What app to move to, to repace Fireworks

[kneidels]

I have been uning and enjoying Firewrosk for years. Easy app to usefor both simple bitmap and vector editing.

But it's been written off essentially, and has limitations (like the canvas size, and how big an image can be etc).

Is there an equivalent Adobe app that replaces FW, with simlar functionality? And thats easy to use?

... and maybe even one that can open FW layered PNG files?

Thanks in advance!

[L e n a]

There is no real application that can replace the principle, the simplicity, the efficiency, the extensibility, the acceptance of JavaScript directly within the interface, of Fireworks... but well, never mind... you can always play FW from a virtual machine if needed. ...

or

use Photopea https://www.photopea.com/ which allows you to read and interpret layered PNG documents... then save them in PSD format (native format for Photopea) ... and there you can use PS and even Ai from the Adobe suite.

[kneidels]

Thank you Lena. Seems we are both on the same wave length in terms of FW...

What app do you tend to use now (when not needing to open an existing PNG)?

[L e n a]

What app do you tend to use now (when not needing to open an existing PNG)?

By @kneidels

It's a tricky question... 🙂

In fact I confess, I still use FW, and I have a hard time to detach myself from it. I have a lot of extensions, I have a lot of personal scripts, and then it's hard to find a real replacement.

I also have a virtual machine ready in case FW would not work anymore on the current OS (well, I'm still on W10)...

I work a lot with Photopea to switch sensitive projects to PSD, on which I want to guarantee a certain portability with partners who do not use FW.

And finally with Ai, for everything that is processed in pure SVG, especially if it's interactive SVG documents.

As a centerpiece, I keep Bridge under the elbow, because it is an orientation, organization and management platform that, although like FW is quite on the edge of oblivion, remains a remarkable and great tool.

(in order to avoid any confusion, I don't use Br as an exclusively Photographic management tool, but as an alternative OS in document manipulation of all kinds, and in project management… here again, scripts are precious allies)

[kneidels]

Thank you Lena for your detailed and helpful reply!

[L e n a]

I'm glad to see that it was able to help you!... and fingers crossed that FW works for a long time to come!!!

[Paul-M]

Affinity Designer is about the closest thing I've seen to Fireworks but it can't  open layered Fireworks PNGs like Photopea can. I have some Fireworks commands for batch converting Fireworks PNGs to other firmats like PSD,  let me lnow if you would like them.

[L e n a]

I have some Fireworks commands for batch converting Fireworks PNGs to other firmats like PSD,  let me lnow if you would like them.

By @Paul-M

Although, as I detailed in a previous comment, I use some particular workflows, but if you don't mind I would be interested in your conversion scripts.

With the amount of PNGs accumulated over the years, we can never be too careful about sustainability.

[Paul-M]

Hi - download here - copy the folder to your Fireworks commands folder. The conversion to PSD is not always perfect, it is what it is as they say, but at least it gives you an option to bulk convert if you have a lot of layered Fireworks PNGs. The only other program that can open Fireworks PNGs has been mentioned here before: Photopea - free with ads, or you can pay a small subscription to be ad free. Good luck 👍

[kneidels]

Thank you Paul, for your useful, helpful and friendly answer!

[L e n a]

Thank you very much for this download! It's always good to add to our FW toolkit.
Thanks again!

[Nancy OShea]

Fireworks alternatives.

- Illustrator CC: https://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator.html
- Photoshop Elements: https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements.html
- Photoshop CC: https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html

Hope that helps.

[B i r n o u]

Thanks @Nancy OShea for such a list of graphic tools, but as @kneidels 's question was about opening, FW layered PNG,

does each of the programs in your list, except Photopea pointed out by @L e n a , open PNGs in the FW mode ?

[kneidels]

Thank you Nancy!

[rayek.elfin]

For completeness' sake:

- PhotoLine https://www.pl32.com/

In my opinion a great alternative to Fireworks, since like FW bitmap and vector are seamlessly combined in one workflow. (Does not open FW PNG files, though - use PhotoPea for that and import the result.)