Many members do not use Fireworks. As Henning stated, "You need Fireworks only if you want to work on the original graphic-source-files."

I don't use fireworks (just currently do not need it for my projects).

It is a fabulous program and Andy has written some clear answers to this question.

If someone wants to be a carpenter, they need tools. Which ones they decide are critical for the work they do is entirely up to them.

www.rockettheme.com/forum/index.php?f=15..._v=viewtopic#p379098

www.rockettheme.com/forum/index.php?f=15..._v=viewtopic#p379341

www.rockettheme.com/forum/index.php?f=15..._v=viewtopic#p345751

You do NOT need fireworks to edit all the graphics for a template. What you DO need is a working understanding of where all the graphics files for each template AND each style for that template are located. This will vary somewhat with each template. From there, you can edit the files to your heart's content with ANY graphics editor that supports .png file format.

With the exception of a few demo files, RT has placed all these files in:
/joomla install files/template files/name of template/images....
From there, it depends on the template, but the file structure itself will lead you where you want to go.

As to changing your logo: You can put anything you want as a logo, you are not locked in with the one supplied in either style or font. If the logo will be a different "size" than the one supplied, you will need to edit the template.css file for that template.

Find the file: --->/joomla install files/template files/name of template/css/template.css

Look for the statement: #rt-logo {width: 475px;height: 240px;display: block;}

Change the height and width to match your logo dimensions.

That's all there is to it!

Frankly, if you can't have/want/afford Fireworks AND dependent upon your expertise, fireworks can overwhelm you at first and would not be very helpful. You were right about how long it takes you to learn, but that is also contingent upon just how much you understand from "other" graphics programs. Many of them are becoming more standardized so you can switch back and forth. That said, IF you plan on doing multiple sites, it is well worth the investment as it takes only a minute or two to modify the look of an entire site in fireworks, as compared with manually adjusting each individual image file.

The fireworks files are included for our convenience. Since one alteration of those files can cause unwanted results with an inexperienced user, I consider than an "extreme" courtesy on RT's part. Once we get them, they aren't obligated to tell us how to fix it when we break it, but they DO. Another extreme courtesy on RT's part.

CAVEAT: You should be familiar with working with pixels to alter many of the files as they may contain more than one graphic. If your pixels are off and you don't know how to re-code the proper css file, your displays may become skewed.
***********************************************************************************
To change the name of the site displayed on the tab:

Select ---> Menus
Select--->Main Menu
Select ---> HOME

On the right hand sand, under parameters:

Select ---> Parameters(System)

Go to: Page Title
Give your page a name. That is what will show up on your frontpage TAB.

You can do this for EACH menu item on EACH menu. Whether you elect to show the title is up to you. Try it each way and see how you like it.
***********************************************************************************
The tutorials for most of the above cover the information you are seeking. In addition, it would benefit you to use the Joomla EXTERNAL help menu located at:

Sign in to Administrator Control Panel
On the top menu: Select ---> Site--->Global Configuration ---> System--->Help Server
In the drop down menu for that item, select the Joomla help site for your language.
You can change it later if you desire once your site is "live."

***********************************************************************************
Since you are new to both Joomla AND RT templates, I would suggest using RT Launcher to install your site and using the demo content. Instructions for each item are located within the template itself.

Hope that helps,
Carol (a.k.a. Empowermom)

If you are a developer and really need to edit source files to COMPLETELY customize a site, well, you're probably getting paid to do so and Fireworks is one of the tools of the trade.