Comments on: The Casualties of CS3: ImageReady http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/ all about creative tools for creative people Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:33:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: George http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-20441 George Tue, 03 Jun 2008 05:13:38 +0000 http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/06/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-20441 <p>I honestly didn't ever get around to playing around with Slice Sets in ImageReady but I always wondered if they would help me out.</p> <p>Have you had a chance to try out the Fireworks CS4 beta? Does it seem any better to you? I agree the ImageReady UI and toolset was simple and clean. If I had my wish, I would have had Adobe start from ImageReady and build it out into what Fireworks has become. Maybe even rebrand it Fireworks. </p> <p>I do feel like ImageReady feels like a post processing tool to work with Photoshop while Fireworks feels more like a standalone do-it-all tool. Makes sense since they were both designed in this manner.</p> I honestly didn’t ever get around to playing around with Slice Sets in ImageReady but I always wondered if they would help me out.

Have you had a chance to try out the Fireworks CS4 beta? Does it seem any better to you? I agree the ImageReady UI and toolset was simple and clean. If I had my wish, I would have had Adobe start from ImageReady and build it out into what Fireworks has become. Maybe even rebrand it Fireworks.

I do feel like ImageReady feels like a post processing tool to work with Photoshop while Fireworks feels more like a standalone do-it-all tool. Makes sense since they were both designed in this manner.

]]> By: IR Lover http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-20440 IR Lover Tue, 03 Jun 2008 01:30:25 +0000 http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/06/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-20440 <p>I cry myself to sleep many nights thinking about IR... It was so simple. Most days I didn't even open PS (of course I'm not a graphic artist either). The slicing set capabilities destroy FW hands down. I could create multiple page slices without any effort at all...</p> <p>I'll tell you. I was a FW fan before I started using IR and I converted quickly. Now to be forced to use something that is sub-par is disheartening to say the least.</p> I cry myself to sleep many nights thinking about IR… It was so simple. Most days I didn’t even open PS (of course I’m not a graphic artist either). The slicing set capabilities destroy FW hands down. I could create multiple page slices without any effort at all…

I’ll tell you. I was a FW fan before I started using IR and I converted quickly. Now to be forced to use something that is sub-par is disheartening to say the least.

]]> By: ashley c http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-20396 ashley c Thu, 29 May 2008 04:12:13 +0000 http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/06/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-20396 <p>i miss ir so much i m very new to cs 3 and some of you metioned that you were able to uninstall ps without uninstalling imageready, how did you do that, if i may ask? its a good resource and id really like to keep it, im working in windows vista if that makes a difference</p> i miss ir so much i m very new to cs 3 and some of you metioned that you were able to uninstall ps without uninstalling imageready, how did you do that, if i may ask? its a good resource and id really like to keep it, im working in windows vista if that makes a difference

]]> By: George http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-20187 George Sat, 03 May 2008 21:10:43 +0000 http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/06/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-20187 <p>Yes, I'm really hoping Adobe follows the trend they took with Illustrator. They incorporated yet modernized features from discontinued products like Streamline and Dimensions. Having these kind of features rolled into Illustrator make sense. Lets just hope they don't take three to four full versions to do the same with Fireworks as they did with Illustrator.</p> Yes, I’m really hoping Adobe follows the trend they took with Illustrator. They incorporated yet modernized features from discontinued products like Streamline and Dimensions. Having these kind of features rolled into Illustrator make sense. Lets just hope they don’t take three to four full versions to do the same with Fireworks as they did with Illustrator.

]]> By: Van http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-20167 Van Thu, 01 May 2008 14:40:38 +0000 http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/06/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-20167 <p>Ideally I'd like to see the user interface and complete feature set of IR with any additional functionality that Fireworks brngs to the table added on. Call the end product ImageWorks or something and you've solved every problem that I and many others that have been hit in our bank accounts by the discontinuation of ImageReady are having.</p> Ideally I’d like to see the user interface and complete feature set of IR with any additional functionality that Fireworks brngs to the table added on. Call the end product ImageWorks or something and you’ve solved every problem that I and many others that have been hit in our bank accounts by the discontinuation of ImageReady are having.

