answer:I use Scribus for that sort of stuff. It allows me to choose the default units (px, pt, in, etc) for each drawing (in Page ->Manage Page Properties and also in File -> Document Setup). Do you have a setting like that somewhere? If so, you could switch to pixels, create a layer for your “ruler” and draw the ruler in, then go back to whatever units you’re working in and just do your design using other layers, without messing up your ruler line. Does that help? Did I understand your need correctly? Sorry, but I know nothing about Fireworks. Good luck! :)