You can use an image outside the current Fireworks document as the source for a swap image. Source images can be in GIF, animated GIF, JPEG, or PNG format. When you select an external file as the image source, Fireworks swaps that file with the target slice when the swap image is triggered in a web browser.

The file must have the same width and height as the slice it is swapping into. If it does not, the browser resizes the file to fit within the slice object. Resizing the file may reduce its quality, especially in the case of an animated GIF.

To select an external image file as the source for a swap image:

  1. While in the Swap Image, Nav Bar Over, or Nav Bar Down dialog box, select Image File and click the folder icon.

    NOTE

    If you don't see this option in the Swap Image dialog box, select More Options and then perform step 1.

  2. Navigate to the file you want to use, and click Open.
  3. If necessary, deselect Preload Images (if the external file is an animated GIF).

    Precaching can interrupt the display of animated GIFs as rollover states. To avoid this problem, deselect Preload Images when setting up the rollover.

    NOTE

    If you plan to export your document for use on the web, be sure that your external image file is accessible from the exported Fireworks HTML. Fireworks creates document-relative paths to image files. It is a good idea to place external files in your local site before using them as swap images in Fireworks. When you upload your files to the web, be sure that the external image file is uploaded as well. For more information on Fireworks HTML, see Exporting HTML.