I'm just a newbie, so please put up with my stupid question on Fireworks MX 2004.

When I draw a vector shape onto the canvas, it get converted to a bitmap image automatically! It looks very pixelated when I zoom in. Is it suppose to be like this? Is there anyway to prevent this from happen?

I experience no such problems when I draw a vector image using Flash. The picture stays perfect no matter how much I zoom in.

Thanks a lot for the help!

just as a test i created a vector pen shape.

started pixelating at around 3000x magnification.

the image is set at 72dpi by default, (72 dots per inch) maybe that has something to do with it.

but 3000x magnify is hardly something anyone is ever going to do with your images.

little test for you.
-------------------

open a blank canvas and drag a vector rectangle onto the canvas.
now open the layers panel [hotkey F2]
in the layers panel, you can see your rectangle.

depending on what is says there, will tell you whether it is vector or bitmap.

if it's vector, it will say 'rectangle'
if as you say, it's changing automatically, then it will say 'bitmap'

regards

Dave Thomas
<b>DMX Zone Forums Manager</b>
Tip: Use Google or our own Search function to find answers before asking. You'd be surprised what's already written <img src=../images/dmxzone/forum/icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Thanks Dave for your reply.

So as according to what you say, the Vector tools do not really draw vector graphics in Fireworks MX 2004? The basic vector shapes get pixelated really badly, and more obvious when it comes to autoshapes like star, spiral etc. at 96dpi.

I was thinking that it would be more like Flash, where vector tools gives you vector graphics.

my idea of pixeling at 3000x magnification is the fact i can see the shape of the pixels easily.

it's still a vector, i haven't got flash installed anymore, do a comparison of a vector shape in a high magnification and see if it's any different.

regards

edit: just done another, i must have had tired eyes this morning <img src=../images/dmxzone/forum/icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

vector line @ 6400 magnification
<img src="www.bluecoder.co.uk/dmx/vectorline.jpg" border=0>

total vector all the way.


Dave Thomas
<b>DMX Zone Forums Manager</b>
Tip: Use Google or our own Search function to find answers before asking. You'd be surprised what's already written <img src=../images/dmxzone/forum/icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Try using the Properties Panel at the bottom of the screen. When you click on the image, look at the window in Properties. There is a drop-down box, where you can select "Anti-Alias" for the edge. Also, go to Windows&gt;Optimize. At the top of the panel there is a drop-down menu, where you can change the image to Gif, or Jpeg. Fireworks considers Jpegs to be Bitmaps from my recollection. Hope this helps.

Edited by - FWCrazy on 20 Mar 2006 06:41:30

In addition to what FW crazy mentioned, also check on the property panel, stroke options. There you'll be able to choose from type of strokes: i.e. hard and soft as well as thickness.