How to Customize the Fireworks Common Library

The Fireworks common library is a collection of graphic and animation elements that you can access directly from the menu bar without having to navigate through your hard drive. The ability to quickly access graphic elements can be convenient, but you might prefer a different collection. While Fireworks doesn't offer a way to customize its common library, there is a back door that's easy to access.

Instructions

1. Create any element you want to reuse in future files with Fireworks. It can be an animated text banner, a custom button, or a web menu with slices and links.

2. Save the file in PNG format. Navigate through your hard drive to find the Fireworks application "Configuration" folder. Open the folder and save the file inside the "Common Library" folder.

3. Open the "Common Library" folder from your operating system desktop. Add any new folders you would like to represent additional library categories. Rearrange current library files, or save new files into your custom folder.

4. Choose "Common Library" from the Fireworks Window menu to access your customized library. The library palette will open. It will now be organized to your liking.

Tips & Warnings

• You don't have to use Fireworks to create your library elements. You can create them with any application that supports PNG. If you want the file to contain Fireworks specific features, however, you must add those features in Fireworks.

• The common library feature is only available with Fireworks CS3.

• Don't modify your library files with any program other than Fireworks. Other applications may disable Fireworks specific features.