]]> By: George http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-18739 George Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:09:56 +0000 http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/06/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-18739 <p>Well I have to say that after working with Fireworks for about a year, there are things that just leave me in a weird place. I think having multiple pages (and therefor multiple layer slices) is totally handy. But its optimization scheme, type rendering engine, horrible Flash import capabilities, and a UI stuck in the 90's has left me high and dry a bunch of times. On several occasions I had to import Fireworks files back into Photoshop just to get a decent web-optimized image out of the source artwork. And I can't get over how poorly Fireworks CS3 imports into Flash CS3. In fact, Illustrator CS3 now imports better into Flash. I've even gone as far as digging out my old copy of Adobe CS2 and reinstalling ImageReady just to have another option for saving out sliced artwork. ImageReady supports slice sets while Photoshop does not. And I miss the cool droplet feature in ImageReady. And strangely, IR still wins on the UI even though it's been killed off. I guess it's just a shame that Fireworks is the only web graphics creation application that supports multiple pages and yet it's one of the few apps that never got a much-needed UI refresh or engine (type, optimization, import) updates.</p> Well I have to say that after working with Fireworks for about a year, there are things that just leave me in a weird place. I think having multiple pages (and therefor multiple layer slices) is totally handy. But its optimization scheme, type rendering engine, horrible Flash import capabilities, and a UI stuck in the 90’s has left me high and dry a bunch of times. On several occasions I had to import Fireworks files back into Photoshop just to get a decent web-optimized image out of the source artwork. And I can’t get over how poorly Fireworks CS3 imports into Flash CS3. In fact, Illustrator CS3 now imports better into Flash. I’ve even gone as far as digging out my old copy of Adobe CS2 and reinstalling ImageReady just to have another option for saving out sliced artwork. ImageReady supports slice sets while Photoshop does not. And I miss the cool droplet feature in ImageReady. And strangely, IR still wins on the UI even though it’s been killed off. I guess it’s just a shame that Fireworks is the only web graphics creation application that supports multiple pages and yet it’s one of the few apps that never got a much-needed UI refresh or engine (type, optimization, import) updates.

]]> By: 21335 http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-18735 21335 Tue, 05 Feb 2008 10:20:01 +0000 http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/06/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-18735 <p>@ Michael Gregoire:</p> <p>Sure, BUT what about roll-over FX? That is lost in CS3 and cannot be done! So, having a slice is one thing, but having a slice AND the according and appropriate roll-over states for the very same slice is a world difference.</p> @ Michael Gregoire:

Sure, BUT what about roll-over FX? That is lost in CS3 and cannot be done! So, having a slice is one thing, but having a slice AND the according and appropriate roll-over states for the very same slice is a world difference.

]]> By: Michael Gregoire http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-18706 Michael Gregoire Sat, 02 Feb 2008 05:08:07 +0000 http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/06/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-18706 <p>Actually, I'm glad that IR died.... now slicing is incorporated directly into PS CS3. Just select the "Slice tool" and you have a tool menu above that has everything you need to slice and dice. To combine slices control-click/right-click and choose it from the context menu.</p> Actually, I’m glad that IR died…. now slicing is incorporated directly into PS CS3. Just select the “Slice tool” and you have a tool menu above that has everything you need to slice and dice. To combine slices control-click/right-click and choose it from the context menu.

]]> By: Linda http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-14663 Linda Wed, 12 Sep 2007 16:58:35 +0000 http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/06/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-14663 <p>I found this</p> <p>http://www.scribd.com/doc/208522/Create-an-Animated-GIF-in-Adobe-Photoshop-CS3</p> I found this

http://www.scribd.com/doc/208522/Create-an-Animated-GIF-in-Adobe-Photoshop-CS3

]]> By: George http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-13002 George Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:56:29 +0000 http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/06/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-13002 <p>Hello Marco,</p> <p>So I don't blame you, I swore I've seen this feature in Fireworks but it took me some time to unearth it as well. The trick is that it's not a top-level menu command, but rather something you select when you export out. That's why we couldn't find it. So select File > Export and then in the Slices drop-down menu, select Slice Along Guides. The upside I can see about doing it this way is you can easily switch between slicing along guides or using slices. Granted it's a bit hidden but it does seem a bit more flexible.</p> <p>Check out the screenshot for more: http://www.creative-toolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/slice-along-guides.png</p> Hello Marco,

So I don’t blame you, I swore I’ve seen this feature in Fireworks but it took me some time to unearth it as well. The trick is that it’s not a top-level menu command, but rather something you select when you export out. That’s why we couldn’t find it. So select File > Export and then in the Slices drop-down menu, select Slice Along Guides. The upside I can see about doing it this way is you can easily switch between slicing along guides or using slices. Granted it’s a bit hidden but it does seem a bit more flexible.

