In this tutorial I will show you how to create basic animation using Macromedia Fireworks as shown below, Fireworks creates files with a PNG (Portable Network graphics) which can later be rendered in to a desired format. I expect you to have a basic idea of using Macromedia Fireworks 4.0, its ok if you don't.

1. After booting Macromedia Fireworks, Create a new document with dimensions Width: 400, Height: 150, Background custom with Hex values #E9E3DE, I am using this colour so that the background of my animation gels with the background of the Web page. You are free to use any other color or keep it transparent.

2. Open the Tool bar in case it is not open from Windows -> Tools. First I create the ball using the Ellipse tool.

fig 1.1

3. At the top left corner draw a ball drag while keeping the Shift key pressed this gives u a proper circle. Go to Window > Fill or press Shift + F7 to open the Fill palette. Select a Radial fill from the drop down as shown below (fig 1.2). Click on the edit (fig 1.3) to change colours if you want to put any other colours rather than black & white. Click on the paint bucket tool and adjust the Radial gradient to make it look as it does in the animation.

fig 1.2

fig 1.3

4. Now after creating the ball you need to convert it into an symbol (refer the gray area for a brief explanation on making symbols.