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CHAPTER 4
Auto Shapes
Auto Shapes are vector objects that contain information about how the user can interact with
them onscreen. Auto Shapes appear in the Macromedia Fireworks MX 2004 user interface as
“Auto Shapes” but are programmatically called “smartShape” objects in the JavaScript code that
constructs them. For example, a spiral shape consists of relationships among several smaller
objects. A spiral Auto Shape contains additional properties that enable the user to adjust the
appearance (stretch, distort, tighten the curve) of the whole spiral by clicking and dragging
control points. For more information about user interaction with Auto Shapes, see Using
Fireworks Help. ”
How Auto Shapes work
You can define an Auto Shape entirely in JavaScript. Auto Shapes installed with Fireworks are
located in the Configuration/Auto Shapes folder and the Configuration/Auto Shape Tools folder
of the installation directory. The JSF files in this directory contain the JavaScript for each Auto
Shape. You can open the files in an editor to see the script for each shape. The Auto Shape file
contains a collection of functions that handle the communication between Fireworks and the
Auto Shape object (see
“Handling the user interaction” on page 97
), define the properties of the
Auto Shape, and provide supporting functionality (like adding other shape objects or performing
calculations) as the Auto Shape is manipulated by the user. The Auto Shape file also contains
control points and properties (stroke, fill, color, and so on) that define the shape’s behaviors,
appearance, and effects. The points and functions defined in an Auto Shape file use the
SmartShape Class and its properties and methods (see
“SmartShape object” on page 60
).
Auto Shapes are made up of any number of vector objects including open and closed paths and
text (currently, nested Auto Shapes are not supported). An Auto Shape can control a bitmap that
has been imported into the document; however, Fireworks cannot save a bitmap graphic as an
Auto Shape on the user’s drive.
You can create Auto Shape icons for the Tools panel or Auto Shapes panel in PNG, JPG, or GIF
format. For the Tools panel, the icon image should be 16 x 16 pixels (if the image is larger than
16 x 16 pixels, Fireworks scales the image to fit in the Tools panel). For the Auto Shapes panel,
the Auto Shape icon should be 60 x 60 pixels. If the image for the Auto Shapes panel is smaller, or
larger, than 60 x 60 pixels, Fireworks will not scale the image—the icon will appear centered in its
cell, but not sized to fit, so it may appear cropped if it is too large.
Note:
If the icon is missing (or named incorrectly) then Fireworks does not display an icon. However,
if the Auto Shapes folder has an icon with the same name as a shape in the Auto Shape Tools folder,
then that icon will be used in the Tools panel.
Summary of Contents for DREAMWEAVER MX 2004-EXTENDING DREAMWEAVER
Page 1: ...Extending Fireworks...
Page 4: ...4 Contents...
Page 8: ...8 Chapter 1 Extending Fireworks Overview...
Page 102: ...102 Chapter 4 Auto Shapes...
