Vitaly Friedman February 1st, 2010

An Explosion of Adobe Fireworks Resources

An often overlooked member of the Adobe Creative Suite is Adobe Fireworks. This application software can be used to create vectors, design application interfaces, digital artwork, and create rapid prototypes of websites. Adobe Fireworks can also generate PDF’s, export CSS based layouts, and a variety of other features. However, Adobe Fireworks resources are not easy to find. Resources are scattered among many different websites, blogs, and forums. Since the resources are far and few, some designers forget about all the features and abandon using the software all together.

In this article, renew your love for Adobe Fireworks! Check out the 200+ (mostly) free Adobe Fireworks resources that are gathered and categorized for easy reference. Please remember: since many designers have made these resources free for others, take the time to check out the license agreements before using any resources for personal and/or commercial projects.

1. Common Libraries, Patterns, and Rich Symbols

Common Libraries

Libraries are a great way to enhance the assets of Adobe Fireworks. Collections of symbols and objects save time when creating design elements.

Arrows

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Stencils

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Cursors

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Shields

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Patterns

A wonderful way to add a final touch or create interest in a design is by using a pattern. Check out some great pattern resources for Adobe Fireworks.

Kaliber Patterns

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Free Fireworks Patterns

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Free Patterns (158)

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Checker Patterns

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Carbon Pattern

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Free Patterns

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Wood Pattern Package

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Rich Symbols

Rich graphic symbols can be scaled and given attributes with scripts, which saves a lot of time when creating interfaces, websites, or design elements.

A reusable page icon

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Paper Grams

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iPhone GUI as Rich Symbols for Fireworks

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2. Styles

Styles are a great way to apply predefined attributes to an object or text (but not to bitmap objects).

Borders

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Metal Pack 1

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150 Fireworks Styles (Gradient Effects)

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Electronics

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15 Grunge Colors Styles

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Fireworks Styles Pack 2

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Fire and Flames

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131 Ultimate Web 2.0 Styles

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NN_Style_03

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Styles Pack 1-3

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Drawings

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15 FIREWORKS CS4 TEXT STYLES PACK 1

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Web 2.0 Styles 1

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Fireworks Styles Pack 1

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Overkill Set 1

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Stroke Styles for Fireworks MX, Series 1

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Fireworks Styles Pack 6

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48 Ultimate Web 2.0 Styles

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Chrome Gradient Styles

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The CMX Dash Pack

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MST Styles

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Style Pack 1

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Text Styles Pack

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Gradients, Blue Light, Charcoal, Chrome, etc. (No Preview Image)

3. Auto Shapes

According to help.Adobe.com, auto shapes are a great tool which "simplify the creation and editing process of common visual elements." They're also a great time saver.

Smart Resize

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Basic Pack 2

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Background Rectangle Auto Shape

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Pinwheel Auto Shape

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Crescent Auto Shape

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Ribbon

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Revolve Path Auto Shape

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Auto Shapes with Styles

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Sunburst, Effect Light Source, Geometry Guides, and Grid

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Annotation Auto Shape

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Sunburst

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Enhanced Rectangle Auto Shapes

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Simple Orb Smart Shape

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Puzzle Auto Shape

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Adjustments Panel

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4. Commands, Scripts, and Panels

Commands

Essentially, commands are shortcuts for automating repetitive tasks. Find out how the following commands can reduce the time of your next design process.

Copy Merge

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Harmonia Color Schemer

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Canvas Squeezer

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Copy Paste WHXY

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Watermark 1.0

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Color Palette 1.25

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Smart Punch

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Box Templates 1.0

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Demo Current Document 1.0

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Calculator

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Snap Objects 1.0

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Mac Button

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Smart Knife

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Rounded Bitmap Corners

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Copy Merged

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Spiral

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Objects, Pattern and Texture, and Text Commands

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Chrono 1.0

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Level Horizon

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Batch Import 1.0

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Interpolation Panel

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Utility Set One

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Brush, Document, and Effects Commands

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Flash Slide Show 1.12

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Campus Tools

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Add Web Guides, Group, Mask, Modify, 3D Rotate, Rename, and Paths Commands

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Duplicate, Offset, Rotate

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Save Paths as Actionscript

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Super Nudge 1.0.3

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Batch Complete Alert

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Extrude Paths

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Shape Shifter Set 1

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Scripts

Fireworks to XAML Exporter

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iPhone Application Prototype

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Panel

Gradient Panel

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5. Automation and Effects

Automation

A simple way to save time is through the use of Adobe Fireworks automating tasks. Check out a few examples of some true saving auto tasks.

FW CS4 Workspace Manager

Auto Vector Mask

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Effects

Effects (or Live Filters) are a great way to enhance vector objects, text, and bitmaps. Check out some fantastic ways to add effects to your designs.

Oldie Effect

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Metallic Gold Effect

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Old Paper Effect

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String of Pearls

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Twist and Fade

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6. Templates

Save valuable time with predesigned templates ranging from websites to iPhone prototypes.

