Optimizing in the workspace

Exporting graphics for use on the web is a two-step process: optimizing, then exporting (or in some cases, simply saving). Optimizing graphics ensures they possess the right mix of color, compression, and quality. After you finalize a graphic's optimization settings, the graphic is ready for export.

You don't have to use the Export Wizard and Image Preview in Fireworks if you're comfortable optimizing and exporting graphics. Fireworks has optimization and export features in the workspace that give you greater control over how files are exported:

• The Optimize panel contains the key controls for optimizing. For 8-bit file formats, it also contains a color table that displays the colors in the current export color palette.

  NOTE

  When a slice is selected, the Optimize panel displays optimize settings for the selected slice. Likewise, when the whole document is selected, the Optimize panel displays optimize settings for the whole document. In other words, the active selection determines what is displayed in the Optimize panel.

• When a slice is selected, the Property inspector has a Slice Export Settings pop-up menu from which you can select preset or saved optimization settings.
• The preview buttons in the Document window show how the exported graphic would appear with the current optimization settings.

You can optimize the whole document the same way, or select individual slices or selected areas of a JPEG and assign different optimization settings for each.