Comments on: Fireworks + Flash Catalyst Makes Sense

By: juanchez

juanchez — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 23:36:22 +0000

"Flash Catalyst, on one hand, is a tool for reading drawings from Ps/Ai/Fw"

That is exactly why I think Fireworks is a great fit. No other Adobe application matches the document structure of Flash Catalyst as closely as Fireworks. Fireworks for design, Catalyst for adding interaction and Builder for robust development and deployment.

"And it is consistent with Adobe's tendency not to make each individual application too big"

Have you played around with the latest version of Photoshop? I can modify images, render things in 3D, use it as a digital painting tool, etc. I agree with you though. Each application can benefit from having its own focus.

By: YL

YL — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 23:26:12 +0000

Personally, I don't see how they overlap. Flash Catalyst, on one hand, is a tool for reading drawings from Ps/Ai/Fw and for some strange reason not Flash, and then create interactivity out of it for use of Flash Builder. And Flash Catalyst itself has no ability to draw whatsoever.

Fireworks is for web authoring, and Flash Catalyst is for Flash content authoring. One outputs to (usually) Dreamweaver and Flash, and the other outputs to Flash Builder. And it is consistent with Adobe's tendency not to make each individual application too big; since otherwise if Fireworks has to take Catalyst's work, it would slow down a lot like Fireworks CS4 did.

By: Chetan

Chetan — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 16:21:56 +0000

It was A nice Center

By: Snazie

Snazie — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 20:45:32 +0000

Where did you hear that from ?

By: bz

bz — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 22:13:04 +0000

Yes! Yet Adobe is dropping Fireworks in CS6. It's a big mistake.

By: Felix Kjäll

Felix Kjäll — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 19:22:16 +0000

So, eight months later, are some of the features you wished for included in CS5, perchance? I'm currently examining which prototype tool to use for my future projects.

By: Dick

Dick — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 20:47:57 +0000

Of course, Fireworks + Catalyst makes sense.
But not for Adobe, since Photoshop is their cash cow, which must not be cannibalized… utterly stupid product policy.

By: ylluminate

ylluminate — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:08:16 +0000

Juan, I have a request in to OmniGroup right now for full Fireworks / OmniGraffle roundtrip. You might add your 2¢ if you're an  user (which it appears you are from screenshots). I have found that OG is supreme for wireframes at the moment (with very much an open mind for input and improvement of their system) and with the power of a full roundtrip with Fireworks I could just imagine how my productivity would explode.

By: ylluminate

ylluminate — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:55:15 +0000

Doug, I was under the impression with some discussion that went on in the prerelease forums that this is the idea with regards to Fireworks / Catalyst interaction. Which, of Juan's points, are not really possible at this moment? Does FWCS5 resolve these issues? I need to dig deeper I guess, but would certainly like your feedback.

By: Sarthak Singhal

Sarthak Singhal — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:18:15 +0000

Thanks Juan.
A very well thought out post and the workflow relationship you have mentioned amongst Fireworks and Catalyst is very neat.