Where does Fireworks store image map hotspots?
May 30, 2010 10:56 PM   Subscribe

How can I edit or update an image map in Adobe Fireworks CS4 or CS5? I've saved the .png that contains "hotspots", I have the HTML that Fireworks exports, with all the hotspot coordinates, but if I move these files to a different folder, then reload the .png into Fireworks, all the hotspots are gone :(

I've googled around for this, but without any luck. I can create imagemaps easily enough, but it seems that moving files breaks all the hotspots in both FW CS4 and CS5.

Does Fireworks create some other kind of file that contains the hotspots (other than the HTML?). It's not making any kind of sense!
posted by flutable to Computers & Internet (4 answers total)
 
Make sure the "show slices and hotspots" button is selected (in the Web section of the vertical toolbar). I just created a simple file in Fireworks, saved and reopened, and I was able to re-edit the hotspots to my heart's content.

Exported files -- and their location -- have no bearing on the originating PNG.

At the same time, Fireworks has always had various bugs, so if you still have problems, report it on the official Adobe forum.
posted by teedee2000 at 11:11 PM on May 30, 2010


Response by poster: I've confirmed that the hotspots button is active.

@teedee2000: Could you please try moving the graphic & HTML files you've created, to another folder, and let me know if you can still edit the hotspots.

I've discovered that when adding the hotspots, and subsequently exporting the HTML & PNG, Fireworks appears to write something INTO the PNG files.

Strange indeed, and very annoying.
posted by flutable at 11:56 PM on May 30, 2010


Best answer: When you export out of Fireworks, whether it's an image or HTML/slices, Fireworks saves the export settings to the PNG file so that next time they are there (at least that's how it appears to me, I'm no expert, but I've used the program for many years). That's why you are seeing a modification.

I couldn't repeat the problem you describe. Whether you move or delete any exported files, there should be no impact on the originating PNG. I can understand there being a problem if this was Illustrator and you had placed a linked image asset in the file, but in Fireworks I don't think you can "link" a file; it just imports it fully.

Maybe try trashing your Fireworks preference file in user/Library/Preferences? It's possible it has gotten corrupted and that might be affecting the application.

Finally, if all else fails, I would post your problem on the Adobe Fireworks Support forum.
posted by teedee2000 at 9:49 AM on May 31, 2010


Response by poster: Thanks teedee2000, I did post to their forum, and received an answer that said something similar to yours: "Fireworks does do something to the original PNG, so when you export the imagemap and the PNG, keep the original PNG so you can update/edit it later."

I think what's happened is that I've probably overwritten the original file (with the PNG metadata) with the exported one :S
posted by flutable at 6:36 PM on May 31, 2010


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