Fireworks Toolkit for Creating iPhone Mockups

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Free Template #4 - Travel Site

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Adobe Fireworks Template for Android by UNITid

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FotoGallery 1

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FotoGallery 2

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Prebuilt CSS Templates in Fireworks CS4

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Free Template #3 - Restaurant Website

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Web Studio

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Super Guides 1.0

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Blueprint - Sample Web Template

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Template #5 - Writing Website

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Fireworks 975PX Grid Systems (6col and 12col)

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Free Template #6 - Business Website

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Free Website Template 7

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Free Template #2 - Funky Website

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Free Website Template 1

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Emote Template

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Free Website Template 8

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Prototyping for the iPhone

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7. Textures

Adding custom textures to fills and strokes gives artwork a "more organic look" and adds depth to your design.

20 Fireworks Seamless Texture Pack 1

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FTG Textures

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Wood Textures (61)

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Metal Textures (28)

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50 Pack

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Smoke (registration required)

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Cracked Paint

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Brick Textures (65)

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InkySmoke (registration required)

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Pave Textures (203)

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Fabric Patterns 0003 (registration required)

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Fractal

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Cracked Earth 0010 (registration required)

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Welcome Mat

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Splatter Round 0039 (registration required)

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Horizontal Lines

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Various 0224 (registration required)

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Zoom Starburst

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Rock Rough 008 (registration required)

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Further Texture Resources

BittBox has “Free Texture Tuesdays”

Free Macromedia Textures (379)

CG Textures

Mayang

880 Odd Textures

Textures from FireworksGuru Forums Gallery (must register)

8. Objects and Vector Objects

A "shape defined by a path" is a vector object. One can edit vector objects and use them in a variety of design applications. Some resources are Adobe Fireworks .jpg files labeled "Objects."

The Complete (Almost) Vectorized Webding Catalog

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Shiny Shapes

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Web 2.0 Navigation

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Box

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More Buttons

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Glossy Country Flag Buttons

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Firefox Using Fireworks

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CMX Black Line Master Graphics 3

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Hourglass

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Fireworks Vector Pack by Pete

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Valentine’s Day Heart

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Shiny Basic Icons

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Project Icon Set

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Vector Goodies

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Bitmap Buttons

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12 Free Quality Logos

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iPhone Hardware Translated into Vectors

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2Experts Icon Set

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Free RSS Buttons

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Badget Fireworks

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Adobe Fireworks Logos

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Adobe Fireworks Tutorials

40+ Striking Adobe Fireworks Tutorials

FireTuts

23 Amazing Tutorials for Adobe Fireworks

20 Useful Fireworks Tutorials for Designers

Top 20 YouTube Adobe Fireworks Video Tutorials

Tutorials at Layers Magazine

Maa Graphics Fireworks Tutorials

200+ Must Know Adobe Fireworks Tutorials for Designers

20 Tutorials for Professional Effects in Fireworks

ITM Design

Basic Fireworks

Qrayg Fireworks Tutorials

TW Design Fireworks Tutorials

Community MX Fireworks Tutorials

Imajine Fireworks Tutorials?

Fireworks Zone

Entheos Adobe Fireworks Tutorials

Joe DaSilva Blog

In Conclusion

Adobe Fireworks is a great tool for designers which deserves more attention and definitely more resources. If you’re new to Fireworks, give the software a try and discover the power of this forgotten resource. On the other hand, if you haven’t launched Fireworks in some time, what are you waiting for? There’s a nice big box of Fireworks (resources) just waiting to light up your desktop!

Excellent Overall Resources

Adobe Fireworks Exchange
A super resource of Fireworks source files, tutorials, and resources.

Senocular
Great resource for Fireworks Source Files, Extensions, and Tutorials.

John Dunning
A super collection of Fireworks commands, auto shapes, and resources.

FW Extensions
Adobe Fireworks Plugins Directory.

CommunityMX
Fireworks articles, tutorials, and extensions.

FWKit
Fireworks extensions, styles, and templates.

Aaron Beall
Fireworks commands, panels, auto shapes, and concepts.

Phireworx
Various Adobe Fireworks tools.

Heathrowe
Auto Shapes, Commands, Automate, and other resources.

Matt Stow
Fireworks tutorials and resources.

FireworksGuru Forum --> Gallery
Templates, PNG’s, icons, textures, patterns (must register first).

UltraWeaver
Over 277 Fireworks Resources.

Fireworks Designer

IDUX

Further Reading

40 High Quality Adobe Fireworks Tutorials, Resources, & PNG Files

70+ Adobe Fireworks Resources - Is there a future for Fireworks?

Adobe Fireworks Tutorials and Downloads - Best of -

The Ultimate Round-Up of Fireworks Tutorials and Resources

75 Powerful Adobe Fireworks Extensions

About the Author

Melissa Scroggins is a freelance graphic designer at PeachPoPs. She loves designing icons, creating vector illustrations, and playing survival horror video games. Follow her design adventures on Twitter.

48 comments

  1. Fantastic! – Is all i can say.
    There is however, a subject not adressed –
    Maybe you have some tutorials that can be references –

    The subject Is: Successfully attaching text to circular objects.

    To do this seems to be difficult in the latest ( cs6 ) version.
    Or rather – Attaching is easy; But to position the text where required is not.

    Help will be appreciated ….

  2. Fireworks is crap.
    Constant export, saving, slicing, layer, css problems.
    Adobe ignores all this. This is the buggiest software I have ever used. Don’t believe me, Google it .

  3. Thank you for this valuable information, it has helped me a lot. Thank you
    And also for you I found a lot of useful and valuable information like it on this site

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