stored as JSF files in the Commands folder in your user‑specific Fireworks configuration folder.

    You can execute recorded commands or a selection of actions in the History panel at any time.

    Save steps as a command for reuse

    1. Select the steps to save as a command:

      • Click a step, then Shift-click another to select a range of steps to save as a command.

      • Control-click (Windows) or Command‑click (Mac OS) to select noncontiguous steps.

    2. Click the Save Steps As Command button at the bottom of the History panel.

    3. Enter a name for the command and click OK.

    Undo or redo steps

    1. Drag the Undo Marker up the panel until you reach the last step you want to undo or redo.

    2. Click along the Undo Marker track on the left of the History panel.

      Note: Undone steps remain in the History panel highlighted in gray.

    Change the number of steps the History panel remembers

    1. Select Edit > Preferences (Windows) or Fireworks > Preferences (Mac OS).

    2. Change the value in Undo Steps.

      Note: Additional steps require more computer memory.

    Clear all steps

     Select Clear History from the History panel Options menu.

    Clearing steps frees memory and disk space. You can’t undo edits from cleared steps.

    Play back a saved command

    1. If necessary, select one or more objects.

    2. Select the command from the Commands menu.

    Replay a selection of steps

    1. Select one or more objects.

    2. Select the steps in the History panel.

    3. Click the Replay button at the bottom of the History panel.

      Steps marked with an X are nonrepeatable and can’t be played back. Separator lines indicate that a different object has become selected. Commands created from steps that cross a separator line can produce unpredictable results.

    Apply selected steps to objects in many documents

    1. Select a range of steps.

    2. Click the Copy Steps To Clipboard button.

    3. Select one or more objects in any Fireworks document.

    4. Select Edit > Paste.

    Repeat the last step

     Select Edit > Repeat Command Script.

    About scripting with JavaScript

    To reduce the tedium of some repetitive tasks, write your own JavaScript in a text editor to run within Fireworks. You can control nearly every command or setting in Fireworks through JavaScript. Because Dreamweaver also uses JavaScript, you can write scripts that control Fireworks from within Dreamweaver.

    For documentation on the JavaScript API, see Extending Fireworks.

    Creating commands and panels with Flash

    To create your own Fireworks commands or panels, use Adobe Flash® to create SWF movies that contain JavaScript code. Store movies used as commands in the Commands folder on your hard disk. Store movies used as panels in the Command Panels folder (the Align panel is an example).

    Note: The exact location of these folders varies. Commands and Command Panels folders are located in the Configuration folder in the Fireworks application folder and also in your user‑specific Fireworks configuration folder.

    Manage commands

    Note: You can rename or delete any commands that you create by using the Manage Saved Commands option in Fireworks. Use the Extension Manager for other commands and extensions that were installed with Fireworks or that you downloaded and installed from the Adobe Exchange website.

    Rename a custom command that you created

    1. Select Commands > Manage Saved Commands and select the command.

    2. Click Rename, enter a new name, and click OK.

    Delete a custom command that you created

     Do one of the following:

    • In Fireworks, select Commands > Manage Saved Commands. Then select the command and click Delete.

    • On your hard disk, delete the JSF file for the command from the Commands folder in your user‑specific Fireworks configuration folder.

    Note: To rename or delete a command that shipped with Fireworks or that you downloaded from the Adobe Exchange, open the Extension Manager.

    Command scripts are saved as JavaScript and can be edited in any text editor.

    Edit a command, using JavaScript

    Command scripts are saved as JavaScript and can be edited in any text editor.

    1. From your desktop, navigate to the appropriate Commands or Command Panels folder on your hard disk.

    2. Open the script file in a text editor and modify the JavaScript code.

    3. Save and close the script.

    Edit selected actions from the History panel, using JavaScript

    1. In Fireworks, select a range of steps in the History panel.

    2. Click the Copy Steps To Clipboard button at the bottom of the History panel.

    3. Create a new document in a text editing application.

    4. Paste the steps into the new text document and modify as needed.

    5. Save and close the script.

    6. Copy the script to the Commands folder on your hard disk.

      • Commands saved directly into the Commands folder or in the History panel appear immediately in the Commands menu.

      • Commands saved in the Command Panels folder are available in the Window menu only after you restart Fireworks.