Check out the screenshot for more:
http://www.creative-toolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/slice-along-guides.png

]]> By: Marco van de Meulenhof http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-12994 Marco van de Meulenhof Thu, 19 Jul 2007 14:35:08 +0000 http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/06/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-12994 <p>Hi George,</p> <p>Thanks for your reply. Actually in IR it's called 'create slices from guids'. I show it in 4 examples. It's really peanuts with IR and the results are amazing.</p> <p>http://www.adams.nl/example1.jpg http://www.adams.nl/example2.jpg http://www.adams.nl/example3.jpg http://www.adams.nl/example4.jpg</p> <p>The example is a new splashpage design that I am doing for Adams Musical Instruments. The design (1) I will do in PS after that I put guidlines (2) where I want the image to be sliced. Then choose 'create slices from guides' (3). Now it's really easy to put the rollover state by selecting the layers you want to show in the rollover....</p> <p>In IR it's 10 minutes work.... In FW I cannot figure it out.... after 1 hour</p> Hi George,

Thanks for your reply. Actually in IR it’s called ‘create slices from guids’. I show it in 4 examples. It’s really peanuts with IR and the results are amazing.

http://www.adams.nl/example1.jpg
http://www.adams.nl/example2.jpg
http://www.adams.nl/example3.jpg
http://www.adams.nl/example4.jpg

The example is a new splashpage design that I am doing for Adams Musical Instruments. The design (1) I will do in PS after that I put guidlines (2) where I want the image to be sliced. Then choose ‘create slices from guides’ (3). Now it’s really easy to put the rollover state by selecting the layers you want to show in the rollover….

In IR it’s 10 minutes work….
In FW I cannot figure it out…. after 1 hour

]]> By: George http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-12978 George Wed, 18 Jul 2007 15:19:38 +0000 http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/06/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-12978 <p>Marco, thanks for the comments. As John Nack pointed out, you can still continue to use ImageReady if you want, but yeah, sadly a Universal version will never be available.</p> <p>Can you describe the Auto Slice feature in ImageReady? Is it similar to the Auto Slice to Layer feature found in Photoshop? Meaning that it is bound to the layer's contents and adjusts the slice when the content changes dimensions.</p> <p>I'll poke around in Fireworks CS3 and see if I can find anything.</p> Marco, thanks for the comments. As John Nack pointed out, you can still continue to use ImageReady if you want, but yeah, sadly a Universal version will never be available.

Can you describe the Auto Slice feature in ImageReady? Is it similar to the Auto Slice to Layer feature found in Photoshop? Meaning that it is bound to the layer’s contents and adjusts the slice when the content changes dimensions.

I’ll poke around in Fireworks CS3 and see if I can find anything.

]]> By: Marco van de Meulenhof http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-12976 Marco van de Meulenhof Wed, 18 Jul 2007 13:33:04 +0000 http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/06/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-12976 <p>Hi,</p> <p>I am really sad that Adobe hasn't put IR in CS3. I used to use these programs to build websites in no time (PS2 / IR2 and DW). The tool I used the most in IR CS2 is Auto slicing.... really handy and saves lots of time... I simply cannot find this option in FW CS3? And indeed the UI of FW sucks... that's what made me stuck with IR for all these years..</p> <p>IR rest in peace... :(</p> <p>Bye, Marco</p> Hi,

I am really sad that Adobe hasn’t put IR in CS3. I used to use these programs to build websites in no time (PS2 / IR2 and DW). The tool I used the most in IR CS2 is Auto slicing…. really handy and saves lots of time…
I simply cannot find this option in FW CS3?
And indeed the UI of FW sucks… that’s what made me stuck with IR for all these years..

IR rest in peace… :(

Bye,
Marco

]]> By: John Silver http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-12887 John Silver Sat, 14 Jul 2007 14:33:39 +0000 http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/06/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-12887 <p>The Photoshop to Fireworks and back again process is slow and unpredictable compared to Photoshop CS2 to ImageReady CS2.</p> <p>I've have Photoshop CS3 and ImageReady CS2 working together reasonably, well except for the need to manually load the file into each program instead of simply clicking on the program's toolbar.</p> <p>Too bad MOST web developers never discovered just how awesome ImageReady really was compared to any other process.</p> <p>Here are two of my most recent website designed ENTIRELY in ImageReady; I have not found a Firework solution which can achieve the same results as quickly or as graphically intense, especially the rollovers. </p> <p>I could list dozens more of my websites that I could not have produced as quickly by any other process - really sad, sick world! John Silver 305 884-8855</p> <p>www.lifebulb.com www.aeroservice.com</p> The Photoshop to Fireworks and back again process is slow and unpredictable compared to Photoshop CS2 to ImageReady CS2.

