The play back speed of each frame can be controlled from the Frames Inspector. Double clicking any single frame will open the properties for the frame. As shown here, the default time is 20/100 of a second, however, this speed can be changed manually.
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For instance, if you modify the number to 100/100, the frame will pause for 1 whole second, while a speed of 1000/100 will cause the frame to pause for 10 seconds.
Along the bottom of the Frames Inspector you'll see a GIF Animation looping button, which is set by default to "No Looping". If you select the GIF Animation looping button, you'll open a drop down menu of animation looping options. Note however that electing for the animation to loop a number of times will not increase the size of the file.
Get it on the Web!
Animation does need some subtle modifications to allow it to be exported to the Web. This can be easily done through the use of the Optimize Inspector, shown here.
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Open the Optimize Inspector, select the "Export File Format" dropdown, and click on Animated GIF. At this point a transparency can be applied using the "Choose type of Transparency" dropdown.
Now that you've confirmed the export settings, select File -- Export, and specify the location on your hard drive to which you'd like to save the animation. When the file has been saved, open your favorite Web browser, select File -- Open, and locate your new animated GIF. The animation now plays in your browser!
Your animation can also be exported as a Flash movie. With your animation open in Fireworks, select Export Special, and a second list of options will appear. Choose Flash SWF.
Final Word
Flash has several advantages over GIF. To begin with, Flash movies are generally smaller than Animated GIF movies. More animation can be created in a smaller file, with the end result being an improved customer experience. Flash movies can also be "loaded" into other Flash movies. This has to be done with ActionScript in Macromedia's Flash 4 or above. The end result, however, is that the graphics can be controlled with Fireworks and the scripting can be controlled by Flash, both tools doing what they do best.
Animation can make the difference for any site. In a recent Website competition in Wisconsin, one of the designers was surprised to see that the sites that won all leveraged animation and commented "I guess animation does make a difference." Used creatively and carefully, the impact of animation can make the difference between a dull site and a site with impact.
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