I’ve have Photoshop CS3 and ImageReady CS2 working together reasonably, well except for the need to manually load the file into each program instead of simply clicking on the program’s toolbar.

Too bad MOST web developers never discovered just how awesome ImageReady really was compared to any other process.

Here are two of my most recent website designed ENTIRELY in ImageReady; I have not found a Firework solution which can achieve the same results as quickly or as graphically intense, especially the rollovers.

I could list dozens more of my websites that I could not have produced as quickly by any other process - really sad, sick world! John Silver 305 884-8855

http://www.lifebulb.com
http://www.aeroservice.com

]]> By: George http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-12719 George Sat, 07 Jul 2007 06:08:40 +0000 http://www.creative-toolbox.com/2007/05/06/the-casualties-of-cs3-imageready/#comment-12719 <p>Good question John. Although I wouldn't say the interchange from Photoshop to Fireworks is seamless, it does provide a fair bit of integration. I've brought a number of Photoshop comps over to Fireworks for further editing and final optimization and have taken a few Fireworks files into Photoshop. But I would say it feels like the Adobe team worked more on making the Photoshop to Fireworks interchange work better than the other way around. I can say that blend modes, layer effects, and type come over from Photoshop to Fireworks for the most part intact and editable. Fireworks to Photoshop tended to flatten a bunch of stuff.</p> <p>Now ImageReady was built from the Photoshop engine so you would expect it to have tighter integration. And for the most part, I'd say it did. But the past couple of version of ImageReady seem to lose out on Photoshop features as well. Such as being able to handle Smart Objects or a moderately sized layered files.</p> <p>Fireworks CS3 doesn't handle Smart Objects either but it does seem to take large, layered files in stride. In fact, it feels overly spry compared to Photoshop. I just wish it would get a UI overhaul and brought some of the good stuff from ImageReady over to it. I'm still not sure I like the optimization presets as much as PS/ImageReady and I know I miss the Photoshop type rendering engine sometimes.</p> <p>I wouldn't consider bouncing back and forth between Fireworks and Photoshop like you could do with relatively good fidelity with ImageReady. Maybe if your Photoshop files are pretty simple and aren't employing any Photoshop-centric features. I'd say consider Fireworks as more of an end-of-the-line web graphics processor.</p> <p>I'm finding Fireworks killer feature for me is pages of any size. I can have one file that contains the comp and broken out image assets for a page. It's really great. It's worth downloading the trial version and checking it out.</p> Good question John. Although I wouldn’t say the interchange from Photoshop to Fireworks is seamless, it does provide a fair bit of integration. I’ve brought a number of Photoshop comps over to Fireworks for further editing and final optimization and have taken a few Fireworks files into Photoshop. But I would say it feels like the Adobe team worked more on making the Photoshop to Fireworks interchange work better than the other way around. I can say that blend modes, layer effects, and type come over from Photoshop to Fireworks for the most part intact and editable. Fireworks to Photoshop tended to flatten a bunch of stuff.

Now ImageReady was built from the Photoshop engine so you would expect it to have tighter integration. And for the most part, I’d say it did. But the past couple of version of ImageReady seem to lose out on Photoshop features as well. Such as being able to handle Smart Objects or a moderately sized layered files.

Fireworks CS3 doesn’t handle Smart Objects either but it does seem to take large, layered files in stride. In fact, it feels overly spry compared to Photoshop. I just wish it would get a UI overhaul and brought some of the good stuff from ImageReady over to it. I’m still not sure I like the optimization presets as much as PS/ImageReady and I know I miss the Photoshop type rendering engine sometimes.

I wouldn’t consider bouncing back and forth between Fireworks and Photoshop like you could do with relatively good fidelity with ImageReady. Maybe if your Photoshop files are pretty simple and aren’t employing any Photoshop-centric features. I’d say consider Fireworks as more of an end-of-the-line web graphics processor.

I’m finding Fireworks killer feature for me is pages of any size. I can have one file that contains the comp and broken out image assets for a page. It’s really great. It’s worth downloading the trial version and checking it out.

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